List of Christmas Films - Films Related To Christmas

Films Related To Christmas

This is a list of feature films in which Christmas is more incidental to the plot. The holiday may be part of the story, or figure in one or more scenes, but as in Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), it is not central to the film.

• 3 Godfathers (1948) — At Christmastime in the Old West, three cowhands find a woman dying in childbirth, and deliver the baby to civilization in a parody of the Biblical story of the Magi.
• 12 Monkeys (1995) — Man is sent back in time to try and prevent an apocalyptic plague outbreak. Film includes scenes set during the Christmas season.
• 29th Street (1991) — When a man wins the first New York State Lottery on Christmas Eve, instead of celebrating, he throws a rock through a church window. Based on a true story.
• 101 Reykjavík (2000) — Thirtysomething slacker living with his mother gets involved with lesbian dance instructor over the holidays.
• 2046 (2004) — Hong Kong sci-fi writer engages in various sexual encounters through successive Christmas Eves while searching for true love.
• About a Boy (2002) — A bachelor enjoys a life of ease thanks to the royalties from a Christmas song his father composed.
• All Fall Down (1962) — Self-centered, womanizing young drifter returns home to his dysfunctional family. Film includes Christmas scenes.
• All Mine to Give (1957) - A Scottish family comes to Wisconsin and do well until tragedy hits as Christmas nears.
• All That Heaven Allows (1955) — Lonely widow seeks love with younger gardener in the face of her adult children's disapproval. Includes a memorable Christmas scene.
• Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007) — Songwriter Dave Seville takes in three chipmunks, who can sing, during the Christmas season. The film features the classic "Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)".
• American Psycho (2000) — Serial killer Patrick Bateman takes a break from his reign of terror to attend a Christmas party given by his fiancée.
• Annie Hall (1977) — Alvy Singer is forced to attend a Christmas party in Hollywood and breaks up with the title character (again) during the holidays.
• The Apartment (1960) — A young executive climbs the corporate ladder by loaning out his apartment to bosses for their extramarital trysts. The bulk of the film takes place between Christmas and New Year's Eve.
• Arthur (1981) — Drunken millionaire playboy, on the brink of an arranged marriage, risks his inheritance by falling in love with waitress. Film takes place during or just prior to Christmas season in New York.
• Arthur 2: On the Rocks (1988) — Having lost his inheritance, the now-married Arthur attempts to find a job and adopt a baby. Film takes place during Christmas season in New York.
• The Associate (1996) — A black woman makes it on Wall Street by creating (and then impersonating) a fictional white male partner. Film includes a Christmas scene.
• Auntie Mame (1956) — One scene has free-spirited eccentric Mame Dennis attempting to support herself as a Macy's sales clerk during the holidays.
• Autumn in New York (2000) — Middle-aged restaurateur falls in love with free-spirited but terminally ill younger woman. Includes a Christmas scene.
• Babe (1995) — The segment "Pork is a Nice Sweet Meat" takes place on Christmas Day.
• Backfire (1950) — While recovering at a VA hospital, a WW2 veteran learns his friend has disappeared and is accused of murdering a gambler; after his release he attempts to locate the friend and clear his name. Film includes some Christmas scenes.
• Bad Teacher (2011) - Has several scenes that take place around Christmas break
• Beat Street (1984) — takes place during the holidays with "Santas' Rap" performed by The Treacherous Three.
• Bell, Book and Candle (1958) — Modern-day witch tries to woo unsuspecting publisher. The first part of the film takes place at Christmas.
• The Bells of St. Mary's (1945) — An easygoing priest and a no-nonsense nun try to save their run-down school. Scenes include a Christmas pageant.
• Ben-Hur (1925) — Jewish prince turned slave seeks revenge against former friend. Film was remade in 1959; both versions depict Christ's Nativity in the prologue.
• Better Off Dead (1985) — A teenager has to deal with his girlfriend dumping him among family crises, homicidal paper boys, and a rival skier during the holiday season.
• Big Business (1929) — Door-to-door Christmas tree salesman (Laurel and Hardy) get into a mutually-destructive feud with a would-be customer in this short silent comedy.
