10 Best Non-Christmas Movies That Take Place During Christmas, According To Reddit

Whether someone waits until mid-December to watch their favorite Christmas movies or gets started on November 1st, there’s always something cozy, comforting, and familiar about these stories. But what about the films that are set around December 25th and feature jolly decorations and snow but aren’t actually about the holiday season?

Movie fans are passionate about the flicks that feel festive but don’t have a plotline that is tied to the winter holidays. From action movies to comedies, Reddit fans are recommending non-Christmas movies that still feel perfect for this time of year.

Updated on December 3, 2022 by Aya Tsintziras: There will always be excitement for each year’s Christmas movies, including the HBO Max sequel A Christmas Story Christmas, which adds just enough nostalgia to the 2022 holiday season. While audiences always have a list of favorites that they turn to, there are also some beloved movies that aren’t technically about the winter holidays but manage to have the same cozy feeling. Reddit fans have recommended tons of movies to each other and if someone wants all the heartfelt vibes of classic holiday films, these will work, too.

The Shop Around The Corner (1940)

Stream on HBO Max

One Redditor mentioned The Shop Around the Corner and wrote, “Great movie, and it mostly takes place around Christmas, but it’s much more of a romance and a comedy than a Christmas movie.” Even if the main story isn’t about the winter holidays, it still counts since it has a festive tone.

You’ve Got Mail is based on this movie, as both feature characters running sweet and comforting stores that are a staple in their neighborhoods. The protagonists don’t want to fall in love with the object of their affection but can’t help it.

Little Women (2019)

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Greta Gerwig’s take on Little Women continues the heartwarming vibe of the original, and one Redditor said, “Definitely came out around the holidays, has two pivotal Christmas scenes, and gives you lots of warm, cozy feelings!”

The story of the March sisters is melancholy and somber yet has some hope, as Jo forges her own path and tries to separate herself from the life that people expect from her. The tone and snowy setting make Little Women work as a Christmas film.

The Addams Family (1991)

Stream on Fubo

The first The Addams Family movie from 1991 is nostalgic for many, and sometimes that’s enough to make a film feel like a perfect holiday watch. In this case, the members of this quirky family do celebrate the holidays. Redditor dutchmanswheelbarrow wrote that it’s “bookended by Christmas scenes but isn’t in any sense an actual Christmas movie, but I’ve watched it every Christmas since I was like 10.”

Since audiences would expect Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, and Pugsley to only have fun at Halloween, it’s compelling to see that they are a regular family who loves each other and enjoys the holidays.

The Godfather (1972)

Stream on Fubo and DirecTV

The Godfather is quoted all the time and many consider it a favorite that must be watched several times a year. While some classic Christmas movies are always on the list, there are even some crime drama movies that fans consider comforting enough to put on by a tree lit up with sparking lights.

Redditor thekiduknow said The Godfather “can be considered” a holiday film because the “First half takes place around Christmas time.” The Hollywood classic might be darker than other Christmas content but several fans think that it counts.

King Kong (2005)

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Redditor overlord7517 mentioned the 2005 King Kong movie directed by Peter Jackson and wrote, “I can’t explain why… But it’s a Christmas movie.”

The film does take place in a snowy New York City, which makes it feel cozy, despite the fact that it’s action-packed. Even though other classic Christmas movies don’t feature a massive gorilla wrecking havoc, this one still has a warm-hearted feel.

Batman Returns (1992)

Stream on HBO Max

Batman Returns has fsacinating storylines and it’s also a movie that many people associate with Christmas. At the beginning, audiences learn the backstory of The Penguin, and the whole film has many festive aspects.

Reddit user OldTopLeaf posted, “Batman Returns takes place during christmas” and Redditor Coffecor25 agreed, writing, “That’s the first thing I think of when I picture that movie.”

Iron Man 3 (2013)

Stream on Disney+

One Redditor mentioned “Iron Man 3” as a movie that is set during the winter holidays, and it’s another film that many people think of when they picture festive movies.

