Part Two: 8 More Must-Watch Holiday Movies (Yes, They Are)

The Sound of Music (1965)

How did a musical that has nothing to do with the holiday become a beloved Christmas tradition for many?

Well, The Sound of Music is full of joy and optimism—two things associated with holiday cheer—and because during Christmas time many families gather together to watch family-friendly movies, and television networks decided that The Sound of Music was a perfect one to show!

And, maybe even more relevant is that even before the theatrical release, the song “My Favorite Things” appeared on a Christmas album to gain more interest in the high-budget film. The album, as well as the song, was a success. Now, “My Favorite Things” appears on several popular Christmas albums. And really, what’s not holly and jolly about Julie Andrews as Maria and Christopher Plumber as Baron von Trapp?

Alien (1979) & Prometheus (2012)

So, while Ridley Scott’s Alien doesn’t have Christmas anywhere in the plot line, that doesn’t mean some of us elves here at LitJoy don’t watch it traditionally every year during the holiday season, along with its prequel Prometheus which does.

The story of Prometheus takes place before Alien in the same universe when the crew wakes up from their cryosleep on December 21st. Captain Janek played by Idris Elba even puts up a Christmas tree reminiscing about the Christmases they’ve missed. Others argue that it also has a virgin birth and three wise men following a star, so yep, it’s a Christmas movie!

Die Hard (1988)

The entire plot of Die Hard takes place during an office holiday party on Christmas Eve at Nakatomi Plaza. Protagonist John McClane, played by Bruce Willis, is in attendance with his wife Holly (Christmas reference?) who works there.

Possibly the most iconic villain in action-film history, Hans Gruber, played by none other than Harry Potter’s Professor Snape, Alan Rickman, needs a Christmas miracle saying, “It’s Christmas, Theo, it’s a time for miracles.”

Lastly, Die Hard is actually filled with more Christmas songs than many traditional holiday movies, and even leaves viewers with the tune of “Let It Snow” in the wake of the mayhem that ensues.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

We know The Nightmare Before Christmas showed up on our Halloween movie list, but there are a sizable number of fans who believe it is a Christmas movie first and foremost.

The climax of the movie does happen on Christmas Eve, so that’s a score for Team Christmas. But mostly, it’s a great film that allows those who love all things dark and ghoulish to celebrate Christmas in their own way.

Little Women (1994 & 2019)

We certainly love Little Women and any of its adaptations in LitJoyland. Both the 1994 and the 2019 adaptations of Louisa May Alcott’s story of joy and hardship open in the winter with Christmas on its way, making them Christmas movies that get watched year after year.

Perhaps there’s a version you like best or maybe you like them both for different reasons. Let the love of the March sisters warm you up this holiday. We’ll be watching, too!

Hugo (2011)

Hugo may not be a traditional Christmas movie, but it certainly is reminiscent of one with a snow-covered Paris, festive visual beauty and warm cinematography. Scorsese created a film that exudes the spirit of Christmas movies without actually being one. Released on Thanksgiving weekend in 2011, Scorsese’s Hugo is an adaptation of Brian Selznick's novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret.

The movie presents the mystery, fantasy, and magic of human connection inspired by the true-story of Georges Méliès, a revolutionary French filmmaker who also had a collection of mechanical, wind-up figures called automata that were once displayed and eventually discarded.

Méliès gave the gift of his film innovations just as St. Nick gives toys to children, and Scorsese gifted us this beautiful movie adaptation to watch in wonder and awe each holiday season..