17 Non-Christmas Films that Capture the Holiday Spirit

#10 Belle

Belle
Belle. (Credit: Fox Searchlight)

The journey of a young woman trying to navigate her way in a society which does not truly accept her because of her heritage. She becomes involved in an important legal case in which she has a personal stake while beginning a romance with a passionate and political young man.

Most Uplifting Moment: The ruling for the Zong case is made.

#11 Edward Scissorhands

Edward Scissorhands
Edward Scissorhands. (Credit: 20th Century Fox)

After the death of his creator, a young man with scissors for hands comes to live in a quiet suburb. While many embrace him with open arms, others view him with suspicion and seek to bring him down.

Most Uplifting Moment: Kim dances in the shavings made by Edward’s ice sculptures.

#12 Lady and The Tramp

holiday spirit
Lady and the Tramp. (Credit: Disney)

A sweet charming tale told through the eyes of Lady, a naive and kindhearted Cocker Spaniel. She details human events that she doesn’t quite understand, meeting and falling for a mongrel from the wrong side of the tracks along the way. Though there were many Disney films that could have gone in this film’s place, Lady and the Tramp is one of the warmest and most charming. Despite being one of the least magical.

Most Uplifting Moment: The infamous meatball scene.

#13 The Ghost and Mrs. Muir

The Ghost and Mrs Muir
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. (Credit: 20th Century Fox)

A young widow declares her independence and moves with her daughter to an old house by the sea. She soon discovers that the house is haunted by the ghost of a grumpy old sea captain. Though initially hostile, the two become friends and then begin to fall in love.

Most Uplifting Moment: When the captain returns to help her move on.

#14 You’ve Got Mail

You've got Mail
Kathleen discusses her love life. (Credit: Warner Bros)

An updated version of The Shop Around the Corner. Two people meet online and fall in love, little knowing that they have already met (and are business rivals).

Most Uplifting Moment: They finally meet.

#15 A Winter’s Tale

A Winter's Tale
A Winter’s Tale. (Credit: Warner Bros)

An odd love story about good and evil. Peter, a thief breaks into the home of Beverly, a young woman with consumption. Reacting rather unusually she offers him a cup of tea. So begins a strange star-crossed love story that spans over a century.

Most Uplifting Moment: The lovers are (presumably) reunited.

#16 Untamed Heart

Untamed Heart
Untamed Heart. (Credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer)

An odd love story between Caroline, an unlucky-in-love waitress and the painfully shy busboy who saves her life one night when she is attacked walking home from work. But Adam has secrets of his own.

Most Uplifting Moment: Their falling in love montage.

 Content Note: This film contains some violence and profanity. It is not excessive, though.

#17 The Golden Compass

The Golden Compass
The Golden Compass. (Credit: New Line Cinema)

Problems with adaptational choices aside, The Golden Compass is a fun adventure in a creative story world. Lyra is a resourceful and intelligent young heroine who navigates the dangerous world around her with great skill in her quest to save her friends.  A well-crafted and beautiful film.

Most Uplifting Moment: Lyra rides Yorick, the ice bear, through the snowy night.

Have you see these films? What other recommendations would you include? Or do you prefer more traditional Christmas films?

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By on December 14th, 2015

About Elinor Cackett

Elinor is a writer and semi-recent graduate of English and Creative Writing at Aberystwyth University. She has been writing ever since she could hold a pen but her love affair with fiction started when the entirety of David Eddings’ 'The Belgariad' was read to her at age four. She currently has a couple of books and half a dozen short stories on the go. She spends her free time writing, analysing media and knitting very colourful scarves.

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16 thoughts on “17 Non-Christmas Films that Capture the Holiday Spirit”

  1. I love several of the movies you listed here, including “Ever After”, “Little Princess”, “Little Women”, “The Ghost & Mrs. Muir”, and the “Harry Potter” series. They do have a holiday feel and fit right into the season! Another movie I would add to your list is “The Trouble With Angels” starring Hayley Mills & Rosalind Russell. It is not strictly a Christmas movie, but has a couple of Christmas scenes during the timeline of the story (spans a 3-4 year timeline). This is a must watch movie for my daughter & I during the Christmas season! 🙂

    • I’m glad you agree about the feel of these films. I’ve not seen that film but I will definitely check it out.

  2. Aw, so many of these are among favorites! I particularly adore ‘Little Princess,’ ‘Ever After,’ ‘Little Women,’ ‘Penelope,’ ‘Peter Pan’ and of course ‘The Holiday.’ That’s one of my biggest “guilty pleasure” watches! 🙂

  3. Almost the entire first page was some of my favorite movies (though I need to see “While You Were Sleeping”), and the stuff on the second page that wasn’t favorites are things that I now need to watch, so thank you!

    I saw “Some Like it Hot” recently for the first time, and I was not prepared for either how much I loved it or how much it made me laugh. Great list!

  4. Some excellent choices here. These versions of Peter Pan are among my favourite. I’ve been wanting to see “The Ghost and Mrs Muir, and your description makes me want to watch it even more. I’d like to add The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. There’s a feel of Christmas magic to it though.

    • I’d definitely recommend giving ‘The Ghost and Mrs Muir’ a try. You’re right. I can’t believe I forgot about Narnia!

  5. Another movie that fits into the holiday spirit is “Serendipity” with John Cusack & Kate Beckinsale., released in 2001. Very nice film, and it definitely has the Christmas feel to it. 🙂

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