• Blast of Silence (1961) — Hitman plans mob murder during Christmas season in New York.
• The Boat That Rocked (2009) — Government official tries to shut down pirate radio station in 1960s Britain. Includes a Christmas scene.
• Das Boot (1981) — German U-boat makes a perilous mission during World War II. Includes a Christmastime scene aboard a supply ship.
• The Bourne Identity (2002) — Late in the film, the protagonist stays overnight at a friend's house which has been decorated for Christmas. It is also snowing throughout most of the film, indicating that time of year.
• Boys Town (1938) — Features a Christmas Sequence in the middle.
• Bridget Jones's Diary (2001) — The title character is introduced to her primary love interest at her parents' Christmas party, among several holiday-themed scenes.
• Bright Eyes (1934) — Young girl becomes center of custody battle after being orphaned on Christmas morning.
• La Bûche (Season's Beatings) (1999) — Woman reunites with her estranged daughters during Christmas following the death of her second husband.
• Cast Away (2000) — A man is stranded on a tropical island for several years. The main character's family Christmas party is interrupted when he is summoned away on business, but his plane crashes.
• Catch Me If You Can (2002) — An FBI agent pursues an identity-changing con artist over a period of several years. A number of scenes take place on different Christmases.
• The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) — C.S. Lewis tale, in which the return of Christmas to the frozen fantasy world of Narnia is the first sign of its liberation.
• Citizen Kane (1941) — An early scene shows the young Charles Foster Kane receiving a sled as a Christmas gift from his guardian, Mr. Thatcher.
• The City of Lost Children (La Cité des Enfants Perdus) (1995) — Monstrous scientist kidnaps children to steal their dreams using a machine. Film opens with a Christmas Eve dream sequence.
• Come to the Stable (1949) — Two French nuns come to the New England town of Bethlehem to stay with a struggling artist of Christmas scenes for greeting cards. They want to build a children's hospital but soon run afoul of a local gangster, a popular composer and the diocesan bishop.
• Cosmopolitan (2003) — An unexpected romance blossoms over the holidays, and undergoes shifts on Christmas and New Years.
• Cover Up (1949) — Insurance agent investigates apparent suicide that may be murder. Film takes place at Christmas.
• Cronos (1993) — Mexican horror film is set during Christmastime and New Year's Eve.
• The Crowd (1928) — Young man and wife face challenges making a living and establishing a family in an impersonal, competitive New York City. Film includes a Christmas Eve scene.
• The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady (1950) — Widower struggles to raise three daughters in 1890s New York City. Musical film ends at Christmas.
• Deadly Little Christmas (2009) — A mental patient's escape at Christmas coincides with a string of brutal murders.
• Dead End (2003) — Family takes a fatal shortcut en route to Christmas dinner at grandmother's house.
• Dead of Night (1945) — One of the segments in this British horror anthology involves a young girl befriending a frightened little boy she encounters while playing hide-and-seek at a Christmas party, only to discover that he might be the ghost of a murder victim.
• Decalogue III (1988) — Woman tricks a former lover, now married, into spending Christmas Eve with her.
• Desk Set (1957) — TV network researcher and computer expert clash, then find romance. Film includes a Christmas party scene.
• The Devil Makes Three (1952) — U.S. pilot uncovers Nazi revival movement in post-WW2 Munich. Film includes Christmas scenes.
• Diner (1982) — Old childhood friends, now grown, get together during the holidays in 1959 Baltimore.
• Doctor Zhivago (1965) — Includes scene of Lara shooting Komarovsky in the arm at a Christmas party after he rapes her.
• Donnie Brasco (1997) — FBI agent infiltrates '70s crime family. A scene has characters celebrating Christmas by exchanging cards stuffed with hundred-dollar bills.
• Donovan's Reef (1963) — Comedy about three war veterans' life on a French Polynesian island, the plot takes place in the month of December and includes an amusing Christmas pageant at the local Catholic church, with a unique set of three kings.
