Best holiday movies you forgot about or best Christmas movies you’ve never heard of — from classic Christmas movies you may have never seen, to obscure holiday movies, to Christmas specials that the whole family will love! Add these forgotten movies to your 12 Days of Christmas movies or holiday movie parties!
47 Don’t Miss Holiday Movies You Forgot About (Alternative To A Classic Christmas Movie List)
You know all the popular Christmas movies (and new Christmas movies), but what about holiday movie specials that you’ve never heard of, obscure classic Christmas movies, or forgotten Christmas movies for family holiday activities this season? These are unconventional Christmas movies that you’ve probably never seen or even holiday movies you’ve forgotten that you love (maybe even from your childhood!)
Must-Watch Holiday Movie List That No One Talks About
Unexpected holiday movies you will love:
- Christmas Of Many Colors
- Coat of Many Colors
- Christmas Oranges
- A Little Piece Of Heaven
- Christmas Candle
- Meet Me in St. Louis
- Prancer
- Christmas In Connecticut
- Babes In Toyland
- Emmitt Otter’s Jug Band Christmas
- While You Were Sleeping
- Holiday Inn
- Curly Sue
- Christmas With The Kranks
- Unaccompanied Minors
- All I Want For Christmas
- American Christmas Carol
See the full list of family Christmas movies you’ve never seen, best obscure Christmas movies, and uncommon Christmas movies below — complete with holiday movie descriptions!
What is the most underrated Christmas movie?
Christmas Of Many Colors: Circle of Love is, by far, the most underrated Christmas movie that they entire family can watch (from kids to grandparents!). It is based on the true life of Dolly Parton and how she grew up in poverty and the sacrifices they all made. The movie is narrated by Dolly Parton as she takes us through troubled times and a particularly harsh winter where her family almost died at Christmas after they get snowed during an unexpected blizzard with no food or heat.
ALSO CHECK OUT: Charlie Brown Christmas Activities and Lessons for Kids
Ok!
On to the Christmas movies you should watch during the holiday season!
These are definitely some of the most underrated Christmas movies and maybe even obscure Christmas movies you don’t know about!
(The list may even include some widely unpopular Christmas movies, but give them a try!)
Underrated Holiday Movies and Christmas Films You Forgot About (Old Black and White Christmas Movies and Beyond!)
Add these family Christmas movies to your family movie night list for the holiday season! We’ve put links to the movies when we could find them, but many are older movies.
If you can’t finding holiday streaming movie options or purchase options, try your local library. They have DVDs and often even have VHS of older movies, so you’ll definitely find Christmas movies you forgot about!
(If you have a video player, also ask in free Facebook groups for old VHS Christmas movies!)
I recently asked our Facebook group what are the holiday movies they love, but no one else ever talks about.
Here’s what they came up with… and it was such a good movie list I had to share — some of the best underrated Christmas movies, old forgotten movies, and best unconventional Christmas movies!
NOTE: There are many Christmas movies classics that we did not include. We wanted to make a list that were alternatives to a Christmas movies classic that you haven’t seen and maybe some Christmas oldies movies you never heard about — Christmas in movies and others! Not necessarily famous Christmas movies, but definitely a wide variety of holiday films to watch!
Christmas Of Many Colors: Circle of Love
Narrated by Dolly Parton and based on her childhood growing up in Tennessee, the family makes a sacrifice to buy the mom a wedding band.
As they struggle with how to pay for it, they get caught at home in a blizzard with little food and little wood for a fire.
*One of my all-time favorite Christmas movies and is a sequel to Coat Of Many Colors. I’m still surprised that this is one of those lesser known Christmas movies.
WATCH CHRISTMAS OF MANY COLORS
Coat of Many Colors
This movie follows the story of Dolly Parton’s childhood (again, narrated by Dolly), and the coat her mother made for her from rags.
Although not exactly a Christmas movie, it’s great to watch along with Christmas of Many Colors.
Watch this one first, followed by the Christmas one.
