Are you aware that there’s a special type of seating furniture-style called a “snuggler“? It’s like a loveseat but maybe a little smaller.
Whether you have one or not, or if you like sitting in one with just yourself or two others, now’s the time to be in it, watching movies that put you in the mood for Christmas.
We here at Hollywood.com we would be remiss not to provide you with some kind of viewing list. However, as we go through our archives and evaluate other media outlets’ lists, it’s hard not to find the old classics repeating themselves.
While films like It’s a Wonderful Life, Home Alone, and Die Hard always come to mind, we feel it’s time to offer up some new suggestions. We’ve scouted out seven specific selections for when you’re feelin’ Christmas-y but in a different way.
Documentary-ish: I Am Santa Claus (2014)
Mall Santas can’t be Santa all year — they gotta get those cookies from January to November too, right? This one’s about four professional Saint Nicks and their lives during the off-seasons. Filmmaker (and one of the executive producers) Morgan Spurlock and WWE personality Mick Foley explore the question you might have wondered about before, “Whose lap is your child sitting on?” It turns out that some Santas get jolly over other things besides gifts and reindeer.
Thirsty-ish: Looks Like Christmas (2016)
Whether you love ’em or can’t stand ’em, Hallmark Channel movies aren’t going anywhere. In fact, did you know that — if you really want to — you can watch their Christmas movies year-round, on-demand on Hulu now? We couldn’t find a definitive list of ALL of the Hallmark Channel Christmas movies but we can safely say at least 40 have been released for the 2023 season.
From the plethora of selections, we sought out the lowest rated according to IMDB. We’re recommending it with a twist though: Countryliving.com has a Hallmark Christmas Drinking Game! It could be the best way to watch this flick about two single parents, their middle school-aged children and a power struggle. Of course, the true meaning of Christmas is explored.
The rules say to take a shot when Candace Cameron Bure, Lacey Chabert or Danica McKellar make an appearance but alas, the only real star power this TV movie emits is from the late Anne Heche.
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Slasher-ish: Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)
This one’s for the adults because it’s full of triggers like rape, homicide, and child abuse. It was actually pulled from theaters and eventually became a Yuletide cult classic. We don’t want to go into the details about this one but for those who want more, it has inspired at least four sequels, some loosely-based. There’s been some buzz about a reboot deep in the bowels of the ‘net but we won’t hold our breath.
Luckily for the naughty film watchers, you can find it streaming on YouTube.
Gen-X-ish: Gremlins (1984)
1984 brought America a much more wholesome holiday hit with Gremlins, the Steven Spielberg blockbuster that was an early pioneer of the horror-comedy genre. It’s a family-friendly selection that spawned a merchandising tidal wave with everything from breakfast cereal to trading cards to thousands of furry, little mogwai plushies. Gremlins is perhaps the most classic holiday favorite on our list and includes some of our fave ’80s stars in early roles like Phoebe Cates, Judge Reinhold and Corey Feldman.
Blue Blooded-ish: Spencer (2021)
Though not a Christmas movie in the truest sense of the phrase, Spencer is actually set around the Christmas season of 1991 shortly before the announcement of the separation of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. It’s a fictional psychological drama that takes the viewers inside of the spiraling first wife who suffered from bulimia, had hallucinations and suffered through indifference and dismissal by the rest of the royals.
The film is beautifully shot on film instead of digital and was scored by Jonny Greenwood. Spencer was highly acclaimed and Kristen Stewart’s breakthrough role as the Princess of Wales earned her a Best Actress nod at the Oscars.
European-ish: Krampus (2015)
Americans don’t believe in Krampus but those from Hungary, Austria, Germany and other Central European countries do. He’s a beast with horns, fangs, a long tongue and he’s mean AF. He somehow makes it to the States and finds Max, a young recently reformed non-believer of Santa Claus before wreaking havoc on an anonymous neighborhood.
It’s a cautionary tale for the kids and the adults might appreciate performances from Toni Collette and Adam Scott. Before you wonder, there is an Old World granny who ties it all together. Krampus actually did ok at the box office so you can feel better about maybe adding it to your new holiday film rotation.
Wild And Crazy-ish: Office Christmas Party (2016)
Most of us can’t resist a comedy with celebs behaving badly, right? Sexy CEO Carol Vanstone (of course, her name is Carol), played by Jennifer Aniston, is doing her damndest to shut down Zenotek, a Chicago-based tech company. This includes laying off employees, cutting holiday bonuses and putting the kibosh on the company Christmas party. However, if the crew can land that one Holy Grail account, Zenotek might live to see another day.
To do this though, the party MUST go on. Chaos ensues. Olivia Munn, T.J. Miller, Jason Bateman and Kate McKinnon co-star, along with a number of minor Hollywood players. Your own office Christmas party just had a couple of drink tickets and ugly sweaters. This one’s way better!
… and if after all of that, you still want to watch It’s A Wonderful Life, here you go.
If you prefer a more traditional list, please check our other, more family-friendly one.
You’re welcome and Merry Christmas from all of us at Hollywood.com!