• Eastern Promises (2007) — Midwife searches for family of newborn baby whose teenaged mother died in childbirth, uncovers dark secrets in Russian gang. Thriller takes place during Christmas season.
• Edward Scissorhands (1990) — A man with scissors for hands adjusts to life in suburbia after the death of his creator, and later he sees the Christmas holiday season.
• Eight Crazy Nights (2002) — Davey Stone, with the help of Whitey Duvall, remembers the joys of the holiday season in the eight days leading up to Hanukkah and Christmas.
• Enemy of the State (1998) — A man is pursued by rogue agents, after he unknowingly obtains incriminating evidence on them, while shopping for Christmas gifts for his family.
• The English Patient (1996) — After being badly burned in a plane crash during World War II, a Hungarian cartographer relates his past to a nurse via flashbacks. Includes a Christmas party scene.
• Everybody's Fine (2009) — A widower travels around the country to visit each of his alienated grown children. Film ends at Christmas.
• Everyone Says I Love You (1996) — Characters attend a Paris Christmas party where everyone is dressed like Groucho Marx.
• Expendables 2 (2012) — The heroes' aircraft has Santa painted on the front. During first water scene Stallone's character asks to "wake up Santa".
• Eyes Wide Shut (1999) — Around Christmas, a man goes on a sexual odyssey that leads to a mysterious orgy and possibly murder.
• The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989) — Lounge pianist brothers find their act, and relationship, transformed by new female singer. Film includes some Christmas scenes.
• The Facts of Life (1960) — Two people, each married to someone else, enter into an affair. Film includes a Christmas scene.
• Falling In Love (1984) — Married strangers meet while Christmas shopping and begin a friendship that gradually blossoms into love.

The Family Man (2000)- Starring Nicolas Cage and Téa Leoni, take on It's a Wonderful Life.

• Fanny and Alexander (1982) — Swedish children try to deal with cruel stepfather. Opening scenes take place at Christmas.
• The FBI Story (1959) — An FBI agent recounts his career with the Bureau through the decades. Film includes a Christmas scene.
• Female Trouble (1974) — Dark comedy chronicles young woman's journey from juvenile delinquency to mass murder. Film begins at Christmas 1960.
• First Blood (1982) — There are Christmas decorations hung up in the town that John Rambo visits, thus implying that the film takes place during the holiday season.
• For Love of the Game (1999) — An aging pitcher recalls his past while throwing a perfect game. Includes a flashback scene where he celebrates Christmas with his girlfriend and her teenaged daughter.
• Four Christmases (2008) - starring Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn. A couple struggles to visit all four of their divorced parents on Christmas Day.
• The French Connection (1971) — NYC police detective Popeye Doyle attempts to intercept massive heroin shipment from France. We first see Doyle dressed as a sidewalk Santa Claus during a stakeout.
• Full Metal Jacket (1987) — One scene has a drill instructor leading his Marine boot camp recruits in a chorus of "Happy Birthday" to Jesus on Christmas Day.
• Funny Farm (1988) — A couple buys their dream farmhouse in the country, but a series of disasters lead them to plan a divorce. They attempt to sell their farmhouse by bribing the local townspeople to create the perfect fantasy Christmas to impress prospective buyers.
• Futurama: Bender's Big Score (2007) — Nudist aliens take over the world, and the Planet Express crew are made homeless at Christmas. Also, Santa Claus helps in the final battle.
• Ghostbusters II (1989) — The film is set in December during Christmas and New Years season in New York City, and a Christmas tree is visible during at least one scene.
• The Ghost and the Darkness (1996) — Railroad workers are stalked by two lions in 1898 Kenya. At one point one character says to another, "Oh, and Merry Christmas, I forgot this is the month."
• The Glenn Miller Story (1954) — Portrait of the bandleader's life and career ends with a Christmas Eve scene shortly after his death in a December 1944 plane crash.
• Go (1999) — Three intertwining plots that happen to involve one drug deal on Christmas Eve in Los Angeles.
• The Godfather (1972) — Christmastime in 1945 forms the backdrop for several murders and two attempts on Don Corleone's life.
