Christm... er... Holiday movies!

I have been tasked at my place of employment with coming up with a suitable film to play at our... Holiday party... in December...

The issue is that there are plenty of people who work here that are Jewish, so an overtly Christmas-y film would probably be out-of-place.

Are there any holiday-themed films that aren't straight-up Christmas? The few I could come up with are kind of messed up, like The Shining, or Die Hard 1 and 2. Even Scrooged gets kind of dark toward the end.

Are there any Hanukkah films? Preferably without Adam Sandler?

Groundhog Day? It's wintery, it's snowy and it's extremely life-affirming, but has nothing to do with Christmas.

Die Hard.

@Phatmac said:

Die Hard.

The right answer. Die Hard is hardly messed up. It's just great. If anyone objects you don't want them at your party.

I like CHRISTMAS Story myself.

I have been tasked at my place of employment with coming up with a suitable film to play at our... Holiday party... in December...

The issue is that there are plenty of people who work here that are Jewish, so an overtly Christmas-y film would probably be out-of-place.

Are there any holiday-themed films that aren't straight-up Christmas? The few I could come up with are kind of messed up, like The Shining, or Die Hard 1 and 2. Even Scrooged gets kind of dark toward the end.

Are there any Hanukkah films? 

Preferably without Adam Sandler?

It's a motherfucking Wonderful Life motherfuckers.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.

Happiness

Full Court MiracleIt's about a group of young Jewish kids who are determined to prove themselves by winning a high school basketball tournament.

Die Hard.

Yentl?

Jingle All the Way also an American Classic

One rather great holiday movie that's often overlooked is a holiday themed fantasy film called 'Hogfather' from one of Terry Pratchett's books.

Intro & trailer below, as for the book/movie, here's the info: The film (compiled from a tv miniseries) closely follows the plot of the novel, in which the Hogfather, the Discworld equivalent to Father Christmas, has gone missing and Death is forced to take his place while his granddaughter Susan attempts to find out what happened.

It's a Wonderful Life, it has hardly anything to do with Christmas but it's considered a holiday movie.

Trading Places (1983) - Set during the holidays, but has little to do with Santa, Baby Jesus or stupid Angels and wings.

Elf (2003) - Has Santa stuff and is set around Christmas, but really is more of a winter holiday rom-com

Home Alone (1990) - The second installment also counts, but let's face it, who the fuck wants to watch that one?

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)- It doesn't matter what denomination you are, or if you have none, everybody can relate to annoying in-laws and family gatherings all going so horribly wrong. Also, fuck anybody who opposes it, this is THE BEST HOLIDAY MOVIE OF ALL TIME. (Fuck you, A Christmas Story.)

Love Actually (2003) - Not really a PG rated film, if that's going to be an issue, but is a generally funny rom-com that mocks the holiday season more than embracing it's inherent Christian bias.

Jack Frost is the best christmas movie! Michael Keaton as a snowman...that's all I have to say!

Like @allworkandlowpay said Love Actually is a great choice...it's one of my favourites movies of all time. Don't let the whole rom-com thing throw you, it's actually a very good movie and quite funny to boot. But, be forewarned, there is some minor nudity if that's a problem.

@Labman: Also, some of the best Bill Nighy being Bill Nighy since Shaun of the Dead

Home Alone 1 & 2? I dunno. Is that Chevy Chase movie too christmassy?

It's always Die Hard. Everyone loves that movie no matter your gender, race or creed. It's a holiday classic. If you're the one person who doesn't like it, well... you're the grinch.

@allworkandlowpay: Why The French Connection? I mean it's awesome, but any holiday references totally slipped my mind. It has been a while.

Home Alone

@Phatmac said:

Die Hard.

.

And maybe the Home Alone movies? I guess they are pretty "Christmas-y" though.

@craigieh28 said:

Groundhog Day? It's wintery, it's snowy and it's extremely life-affirming, but has nothing to do with Christmas.

That's actually a pretty good idea.

I just now remembered The Titans.

@allworkandlowpay said:

@Labman: Also, some of the best Bill Nighy being Bill Nighy since Shaun of the Dead

Exactly! Gotta love Bill Nighy. THREAD JACK: Have you seen The Boat That Rocked (aka Pirate Radio)? Great flick and soundtrack.

