12 of the most underrated Christmas movies, according to Canadians (and where to watch them)
If you've been looking to mix up your holiday watchlist with some of the best Christmas movies you might've overlooked, you're in luck.
We asked Narcity readers for their picks for the most underrated Christmas movies, and hundreds of responses rolled in. From quirky cult classics to heartfelt family favourites, we rounded up the 12 most-mentioned movies from your comments and tracked down where you can stream them in Canada.
Whether you're hunting for laughs, heartwarming moments or just an excuse to shout "yippee-ki-yay, motherf***er," this list has something for everyone. Plus, almost all of these holiday movies are available for free on streaming platforms in Canada, so whether you have Prime Video, Crave, Disney+, Paramount+ or even none of the above, you won't need to spend a dime to join the festive magic.
Ready to dive into the hidden gems Canadians love? Grab the gingerbread and hot cocoa — you're about to have a very merry movie marathon.
Gremlins (1984)
IMDb rating: 7.3/10
Logline: A young man inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town.
What Canadians are saying: A lot of folks are loving this quirky mix of Christmas and chaos. One commenter put it simply: "Gremlins, obviously." Another shared that watching it has become a cherished family tradition during the holidays and that they were actually watching it as they wrote their comment. Nothing says Christmas quite like mischievous little monsters taking over a town... right?
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
IMDb rating: 7.8/10
Logline: Scrooge, an old miser who dislikes Christmas, is visited by spirits who foretell his future and share secrets from his past and present, which helps change his view on life.
What Canadians are saying: This one's a nostalgic favourite for many, with a bunch of people shouting it out. One reader called it their absolute fave, complete with a heart emoji, while another wished it would get more airtime over the holidays. Honestly, who can resist a Dickens holiday classic with a Kermit and Miss Piggy twist?
White Christmas (1954)
IMDb rating: 7.6/10
Logline: A successful song-and-dance team become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their former commanding general.
What Canadians are saying: Fans of classic holiday flicks are all about this timeless gem. One reader raved about White Christmas and other old-school favourites: "White Christmas, Holiday Inn, Going My Way, Miracle on 34th Street," they listed. "I love the oldies 🎄." Looks like Bing Crosby's smooth crooning still melts hearts across Canada!
Rent White Christmas on YouTube, Apple or Prime ($4.99)
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
IMDb rating: 8.6/10
Logline: An angel is sent from heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.
What Canadians are saying: It seems this heartwarming classic still has a loyal fanbase, despite being nearly a century old. One commenter pointed out that it might be "too old" for some, but the stellar acting and timeless message make it a must-watch. With all the likes on that comment, it's clear this movie continues to inspire holiday magic.
It's a Wonderful Life on Prime Video or Paramount+
Scrooged (1988)
IMDb rating: 6.9/10
Logline: A selfish, cynical television executive is haunted by three spirits bearing lessons on Christmas Eve.
What Canadians are saying: Bill Murray's take on a (somewhat) modern-day Scrooge has fans calling it the "absolute bomb." (The good kind, we assume!) This darkly funny twist on the classic Christmas tale is clearly still lighting up holiday watchlists.
Scrooged on Paramount+
Elf (2003)
IMDb rating: 7.1/10
Logline: Raised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs, who doesn't know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christmas spirit.
What Canadians are saying: While this Will Ferrell hit might not scream "underrated" to everyone, some fans insist it's a classic worth celebrating, and it still got a ton of mentions in our poll. One commenter couldn't resist calling it an "absolute classic," even if others pointed out it's already pretty beloved. Either way, Buddy's Christmas cheer is hard to argue with.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
IMDb rating: 7.5/10
Logline: The Griswold family's plans for a big family Christmas predictably turn into a big disaster.
What Canadians are saying: This holiday comedy is still cracking up audiences across the country 35 years after being released. While it's also not exactly poorly rated to begin with, fans still felt a need to give it some love, with one reader declaring it "hands-down [the] best Christmas movie ever," while another simply shared their love for the Griswold family chaos. Looks like this one's a festive staple!
The Family Stone (2005)
IMDb rating: 6.3/10
Logline: An uptight, liberal businesswoman accompanies her boyfriend to his eccentric and outgoing family's annual Christmas celebration and finds that she's a fish out of water in their free-spirited way of life.
What Canadians are saying: Apparently, this one's flying under the radar for way too many people — but that stops now! One fan noted that "so many people have never seen or even heard of it," and others clearly agreed as the likes rolled in. If you're looking for a mix of family drama and holiday feels, this might just be your new undiscovered favourite.
The Family Stone on Disney+ or Crave
One Magic Christmas (1985)
IMDb rating: 6.4/10
Logline: An angel must show a mother the true meaning of Christmas. It's not just presents and materialistic things, but the people she cares about too.
What Canadians are saying: This lesser-known family gem has quietly captured hearts across the country. Several commenters simply named it as a favourite, racking up a bunch of likes on each one, while another chimed in to say, "That's a good one!" and shout out the memorable angel, Gideon. If you haven't seen it, this might be the magical holiday story you didn't know you needed.
Christmas with the Kranks (2004)
IMDb rating: 5.5/10
Logline: With their daughter, Blair, away in Peru, Luther and Nora Krank decide to skip Christmas all together until she decides to come home, causing an uproar when they have to celebrate it at the last minute.
What Canadians are saying: This chaotic comedy is bringing the laughs! Despite its relatively low IMDb rating, this was one of the most frequent recommendations among readers, with one top comment calling it "hilarious" and racking up likes. Another shared they were watching it right then and there, declaring their love for the Kranks. Seems like this one is a must-watch for holiday hijinks.
Christmas with the Kranks on CTV Movies (free with ads)
The Holiday (2006)
IMDb rating: 7.0/10
Logline: Amanda lives in L.A. and is a movie trailer editor. Iris lives in Surrey and is a journalist. The two decide to swap houses for two weeks at Christmas, both trying to forget their troubled love lives — until love finds them anyway.
What Canadians are saying: This cozy rom-com was the second-most recommended movie in our poll, and it's easy to see why. One fan called it their "favourite Christmas movie… aside from the classics like Rudolph and The Grinch!!!" while another declared it a "must-watch every year." With so much love for the cast and storyline, it's clearly a holiday staple for many.
The Holiday on CTV Movies (free with ads)
Die Hard (1988)
IMDb rating: 8.2/10
Logline: A New York City police officer tries to save his estranged wife and several others taken hostage by terrorists during a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles.
What Canadians are saying: Okay, so Die Hard isn't exactly underrated on its own, but as a Christmas movie? It's not exactly a traditional pick. This action-packed flick might not scream "festive," but it's become a holiday classic for so many. It was far and away the most recommended movie in the thread, with over 25 comments (plus a few shoutouts for the sequel, Die Hard 2) and tons of likes. One fan summed it up perfectly: "Die Hard… enough said," while another shared that they watch all five movies in the series every single year. Now that's dedication!
Die Hard on Disney+
Happy holidays, Canada!