• Going My Way (1944) — Young priest is mentored by his aging predecessor in urban parish. Film concludes with a Christmas Eve scene.
• Good Sam (1948) — Compulsive do-gooder nearly drives his family to bankruptcy while helping others. Film climaxes at Christmas time.
• Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939) — Retired English schoolteacher and headmaster recalls his career. Film includes a Christmas scene.
• Goodfellas (1990) — A scene has the mobster protagonists celebrating Christmas after pulling off the Lufthansa heist in December 1978.
• The Gospel According to St. Matthew (1964) — Account of Christ's life and ministry includes a depiction of the Nativity.
• The Great Ziegfeld (1936) — A scene has the Broadway impresario lavishing his family with Christmas presents.
• The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965) — Account of Christ's life and ministry includes a depiction of the Nativity.
• Gremlins (1984) - Father buys his son a Mogwai creature named Gizmo for Christmas.
• Grumpy Old Men (1993) — Elderly bachelors vie for the affections of a widow. Film has some Christmas Eve scenes.
• Harry Potter series (2001–2011) — Several of the films have scenes that take during Christmastime with the characters exchanging gifts.
• Heatwave (1982) — Conflict over a planned housing development comes to a boil during a brutally hot Christmas season in Sydney, Australia.
• Holiday (1938) — Man engaged to wealthy girl finds himself attracted to her free-spirited sister. Film begins on Christmas Day.
• The Holiday (2006) - The story is about two women who trade homes for the holidays only to find that a change of address can change their lives.
• Hot Rods to Hell (1967) — Man recovering from Christmas Eve car accident finds himself and family harassed by teenage punks en route to new job as motel owner.
• The Hudsucker Proxy (1994) — Naive mail clerk is installed as president of a New York manufacturing company and invents the hula hoop. The film is set in December 1958.
• I Am Legend (2007) — A viral outbreak occurs on Christmas Eve 2009, and quickly spreads across the entire planet.
• I, the Jury (1953) — Hard-boiled PI Mike Hammer investigates the murder of a war buddy during Christmas season.
• In Bruges (2008) — Two Irish hit-men hide out in Belgium during the holiday season.
• In the Good Old Summertime (1949) — A musical remake of The Shop Around the Corner, set in turn-of-the-century Chicago. Despite its title, the film includes several Christmas scenes and introduces the song "Merry Christmas".
• Inside (À l'intérieur) (2007) — On Christmas Eve, a widowed expectant mother is stalked by a murderous woman who wants her unborn child.
• It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947) — When a New York millionaire boards up his 5th Ave. mansion for the winter and heads south, a homeless man moves in and invites others to join him. Christmas dinner is a key scene.
• Jaws: The Revenge (1987) — Killer shark follows dead policeman's family to the Bahamas. Film begins at Christmas time.
• Just Friends (2005) - A once overweight young man returns to his hometown for Christmas looking better than ever and tries to win his best friend's heart whom he has been in love with since High School.
• King of Kings (1961) — Account of Christ's life and ministry includes a depiction of the Nativity.
• Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) — A crook poses as an actor and gets tangled up in a crime during a Christmas setting.
• Kotch (1971) — An elderly man befriends, and takes in, a pregnant teenage runaway. Film includes a Christmas Eve scene.
• Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) — Trying to secure a new job in order to obtain legal custody of his son, Ted Kramer interviews for one (and gets it) during an office Christmas party.
• L.A. Confidential (1997) — The opening of the film takes place around Christmas and fictionalizes the real-life Bloody Christmas incident, which took place in 1951.
• Lady and the Tramp (1955) — The film opens and closes around Christmas.
• Lady for a Day (1933) — Broadway panhandler Apple Annie needs a Christmas miracle when her convent-bred daughter returns from Spain with the son of a count as her fiance. Remade in 1961 as Pocketful of Miracles.
• Lady in the Lake (1947) — Detective Philip Marlowe finds murder while searching for the wife of a publishing executive. Noir mystery spans Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
• Larceny, Inc. (1942) — Crooks buy a luggage shop in order to tunnel to (and rob) the bank next door, then decide to "go straight" when the store is unexpectedly successful. Film climaxes on Christmas Eve.
