(AP) – “It’s that time of year when there’s a lively and unwinnable debate about what the best Christmas movie is. “It’s a Wonderful Life,'' “Home Alone,'' “Love Actually,'' etc. No one needs to be reminded about the obvious holiday movies being played, or even holiday-adjacent classics like Eyes Wide Shut and The Godfather.
But maybe you're looking to go beyond the ordinary this year (sorry, “A Christmas Story'' or “White Christmas'').
Associated Press film writer Jake Coyle and lindsay barr Here are the best Christmas movies for every mood.
Movies that feel like Christmas movies, but aren't
“The Grand Budapest Hotel”: Truth be told, there’s nothing more than a little snow to make Wes Anderson’s 2014 delightful Christmas movie a Christmas movie. But I don't think there's any movie that more closely resembles the experience of opening a present than “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” Put a smile on your face as you unravel Anderson's intricate designs and Russian Doll-esque story. (Available for digital rental) — Coyle
The best movie to make you feel stylish
“Metropolitan” (1990): Who among us hasn’t dreamed of playing our debut season in New York? We may not be able to answer that, but a few privileged Upper East Side Whit Stillman's “Metropolitan,'' about young people, is the ideal movie to watch when you're craving something that feels like an elegant night on the town, but isn't. No need to take off your white tie or ball gown. (Streaming on Criterion, MAX, Hulu, and Prime Video) —Bahr
Best performance after felt
“The Muppets' Christmas Carol” (1992): It's another thing for Dickens to do with other humans. However, Michael Caine gives an Oscar-worthy performance as Ebenezer Scrooge, sharing screen space with Beaker and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew. But to be fair, Gonzo the Great and Rizzo the Rat are also very good in this one. (Streaming on Disney+) — Coil
Chevy Chase stands at the head of a table in a scene from the movie “Christmas Vacation,'' 1989. (Photo courtesy of Warner Bros./Getty Images)
best christmas scream
“The Umbrellas of Cherbourg'' (1964): Jacques Demy's Technicolor musical isn't just set at Christmas, but that final tear-jerking scene at a snowy gas station is enough for me. From Catherine Deneuve's whimsical bows to Michel Legrand's epic, melancholy music, the candy-colored experience is just in time for the holiday season. (Streaming on Criterion Channel) —Barr
LA's best Christmas movies
“Kiss Kiss Bang Bang'': Christmas traditions don't usually feature a motormouthed Robert Downey Jr., but Shane Black's 2005 neo-noir black comedy debates whether it strictly qualifies as a Christmas movie. Regardless, it's worth revisiting again and again. In “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” about a Los Angeles thief-turned-actor, Christmas is more of a decorative ornament set ironically against a deliciously unhealthy sleaze. (Available for digital rental) — Coyle
best house exchange fantasy
“The Holiday” (2006): Okay, so a cozy cottage in England isn’t real, but what is it really? The premise? Romance? Cameron Diaz sprinting through snowy fields and country roads in high heels? Mr. Napkin Head? (Actually, it might be Mr. Napkin Head). The thing is, it doesn't really matter, right? Nancy Meyers' romantic fantasy never tries to be anything other than a fun movie, but it takes itself a little too seriously, a little too glossy, and echoes Meyers' beloved classics, from Eli Wallach to It's an unabashed ode to cinema and teaches a new generation about “cute encounters.” ” (now streaming on Hulu and Prime Video) —Bahr
Poster for Michael Curtiz's 1954 comedy film “White Christmas,'' starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen. (Movie Poster Image Art/Getty Images)
A great Christmas thriller not called “Die Hard”
Three Days of the Condor: Whatever excuse I have, I'm going to rewatch this 1975 spy thriller directed by Sidney Pollack and starring Robert Redford and Faye Dunaway. But like “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” the Christmas backdrop is no coincidence. If the holidays are the ultimate time of togetherness, “Three Days of the Condor” asks what that means in a post-Watergate world. (Streaming on Paramount+) — Coil
Best recent children's Christmas movies
“Klaus”: With the constant flow of mediocre or worse holiday movies, it’s easy to miss out on the gems that come along. Sergio Pablos' 2019 Netflix animated film was essentially the origin story of Santa Claus, a desperate postman stationed in a remote northern village. Along with Miracle on 34th Street, it's further proof that the best Christmas movies depend on the Postal Service. (Now streaming on Netflix) — Coil
For sets for ages 5 and under
“Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas” (2021): At only 30 minutes long, this movie is perfect for the little ones in the house. It's sweet, funny, adventurous, and not scary in the slightest (unless you're afraid of flying sleighs or recipes gone awry). (Streaming on Netflix) —Barre
A still from the 1965 film The Sound of Music starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. All the von Trapp children gathered around to open their presents.
