Christmas Movies From The 90s You Totally Forgot About

Before the streaming era turned holiday films into a year-round industry, Christmas movies in the 1990s were a more curated affair. You didn’t have endless options at the click of a button; instead, the decade’s holiday offerings leaned heavily on big studio releases, quirky comedies, and the occasional hidden gem. While some classics like Home Alone became iconic, others faded into obscurity. These forgotten Christmas movies capture the spirit—and the quirks—of 90s holiday filmmaking, reminding us of a time when Christmas movies weren’t everywhere but still delivered plenty of holiday cheer (and occasional chaos).

Steve Martin leads an all-star cast in this dark comedy about the employees of a crisis hotline on Christmas Eve. Directed by Nora Ephron, Mixed Nuts was a strange blend of slapstick and bittersweet humor that didn’t resonate with audiences at the time. Critics were confused by its tonal shifts, but fans of quirky comedies have come to appreciate its oddball charm. With appearances by Rita Wilson, Madeline Kahn, and a young Adam Sandler, it’s a holiday movie that’s as chaotic as the season itself.

A remake of the 1947 classic The Bishop’s Wife, this heartwarming holiday film stars Whitney Houston as the titular preacher’s wife and Denzel Washington as an angel sent to help her husband save their church. Despite its all-star cast and a stunning gospel soundtrack, the movie was overshadowed by bigger holiday hits of the decade. However, its heartfelt message and Houston’s incredible vocals have given it staying power among fans who remember its quiet brilliance.

No, not the horror movie—you’re thinking of the family-friendly Jack Frost, in which Michael Keaton plays a musician who dies in a car accident and is reincarnated as a snowman to reconnect with his son. Yes, it’s as bizarre as it sounds, and critics were quick to mock its premise. Still, there’s an undeniable charm to its strange blend of sentimentality and absurdity, making it a fascinating artifact of 90s holiday cinema.

While Jingle All the Way is remembered for Arnold Schwarzenegger’s over-the-top quest to secure a Turbo Man doll for his son, it’s often dismissed as a corny cash-grab. Critics panned its exaggerated consumerism, but fans have embraced its campy humor and chaotic energy. Sinbad’s antics as Schwarzenegger’s rival and the movie’s absurd climax have helped solidify its status as a cult holiday favorite.

Nicolas Cage, Jon Lovitz, and Dana Carvey star as three bumbling brothers who rob a bank in a small town during the holidays and end up stranded in a snowstorm. Trapped in Paradise was criticized for its uneven pacing and predictable plot, but its mix of slapstick comedy and seasonal sentimentality has earned it a small but devoted fan base. Cage’s trademark overacting adds an extra layer of unintentional humor.

This forgotten holiday gem follows two siblings plotting to reunite their divorced parents for Christmas. Featuring a young Thora Birch and a pre-Clueless Ethan Embry, All I Want for Christmas is pure 90s family comedy, complete with heartfelt moments and cheesy hijinks. It didn’t make a huge splash at the box office, but its nostalgic charm makes it worth a rewatch for those who remember it fondly.

This made-for-TV movie starring Dolly Parton as a country singer hiding out in a cabin during the holidays didn’t get the theatrical treatment, but it became a staple on cable channels. With its mix of holiday cheer, Appalachian charm, and a touch of magic, A Smoky Mountain Christmas has quietly maintained a loyal fan base. If you’re looking for cozy vibes and Dolly Parton’s timeless charisma, this one’s worth digging up.

While The Nightmare Before Christmas is now a cultural phenomenon thanks to millions of Hot Topic shirts (and the fact that it 100% slaps), it was initially a niche offering, overshadowed by other Disney releases. Tim Burton’s macabre yet enchanting tale of Jack Skellington discovering Christmas wasn’t an immediate holiday classic—it found its audience years later, thanks to its unique blend of Halloween spookiness and Christmas spirit. If you remember it as a Halloween movie, now’s the time to revisit its dual-season magic.

Yes, this is real. Starring Hulk Hogan as an amnesiac millionaire who believes he’s Santa Claus, Santa with Muscles is one of the strangest Christmas movies of the decade. Critics destroyed it, and it barely made a dent in theaters, but its absurd premise and unintentional hilarity have turned it into a so-bad-it’s-good holiday oddity. If you’re looking for a film that will leave you wondering “Who greenlit this?”—this is it.

A remake of the 1949 classic, this made-for-TV movie starred Cynthia Gibb and David James Elliott as strangers brought together by holiday mishaps. While it didn’t achieve the staying power of the original, Holiday Affair offered a sweet, low-stakes alternative to flashier holiday releases. It’s a cozy reminder of a time when holiday movies didn’t need to be blockbusters to capture the spirit of the season.