The 20 most underrated Christmas films of all time

Sure, Klaus received an Oscar nomination, but in the Christmas movie canon, it hasn’t yet gotten its due. Klaus is a fantastic movie with perhaps the most beautiful Santa origin story. It’s worth a watch even if you don’t have children. 

Just Friends doesn’t get enough credit, either. It’s hilarious, and for the most part, it holds up. Anna Faris said she’d love to reprise her role as Samantha James, and that’s exactly what the world needs right now. 

A Christmas movie about fate starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale? Yes, please. Serendipity is a movie you want to live inside of. It’s got charm and heart, and it’s a great Christmas rom-com. 

Any Christmas movie starring Tim Allen is worth watching. And even though Jamie Lee Curtis’ holiday of choice for films is Halloween, she still shines comedically in Christmas With the Kranks. It’s a great watch for anyone who’s feeling a little overwhelmed by the holidays. 

Arthur Christmas is another great animated Christmas film. It’s got a fantastic cast including Bill Nighy, Hugh Laurie, Laura Linney, and Imelda Staunton. The animation is darling, the story is solid, and it’ll entertain audiences of all ages. 

If there’s a Christmas movie with a more enchanting North Pole than the one depicted in Fred Claus , we’d like to see it. Of Vince Vaughn’s Christmas contributions, Four Christmases usually gets more praise. But Fred Claus deserves some, too. 

Any film with a classic Christmas song for a title is bound to be good, and Deck the Halls is no exception. The cast alone makes it worth watching. Matthew Broderick, Danny DeVito, Kristin Chenoweth, and Kristen Davis all in one film? Outstanding. 

When Netflix decides to make a good Christmas movie, it makes a really good Christmas movie. Near the top of its originals is Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, a dazzling Christmas musical that is too aesthetically pleasing for words. 

Anyone who grew up on ABC Family’s (you know, the station that existed before Freeform) 25 Days of Christmas knows the magic that is Unaccompanied Minors. Though it would be kind of a nightmare to actually experience, every kid thought the plot of this film would actually be fun to live out. 

Though short, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas is at the top of Disney’s holiday offerings. A heartwarming triptych, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas is a good watch no matter how old you are, and the lessons learned from each story will always resonate. 

Why Sandra Bullock hasn’t been in more holiday films is hard to understand. Her, Bill Pullman, and Peter Gallagher, near the beginning of their careers, make While You Were Sleeping a must-watch for anyone who loves holiday movies and rom-coms. 

A cast really can make a mediocre film into something special. On its own, This Christmas might not be worth watching, but thanks to actors like Regina King and Idris Elba, it’s a great holiday watch. 

It may be a recency bias, but The Holdovers is already a classic. Yes, it got plenty of Oscar buzz (and even took home one of its nominations), so in some respects, it’s not underrated. But it hasn’t been seen by nearly enough people. It’s that good, and its awards list should speak for itself. 

The Year Without a Santa Claus is shown every year on television, and everyone knows about Heat Miser and Snow Miser, but no one has the guts to admit that this stop-motion film belongs in the same category as How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Elf. It’s a classic for a reason. 

Anyone who loves A Christmas Carol needs to watch The Man Who Invented Christmas. It’s a great holiday alternative to the classic, a genuinely good movie that will stand to teach Christmas fans a thing or two about the holiday’s modern history. 

Surviving Christmas really went out and got Ben Affleck, Christina Applegate, James Gandolfini, and Catherine O’Hara to star in it. On top of a great cast, it’s a funny film with a unique holiday plot. 

The Family Stone is another Christmas film with an excellent cast. Although it could stand alone as a film without the element of Christmas, it’s still a good holiday watch. It deserves way more love than it gets. 

Anyone who likes pure comedy mixed with their holiday film would love The Night Before. It’s no Christmas Vacation, but it’s funny and fun, and it’s flown under the radar since it was released. Help bolster its reputation by giving it a watch. 

Mixed Nuts was written and directed by Nora Ephron. Of course, it’s good. Also, it’s got Steve Martin and Madeline Kahn, both of whom are absolute treats. Mixed Nuts is a holiday staple for some, but it should be for more. 

Speaking of holiday staples for some, Babes in Toyland is a bit of a cult classic. Featuring a young Keanu Reeves and an even younger Drew Barrymore, this low-budget film might confuse you a bit, but in the best way possible. You’ll have fun watching it.