--- description: While there are holiday movies that are typically considered the classics, a few others deserve more festive credit than they're given. title: 6 Underrated Holiday Movies to Stream Right Now image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production --- * [Entertainment](/section/entertainment/) ## Entertainment Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [movies](/tag/movies/) ## movies Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # 6 Underrated Holiday Movies to Stream Right Now  by [Megan McCluskey](/author/megan-mccluskey/)  ## Megan McCluskey Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Staff Writer Updated: Dec 14, 2023 4:24 PM CUTPublished: Dec 19, 2016 8:32 PM CUT  by [Megan McCluskey](/author/megan-mccluskey/)  ## Megan McCluskey Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Staff Writer Updated: Dec 14, 2023 4:24 PM CUTPublished: Dec 19, 2016 8:32 PM CUT Whether it’s [_Home Alone_](http://time.com/4111768/home-alone-25th-anniversary/ "undefined"), _Elf_ or [_It’s A Wonderful Life_](http://time.com/4596666/bedford-falls-true-story/ "undefined"), almost everyone has a [favorite holiday movie](http://time.com/4593399/holiday-movie-tv-streaming-guide/ "undefined"). But while these—and several well-known others—are typically considered the classics of the season, there are a few that deserve more credit than they’re given. With the 2018 holidays fast approaching—instead of just sticking with the old standbys—branch out with TIME’s picks for the six most underrated festive flicks. They’re all available to stream in the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s to help you get in the celebratory spirit. See the full list below. ### _The Muppet Christmas Carol_ (1992)  Buena Vista Pictures What’s the only thing better than Michael Caine playing Scrooge? Michael Caine playing Scrooge alongside a supporting cast of Muppets. This 1992 remake of Charles Dickens’ 19th century classic gifts viewers with a heartwarming and kid-friendly adaptation that still hits all the essential notes of the original story. With catchy musical numbers throughout, Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit and an ending that oozes festive spirit, there’s no reason this movie shouldn’t be considered one of the all-time holiday greats. If nothing else, the hilarious fourth-wall-breaking from Gonzo’s Dickens should be enough to get anyone on board. **Where to watch:** _The Muppet Christmas Carol_ is available to rent or buy on [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDFltsFgShc "undefined"), [Amazon Video](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XQPT9A/ref=atv%5Ffeed%5Fcatalog "undefined"), [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/movies/details?id=VDFltsFgShc "undefined") and [iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/the-muppet-christmas-carol/id206329718 "undefined"). ### _Die Hard_ (1988)  Bruce Willis running with automatic weapon in a scene from the film 'Die Hard', 1988\. (Photo by 20th Century-Fox/Getty Images) 20th Century Fox Die Hard isn’t generally considered underrated, as action movie buffs tend to love the Bruce Willis-led hero cop flick. However, it’s often overlooked that the takedown of Hans Gruber and his band of terrorists takes place on Christmas Eve, making it a perfectly festive holiday viewing option. Revel in lines such as, “Now I have a machine gun. Ho ho ho,” and, “Just once, I’d like a regular, normal Christmas — eggnog, a f—king Christmas tree, a little turkey,” as John McClane fights to free the hostages inside Los Angeles’ Nakatomi Plaza. **Where to watch:** _Die Hard_ is available to rent or buy on [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1eS3c8S3Uk "undefined"), [Amazon Video](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YV0A02/ref=atv%5Ffeed%5Fcatalog "undefined"), [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/movies/details?id=X1eS3c8S3Uk "undefined") and [iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/die-hard/id270711082 "undefined"). ### _Trading Places_ (1983)  Dan AYKROYD, Eddie MURPHY Paramount Pictures This _Prince and the Pauper_\-inspired tale tells the story of investor Louis Winthorpe III (Dan Aykroyd) and street hustler Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy) — two men of drastically different social classes who find their fortunes reversed in the week between Christmas and New Year’s. While it’s not exactly a traditional holiday film, it does feature several scenes in which Aykroyd’s character is drunk and wearing a Santa suit, a.k.a. Christmas comedy gold. **Where to watch:** _Trading Places_ is available to rent or buy on [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM8sVy7RAnQ "undefined"), [Amazon Video](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0035LMTVE/ref=atv%5Ffeed%5Fcatalog "undefined"), [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/movies/details?id=GM8sVy7RAnQ "undefined") and [iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/trading-places/id268384321 "undefined"). ### _The Holiday_ (2006)  CAMERON DIAZ stars as Amanda in THE HOLIDAY, a film by Nancy Meyers. Columbia Pictures It’s no _Love Actually_, but _The Holiday_ still has all the trappings of a romantic comedy that’s both joyful and triumphant, and it includes a Hanukkah party. Although not much of a surprise in terms of plot, the movie tells the clichéd yet enjoyable story of two women who exchange homes in hopes of taking their minds off their respective heartbreaks only to both find the true love they were searching for all along. And don’t underestimate Jack Black, who plays the ideal romantic partner for Kate Winslet. **Where to watch:** _The Holiday_ is available to stream on [Hulu](https://www.hulu.com/watch/7af0553f-ae86-49b9-b6a0-d034ad842b49 "undefined"). ### _Just Friends_ (2005)  New Line Cinema Starring Ryan Reynolds pre-_Deadpool_ fame, _Just Friends_ is another rom-com worthy of a December viewing session. When Chris (Reynolds) reluctantly returns home from California to New Jersey for Christmas, he unexpectedly runs into his high school best friend Jamie (Amy Smart) — the girl who first broke his heart. Chris has since become a huge player, but of course, as holiday shenanigans ensue, he’s forced to finally come to terms with his feelings for his former crush. **Where to watch:** _Just Friends_ is available to rent or buy on [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjTdZJVMi4I "undefined"), [Amazon Video](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002R20DGK/ref=atv%5Ffeed%5Fcatalog "undefined"), [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/movies/details?id=wjTdZJVMi4I "undefined") and [iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/just-friends/id307077081 "undefined"). ### _How the Grinch Stole Christmas_ (2000)  Universal Pictures The 1966 animated adaptation of this Dr. Seuss story may make your heart grow three sizes, but the hilariously bizarre live-action version should be the one to win the [Holiday Cheermeister](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAR4ZXYXAvk "undefined") award. Jim Carrey steals the show as the self-deprecating and vulgar Grinch, delivering a performance that is definitely worthy of rewatching at least once a year. During a season when the majority of movies are sappy and overwrought with emotion, this unexpectedly delightful comedy is fun, weird and relatable in the best ways. **Where to watch:** _How the Grinch Stole Christmas_ is available to stream on [Netflix](https://www.netflix.com/title/60000901 "undefined"). ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4597160/christmas-movies-stream-2016/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4597160/christmas-movies-stream-2016/"},"headline":"6 Underrated Holiday Movies to Stream Right Now","datePublished":"2016-12-19T20:32:32.000Z","dateModified":"2023-12-14T16:24:24.000Z","description":"From the Grinch to Die Hard","url":"https://time.com/4597160/christmas-movies-stream-2016/","keywords":["movies","Newsfeed","christmas","Holidays"],"thumbnailUrl":"","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Megan McCluskey","jobTitle":"Staff Writer","url":"https://time.com/author/megan-mccluskey/"}],"articleSection":"Entertainment","image":[],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/entertainment/","name":"Entertainment"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/movies/","name":"movies"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/4597160/christmas-movies-stream-2016/","name":"6 Underrated Holiday Movies to Stream Right Now"}}]}] ```