Slightly Off The Radar Holiday Films

From November to January every kind of Holiday film crosses our TV screens from the good, the bad and the just plain horrible. After all the mid-season finales of my favorites shows air, TV becomes a wasteland of gag worthy films. But occasionally there are a few gems that shine brightly. Here are a few that I kind of like.

Dutch

Ed O'Neill and Ethan Embry star in this holiday film about a spoiled brat put through the ringer by his mother's boyfriend on their road trip home for Christmas. Sappy at times but Ed O'Neill is great at keeping it from being too much of a "feel good" film

Home for the Holidays

Technically a Thanksgiving film. An amazing cast including Anne Bancroft, Robert Downey Jr, Holly Hunter and even Steve Guttenburg. Out of every holiday film I have ever seen this is the closest to being real while at the same time having some comedic moments. A dysfunctional family film that still has a feel good appeal.

Bonus points for having RDJ

 The Ref

I just watched this on Netflix and found it rather funny. While the movie is set during Christmas it is more of a situation comedy. I sometimes forget how funny Denis Leary can be. In this he plays a thief that is on the run and happens to take the worst hostages, a bickering couple preparing for Christmas dinner. Kevin Spacey and Judy Davis play the unhappily married pair.

Mixed Nuts

It has been awhile since I have seen this movie. Steve Martin and Rita Wilson work at a suicide prevention hotline with the incomparable Madeline Kahn. High-jinks ensue when multiple characters and arcs overlap. 

Bonus points for John Stewart and Parker Posey playing the rollerblading couple.

  A Princess for Christmas

Okay this is not a good film. It is painfully predictable and trite. But it has a young Sam Heughan as the "Prince". Worth it only to watch Jamie Fraser in the 21st Century.

Babes in Toyland

I have mentioned this in a 5 Fandom Friday post this season already but I don't care. Perhaps if enough people start watching this whenever it comes on then they will finally make a dvd version, or at least put it on Netflix.

These are my favorite Holiday films the not many people know about. Feel free to add yours in the comments below