Wanting to get festive but fighting the “It’s too early!” Scrooges in your house? I’ve compiled a list of festive films that aren’t exactly Christmas movies, so get your Christmas on! (Subtly!)
With Halloween finally over, IT’S CHRIIIIISTMASSSS. Right? Well, if you disagree – leave.
I’m only joking. But seriously. Where’s your Christmas spirit?
Okay then, here are a list of films that give you those magical festive tingles, without burrowing you neck-deep in snow globes and tinsel.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
This is THE Christmas-film-that-isn’t-a-Christmas-film. If you haven’t felt a burning desire to knit a jumper with your initial on and wear it over your pyjamas, where have you been?
With John Williams’ glorious ‘Christmas at Hogwarts’ melody playing in the background and a butterbeer in hand- you can’t get much more Christmassy.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Snow, Father Christmas, snow, presents, snow, sibling arguments and did I mention SNOW?
Released in 2005, this film was the ultimate half-term holidays film, that left you shouting at the TV. Why did Edmund betray his family like that?
This can only be watched while snuggled under a pile of real polar bear furs, drinking hot chocolate from a goblet made of snow, and eating proper, not Fry’s, turkish delight (controversial, I know). It’s what the White Witch would have wanted.
Little Women
“Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without any presents.”
In any of its forms, this story is an absolute gem. Its latest 2019 revival starring Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh and Eliza Scanlen has stirred up a new love for this beautiful classic. Even though it’s technically not a film, the 2017 BBC mini-series is also a beautiful version of this story.
Both versions are filled with cosy, firelit conversations, period snowy scenes and ice skating. One COULD argue that when it comes to Christmas, the 2017 version takes the trophy as it starts, as in the book, with that gorgeous Christmas morning that introduces us to the beloved sisters.
Hook (or 2003 Peter Pan) (or any Peter Pan-based film for that matter!)
It seems that for me, as long as there is a single flake of snow, I will call it a Christmas film, and boy does the 1991 film Hook deliver. Flying pirate ships, carols, Lost Boys and the incredible Robin Williams doing what he does best: delivering magic.
Honourable Mentions
Of course, there were so many Festive-but-not-Christmas films to choose from, so I have to include two of my favourite honourable mentions. Although neither film has anything particularly to do with the festive season, they do seem to have cemented themselves in the British Christmas TV Guide on BBC One.
Particularly since the death of Her Majesty and the association that this film has with the Queen, I think that the Paddington series will be even more poignant this year.
Finally, we have Nanny McPhee. If you didn’t spend your childhood dreaming of having a wedding dress made out of snow, you were doing it wrong.
There seems to be a common theme amongst all of these choices, in that they are all, first and foremost, beloved Children’s classic books (yes, including Nanny McPhee – I didn’t know either!)
Christmas is just so much better when you’re young – aren’t we all just trying to re-create those childhood festive feels by watching these films? Which ones would you add?
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