While some fans believe that it could be called a proper Christmas movie, others just associate it with the holiday season. Either way, the movie definitely looks like Christmas and adds a fun and special element to the popcorn fun. Shane Black wrote and directed the movie and he’s known for setting stories on December 25th.

Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone (2001)

Stream on HBO Max

While the first movie in the beloved Harry Potter franchise is all about the titular Boy Wizard learning about the magical world of Hogwarts, it also features some Christmas scenes. When the students and teachers celebrate this time of year, they have a big meal, and Harry doesn’t go back to the Dursleys for the holidays since Hogwarts has become his new home.

Redditor Mothman405 suggested this movie, writing, “It isn’t a Christmas movie per se, but the magic and also the Christmas scenes makes it a very cozy movie to watch.”

In Bruges (2008)

Redditor Skywalking said that they love watching movies that are “set during Christmas or have some kind of loose connection, but are not inherently Christmas films” and mentioned In Bruges.

Fans love Harry’s great In Bruges quotes and the movie is definitely too dark and violent to truly be a Christmas movie, but it does remind people of the season.

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Stream on Paramount+

For one Redditor, Catch Me If You Can is a great movie that takes place during the winter holidays as “several key plot points happen on Christmas.”

The fan mentioned that Frank gets arrested and then set free on Christmas Day, and Carl and Frank have an important talk on this day as well. This movie is famous thanks to Leonardo Dicaprio’s performance and his character’s jet-setting hijinks, but the time of year gives Catch Me If You Can a comforting vibe too.

Step Brothers (2008)

Stream on DirecTV

Step Brothers is beloved thanks to its hilarious scenes and premise of adult men who don’t act their age. For Redditor flemdog645, Step Brothers definitely counts as a non-Christmas movie that takes place at this time of the year. The fan wrote, “I’ve always been adamant that Step Brothers is a Christmas movie. It ends on Christmas morning and a pivotal scene takes place around Christmas.”

There’s a funny scene when Brennan and Dale sleepwalk during Christmas and bring the tree into their parents’ bedroom. Their dad gets mad and wakes them up and chaos ensues.

Lethal Weapon (1987)

There is often a debate about whether action movies can be holiday films, but since many do happen during this time of year, many feel that they count. Redditor TheStranger30 asked, “Isnt Lethal Weapon also set during Christmas?” and several movie fans commented that it’s a great movie to watch during the holiday season.

There are many classic moments in the Lethal Weapon franchise and while the story could happen at any time, fans like that it’s set during this time of year. Shane Black also directed the film.

Go (1999)

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One Redditor said “Go is a good one” and Redditor Nayzo replied, “I watch this (and a few others) when I’m putting lights on my tree.”

The movie features an impressive cast, including Melissa McCarthy, Taye Diggs, Timothy Olyphant, Sarah Polley, and Katie Holmes, and opens with Ronna (Polley) working at a grocery store during the holiday season. The movie’s storytelling wins praise as it tells the tale of a drug deal from a few different POVs but it’s also set at Christmas.

L.A. Confidential (1997)

Stream on Starz

When people think about Christmas movies, they picture family-friendly fare, but plenty of crime movies take place during this time too.

One Redditor posted that “L.A. Confidential is a great Christmas movie.” It’s not only a highly rated movie about Los Angeles that tells the tale of cops looking into someone who has been killed but a non-Christmas movie that has songs by Bing Crosby and just looks like the festive season.

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Rent on AppleTV

When it comes to non-Christmas movies, Redditor cmjohnson7799 suggested Silver Linings Playbook. The fan wrote that it “never makes a big deal of it being Christmas but at the end there are lights up everywhere and whatnot.”

The story is set partly at Christmas and it’s definitely a dark yet ultimately heartwarming look at falling in love and how to move on from the past and feel more hopeful about the future. These themes work well for the holiday season.

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