If you’re anything like me, a regular old Kris Kringle, you just can’t get through the holidays without a barrage of holiday movies. For me, it doesn’t get any better than National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, The Polar Express, and of course, that creepy ass Jim Carrey animated version of A Christmas Carol. Those never get old, but I watch so many holiday movies this time of year that I can’t help but long for a little variety. That’s how I end up unearthing some hidden gems, and it’s also how I end up appreciating some lesser known properties this time of year. In that spirit, I thought I’d pass along a few of my favorites that you might not be tuning into every December. Here’s to hoping you find something new here, and here’s to hoping you find something you’ll love here.
Mount Rushmore of Underrated Christmas Movies
The Night Before – We haven’t revisited our list of the top Christmas movies out there in a couple years, but this one climbs higher and higher on my list every time I watch it. There’s such good chemistry between Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Anthony Mackie. The supporting cast is great. It’s the classic Rogen-verse humor with a nice little story and a twist at the end that manages to tie this thing up in true holiday magic fashion. It’s one of my favorites, and is definitely on my must-watch list each season. Brandon and I recently dove into The Night Before on a recent episode of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast, which you can check out here:
Listen to “Ep. 122: The Night Before” on Spreaker.Office Christmas Party – Let’s keep the raunchy train going with an underrated comedy that might play best with those of us who have lived in the corporate cubicle lifestyle. Jason Bateman is basically playing vintage Jason Bateman in this one. Jennifer Aniston and TJ Miller are funny as his siblings. And, there’s a wide array of supporting characters that make this one a surprisingly fun ensemble.
Arthur Christmas – Our resident film critic, Brandon Vick, pointed this one out to me a couple of years ago, and I’ve tried to watch it every season since. The way this thing is streaming on virtually every service imaginable makes me think maybe I was the one underrating it to begin with. Nonetheless, I don’t feel like it’s in the larger Christmas movie conversation enough. This is one of those big-heart movies that just warms the soul this time of year.
Daddy’s Home 2 – Lost in the shuffle of the holiday rotation, it feels like Daddy’s Home 2 stays under the radar, but I’m here to tell you – it’s better than the original. It’s loaded with holiday charm, as well as that signature humor dynamic that Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg have. But, what sets it over the top are the performances from John Lithgow and Mel Gibson. *chef’s kiss*
What’s a Christmas movie you think is underrated? Hit the comments.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
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