Non Christmas Christmas Movies

Entertainment and Media - Movies

By: ponchomeg 14-Nov-2010

Introduction:

Some movies out there include Christmas themes and Christmas scenes, but are not really Christmas movies. They are still fun to watch at Christmas time though. Here are the top five best Non-Christmas Christmas movies to watch during the holiday season.

Auntie Mame (1958) or Mame (1974)

Both of these movies are about Mame, an eccentric woman who takes in her orphan nephew. The first stars Rosalind Russell in the title role of Mame, and the second, a musical version, stars Lucille Ball in the same part (taking over Angela Lansbury's part from the Broadway musical). People can say what they will of Lucille Ball's performance (it's usually negative), but who doesn't love the song "We Need a Little Christmas?"

Little Women (1994)

"Little Women" is a movie based off of a Louisa May Alcott book of the same name, and it follows the lives of the members of the March family. The family includes Mr. March (Matthew Walker), a loving father who fights in the American Civil War, his wife, "Marmee" (Susan Sarandon) and their four daughters, Meg (Trini Alvarado), Jo (Winona Ryder), Beth (Claire Danes), and Amy (Kirsten Dunst/Samantha Mathis). Christmas IS featured in this movie, as are several winter scenes, but what is really powerful and "Christmas-y" about this movie is its focus on family togetherness, the spirit of giving, friendship, creativity, dreams and ambitions, and love; all good things to focus on during the holiday season.

Meet Me In St. Louis (1944)

This fun musical is set in St. Louis in the early 1900's and, like "Little Women," follows a family's journey. It only covers a short span of time in the family's lives, but it is enough to see all four seasons of the year (including winter and including Christmas) and to see a family, hurt, confused, and unsure of themselves because they must leave St. Louis, their home, behind and move to New York (This is ultimately what this movie is mostly about...) A highlight of this movie (besides the amazing "Trolley Song") is Judy Garland's singing of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas..." one of my personal favorite songs to sing during the holidays.

Lady and the Tramp (1955)

"Lady and the Tramp" is a romantic tale of opposites attracting. When a sheltered uptown Cocker Spaniel (Lady) meets a streetwise downtown Mutt (Tramp), sparks fly, tensions rise, chaos ensues and... oh yeah, they share a giant plate of spaghetti and meatballs. The movie actually opens with a picturesque winter scene, the opening of a Christmas box with a puppy in it (SO CUTE!), and a beautiful representation of the holiday season. But what's even cooler is that the movie comes full circle and ends on Christmas too. If that's not enough to convince you to watch this non-Christmas Christmas movie, remember... it has puppies! What gives a warm feeling quite like Christmas and puppies?

Gremlins (1984)

Nothing says Christmas quite like creepy creatures causing havoc, destruction, and violence in a small town and in "Gremlins," that's exactly what you get. It all starts with an unusual Christmas present named Gizmo and a few mistakes in his care. Maybe, if nothing else, you can use it as a scare tactic for your kids if you're planning on getting them a cute puppy for Christmas like in "Lady and the Tramp." Just say "Listen... if you don't take good care of Puppy, havoc, destruction, and violence will erupt around here, just like in 'Gremlins'... and everyone will be mad at you. So take care of the dog." Right?

Final Thoughts

Other great Non-Christmas Christmas Movies include: "Edward Scissorhands," "Go," "Sleepless in Seattle," "Die Hard," "Serendipity," "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," and "The Nightmare Before Christmas." (Because it's not quite a Christmas movie, and not quite a Halloween movie... but something to watch on both holidays or anytime between.)