We all know and love the Christmas classics — “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “A Christmas Story,” “Elf” — the movies that play on a loop every December and feel as familiar as the ornaments you’ve had since childhood. They’re comforting, reliable and endlessly rewatchable.
But sometimes the holidays call for a little novelty. Maybe you’ve already hit your annual quota of leg lamps and Buddy the Elf, or maybe you’re just in the mood to discover something that hasn’t been worn smooth by decades of cable rotation.
If that’s the case, these lesser-known holiday comedies are well worth your time. They’re charming, funny and a little off the beaten path, and three of them are refreshingly romance-free, which can feel like its own holiday miracle.
'Millions' (2004)
Heartwarming isn’t a word often associated with Danny Boyle, the filmmaker behind “Trainspotting" and “28 Days Later." But this gentle, unexpectedly tender comedy absolutely fits the bill. Two young Scottish brothers, grieving the loss of their mothe,r stumble upon a bag stuffed with cash. What they don’t realize is that the British pound notes are about to become worthless as the U.K. switches to the euro (pre-Brexit).
The younger brother, Damian (Alex Etel), who believes the saints he frequently converses with sent the money, spends it on good deeds, like helping the poor and freeing birds from the pet store. His older brother Anthony (Lewis Owen McGibbon), meanwhile, has far more practical ideas. It all ends well — if a little tearily — in this rare, sunny entry from Boyle.
Watch on Disney Plus
'Get Santa' (2014)
Santa (Jim Broadbent) crash-lands in England, and it’s up to divorced dad Steve (Rafe Spall) to help spring him from jail and save Christmas in this thoroughly appealing family film. Steve, a former getaway driver, wants nothing to do with the apparent madman, insisting he’s the real deal — until his son starts pointing out the evidence. Santa does have a reindeer, after all.
Things really take off when Santa lands behind bars, where he gets a prison makeover and, naturally, becomes beloved by his fellow inmates.
Watch on Peacock
'Fitzwilly' (1967)
Dick Van Dyke, who just celebrated his 100th birthday on Dec. 13, plays a butler so loyal to his elderly employer, Miss Victoria Woodworth (Edith Evans), that he and the rest of the household staff routinely intercept donation checks from the generous dowager, who has no idea she’s flat broke.
The delicate con starts to wobble when Miss Woodworth hires a new assistant, Juliet (Barbara Feldon of “Get Smart” fame). She quickly senses something fishy, but can she be persuaded to join the scheme before the staff pulls off one last, very Christmas-y heist?
'The Nine Lives of Christmas' (2014)
If you’re only going to watch one of the zillion Hallmark Christmas movies, make it this charming cat-centered rom-com. A stray named Ambrose brings firefighter Zachary (Brandon Routh) and aspiring veterinarian Marilee (Kimberley Sustad) together — to very different reactions from Zachary’s girlfriend, who is decidedly anti-cat.
Sweet without being cloying, it’s a crowd-pleaser even for the Hallmark-averse, especially if they’re cat lovers. It was popular enough to earn a sequel, “The Nine Kittens of Christmas,” in 2021.
Watch on Prime Video
'A Sunburnt Christmas' (2010)
A thief in a Santa suit inadvertently helps save a struggling family farm in this offbeat Australian comedy. After crash-landing in their shed, Daryl (Daniel Henshall) convinces siblings Daisy (Lena Nankivell), Tom (Eadan McGuiness) and older sister Hazel (Tatiana Goode) to help him find his “missing sack of toys” — actually the loot from a robbery.
Along the way, Daryl turns out to be exactly what the kids and their mom need to stop the bank from foreclosing and to keep Daryl’s less scrupulous partner from reclaiming the cash.
Watch on Prime Video
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