If you’re looking for heart-warming unexpected movies (or old fashion Christmas movies), add these two Dolly Parton movies.
Christmas Oranges
An orphan is moved from one institution to an even worse institution.
However, the girl keeps up her spirits and remains hopeful while looking forward to her favorite Christmas treat … and also receives a sweet surprise!
Definitely one of those hidden gem Christmas movies (and probably forgotten family movies)!
If you’re looking for Christmas movie old school, this is it!
Prancer
A young girl helps a wounded reindeer, who she believes is Santa’s Prancer.
One of those tear jerker forgotten Christmas specials!
Prancer Returns
Prancer Returns follows a young boy who finds a reindeer in the woods and believes it is Prancer.
The boy tries to hide the reindeer, which divides the family and the town.
It’s an older movie, but sweet Christmas movies underrated!
Christmas In Connecticut
A journalist creates an online persona of an idyllic life with her husband and children in their Connecticut home.
When a war hero wants to spend time with the journalist’s family, she has to quickly create life on a country farm or be found out as a scam.
WATCH CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT
A Little Piece Of Heaven
A brother finds playmates for his sister and pretends he’s their guardian angel.
He kidnaps them from an orphanage and takes them to their pig farm, all the while trying to make a little piece of heaven for the kids.
Sounds like one of the weirdest Christmas movies, but give it a chance!
Also good if you’re looking for old Christmas movies with angels.
WATCH A LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN
WANT ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT?
Try: Fun Family Games For The Holidays for Kids and Adults
Emmitt Otter’s Jug Band Christmas
Based on a book (and directed by the Muppet’s Jim Henson), Emmitt Otter joins a jug band to participate in the Christmas Eve talent contest.
WATCH EMMITT OTTER’S JUG BAND CHRISTMAS
TIP: If you’re a Prime Member, there are many free old Christmas movies included with your membership!
While You Were Sleeping
While You Were Sleeping is a romantic comedy set during the holiday season.
A single transit worker accidentally is mistaken for the fiance of a man in a coma and ends up finding a family for the holidays.
Holiday Inn
WARNING: This movie has a scene with blackface and more. I’m leaving this movie here as an FYI and also because I always like to use scenes like this for teachable moments / discussions with my daughter, but please use your judgment and/or preview this movie first. (Thanks to our community member Jamie for the reminder!)
Holiday Inn stars Bing CrosbyFred AstaireMarjorie Reynolds and is a movie about an Inn that is only open during the holidays.
Full of nostalgic Christmas scenes if you like old movies!
WATCH HOLIDAY INN
Christmas With The Kranks
Christmas with the Kranks is a one of those super funny Christmas movies!
I have no idea why it never makes it on any Best Christmas Movie Lists!
The Kranks decide they are going to participate in Christmas this year, much to the neighborhood’s dismay.
They go through ups and downs of community peer pressure to participate in all the activities, until the very last minute their daughter decides to come home.
The Kranks then must enlist all the neighbors they’ve angered over the season to help them decorate for Christmas at the last minute.
This is one of those surprise Christmas movies that’s funny with a great storyline and is heartwarming.
Definitely one of those forgotten comedy movies for the holidays!
WATCH CHRISTMAS WITH THE KRANKS
Unaccompanied Minors
This holiday movie is about two kids flying alone as unaccompanied minors to see their dad over Christmas.
When they get snowed in at an airport, they are forced to stay in the area for unaccompanied minors (more like jail cells), where they form bonds and friendships with the other minors traveling alone.
All I Want For Christmas
A heartwarming holiday story about all two kids want for Christmas is to get their divorced parents back together.
The kids, especially the little girl, try all kinds of antics to get them back together.
WATCH ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS
American Christmas Carol
An American Christmas Carol is a loosely-based, modern version of the classic Christmas Carol.
A miserly businessman (Henry Winkler) does his best to make everyone miserable at Christmas.
WATCH AMERICAN CHRISTMAS CAROL
Curly Sue
Curly Sue is set during the holiday season and follows a homeless man who meets a homeless kid.
