As the winter holidays approach, among people’s most beloved activities is doing a binge-watching session of their favorite Christmas classics. From Miracle on 34th Street to A Christmas Carol, there are countless films to choose from that evoke the festive spirit. However, not all the now-beloved titles were well-received when they came out. For different reasons, many struggled to immediately find the recognition they would later obtain, and they either flopped at the box office or were not as appreciated by the critics.
Over the years, some of these initially underappreciated works found their place in the holiday tradition. They may have been ahead of their time, and only needed a cultural shift to finally be universally appreciated; or even if their critical reception was not as acclaimed, they might still resonate with audiences. Eventually, they drew in the public despite technical flaws and found a place in their hearts, especially after repeated viewings. Regardless of the reason, these films have since become cult classics of the Christmas season.
8 Jingle All The Way (1996)
Directed By Brian Levant
A Christmas family comedy starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and comedian Sinbad, Jingle All the Way mainly received negative reviews from critics when it premiered in 1996 and still holds a score of 20% on Rotten Tomatoes. The story features a workaholic father on a mission to purchase the year’s most wanted gift by children around America for his son. Jingle All the Way proposes a satirical perspective on the commercialization of the winter holidays, but critics did not appreciate the film’s exaggerated slapstick humor and ridiculous tone.
However, despite the critical reception, the story has gathered a following in the decades since. The ironic yet fundamentally clever portrayal of holiday shopping offers an interesting social commentary that, with perhaps absurd antics, is resonant. This emerging relatability made the movie a timeless classic to watch during winter. Even if the film might present some truly ridiculous sequences, audiences grasp its subtle brilliance and appreciate its sympathetic nature. This originally not well-received Christmas classic is one of Schwarzenegger’s hidden gems.
7 The Holiday (2006)
Directed By Nancy Meyers
Every year, as December approaches, many people around the world find a two-hour escape as they dream of ending up in the cozy and idyllic British cottage of Kate Winslet and falling in love with Jude Law. The plot of The Holiday focuses on two women, who, lonely for the upcoming festivities, decide to swap homes to flee their current reality. The escapist themes, the charming performances of the actors, and the whimsical settings were enough to warm the hearts of viewers and establish the movie as a Christmas classic. However, critics were not so enthusiastic when it first premiered.
Given the current cult-like status of the movie, it might come as a surprise that the story initially received mixed reviews, with many critics finding the plot predictable and not very original. However, the film’s very predictability conquered the hearts of the public. Among the chaos and scarily unexpected nature of everyday life, a feel-good, formulaic story offers a comfortable familiarity in a supposed period of joy and hope, making it a movie people feel compelled to return to year after year and a perfect rom-com Christmas classic for the holidays.
6 It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
Directed By Frank Capra
It seems unbelievable now, but It’s a Wonderful Life was not very successful when it premiered in 1946. The movie, a timeless classic for the winter season and recently named the greatest Christmas film of all time by Vulture, was unsuccessful at the box office. Despite the five Academy Awards nominations, it also received mixed reviews from critics. Frank Capra’s story follows James Stewart as George Bailey, a man contemplating suicide on Christmas Eve who is visited by his guardian Angel.
James Stewart : “The movie simply refused to stay on the shelf. Those who loved it, loved it a lot, and they must have told others. They wouldn’t let it die any more than the angel Clarence would let George Bailey die” (via
The Independent
).
The film’s journey to success is as heartwarming as the story on screen. Although the initial hopes of Capra and Stewart were broken, It’s a Wonderful Life resurfaced 30 years later. Due to its flop, Republic Pictures let the film’s rights expire in 1974, allowing American TV channels to air it repeatedly for free, leading the movie to be reassessed and gain immense popularity. Its subtle beauty and quiet depth perhaps did not grant Capra’s work the status of an immediate hit, but it made it an unforgettable gem and a timeless Christmas classic that showcases Stewart at his best.
5 Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
Directed By Chris Columbus
Although Home Alone 2: Lost in New York is considered an integral part of the cult series following the absurd Christmas stories of Kevin McCallister, it was not initially met with the same level of appreciation as its predecessor. The 1992 film, again directed by Chris Columbus, despite the box office success, received mixed reviews from critics. They deemed the story too predictable and similar to the original film, which, on the other hand, had generally been praised.
