Last week, we asked all of you for your favourite holiday flicks.
Every year, the TV powers that be (we’re looking at you Hallmark) curate a selection of Christmas movies for families to enjoy over the holidays. Alot of your selections matched up with those.
And yet, there are a plethora of alt-Christmas movies out there. Films set in the Holiday universe… but decidedly contrary to the traditional warm and fuzzies we expect from festive cinema.
So we’ve compiled the best of both worlds! A Traditional and Uncovered Holiday Film Guide; with picks from either side of the aisle.
Spice up your holiday viewing with selections from both categories this year. (Just check the ratings beforehand)
TRADITIONAL PICK
RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER
In what must be the most watched claymation movie ever, the well known tale details Rudolph’s quest to overcome intolerance and a perceived deformity to rescue Christmas. And helps an Elf become a dentist.
UNCOVERED PICK
EDWARD SCISSOR HANDS
In Tim Burton’s quasi monster movie, similar themes of tolerance and acceptance are explored, as Edward tries and fails to assimilate into American suburbia. The movie culminates in a Christmas Day showdown involving an angelic ice sculpture where, like Rudolph’s nose, Edward’s perceived impediment wins the day.
TRADITIONAL PICK
LOVE ACTUALLY
Featuring every working actor in the UK, this now classic rom-com weaves together a series of overlapping stories and interrelated characters navigating obstacles on the way to a Happy Christmas. Also, Hugh Grant dancing.
UNCOVERED PICK
GO
Doug Liman’s 1999 cult movie tells a similar set of intertwining plots and cross story characters. Although instead of a school play, GO culminates in an ecstasy-fueled Christmas rave gone awry.
TRADITIONAL PICK
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
We can only assume that James Stewart’s iconic role as the self pitying George Bailey is by now legally mandated watching in North America. His journey from suicidal to spirited is bridged by a guardian angel showing him alternate universes devoid of his good deeds, leading to a renewed lease on life. And every time a bell rings…
UNCOVERED PICK
IRON MAN 3
Yes, we found a way to insert geek culture into this list! Like Bailey, in Iron Man 3 Tony Stark is forced to confront his past and recognize what’s important in life. He is aided by a pseudo guardian angel (in the form of a smirking side kick kid). And by the end of the movie he gets a literal renewed lease on life through an operation to repair his heart.
TRADITIONAL PICK
HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
Whoville’s resident super villain pulls off the ultimate holiday heist, but is charmed to the good side by his victim’s purity of souls.
UNCOVERED PICK
REINDEER GAMES
In this Christmas heist story, Ben Affleck follows a similar Grinch like path from hardened criminal to loved holiday bringer. Although in this case, he’s robbing Casino owners instead of innocent townfolk. But you get the idea.