General holiday movie awards
“Nobody's Fool”: Robert Benton's 1994 adaptation of Richard Russo, co-starring Paul Newman, runs from Thanksgiving to New Year's Eve. And although it covers Christmas, the richness of “Nobody's Fool” extends beyond its vague holiday setting. This movie is about the daily struggles and long-held regrets of a small town, but its warmth could rival other traditional Christmas movies, and even some Christmas movies. That's thanks to Newman, but there's also Jessica Tandy (in her last film), the all-time great Bruce Willis, and a young Philip Seymour Hoffman playing a snotty police officer, among countless others. There's some great acting. Just thinking about it makes me happy. (Available for streaming and digital rental on Kanopy) — Coyle
Mid-century style and heartbreak
“Carol” (2015): Even if Rooney Mara donning a Santa hat behind a Manhattan department store counter didn’t catch Cate Blanchett’s attention, Todd Haynes’ “Carol” remains the most adorable. It will be one of the most painfully tender Christmases. Movies around. Romance, heartbreak, plaid, martinis, and “Carol” are straight out of space. (Streaming on Netflix, Paramount+, MUBI) —Bahr
The ultimate TCM Christmas movie
“Christmas in Connecticut” (1945): You don’t have to watch it on TCM, but it’s definitely the right place to watch this 1945 screwball classic starring Barbara Stanwyck. She plays a popular Housewife column writer whose false persona as a family woman running a Connecticut farm is called into question when her boss (Sidney Greenstreet) comes over for Christmas dinner. As a general rule, it's better to see everything on Greenstreet. But the central conceit of “Christmas in Connecticut” — the idea that the perfect Christmas is a lie and isn't all that fun — proves surprisingly durable. (Streaming on WatchTCM) — Coil
Christmas card or promotional portrait of American child actress Shirley Temple riding a sleigh and waving, 1930s. (Photo courtesy of Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
In the atmosphere of 19th century New England
“Little Women” (1994 and 2019): Gillian Armstrong’s “Little Women” feels just like Christmas. Maybe part of that is because it was released around the holidays 30 years ago, or maybe the DVD cover is askew. But then, when you remember Beth's piano, the girls' Christmas feast trampling in the snow, the carols, the return of the father, the fireplace and the nightcap, it makes sense. For those who want to enjoy all this along with Chalamet's dancing, there's also Greta Gerwig's version. (1994 version available for digital rental, 2019 streaming on Hulu) — Bahr
Just the best Christmas movie
“The Shop Around the Corner” (1940): A strong case can be made for another Jimmy Stewart Christmas movie. But in the protracted battle for the title of Christmas movie, few are more delightful than Ernst Lubitsch's timeless love story. It's one of the most fascinating films ever made, in part because it doesn't shy away from the darkness of reality. Also, if you drink something every time someone says “Mr.”, it becomes a very effective drinking game. Matuszek. ” (streaming on WatchTCM and Max) — Coyle
“Miracle on 34th Street” (1947): A less outlandish choice, George Seton’s “Miracle on 34th Street” remains the platonic ideal of a Christmas movie. Maureen O'Hara's single-worker mom, Natalie Wood's prematurely cynical New York kid, and a film about litigation and capitalist culture that's surprisingly contemporary for a film released 77 years ago, yet all about hope. and Capitalism, full of holiday spirit (and a healthy dose of gloss), from the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade to Christmas Day. (Now streaming on Disney+, Hulu, and Prime Video) — Bahr