• Lassie (2005) — Collie dog embarks on long journey home after being sold by her destitute family. Remake of Lassie Come Home climaxes on Christmas Eve.
• Legion (2010) — God loses faith in humankind and sends his angels to slaughter them all on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day, Charlie's baby is born, and is deemed the new savior of mankind.
• The Lemon Drop Kid (1951) — A small time con artist has until Christmas to raise money he owes to a gangster. The song Silver Bells made its debut in this film.
• Lethal Weapon (1987) — A young suicidal cop is partnered with a veteran officer to solve a murder during the holidays.
• The Lion in Winter (1968) — Christmas 1183 is the setting for palace intrigues with King Henry II and family. Remade for television in 2003.
• Little Fockers (2010) — Comic complications and misunderstandings abound in this sequel to Meet the Parents (2000) and Meet the Fockers (2004). Part of the film takes place at Christmas.
• Little Women (1933) — Includes scenes of the March family at Christmastime. Remade in 1949, 1978, and 1994.
• The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) — An amnesia victim accidentally re-discovers her previous persona during pre-Christmas holiday events and preparations.
• Look Who's Talking Now (1993) — The Ubriacco family struggles to be together for Christmas.
• Love Affair (1939) — Lovers are parted after a planned liaison is thwarted by a car accident. Film climaxes at Christmas. Remade in 1957 (as An Affair to Remember) and 1994.
• Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938) — Teenager tries to find romance as Christmas approaches.
• Love Story (1970) — Romance blossoms between wealthy law student and doomed schoolteacher. A scene has the young man raising money by selling Christmas trees.
• Make Way for Tomorrow (1937) — Having lost their home to foreclosure, an elderly married couple are forced to separate and live with different children. Film includes a Christmas scene.
• Mame (1974) — Musical version of Auntie Mame. Includes the song "We Need a Little Christmas".
• The Manchurian Candidate (1962) — Political scion is turned assassin by Communist brainwashing. Film includes a Christmas scene.
• The Man from Majorca (1984) — Stockholm police uncover political corruption while investigating a bank robbery. Film takes place during Christmas season.
• The Matador (2005) — Businessman and hit man strike up an odd friendship. The second half of the film takes place during the Christmas season.
• Mean Girls (2004) — Teenage outsider infiltrates school clique. Includes a scene where schoolgirls sing and dance to "Jingle Bell Rock".
• Meet John Doe (1941) — A newspaper reporter turns a bum into a national hero, but the man threatens to commit suicide by leaping from the town hall after he's exposed as a fraud. The climax takes place on Christmas Eve.
• Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) — A Missouri family prepares for the 1904 World's Fair. Film includes Christmas scenes, and introduces the song "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas".
• Melvin and Howard (1980) — A down-on-his-luck working man lends assistance to a stranger who claims to be Howard Hughes. Film includes a Christmas scene.
• Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983) — Relationships among men in a Japanese POW camp during World War II. A key scene takes place on Christmas Eve.
• Metropolitan (1990) — Young upper-class collegians attend holiday balls and bond during Christmas break in Manhattan.
• A Midnight Clear (1992) — American and German soldiers spend an uneasy Christmas together in WW2 France.
• A Midwinter's Tale (1995) — Acting troupe attempts to save a church by mounting a Christmastime production of Hamlet.
• Millions (2004) — Two young British brothers, one very religious, clash over how to spend a chance acquisition of £229,520 (later revealed as stolen) before the fictional conversion to the Euro takes place on or near Christmas Day.
• The Miracle of Morgan's Creek (1944) — Small-town girl finds herself pregnant after marrying a departing soldier while intoxicated. Film climaxes on Christmas Eve.
• Mon oncle Antoine (1971) — Boy comes of age in Quebec mining town in late 1940s. Much of the film takes place on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
• Money Train (1995) — Takes place during the Christmas season and New Year's Eve.
• Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979) — Comedic account of ancient Israelite whose life parallels Christ's. Opening scene takes place during (and parodies) the Nativity.