Die Hard

@MikkaQ: Was he picking his feet in poughkeepsie? I recall it looking cold in the French Connection. I'm assuming no one here is black, it's possible you'd find Doyle offensive if you were though it was meant to be "edgy." Since the OP was worried about Christmas being too Christmassy I think Racism being too Racist-y is probably a tad more of an issue, though it's all the director's prerogative in the case of that film (Hackman was reluctant).

@Labman: I'll see if it's on Netflix instant stream. It's the one with Philip Seymour Hoffman right? I remember seeing the trailers and it sorta slipped under my radar.

The answer you're looking for is "Bad Santa"

It's a Wonderful Life

Elf

@Fattony12000: I think this is the best post I've seen all year.

@Fattony12000 said:

I'm not normally a fan of older movies, but this one really blew me away with how good it was.

It's a motherfucking Wonderful Life motherfuckers.

@Fattony12000 said:

What are the names of these movies? They're the only ones I can't guess.

For the OP. I agree that Groundhog Day is a great choice but I'm not so sure it's great for a party. People probably won't be listening to or paying attention to the movie so much. I'd go for a movie that is pretty screwed up or weird. That way you don't have to pay attention and it's a conversation piece. Maybe Gremlins? Nightmare before Christmas seems like a nice movie too but may be too Christmas-y. But yeah, if your office is kind of awkward and people will definitely be watching the movie because they don't want to talk to eachother then I would go with Groundhog Day.

@Phatmac said:

Die Hard.

I have a machine gun. Hohoho.

@allworkandlowpay: That's the one! It's on Netflix Canada under the name Pirate Radio.

@Fattony12000: What are those movies. Well, I know some of them but not many.

@WarlordPayne said:

It's a Wonderful Life, it has hardly anything to do with Christmas but it's considered a holiday movie.

Hell yes. That movie is unintentionally hilarious, and legitimately awesome.

Although it's not Christmas,Plains,Trains,and Automobiles is a great Holiday movie.Every year between Thanksgiving and Christmas it's a must watch.

It's a motherfucking Wonderful Life motherfuckers.

You play movies at your work Christmas party? Isn't the whole point of a works Christmas party to get as drunk as humanly possible and make a massive fool out of yourself in front of your co-workers? That doesn't sound like the optimal conditions to watch a movie in.

Die Hard and Home Alone. Also, Die Hard 3, cause it's awesome.

Gremlins. Slightly less violent than Die Hard and far less annoying than Home Alone.

@IzzyGraze: The first one is The Hudsucker Proxy, don't know the other two.

I believe that someone mentioned The Hogfather, so I will echo that: The Hogfather.

@JasonR86 said:

I like CHRISTMAS Story myself.

Fudge!!!! I was about to post the same.

@mlarrabee said:

It's a Wonderful Life

Elf

@Fattony12000: I think this is the best post I've seen all year.

I know! Right!?

@Kidavenger said:

@Fattony12000 said:

I'm not normally a fan of older movies, but this one really blew me away with how good it was.

I know! Right!? Watch more old films like Metropolis and The Great Dictator and Seven Samurai, please.

@IzzyGraze said:

@Fattony12000 said:

What are the names of these movies? They're the only ones I can't guess.

For the OP. I agree that Groundhog Day is a great choice but I'm not so sure it's great for a party. People probably won't be listening to or paying attention to the movie so much. I'd go for a movie that is pretty screwed up or weird. That way you don't have to pay attention and it's a conversation piece. Maybe Gremlins? Nightmare before Christmas seems like a nice movie too but may be too Christmas-y. But yeah, if your office is kind of awkward and people will definitely be watching the movie because they don't want to talk to eachother then I would go with Groundhog Day.

From left to right:

The Hudsucker Proxy (1994, directed by Joel Coen).

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010, directed by Jalmari Helander).

Dreams of a Life (2011, directed by Carol Morley).

Planes Trains and Automobiles is the best holiday film ever, sure its a Thanksgiving movie but fuck it, its awesome.

@MattyFTM said:

You play movies at your work Christmas party? Isn't the whole point of a works Christmas party to get as drunk as humanly possible and make a massive fool out of yourself in front of your co-workers? That doesn't sound like the optimal conditions to watch a movie in.

It's for atmosphere, the sound wouldn't even be on.