America has its iconic Christmas movies that are part of almost everyone’s childhood and always find their place on the annual rewatches in December. And as comforting and cozy these movies are, here is a list of lesser known movies to expand your wintertime must-watches. So if you like a particular movie, you might find a very similar but unknown equivalent you will enjoy just as much!
If you like the story of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (1998) and how he became a hero
that saved everyone from evil even after being bullied for his red nose …
…you should try watching The Flight Before Christmas (2008). The young reindeer Niko is adventurous and not very popular in his reindeer herd. He has always known he wanted to be part of Santa’s flying troup, which his father is part of. So he leaves with his best friend, a squirrel, to find Santa’s home and prove himself worthy as a flying reindeer while also trying to escape the wolf pack.
If you like Happy Feet (2006), a movie about a penguin that instead of the common skill to sing was born with the talent of step dancing and has to leave his family behind to prove himself worthy of love…
…you should give Scamper the Penguin (1986) a try. It’s about a rebellious penguin named Lolo. He’s eager to learn about the world and goes on adventures with his friend Pepe. They have to face obstacles such as poachers or the dangerous animals in the sea.
If you like The Nutcracker (1993), where a young girl dreams herself into an elaborate Christmas world where her nutcracker comes to life…
…you might like Three Wishes For Cinderella (1973), a movie about Cinderella who—with the help of three enchanted hazelnuts—meets a prince, who falls in love with her. Similar to the original telling, she has to face her evil stepmom and eventually is found by the prince through her lost shoe.
If you enjoy Elf (2003), the movie about a human who believes he is a Christmas elf who eventually leaves Santa’s world to try and find his father.…
…you should try Little Lord Fauntleroy (1980), in which a young American boy turns out to be the grandson and heir of a British Earl. His grandfather is very strict, but the boy believes him to be kind and over the course of the movie the Earl starts appreciating his grandson and even learns to be kinder to all.
If you like Frosty the Snowman (1969), where a snowman built by children comes to life after they put their teacher’s hat on it.
…you could try The Little Polar Bear (2001), where the polar bear Lars befriends a seal. But the other polar bears that hunt seals are not at all happy about this friendship, so Lars and his friend have to run away.
If you like the movie The Snowman (1982), where a young boy builds a snowman that comes to life and takes him on adventures to the North Pole.
…you should give Tabaluga and Leo (2003) a try. This movie is about the dragon Tabaluga that rescues a human boy and they celebrate Greenland’s grassland festival together.