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However, the movie’s ability to be witty and clever while not sacrificing the emotional depth and heartwarming themes already explored in Home Alone once again worked its magic. Despite the doubts of the critics, the audience remained loyal to Columbus’ work until it became a beloved and memorable classic that many people watch every year for the winter holidays. After all, given the success of the first film, fans could only enjoy the familiarity of its sequel, regardless and because of its formulaic nature.
4 A Christmas Story (1983)
Directed By Bob Clark
Despite its current status as a classic of the festive period, A Christmas Story did not initially achieve the recognition it has today. The movie was indeed considered a “sleeper film.” It achieved modest success at the box office, but disappeared quickly, falling into oblivion, perhaps also due to the little promotion it received. Although the reviews were not negative, the appreciation grew increasingly over the years for the comedy directed by Bob Clark and set in the 1940s.
The film is now a fan favorite and has become a Christmas tradition for the American public. The funny, insightful, and heartwarming portrayal of childhood, family life, and the holiday spirit is undeniable. Furthermore, its status as a movie classic is largely attributed to the protagonist’s endearing charm, who remains one of the best Christmas movie characters. A Christmas Story won fifth place in Vulture‘s list of the greatest Christmas stories of all time, proving its cultural relevance.
3 White Christmas (1954)
Directed By Michael Curtiz
With Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as the main characters, White Christmas is also one of the most beloved holiday movies ever. The musical was indeed an instant hit among the public, but contemporary critics did not share the same enthusiasm. The so-called predictable plot and slow pacing prompted mixed reviews upon its release. And although some critics find it enjoyable, they did not foresee its enduring popularity. However, the critically not well-received Christmas story stood the test of time, becoming a cult.
Considering everything from White Christmas’ best quotes to its steady appreciation among viewers, the movie was also re-assessed from a critical perspective, and it now holds a score of 76% on Rotten Tomatoes. The titular song further cemented the film’s status as a holiday cult classic, allowing it to become part of the tradition of American culture during the holidays.
2 How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Directed By Ron Howard
As proof of the cult status of the movie, it is enough to think of how the name of its main character, “Grinch,” entered the popular dictionary as a term to indicate a mean-spirited or grumpy person who dislikes Christmas. Although its titular protagonist was based on Dr. Seuss’ 1957 children’s book, the live-action adaptation, further contributed to his fame. This fantasy-comedy conquered the audience thanks to the hilarious performance of Jim Carrey. However, the critics did not appreciate the film as much as the rest of the viewers, and they especially disliked its dark humor.
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The mixed critical reception, nevertheless, did not stop Ron Howard’s work from becoming one of the most beloved classics of the holiday season, proving its timeless appeal. There is something about the eerie, darker tone of the story, paired with the Christmas spirit within it, that creates an unusual kind of magic, making it stand out from other more traditional winter tales. Additionally, the long tradition of Christmas cults needed a slightly more twisted and spooky story that would gather a more varied fanbase, regardless of what critics said.
1 Ernest Saves Christmas (1988)
Directed By John R. Cherry III
Featuring the legendary character of Ernest P. Worrell in his third appearance on the big screen, Ernest Saves Christmas, despite its popularity among the audience, mainly received negative reviews when it aired in 1988. Even nowadays, the film only has a score of 36% on Rotten Tomatoes. The story was deemed silly, broad, and overly sentimental, with the excessively goofy humor not being appreciated, much like with Jingle All the Way. Nevertheless, neither movie fell into oblivion, as many might have first expected.
Perhaps not the most famous of the many Christmas staples, Ernest Saves Christmas nonetheless gained a spot among the holiday fan favorites. The comedy is a lighthearted and unusual alternative to other, more dramatic works. Ernest’s endearing, funny character, combined with the film’s absurd brand of comedy, still has an audience appeal. Perhaps the silly nature of the film is what encourages the viewer to keep returning year after year for a hilarious two-hour watch. Although it was not a well-received holiday movie when it came out, it still became a classic of the holidays.
Source: Vulture, The Independent