It’s winter here in the United States, and most of the country is deep in holiday mania. But what if you’re not a fan of Christmas and its films, or are just burnt out watching the same seven specials over and over? These films are not Christmas or holiday themed, but they are still appropriate to watch in this snowy winter season.
Pulp Fiction
A few years ago on Christmas Day, I was at my then-boyfriend’s house. One of his siblings was perusing Netflix while we waited for the Christmas feast to finish cooking, and somehow we ended up watching Pulp Fiction. Let me tell you, it was an actual miracle. Divine intervention. There’s Biblical quotes, resurrection, murder, violence…it’s like watching The Old Testament play out in front of you. So celebrate Jesus by eating a Royale with cheese in a UC Santa Cruz shirt, and play everyone’s favorite family game: What’s in that fucking briefcase?!
Edward Scissorhands
This one is probably more obvious as a winter movie, and perhaps it is, but how can I not include one of Johnny Depp’s greatest roles? Plus: Winona Ryder, Anthony Michael Hall, Dianne Wiest, Alan Arkin, and Vincent Price?! If you’ve somehow never seen one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking films ever, I implore you to watch this immediately. If, after viewing, you don’t want to run outside and dance in the snow while weeping, we can’t be friends.
Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure
Yes, seriously. I have seen this movie more times than I could ever count, and it is a perfect winter film. It’s about a selfish manchild who loses his most prized possession and goes to incredible lengths to get it back. Along the way he learns the value of friendship, kindness, and even saves the lives of the animals inside a burning pet store, snakes included. What could be more heartwarming or holiday appropriate?
Lars and the Real Girl
This is one of those movies you’ve probably heard of, but never actually seen. Ryan Gosling is Lars, a young man with some abandonment issues who begins ‘dating’ a RealDoll he names Bianca. It’s full of family drama and emotional turbulence, just like the holiday season, and it’s set in a small Wisconsin town mostly in winter, so there’s lots of snow, ugly sweaters, and questionable facial hair (see: the mustache). Gosling brings honor and poise to a character that could have easily become a caricature or just a downright creep.
Batman Returns
Okay, yeah, three Tim Burton movies. The man just knows how to make it feel like creepy winter all the time, and I respect that.
As an avid Batman connoisseur, I must admit that this is one of my favorite of his many films (screw you Batfleck). Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman is one of my top three Catwomen (along with Julie Newmar and Eartha Kitt, screw you Anne Hathaway). And with bonus small cameo of Paul Reubens and Danny DeVito as Frank Reynolds, I mean, The Penguin, you really can’t go wrong.
Toys
I bet you forgot this movie even existed. And that’s okay, I’m here to remind you that Robin Williams (RIP, sweet prince), LL Cool J, Donald O’Connor, Joan Cusack, Robin Wright, and Jamie Foxx were all in a movie together. Is it the greatest movie? No. But it is a movie about a fascistic toy factory, which, if that doesn’t scream “Merry Christmas!” then, well, I have bad news about Santa’s workshop.
The Royal Tenenbaums
Want to feel better about your dysfunctional family around the holidays? Have I got the film for you! As an admitted Wes Anderson nerd/obsessive, this is my second-favorite of his oeuvre. I mean: Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller, Danny Glover, Luke and Owen Wilson, Bill Murray, and Gwyneth Paltrow? How the shit can that be bad? Plus, their last name is similar to tannenbaum, and the Charlie Brown Christmas music features heavily in this soundtrack. Boom, holiday movie.
Big
A young boy wishes to be “big” and turns into Tom Hanks. Shit, that IS the dream. Where’s that Zoltar machine when you need it? Except being Tom Hanks in this case means getting a job and slowly turning into a financially responsible adult and getting rid of the trampoline in your amazing 1980s NYC loft apartment and oh shit I feel old I’m not crying for my lost youth at all.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Now, admittedly, this should go in an “alternative Valentine’s Day” movie roundup, but if you’re looking to make yourself weep this winter, you can’t go wrong with this film. It has another stellar ensemble cast: Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Carrey, Elijah Wood, Mark Ruffalo, and Tom Wilkinson. I may be biased because I am terribly in love with Kate Winslet, but I think this is one of the greatest movies ever made. Set in very snowy NYC area in January-February, visually, this movie screams winter. And the themes of love and longing just fit any time of year. (Seriously, I would do terrible things to/for Kate Winslet. Kate, darling, if you’re seeing this, I love you.)
Header image owned by MGM.