They team up to scam a rich woman, but may just find a family instead.
Definitely one of those old school overlooked Christmas movies.
Fred Claus
Fred, the snarky brother of Santa Claus, finds himself going to The North Pole even though he doesn’t want to be in the family business.
He arrives just in time to help his brother (Santa) who is in big trouble.
The Family Stone
A son brings his new, uptight girlfriend home to meet the family for Christmas … and it doesn’t go over well.
The family rebels against the son adding the woman as his fiance, all the while they are dealing with a serious illness with one of the family members.
Albert
Albert is a tiny evergreen tree, but dreams of becoming a famous Christmas tree.
Find out what happens in this animated holiday show!
Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol
In this animated Christmas show, Mr. Magoo is greedy Ebenezer Scrooge.
WATCH MR. MAGOO’S CHRISTMAS CAROL
The Preacher’s Wife
An angel comes to earth right before Christmas in order to help a preacher who has lost his way.
AGE: 13+
Babes In Toyland
A girl must be convinced to believe in Christmas and toys in order to save the holiday from evil Barnaby Barnacle.
Can she save Toyland before it’s too late?
This version is probably one of those forgotten 80s Christmas movies (and maybe even forgotten classic movies).
If you’re looking for Shirley Temple Christmas movies or older Christmas movies, watch this Babes In Toyland version.
Some people might think these are weird old Christmas movies, but I enjoy them.
Simon Birch
Based on the book A Prayer For Owen Meany, Simon is the smallest kid in town who is always on the search to do something big.
Not necessarily a Christmas movie, but includes a Christmas play — so it’s one of those non Christmas Christmas movies (or films with a hint of Christmas).
Might be odd Christmas movies or atypical Christmas movies, but if you’re in the mood for an emotional movie, give it a try.
Spirit of Christmas
The Spirit of Christmas is about about a ghost who haunts an inn that a woman is trying to help sell it.
She embarks on a journey to help the man figure out how he died so that he can be released.
Meet Me In St Louis
Judy Garland stars in this classic movie about a family that must move when the father gets transferred.
Although not specifically a holiday movie, some of it does take place during Christmas and many watch this annually as part of their family Christmas movie night as one of those nostalgic movies.
A Shari Lewis Christmas
Shari Lewis, who created sweet hand puppet Lamb Chop, created a holiday special with skits and songs and dancing.
WATCH SHARI LEWIS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
The Christmas Shoes
This movie is based on the song of the same name, and follows a man named Robert as he chases down a little boy to buy his mother the Christmas shoes she always wanted.
One of those super touching little known Christmas movies.
Holiday In Handcuffs
More than one person put this romantic Christmas movie on the list as a fun holiday date night movie.
A woman kidnaps a boyfriend for the holidays in an attempt to please her parents.
Will they cave to the magic of Christmas?
Might be unusual Christmas movies, but funny if you’re looking for a romantic Christmas comedy or for alternative holiday movies.
The Family Man
This movie, set during the holiday season, follows a single, wealthy business man (Nicholas Cage) who is transported into his alternate life where he is married with kids and lives in the suburbs.
Where will he end up for Christmas?
Seems like one of those unlikely Christmas movies, but it’s a great seasonal flick.
Another movie I love watching for the holidays.
Arthur Christmas
Arthur comes from a long line of Santa Clauses in his family.
When his more responsible older brother expects to take the reins of the family business, it’s really Arthur who saves Christmas in this sweet and funny animated holiday movie.
Definitely one of the most underrated animated Christmas movies if you’re looking for a funny animated holiday movie!
Annabelle’s Wish
This animated holiday movie is about a boy who can’t speak and Annabelle the calf who can speak and wants to become a reindeer.
The two form a very special friendship when the boy hears the animals speaking.
One of those forgotten animated movies!
Smoky Mountain Christmas
This holiday film is about a singer (Dolly Parton) and a mountain man who helps rescue orphans from the awful sheriff.
Another one of those understated movies for family.
