There’s something magical about Christmas and the movies. While the season is associated with many new releases, it is also synonymous with a certain genre of cinema that brings in a lot of holiday cheer, family emotions, and festive spirit. Iconic movies like Home Alone, The Grinch that stole Christmas, The Polar Express, and many more, have been watched repeatedly in the warmth of living rooms, during the holidays.

The Home Alone films are considered classic Christmas movies

While these above mentioned films embody the spirit of the holiday in every way, there are many movies that do not necessarily have themes of snow, sleigh and jingle bells, but are extremely popular choices to watch during the winter season. Here are a 5 Non-Christmas films that made the cut.

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5. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

In 2005, Robert Downey Jr and Val Kilmer starred in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, a neo-noir comedic thriller directed by Shane Black. The story follows a thief pretending to be an actor, who gets involved in a murder investigation in Hollywood when he befriends a private detective. Apart from a brilliant filmmaking debut by Black, Downey Jr’s electric performance won him a lot of praise.

A scene from Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

While the film did not have any specific references to Christmas except for a few scenes that took place during the season, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang went on to become one of the most popular watches during the holidays, owing to its entertaining and fast-paced narrative that was perfectly suited to relaxed viewing on a winter’s evening.

4. Batman Returns

DC’s most celebrated superhero Batman is not often associated with holiday cheer and joy. But 1992’s Batman Returns starring Michael Keaton, is a film that is a significant part of Christmas viewing for many fans during the season. If one looks deeper, the running themes of good, evil, and greed in the film are also classic Christmas themes modified into a superhero template.

Michael Keaton and Danny Devito in Batman Returns

For example, the ruthless and corrupt business tycoon Max Shreck can be equated to a Scrooge-like figure, except for the fact that he never quite turns over a new leaf. Even through the grey shades of Catwoman and Batman himself, a lot of the underlying nuances and emotions in the film fit into the Christmas aesthetic perfectly.

3. Iron Man 3

Why does Iron Man 3 make audiences get cosy and comfortable in their living rooms with a warm beverage in hand on cold Christmas evenings? For starters, the film is completely set during the winter season, with visuals of Christmas trees, bright lights, and snow, along with the sound of carols that echo through the scenes.

Iron Man 3 had many Christmas references

In addition, the themes of Christmas movies almost always center around a central protagonist who needs to reform his life to ultimately understand the importance and value of love and family. Tony Stark aka Iron Man, the cynical hero who goes through a redemptive arc with the help of little kid in America’s heartland, perfectly defines the essence of a holiday movie.

Also Read: The Top 5 Best Christmas Games to Play This Holiday Season

2. Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban

Magic is literally what drives the Harry Potter films. With Christmas being one of the most magical times of the year, watching a Harry Potter movie during the holiday season is a double dose of delight. These films have every theme from mystery to crime, adventure to romance, along with classic Christmas references in every film.

A scene from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban gave audiences a cosy feel of Christmas, with snowy visuals in Hosgmeade involving snowball fights between Harry and his friends. The film also had a scene in which the twins Fred and George build a snow wizard outside Hogwarts.

1. Die Hard

One can argue that Bruce Willis’s blockbuster film Die Hard  is hardly one that keeps the Christmas spirit alive. Considered to be one of the iconic action movies and franchises of its time, the cult hit is actually one of the top choices for fans to watch during the Christmas season and with good reason too.

To begin with, the obvious references in the film come from the narrative itself, which follows a holiday party gone awry. In addition, the soundtrack is filled with Christmas tunes which includes Bruce Willis whistling Jingle Bells, while the background score keeps the seasonal vibes going. The story also follows a father desperate to be reunited with his family on Christmas Eve.

Die Hard is considered one of the most popular Christmas films

Possibly the most iconic reference in the film occurs when Willis stages a gag with a dead terrorist and utters the famous line,‘Now I have a machine gun ho ho ho’. The climax involves Christmas wrapping tape that is very crucial to the scene and its culmination. This, and many more references make Die Hard the most popular movie to watch during the holidays.