What's your favourite Christmas Movie that isn't a "Christmas Movie"?

[Büge]

There are movies which were made for watching at Christmas, like Miracle on 34th Street, Home Alone, A Christmas Story, Muppets Christmas Carol, and It's a Wonderful Life.

Then there are movies that didn't start as Christmas films, but have been brute-forced into Christmas fare by pop culture inertia, like Batman Returns, Die Hard, Gremlins, Iron Man 3, and John Carpenter's The Thing.

Then there are other movies. And it's those that this thread is about.

So, what's a movie that isn't typical for the holiday but you watch it on Christmas anyway? Or even just associate it with Christmas? For me, there's no other choice than Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

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This movie doesn't necessarily fit neatly into the Spirit of Christmas. It does touch on themes of family and gift giving (it's set on and around Kirk's birthday, but I let it pass). Khan isn't exactly Santa Claus, but he does have little helpers. And hey! The film even has a Christmas tree that gives birth to a whole planet. How's that for an immaculate conception?

Seriously, though? I don't know why I like to watch the movie at Christmas. Maybe it was because I got the 6-movie VHS collection back in the 90s. Or maybe I just like the movie and want to watch it every year, and Christmas is the best time.

Besides, even though it was never marketed as a Christmas movie, it still gave rise to the most baffling holiday ornament in the Hallmark collection:

 

[Torzelbaum]

Iron Man 3 and John Carpenter's The Thing.

OK. I guess I can see it for the The Thing but I am struggling to see how this applies to Iron Man 3.

 

[Johnny Unusual]

Iron Man 3

The film is directed by Shane Black. The man obsessed with setting most of his movies at Christmas. This is one of them.

 

[Olli]

The Long Kiss Goodnight! Which happens to be a Shane Black -penned movie as well.

 

[Octopus Prime]

I have a weirdly vivid memory of watching Dog Day Afternoon on Christmas afternoon as a young Octo, and have ever since made the connection that it’s a Christmas Movie ever since.

 

[Adrenaline]

The Lord of the Rings trilogy is traditional Christmas season viewing with my family.

 

[Phantoon]

Die Hard is a Christmas movie how dare you

The Lord of the Rings trilogy is traditional Christmas season viewing with my family.

Yes, they all came out at Christmas, so the association is strong to me. Same for the original Star Wars trilogy; it was only shown at Christmas on TV, so it feels Christmassy to me.