 "The Christmas Watchlist: Six films that go beyond the usual holiday classics")
Come Christmas time, there’s a certain list of films that only feel right to watch at the end of the year. And while people still argue about what actually counts as “Christmas movies,” these picks either centre their story around the holiday or use it as a beautifully atmospheric backdrop.
From unconventional iPhone-shot chaos to old-school charm, here are some picks that will max out both the Christmas mood and the movie night, delivering a watchlist that steps outside the usual holiday classics.
Tokyo Godfathers
Satoshi Kon’s take on found family is a wild, clever blend of absurdism and sincerity. A trio of misfits stumble onto an abandoned baby on Christmas Eve and set off across Tokyo. The film’s mix of chaos, humour and emotional honesty makes it one of the most unexpectedly perfect Christmas watches.
The Holdovers
Another trio, another Christmas, but in a very different register. Set in a New England boarding school, the film follows a teacher, a cook and a student who all end up stuck on campus for the holidays. Shot in a style that mimics the 1970s, the film gives its characters (and performers) space to be messy, warm, resentful and soft. It’s a Christmas film without the saccharine: honest, lived-in, and full of reluctant togetherness.
Tangerine
Sometimes a Christmas story is about chasing down an ex with your best friend, across Los Angeles, in a blur of neon, rage and friendship. Shot entirely on an iPhone 5s and unfolding over a single day, it carries the same sprinting energy Sean Baker later honed in Anora, but with a sharper, rougher heart. A chaotic Christmas Eve that still manages a small miracle by the end.
The Apartment
One of the most quotable films ever made, it follows Baxter, an office worker who lets his superiors use his apartment for their affairs, a setup that backfires when he falls for an elevator operator. Set during Christmas and New Year’s, it nails the feeling of being surrounded by celebration while dealing with your own emotional mess. It’s charming, melancholic and sharply funny, and is the film that gave us “that’s the way it crumbles, cookie-wise.”
The Nightmare Before Christmas
This visually stunning top-motion classic is technically both a Halloween and a Christmas movie. Jack Skellington’s obsession with recreating Christmas, without understanding its emotional core, explores some deep themes about ambition and self-discovery in an intriguing, eccentric way. It is timeless in the way it bridges genres and generations, providing something for everyone.
Carol
Set during the Christmas rush, the film follows Therese, a shopgirl, who meets Carol while she’s buying a toy train for her daughter. What begins as a polite interaction grows into a quiet, complicated romance. The cold winter backdrop and holiday bustle contrast beautifully with the warmth slowly building between Therese and Carol, making their connection feel even more fragile and luminous.
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