Non-Christmas Christmas Movies to Watch All Year Round
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Your Christmas movie watchlist doesn't have to be all about Christmas.
After all, Mean Girls has nothing to do with the festive season, but we dare you to name a scene as iconic as the Plastics performing "Jingle Bell Rock" in the 2004 cult classic. Okay, okay, Frozen isn't technically all about Yuletide — but c'mon, its name alone makes it a perfect cozy movie to enjoy around the fireplace with family and friends this winter holiday.
Few movies are as heartwarming and nostalgic as the Harry Potter films, which — while more about magic, wizards and fantastic beasts — celebrate the season several times throughout the franchise. Who could forget the look on Harry's (Daniel Radcliffe) face when he receives his first Christmas present in 2001's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone?
To ensure you're not missing out on the best non-Christmas Christmas movies, here are 17 you can watch long after you've put the holiday decorations away and the snow has melted.
Die Hard
Perhaps the most popular and hotly debated question of all time: Is Die Hard — the film where Bruce Willis' character utters, "Yippee-ki-yay, motherf-----!" — a Christmas movie? For that reason, and that reason alone, the 1988 action flick (which does, in fact, take place during a Christmas party) makes the list.
Rent or buy Die Hard on Amazon Prime Video
The Harry Potter series
The magic of Christmas meets the magical wizarding world with the Harry Potter film franchise, making it an essential Christmas movie marathon. Oh, what we would give for a hand-knit sweater from Mrs. Weasley (Julie Walters) right about now!
Watch Harry Potter series on Max
You've Got Mail
You've Got Mail is a 1998 adaptation of the 1940 film The Shop Around the Corner, which is a Christmas story, but that's not why it makes the list. Not only does it occur during the winter months in New York City — and nowhere does Christmastime quite like N.Y.C. — but watching Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks go from enemies to lovers is like downing a warm cup of cocoa.
Rent or buy You've Got Mail on Amazon Prime Video
Meet Me in St. Louis
While only a small portion of this Judy Garland-led musical takes place around Christmas, the 1944 classic still gave us the timeless holiday jingle "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."
Rent or buy Meet Me in St. Louis on Amazon Prime Video 404
Rocky IV
The 1985 film and fourth installment in the Rocky series begs the question: What could be more festive than the ultimate showdown between Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) and Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren) in Russia on Christmas? The answer: Not much.
Watch Rocky IV on Max
While You Were Sleeping
Feel-good rom-coms are a staple of the season, and this 1995 flick — starring Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman — takes place over the holidays in Chicago, making it perfect for Christmastime.
Watch While You Were Sleeping on Disney+
Mean Girls
The "Jingle Bell Rock" scene is enough to justify Mean Girls as a non-Christmas Christmas movie. Plus, it's perfect for the person who can't watch Elf one more time and just needs some holiday cheer with a dash of teenage drama.
Watch Mean Girls on Paramount+
Just Friends
A silly rom-com that takes place while Ryan Reynolds' character is home for the holidays and also stars the hilarious Anna Faris? Sign us up! This 2005 cult classic has a Christmas-y vibe and features quintessential festive activities like parties, caroling and decorating without hitting us over the head with holiday cheer.
Rent or buy Just Friends on Amazon Prime Video
The Parent Trap
Listen, I already know what you're going to say: "The Parent Trap (1998) doesn't have any Christmas scenes! This is where I draw the line!"
However, it's just the kind of spirited, family-oriented movie that's great for watching by the fire when you've grown tired of the Princess Switch trilogy.
Watch The Parent Trap on Disney+
Batman Returns
The Tim Burton superhero film is set during Christmas in Gotham City and contains many Christmas allegories, so why not add this 1992 sequel to your binge-watch lineup to break up some of the less action-packed films?
Iron Man 3
It's a bird ... it's a plane ... it's another superhero who has a Christmas-adjacent movie: Iron Man! Although the Marvel film has little to do with Christmas, it does take place during the holiday — making it a great option to add to your list.
Frozen
We know you've heard "Let It Go" millions of times since the film's 2013 release, but it's better than having the same line from "Wonderful Christmastime" stuck in your head, right?
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