Alternative Christmas films you should be watching every year (2025)

Home Alone, Elf and Polar Express may be at the top of people's favourite Christmas film list but there's some seasonal flicks which you should be watching every year

If you're tired of the same old Christmas films you've been made to watch over and over again year after year, there are still a whole list of alternative titles you can select to vary your festive viewing.

A Reddit user issued a plea for people to suggest alternate Christmas films after going through all the typical options. They were hoping for something more 'offbeat' after having already watched the likes of Home Alone, Elf and Polar Express. They admitted: "I truly am scraping the bottom of the barrel in terms of options, and am looking for recommendations."

They were inundated with replies of users listing several suggestions ranging from heartfelt comedies, a multi-lingual action title and more family friendly fare.

They include a 'hilarious gem' and most comments claimed that each film should be added to everyone's regular list of seasonal favourites. Here are a select number of those suggestions and other titles that film fans suggest you should be watching every year.

Noelle

While it is the lowest rated of suggestions according to Rotten Tomatoes, it still has many fans who claim they watch it every year following its 2019 release. The film stars Anna Kendrick as the daughter of Santa, who tries to prepare her brother, played by Bill Hader to take over the big man's important role. But when he goes missing, it's up to Noelle to bring her sibling back from the real world to the North Pole and save Christmas

This title is one to throw on while the whole family are around or in the background while finishing up the chores like peeling or wrapping. One fan said: "This movie is adorable, funny, heartfelt and a great family holiday movie. It has been on our annual list since it came out!"

Noelle is streaming on Disney+

The Family Man

One commenter admitted they don't believe this option to be obscure as they watch it every year but they discovered that their colleagues had never heard of it. The Family Man stars Nicolas Cage as Jack, a businessman who rejected family life many years ago for carefree bachelorhood. The tale is reminiscent of the classic A Christmas Carol, with Jack waking up one day in a completely new world where he is married to an old girlfriend and has children.

Fans say that those who love It's A Wonderful Life should give this film a try. One, sharing a review on Rotten Tomatoes said: "This has become one of my go to Christmas movies. It's a very tight story, hums along, no slow parts, great cast, direction. I love the message of the movie even though I chose the career path over the family life, I still can appreciate it. One of my favourite Nic Cage movies and Tea Leoni is great."

The Family Man is streaming on Amazon Prime and ITVX

The Night Before

Once any young members of the family are finally in bed and the Bailey's or hot chocolate is passed around, it's time to stream The Night Before. This raunchy comedy stars Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and the new Captain America Anthony Mackie as three friends spending a wild Christmas Eve together as part of their annual tradition. However it may be for the last time as one of them is due to become a father. To make it as memorable as possible, they plan a night of debauchery and hilarity by searching for the Nutcracka Ball, the Holy Grail of Christmas parties in New York.

Many film fans have this title on their go-to list each Christmas since its 2015 release. One posted online: "When I found this gem a few years ago, I couldn't believe it wasn't more popular. Hilarious, original, and heart warming. This movie is one of my favourites of all time."

Another singled out a memorable cameo appearance from an A-list actor: "Let's not forget Michael Shannon as Mr Green, one of my favourite side characters which had a couple of my favourite moments that made me laugh out loud. It had a pretty wholesome ending too. It's become a new yearly rewatch for me."

The Night Before is streaming on Tubi

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale

Rare Exports was one of the most suggested titles on the Reddit post. One commenter said: "Rare Exports, enjoy your new annual holiday movie!" The film follows a young boy and his friend who think a secret mountain drilling project near their home in Finland has uncovered the tomb of Santa Claus. However it is more monstrous, evil Santa. When one of the child's father captures an old man in his wolf trap, the stranger may hold the key to why reindeer are being slaughtered and children are disappearing.

Very much for an older audience, the film has an 89% rating and one fan says: "This is my favourite Christmas film, I watch it every year. I found it on TV randomly about 6 years ago and had no idea what I was about to watch, but I'm soooo glad I did! It's a very simple premise, but it's done very well and has some great comic moments as well as horror moments."

Rare Exports is streaming on Amazon Prime