• Monty Python's the Meaning of Life (1983) — A collection of comedic vignettes illustrating the various stages of man's life. One scene depicts Heaven as a place where it is Christmas every day.
• Moonstruck (1987) — Romantic comedy-drama takes place during, or just prior to, the holiday season.
• Mr. and Mrs. Smith (1941) — Man and woman discover their marriage was not legal. Film takes place in or around the holiday season.
• Mr. Soft Touch (1949) — Returning WW2 hero robs mobsters who've taken over his nightclub, then hides out in a settlement house under an assumed name. Film takes place just before Christmas.
• Mrs. Parkington (1944) — On Christmas Eve, a woman reminisces about her climb from hotel maid to wealthy society matron.
• Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) — British seamen rebel against their tyrannical captain during 1789 expedition to Tahiti. Includes a Christmas scene.
• My Night at Maud's (1969) — Catholic engineer engages in philosophical conversation with atheist professor friend and seductive divorcee during Christmas season.
• The Mystery of Edwin Drood (1935) — Mystery surrounds a young man's disappearance during a Christmas Eve storm. Remade in 1993.
• Never Say Goodbye (1946) — Artist attempts to win back his ex-wife as Christmas approaches.
• The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) — Jack Skellington from Halloween town discovers Christmas town and plots to take Christmas for himself
• The Night of the Hunter (1955) — The final scenes of the film have the children enjoying Christmas since the capture of their pursuer.
• Nobody's Fool (1994) — Aging construction worker fights his employer and reconnects with his estranged family. Film takes place between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
• Noise (2007) — Australian police constable suffers from tinnitus while investigating a brutal mass murder on a suburban commuter train. Film ends on Christmas Eve.
• The Odessa File (1974) — Political thriller is set around Christmas, and has "Christmas Dream" as its theme song.
• One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) - The last scene takes place around Christmas where the Dalmatians arrive back home.
• One Nite In Mongkok (2004) - Hong Kong crime drama that takes place on Christmas Eve, includes a prologue on 23 December.
• On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) — James Bond works to thwart biological-warfare threat. Part of the film takes place in Switzerland during the Christmas season.
• On Moonlight Bay (1951) — Tomboy falls for boy next door in 1910s Indiana town. Musical film includes Christmas scenes and song "Christmas Story".
• On the Avenue (1937) — Features the Christmas scenes and has a famous Christmas song.
• One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) — Includes a scene where McMurphy throws an illicit Christmas party for the mental ward.
• Ordinary People (1980) — Affluent suburban family struggles with the aftermath of one son's death and the other's attempted suicide. Includes some Christmas scenes.
• Our Vines Have Tender Grapes (1945) — Norwegian immigrant farm family in rural Wisconsin. Film includes Christmas scenes.
• P2 (2007) — A businesswoman is pursued by a psychopath after being locked in a parking garage on Christmas Eve.
• Pandora's Box (1929) — Seductive young woman brings ruin to herself and those who love her, culminating in her death at the hands of Jack the Ripper on Christmas Eve.
• Penny Serenade (1941) — Tearjerker includes a child's Christmas pageant scene.
• Period of Adjustment (1962) — Two couples hash out their marital difficulties on Christmas Eve.
• Pocketful of Miracles (1961) — Frank Capra remake of his own Lady for a Day (q.v.).
• Precious (2009) — Inner-city teen mother struggles to overcome poverty and parental abuse. Film includes a Christmas scene.
• Pride of the Marines (1945) — U.S. Marine undergoes rehabilitation after being blinded in an enemy attack during WW2. Film includes a Christmas scene.
• Prometheus (2012) — Spaceship crew seeks humanity's origins and discovers a grave threat on a distant planet. A scene takes place on Christmas Day in 2093.
• The Proposition (2005) — In 1880s Australia, a captured outlaw is given until Christmas Day to find and kill his murderous older brother.
• Psycho (1960) — Bank secretary Marion Crane goes on the lam with embezzled money and has a fatal encounter with disturbed motel manager Norman Bates. Christmas decorations are visible in downtown Phoenix in an early scene.
