7 Movies That Aren’t Really Christmas (But We Watch Them Anyway)

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As Christmas approaches, there’s plenty of festive entertainment available! From new releases to beloved classics, Christmas specials are all over TV and in movies, perfect for enjoying with loved ones. You can find something for everyone, no matter what you like, making it a wonderful time of year.

While lots of classic Christmas movies are available, many of us also watch films each year that aren’t strictly Christmas movies. These might be debated as Christmas films, or they simply become yearly traditions due to when and where we watch them. Regardless, they feel just as essential to the holidays as a film like A Christmas Carol, and we love that!

7) Batman Returns

As a big movie fan, I always see the debate around whether Batman Returns is a Christmas movie, and honestly, I get why people say it is! It came out in June ’92, sure, but the whole thing takes place during the holidays. It’s got a lot of those classic Christmas themes – family, hope, facing darkness – but presented in a much grittier, more realistic way. I think that’s actually why it’s become a yearly tradition for so many of us – it’s a different kind of holiday movie, but it still feels right at home during that time of year.

In Batman Returns, Michael Keaton reprises his role as Batman, facing off against the scheming businessman Max Shreck (Christopher Walken) and the criminal mastermind Penguin (Danny DeVito), both of whom are vying for control of Gotham City. Adding to the chaos, Max Shreck’s former assistant, Selina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer), seeks revenge and transforms into the dangerous Catwoman. The film explores themes of politics, corruption, and psychological trauma, all unfolding against the slightly festive, yet still dark, atmosphere of Gotham during the holidays.

6) Carol

Carol, set in 1950s New York City, follows the developing relationship between Therese (Rooney Mara), a young photographer, and Carol (Cate Blanchett), a woman navigating a divorce. Though it begins during Christmastime and evokes a seasonal atmosphere – we first meet Therese working at a department store – the film isn’t a Christmas story. The romance between Therese and Carol unfolds over several months. The film also stars Sarah Paulson, Jake Lacy, and Kyle Chandler.

The film Carol is beautiful to look at, and its holiday scenes are especially striking. It perfectly captures the nostalgic feeling of the 1950s Christmas season, but also hints at a quiet sadness that makes it understandable why many consider it a holiday movie.

5) The Wizard of Oz

Many people consider The Wizard of Oz a holiday tradition, but it’s not really a Christmas movie. The film doesn’t feature any Christmas themes or symbols, and it wasn’t originally released during the holiday season. The association with the holidays actually began with television broadcasts. After a three-year break, CBS began airing the movie in December 1959 and continued to do so until 1962. While it later moved to a spring broadcast schedule for many years, in 1999, The Wizard of Oz returned to television around Thanksgiving and Christmas time.

Because it’s shown on TV every year during the holidays, The Wizard of Oz has become a beloved tradition for many. While it isn’t a traditional Christmas movie, it’s become part of people’s holiday celebrations, and that’s what really matters.

4) Iron Man 3

Despite being released in the summer, Iron Man 3 is essentially a Christmas movie. It takes place during the holiday season and explores Christmas themes. Even Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige has confirmed this! The film shares a lot of parallels with A Christmas Carol – Tony Stark faces his past and undergoes a transformation, becoming a better person. It’s just a superhero take on the classic story.

While some might point out that the movie wasn’t specifically made for Christmas and came out in May, arguing it could happen any time of year, many people still consider it a Christmas classic and a yearly tradition.

3) The Lord of the Rings trilogy

The holidays are a perfect time to watch all three Lord of the Rings movies – and for many people, they’ve even become a holiday tradition! While the films don’t have any specific Christmas themes, they’re fantastic adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved books, and are perfect for enjoying with loved ones.

The fact that these movies are often shown during holiday movie marathons definitely contributes to their popularity. It’s common to see all three Lord of the Rings films aired consecutively around Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season, and this has helped establish them as a beloved holiday tradition – something we wholeheartedly support.

2) Harry Potter

Similar to The Lord of the Rings, the Harry Potter movies have become a beloved holiday tradition for many families. While some of the Harry Potter films include Christmas scenes, they aren’t really about Christmas. Still, people often watch them during the holidays when they have time off and are with loved ones, which has made the series strongly associated with the season. Like The Lord of the Rings, the movies are also frequently shown on television throughout the holidays.

1) Die Hard

Let’s be real, no action movie list is complete without Die Hard. In fact, it’s arguably why these lists even exist – it’s the gold standard for that “is it a Christmas movie?” debate. I mean, whether you see John McClane’s chaotic Christmas Eve as a heartwarming holiday story or just a brilliantly executed action flick, it doesn’t really matter. You’re probably watching it around the holidays anyway – it’s on TV constantly! Honestly, you can’t go wrong with Die Hard, no matter how you slice it.

If you’re looking for more holiday action, consider Die Hard 2. Some people actually argue it’s more of a Christmas movie than the original Die Hard, and it further strengthens the case for both films being part of the holiday season. It might be a good addition to your watchlist this year.

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2025-12-19 03:11