These Are the Best Christmas Movies That Aren't Really Christmas Movies

These days, it's a beloved holiday pass time to reclassify any film with a holiday scene as a "Christmas movie." While movies like It's a Wonderful Life and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer have a clear yule-tide theme, you don't have the stretch the definition too far before movies like Die Hard start to fit in. If you're looking for a more obscure pick this holiday season, here are some of the best movies that technically count as "Christmas movies."

By now, you've probably heard the memetic argument that Die Hard is a Christmas movie. The classic action film is set during Christmastime, takes place at an office Christmas party and it has a wholesome message of cooperation and trust in the end. It's not hard to imagine how people have applied the same logic to other movies. Some may not have a Christmas thru-line like Die Hard, but if they have one stand-out Christmas scene they might make the cut. It's up to each person to decide what counts as a "Christmas movie" in their household, but broadening the definition can give you an excuse to watch something different this holiday season.

Streaming services have helped stretch the definitions of holiday movies in the last couple of years as well, grouping new and old movies together and presenting viewers with unconventional choices for the end of the year. A scroll through Netflix, for example, will present you with a whole host of original films, adult comedies and obscure takes of Christmas that might seem out of place beside the classics you grew up with.

If ever there was a year to expand your Christmas movie library, this is it. Here is a look at some of the best Christmas movies that are not really Christmas movies.