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The best Christmas movies that aren't Christmas movies...
Sometimes the best Christmas movies actually aren't Christmas movies. If you're feeling like you can recite Christmas Vacation from front to back, here are some Christmas-adjacent movies that have Christmas scenes, but aren't entirely based on the holiday.
Little Women doesn't only take place during Christmastime, but it's definitely a scene that embodies the entire theme of the movie. The girls' father in Little Women goes off to help in the war and returns home for Christmas, delighting his family and calling them his "little women". This movie has lots of snowy scenes including a one where Laurie and Jo go ice skating in the water by their houses. Overall, this movie will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside!
There is something about Harry Potter that marks the start of the holiday season! It is typically a fall favorite, but the Christmas scenes in the first movie from the series will make you dream of having Christmas in the Great Hall of Hogwarts with a gorgeous Christmas tree and magical snow. In this scene, Harry is delighted that he actually gets a Christmas present. So cute!
The Shop Around the Corner is a classic movie from Jimmy Stewart. If you love It's A Wonderful Life, you'll love this one! It's about two sales clerks at a store who clash in real life but are writing love letters to each other without knowing it! It's set around Christmastime and it's a classic love story.
Funny story, You've Got Mail has a plot based on The Shop Around The Corner. Two people who don't get along in real life are romantically messaging each other online. Kathleen Kelly owns a small bookstore that is threatened by the arrival of a big chain bookstore across the street owned by Joe Fox. Fun fact, Kathleen's bookstore is called The Shop Around The Corner as a nod to the original movie! You'll want to go there as Kathleen decorates the bookstore for all the fun holidays! It's the perfect cozy 90s romcom.
Bridget Jones's diary covers an entire year, but it opens with a family Christmas party and a very ugly sweater! It kind of reminds me of the song Christmas Wrapping where two people keep missing each other because they can't get the timing right. It's funny and pretty relatable if you're looking for something light-hearted!
Mean Girls may not be the most traditional Christmas movie, but the Jingle Bell Rock scene is pretty iconic. It's where the popular group performs at the Christmas talent show in revealing Santa costumes. You can either watch the scene on YouTube for some Christmas spirit or watch the movie if you're in the mood for a classic girly 2000s movie.
This movie will make you want to curl up by a big fire. There is a scene where they are visited by Father Christmas and the children are each given a gift. Plus, the scene where they first enter Narnia through the wardrobe is so snowy and winter-y you'll want some Turkish Delight ASAP.
Meet Me in St. Louis is a classic Judy Garland film. The movie gave us the song "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" in a scene that will make all your troubles melt away. It's a melancholy song filled with hope and longing, and Judy sings it beautifully.
This movie has all the elements of a good romcom. Like You've Got Mail, it spans the holiday season, so there are plenty of gorgeous fall scenes in the city, and there is even a Christmas tree scene! This friends-to-lovers movie will make you cry!
The Sound of Music is so nostalgic. It is often played around Christmas time, and Julie Andrews singing "My Favorite Things" has quickly become associated with the Christmas season.
This fun movie has a scene where Anna Kendrick and Snoop Dogg make a Christmas mashup. It's so good!
Have you seen any of these Christmas-adjacent movies? If so, which one is your favorite?
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