• Rabbit Test (1978) — A man gets pregnant and spoofs the Nativity.
• The Railway Children (1970) — After their father is suddenly taken away, three children and their mother build a new life in Edwardian Yorkshire. Film begins at Christmas.
• The Reckless Moment (1949) — A middle-class housewife is targeted by blackmailers after the death of her daughter's sleazy boyfriend. Noir film takes place just prior to Christmas.
• The Ref (1994) — A cat burglar is forced to take a bickering, dysfunctional family hostage on Christmas Eve.
• Reindeer Games (2000) — A newly-paroled convict is coerced into helping a gang of thieves rob a Native-American casino on Christmas Eve.
• Rent (2005) — The first half of the film takes place on Christmas Eve and the days leading up to the new year. The second half of the film shows the events of the next year, with the film ending on Christmas Eve.
• Rick (2003) — Adaptation of Verdi's opera Rigoletto, set in the Manhattan corporate world during the Christmas season.
• Rocky (1976) — Small-time boxer is given a shot at the heavyweight championship in a New Year's bout. Film includes a couple of Christmas scenes.
• Rocky IV (1985) — An epic boxing match between the USSR's Captain Ivan Drago and the USA's Rocky Balboa on Christmas Day.
• Roger & Me (1989) — Documentary about General Motors plant closures in Flint, Michigan climaxes with filmmaker Michael Moore confronting GM chairman Roger Smith at a company Christmas Eve party.
• Ronin (1998) — Espionage thriller features an outdoor Joyeaux Noel celebration scene in the south of France.
• Roughly Speaking (1945) — Woman endures various hardships while raising a family over the first half of the 20th century. One scene takes place at Christmas of 1928.
• Running Scared (1986) — Lethal Weapon-style cop/buddy comedy takes place largely around Christmas.
• Santa Claws (1996) — Horror-film actress is stalked by a fan while shooting a Christmas-themed film.
• Serendipity (2001) — Opening scene set to Cool Yule at Bloomingdale's during the Christmas rush. John and Sara meet when they both reach for the same pair of gloves, which they are buying to be Christmas presents.
• The Seven Little Foys (1955) — Biographical account of vaudeville entertainer Eddie Foy and family. Film includes some Christmas scenes.
• Shadowlands (1993) — Writers C.S. Lewis and Joy Gresham meet and enter a relationship in 1950s England. Semi-biographical film includes Christmas scene.
• The Silent Partner (1978) — Bank teller plays cat-and-mouse with mall Santa-turned-holdup man over money from robbery.
• Since You Went Away (1944) — WW2 homefront drama climaxes on Christmas Eve.
• The Sisters (1938) — Three sisters endure unhappy marriages shortly after the turn of the century. Film includes a Christmas scene.
• Sister Mary Explains It All (2001) — A tyrannical nun learns of the trouble she has caused through her strict and bigoted teachings, when former students confront her at a lecture on Christmas Eve.
• Six Weeks (1982) — Wealthy cosmetics tycoon and her dying daughter strike up a friendship with a politician and visit New York City for the holiday season.
• Sleepless in Seattle (1993) — Woman responds to plea from lonely widower on Christmas Eve radio program.
• Soldier (1998) — Includes a Christmas party among the settlers before Todd's exile.
• Some Girls (1988) — College student gets more than he bargained for when he visits his girlfriend's family in Quebec for Christmas.
• Splendor in the Grass (1961) — Young love, repression, and mental collapse in late-1920s Kansas. Film includes a Christmas scene.
• Stalag 17 (1953) — American POWs fight among themselves a few days before Christmas.
• Star Trek: Generations (1994) — When Jean-Luc Picard is in The Nexus, he has a family and it is Christmas.
• Steel Magnolias (1989) — Exploring the intersecting lives of several women in small-town Louisiana. One scene takes place at Christmas.
• Stella Dallas (1937) — Working-class woman struggles to better herself and her daughter. Remade in 1990 as Stella; both versions include a Christmas scene.
• Step Brothers (2008) — Immature, combative 40-somethings become stepbrothers and attempt to go into business together. Film includes a Christmas Eve scene.
