‘Tis the season for spirited and fruitless debates about which is the best Christmas movie. No one needs to remind you of the obvious holiday movies that keep playing on cable TV, be it “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Home Alone,” or “Love Actually,” or even the holiday classics like “Eyes Wide Shut.” and “The Godfather.” But you might want to go beyond the obvious this year (sorry, “Christmas Story,” “White Christmas,” etc., etc.).

Associated Press film writers Jake Coyle and Lindsey Bahr bring you the best holiday movies for every mood.

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A film that feels like a Christmas movie, but actually isn’t

“Grand Budapest Hotel”: Honestly, there’s nothing but a little snow that makes Wes Anderson’s “2014 Delight” a Christmas movie. But I don’t think there’s another film that better captures the experience of opening a gift than Grand Budapest Hotel. Discover Anderson’s intricate designs and the film’s Russian doll-like narration and smile. (Available for digital rental) – Coyle

The best movie to feel fancy

“Metropolitan” (1990): Who among us hasn’t dreamed of playing our debut season in New York? Maybe don’t answer this, but Whit Stillman’s “Metropolitan,” about a few privileged youngsters on the Upper East Side, is the ideal film if you’re craving something that feels like an elegant night on the town, but isn’t required to break out the white tie and ball gowns. (Streaming on Criterion, MAX, Hulu and Prime Video) – Bahr

Best performance next to felt

“A Muppets Christmas Carol” (1992): It’s one thing to do Dickens with other people. But Michael Caine gives an Oscar-worthy performance as Ebenezer Scrooge, sharing screen space with the likes of Beaker and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew shares. To be fair, Gonzo the Great and Rizzo the Rat are also really good at it. (Streaming on Disney+) – Coyle

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Best Christmas cry

“The Umbrellas of Cherbourg” (1964): Jacques Demy’s Technicolor musical isn’t set exclusively at Christmas, but the final tearful scene at that snowy gas station is enough for me. The whole candy-colored experience, from Catherine Deneuve’s whimsical nods to Michel Legrand’s sweeping, melancholic score, just feels right for the holidays. (Streaming on The Criterion Channel) – Bahr

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The best LA Christmas movie

“Kiss Kiss Bang Bang”: Christmas traditions don’t usually feature a swooning Robert Downey Jr., but Shane Black’s 2005 black neo-noir comedy is worth revisiting, regardless of its technicalities is considered a Christmas film or not. In “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” about a thief-turned-actor in Los Angeles, Christmas is more of a decorative flourish, ironically set against all the deliciously unhealthy shabbiness. (Available for digital rental) – Coyle

Best home exchange fantasy

“The Holiday” (2006): OK, so the cozy English cottage isn’t real, but what is it? The premise? The romances? Cameron Diaz’s sprint through snowy fields and country roads in stilettos? Mr. Napkin Head? (Actually, maybe Mr. Napkin Head). The thing is, it doesn’t actually matter, does it? Nancy Meyers’ romantic fantasy never tries to be anything other than a delightful film, a little too serious, a little too glossy, and a blatant ode to the classic films Meyers loves, right down to Eli Wallach, bringing that to a new generation “Meet Cute” teaches.” (Streaming on Hulu and Prime Video) – Bahr

A great Christmas thriller that is not called “Die Hard”.

“Three Days of the Condor”: I’ll take any excuse to rewatch Sydney Pollack’s 1975 spy thriller starring Robert Redford and Faye Dunaway. But as in “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” the Christmas setting is no coincidence. If the holidays are the ultimate time of togetherness, “Three Days of the Condor” asks what that means in a post-Watergate world. (Streaming on Paramount+) – Coyle

Best current Christmas film for children

“Klaus”: There is such a steady stream of mediocre or worse holiday films that it’s easy to miss when a gem comes along. Sergio Pablos’ 2019 animated Netflix film was essentially an origin story for Santa Claus in the form of a desperate postman stationed in a remote northern village. Along with “Miracle on 34th Street,” further proof that the best Christmas movies depend on the mail. (Streaming on Netflix) – Coyle

For the U-5 set

“Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas” (2021): At just 30 minutes, this is the perfect film for the little ones in the house. It’s cute, fun and adventurous and not even a little bit scary (unless you’re afraid of flying sleighs and botched recipes). (Streaming on Netflix) – Bahr

Best General Holiday Movie

Nobody’s Fool: Robert Benton’s 1994 Richard Russo adaptation starring Paul Newman spans Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve. And while that covers Christmas, the richness of “Nobody’s Fool” extends beyond its vaguely festive setting. It’s a film more concerned with everyday small-town problems and long-term regrets, but its warmth could rival any more traditional Christmas film, and then some. That’s due in large part to Newman, but there are tons of great performances here, including Jessica Tandy (in her final film), a never-better Bruce Willis, and a young Phillip Seymour Hoffman as a crying cop. It makes me happy just thinking about it. (Streaming on Kanopy, available for digital rental) – Coyle

For mid-century style and heartbreak

“Carol” (2015): Even if Rooney Mara hadn’t noticed Cate Blanchett wearing a Santa hat behind the counter of a Manhattan department store, Todd Haynes’ “Carol” would still be one of the most beautiful and achingly tender Christmas films around. Romance, heartbreak, diamonds and martinis – “Carol” is truly thrown out of space. (Streaming on Netflix, Paramount+ and MUBI) – Bahr

The ultimate TCM Christmas movie

“Christmas in Connecticut” (1945): You don’t have to watch it on TCM, but it’s certainly a fitting place to watch this 1945 screwball classic starring Barbara Stanwyck. She plays a popular home economics columnist whose false role as a family woman with a farm in Connecticut is questioned when her boss (Sydney Greenstreet) comes to Christmas dinner. In general, it’s good to see anything with Greenstreet. But the central conceit of “Christmas in Connecticut” — that the perfect Christmas is a lie and not all that fun — has proven remarkably durable. (Streaming on WatchTCM) – Coyle

For the 19th century New England atmosphere

“Little Women” (1994 and 2019): Gillian Armstrong’s “Little Women” just feels like Christmas. Maybe that’s partly because it came out around the holidays 30 years ago, or because the DVD cover is based on it. But then you remember Beth’s piano, the girls trudging through the snow at their Christmas party, the carol, her father’s return, the fireplaces and nightcaps, and it makes sense. For anyone who wants all that Chalamet dancing, Greta Gerwig’s version is just the thing. (1994 version available for digital rental; 2019 streaming on Hulu) – Bahr

The very best Christmas film

“The Shop Around the Corner” (1940): You can make a strong argument for this other Jimmy Stewart Christmas movie. But in the tough, drawn-out battle for the title of Christmas film, there is no greater joy than Ernst Lubitsch’s timeless love story. One of the most enchanting films ever made, also because it doesn’t shy away from real darkness. It’s also a very effective drinking game if you sip every time someone says “Mr.” Matuschek.” (Streaming on WatchTCM and Max) – Coyle

“Miracle on 34th Street” (1947): It’s not even close to being an unconventional choice, but George Seaton’s “Miracle on 34th Street” endures as the Platonic ideal of a Christmas movie. It’s strikingly modern for something that came out 77 years ago with Maureen O’Hara’s single working mother, Natalie Wood’s prematurely cynical New York child, and the cantankerous and capitalist culture, and yet it’s all full of hope and holiday cheer (and a healthy dose of gloss) . Capitalism) and takes us from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade to Christmas Day. (Streaming on Disney+, Hulu and Prime Video) – Bahr

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