Fandemonium’s Favorite Forgotten Christmas Films
Christmas movies and shows:
You’ve heard of Rudolph and Snoopy, the Griswolds and Kevin.
Frosty, The Grinch, and Ralphie 24/7, but do you recall…any of these movies at all?
Santa has his list, we have ours. Sure, it’s shorter and incomplete. No, it doesn’t separate naughty from nice. But it might just give you a new Christmas viewing tradition.
This list, as stated, isn’t complete, nor is it in any certain order. It might even be controversial.
You might want to add your favorite no one else knows about in the comments! There are links to purchase each of the movies at the end of the post.
Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey
“Ears, Nestor!”
Photo credit: Warner Media
A Rankin/Bass production, this made for television special follows a small donkey named Nestor, who has exceptionally long ears. He is thrown out of his stable after the Romans think his master is trying to cheat them because of his “disability”. With the help of an Aziraphale looking angel, he finds his purpose.
This is a tearjerker along the lines of Dumbo in more ways than one. The stop motion is Rankin/Bass prime, the songs and message of unconditional is ultimately uplifting. But keep the tissues handy.
Once, while discussing this on Instagram, I had a woman thank me because her family thought she was making the movie up!
A Christmas Memory
Still from the 1966 adaptation of the Truman Capote story.
Photo credit: ABC
Nope, not A Christmas Story. A Christmas Memory. Based on the Truman Capote short story, this film follows the seven year old narrator, Buddy, and his elderly cousin at Christmastime in the 1930s. She is his best friend, and is different than his other kin. She is childlike and sweet, while the other cousins are stern and cold. It follows them as they get the ingredients to make fruitcakes for friends and acquaintances.
If you can’t find any of the cinematic adaptations, read the short story. Truman Capote is at his best, and the themes of loneliness and loss are universal. A sweet and bittersweet film.
Going My Way
Father O’Malley and his choir.
Photo credit: Shout/Universal
Christmas really only happens at the end of the film, but I love watching this film at Christmastime.
Bing Crosby is easy going young priest “Chuck” O’Malley that clashes with current traditional elderly parish priest, Fitzgibbon.
They eventually work things out, and Father O’Malley gives Father Fitzgibbon a priceless gift on his last day-Christmas Eve.
Santa Claus: The Movie
Santa in New York
Photo credit: Anchor Bay
The eightiest Christmas movie to ever be made in the eighties. Corporate greed is at the center of this film. Which is very eighties. It also stars Dudley Moore, John Lithgow, and a cast of British sitcom favorites like Judy Cornwell and Christopher Ryan.
It does answer a lot of common questions children ask, such as how reindeer fly and how Santa can fit down a chimney.
It’s not quite as timeless as the other films inasmuch as it is a time capsule of the eighties aesthetic.
The film shows New York City in it’s eighties glory, including a trip in Santa’s sleigh around the Twin Towers.
(Ed – this is my absolute fave Christmas movie)
Better Off Dead
David Ogden Stiers and Kim Darby bring Christmas cheer and a festive aardvark?
Photo credit: CBS
John Cusack stars in this black comedy as a teen that gets very depressed and suicidal after his girlfriend breaks up with him before Christmas. A foreign exchange student soon lifts his spirits. There’s single minded paperboys, hot ski action, genius younger brothers, loving but wacky parents, absurdist comedy, and infinitely quotable lines.
So that’s our list…for now. Check these movies out, and let us know how you liked them!
Several of these movies are also available via Amazon Prime Video. You can sign up for a 30 day free trial via the link below and binge watch to your heart’s content this festive season.
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