WATCH SMOKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS
It Happened on 5th Avenue
When a family is away on holiday, a homeless man and all his friends start squatting in their lavish home over Christmas.
WATCH IT HAPPENED ON 5TH AVENUE
Mickey’s Christmas Carol
Mickey’s Christmas Carol is an animated version of the traditional classic Christmas tale.
Includes Mickey Mouse and all his pals!
WATCH MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL
Bernard and the Genie
This British comedy follows Bernard, who is having the worst Christmas ever.
He rubs an antique genie lamp and ends up in the hospital.
After, he starts seeing a genie that helps him.
A Merry Friggin’ Christmas
One of Robin Williams last movies, this holiday comedy follows a family who is forced to spend Christmas with his parents.
Once they’ve arrived, the dad realizes he’s left the kids gifts at home.
He is forced to travel back, this time with his dad, to get the gifts in a blizzard.
Kind of one of those strange Christmas movies, but has some great moments.
WATCH A MERRY FRIGGIN’ CHRISTMAS
The Leprechaun’s Christmas Gold
This children’s Christmas movie is about an Irish sailor who gets stranded on an island.
He soon realizes the island is full of leprechauns and he must help protect them and their gold from a mean witch.
WATCH THE LEPRECHAUN’S CHRISTMAS GOLD
The Christmas Project
This holiday movie is about a family who each year selects a family to help at Christmas.
The sons are surprised when they find out it’s the school bully and have mixed feelings about helping his family.
What lessons will each kid learn?
One of the best unknown Christmas movies for the plot and storyline.
Thomas Kinkade’s Christmas Miracle
This sweet Christmas movie finds a group of strangers stranded in an abandoned church during a snow storm at the holidays.
Each person is dealing with a struggle that they work through while being stranded.
One of those cheesy rare Christmas movies you’ll enjoy and my vote for forgotten great movies!
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Based on the classic Christmas Carol, but with everyone’s favorite Muppets!
Fun if you need a lighter version of The Christmas Carol for younger kids.
A Season For Miracles
A Season For Miracles is about a homeless family who, indeed, receives a miracle during the holidays… thanks to an angel!
Nicholas: The Boy Who Became Santa
Based on the real historical story of Nicholas (later, St. Nicholas), this Christmas cartoon chronicles a boy who loves to help others.
Through his generosity, he became known all over the world and is celebrated today as Santa Claus.
WATCH NICHOLAS THE BOY WHO BECAME SANTA
Love’s Christmas Journey
This holiday movie is part of the Love Comes Softly series inspired by the best-selling Love Comes Softly by Janette Oke.
After losing her own family, Ellie agrees to help her brother by watching his kids.
When a fire occurs, she must look to her faith and for miracles.
WATCH LOVE’S CHRISTMAS JOURNEY MOVIE
Christmas In Mississippi
Holly comes back to her childhood town of Gulfport over the holidays and finds herself spending time with the man who broke her heart.
If you like Lifetime or Hallmark Christmas movies, you’ll like this film too.
WATCH THE CHRISTMAS IN MISSISSIPPI MOVIE
Tyler Perry’s a Madea Christmas
Part of the Perry franchise, Madea Christmas finds the matriarch on a surprise visit to the countryside in a town full of gossip and bickering.
Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You
Voiced by Mariah Carey, this sweet animated story follows a girl on her quest for a Christmas puppy.
WATCH ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU
Christmas Candle
The Christmas Candle is about a legend of the blessed Christmas candle.
The person who gets the candle receives a Christmas Eve miracle.
But with the discovery of electricity, will a new minister end the need for candles and watch the Christmas Candle legend die away?
The minister and the candle maker each fight for their own side in this lovely family Christmas story.
If you like period pieces and want surprising Christmas movies, give this one a try.
This was one of those unexpected Christmas movies that I was skeptical about but ended up loving this movie!
WATCH THE CHRISTMAS CANDLE MOVIE
What are the best Christmas movie you’ve never seen or good movies we forgot about that you would add to the list?
Which ones were holiday movies you forgot about and want to add to your holiday movie checklist?
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