• Stowaway (1936) — Chinese orphan (Shirley Temple) stows away on a ship and is cared for by an American couple. Temple sings "That's What I Want for Christmas" in the final scene.
• A Summer Place (1959) — Adultery, divorce, and teen romance between two families who meet at a Maine island resort. Film includes a Christmas scene.
• Sun Valley Serenade (1941) — Musician falls in love with Norwegian refugee during holiday gig at Idaho ski resort.
• The Sure Thing (1985) — Hostility turns to romance as college students travel cross-country during Christmas break.
• Tales from the Crypt (1972) — The first segment in this horror anthology is about a woman who kills her husband in their house on Christmas Eve, and is thus unable to call the police when a madman in a Santa costume is outside of the house.
• The Thin Man (1934) — Comic murder mystery includes several Christmas scenes.
• This Sporting Life (1963) — Rugby player looks back while recovering from getting his teeth knocked out in a Christmas Eve match.
• Three Days of the Condor (1975) — Espionage thriller takes place during the holiday season.
• To All a Good Night (1980) — Killer Santa stalks sorority girls.
• Tokyo Godfathers (2003) — A homeless trio (an alcoholic ex-athlete, a teenaged runaway, and an aging drag queen) are redeemed when they discover an abandoned infant at Christmas.
• Tom & Thomas (The Christmas Twins) (2002) — Long-separated identical twins reunite, fight child-trafficking ring. Film takes place during Christmas season.
• Toy Story (1995) — The final scene takes place on Christmas Day.
• Toys (1992) — Man battles his war-loving brother for control of their dead father's toy factory. Film begins at Christmas.
• A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945) — Memoir of girl's coming of age in turn-of-the-century Brooklyn includes scene of her impoverished father bringing home a vendor's discarded Christmas tree for the holiday.
• The Trouble with Angels (1966) — Teenage girls get into mischief at a Catholic boarding school. Film includes a Christmas scene.
• Two Family House (2000) — Blue-collar worker dreams of singing career and serves as landlord to a young Irish mother in 1950s Staten Island. Film ends on Christmas Eve.
• L'ultimo treno della notte (1975) — Young women are terrorized by criminal thugs on Christmastime train ride from Germany to Italy
• The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964) — Young romance is thwarted by war and arranged marriage in this musical film. Final scene takes place on Christmas Eve.
• The Unholy Three (1925) — Circus sideshow performers enter a criminal alliance that leads to murder. Silent film remade as a sound film in 1930; both versions have Christmas Eve/Christmas scenes.
• The Victors (1963) — The scene in which Private Slovik is executed for desertion is accompanied by Frank Sinatra singing Christmas carols on the soundtrack.
• The War of the Roses (1989) — Includes several Christmas scenes.
• The Way of All Flesh (1927) — Bank clerk and family man is driven to destitution and "death" after being robbed while delivering money to another city. Silent film, now lost, remade as a sound film in 1940; both versions end with a Christmas scene.
• The Wiggles Movie (1997) - The Wiggles mention this holiday when they tell Dorothy the Dinosaur what special day it is.
• Welcome to L.A. (1976) — Depicts relationships, sexual and otherwise, among a group of alienated young Los Angelinos. Film includes some Christmas scenes.
• We're Not Married! (1952) — Several different couples are wed on Christmas Eve by a justice of the peace, but later discover that the marriages aren't legally valid.
• When Harry Met Sally (1989) — Includes several Christmas– and New Year's-related scenes.
• The World of Henry Orient (1964) — Two prep-school girls follow philandering concert pianist around Manhattan. Film includes several Christmas scenes.
• Yours, Mine and Ours (1968) — Follows the lives of two families joined into one, all 22 of them. Includes a scene on Christmas morning with the ensuing confusion of 19 children opening presents.
• You've Got Mail (1998) — Internet-era update of The Shop Around the Corner includes Christmas– and Thanksgiving-related scenes.
• Nothing Like the Holidays (2008) - A Puerto Rican family living in the area of Humboldt Park in west Chicago face what may be their last Christmas together.