The Christmas movies time forgot.
Written 9th July 2026 | Subscribe to our Christmas newsletter
When people think of Christmas films, it's usually the same handful of classics that come to mind. Home Alone, Elf, Love Actually and The Polar Express dominate the conversation every festive season.
But what about the Christmas movies that were once favourites, yet have quietly slipped under the radar?
Whether you watched them every December growing up or haven't thought about them in years, these forgotten festive films deserve another look.
1. Jack Frost (1998)
Michael Keaton stars as a father who is magically brought back to life as a snowman after a tragic accident. It sounds bizarre, but it's a surprisingly emotional family film that many people remember fondly.
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2. Ernest Saves Christmas (1988)
Before Christmas comedies became packed with big-budget special effects, Ernest was spreading festive cheer in his own wonderfully chaotic way. A true cult classic.
3. Prancer (1989)
A heartwarming story about a young girl who believes an injured reindeer she finds is one of Santa's. If you're looking for a wholesome Christmas film, this is a hidden gem.
4. One Magic Christmas (1985)
Disney's forgotten Christmas movie is much darker than many people expect. Despite its emotional story, it remains one of the studio's most overlooked festive films.
5. Christmas with the Kranks (2004)
Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis try to skip Christmas altogether—only for the entire neighbourhood to have other ideas. It wasn't a huge hit with critics but has become a festive favourite for many families.
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6. Deck the Halls (2006)
Danny DeVito and Matthew Broderick compete to create the most over-the-top Christmas display imaginable. Silly, festive and full of Christmas lights.
7. Fred Claus (2007)
What if Santa had an older brother who was fed up living in his shadow? Vince Vaughn brings plenty of laughs to this often-forgotten Christmas comedy.
8. The Family Stone (2005)
A festive family gathering quickly descends into awkward moments, emotional conversations and unexpected romance. It's funny, heartfelt and worth revisiting.
9. Four Christmases (2008)
Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn attempt to avoid family Christmas celebrations—only to end up attending four different Christmases in one day.
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10. The Ref (1994)
A burglar takes a dysfunctional family hostage during Christmas Eve and somehow ends up acting as their marriage counsellor. Dark comedy at its finest.
11. Santa Claus: The Movie (1985)
Long before modern CGI Christmas films, this ambitious festive adventure brought Santa's origin story to the big screen. It's wonderfully nostalgic.
12. Unaccompanied Minors (2006)
A group of children stranded in an airport over Christmas turn the terminal into their own festive playground. Great fun for younger viewers.
13. The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)
This charming film explores how Charles Dickens came to write A Christmas Carol, blending fact with imagination in a beautifully festive story.
14. The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
Netflix's Kurt Russell-led Christmas adventure was a huge hit when it launched but is surprisingly absent from many annual watchlists today.
15. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)
With incredible visuals, catchy songs and a magical story, this modern Christmas musical deserves far more attention than it gets.
Which forgotten Christmas film is your favourite?
Every family seems to have that one Christmas movie they watch every year that nobody else ever mentions.
Is it Jack Frost? Deck the Halls? Fred Claus? Or maybe there's another festive favourite we've forgotten.
Let us know which Christmas movie deserves more love—and perhaps it'll become part of someone else's Christmas tradition this year.
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