Our 9 Favorite Christmas Scenes from Non-Holiday Movies You Can Watch All Year Long

Mar. 15, 2025

From left: Lacey Chabert as Gretchen Wieners and Rachel McAdams as Regina George in 2004’s ‘Mean Girls’; Johnny Depp as Edward Scissorhands and Winona Ryder as Kim in 1990’s ‘Edward Scissorhands’; Emma Watson as Hermione Granger and Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter in 2001’s ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’.Photo:Michael Gibson/Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock; 20th Century-Fox/Getty; Warner Bros.

Michael Gibson/Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock; 20th Century-Fox/Getty; Warner Bros.

Grab the popcorn and candy canes!

If you’re frustrated you only have a month to squeeze these movies in, you better not pout, and we’re telling you why. Since the best festive moments don’t always appear in holiday-themed films, we’ve rounded up some of the most iconic scenes from non-Christmas movies. They’ll help you get into the spirit during the “most wonderful time of the year” — and long after Dec. 25, too!

Mean Girls

From left: Lacey Chabert as Gretchen Wieners, Rachel McAdams as Regina George, Lindsay Lohan as Cady Heron and Amanda Seyfried as Karen Smith in 2004’s ‘Mean Girls’.Michael Gibson/Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

Right next to Rudolph, Regina George (Rachel McAdams) and the Plastics' winter talent show performance “goes down in history” as one of the most unforgettable Christmas moments ever. Their choreography to “Jingle Bell Rock” while decked out in Santa-styled outfits may have been on the naughty side of Mr. Claus' list, butTina Fey’s 2004 comedyMean Girlsshould definitely top your binge-watch list of non-Christmas movies.

WatchMean Girlson Paramount+

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

A Christmas scene from 2001’s ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,'.Warner Bros. Pictures

TheHarry Potterfilms never fall short of magic, so there’s no denying the festive spirit is definitely in the air atHogwartsduring the holidays, especially in the 2001 installmentHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The giant ornamented trees lining the Great Hall and the snowy courtyard outside set the tone for a cozy, wintry scene. And the best part? When Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and Ron (Rupert Grint) wake up on Christmas morning to presents under the tree, marking the first happy holiday Harry’s ever experienced.

WatchHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stoneon Peacock

Step Brothers

John C. Reilly (left) as Dale Doback and Will Ferrell as Brennan Huff in 2008’s ‘Step Brothers’.Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock

The 2008 film centers around two stepbrothers, 39-year-old Brennan (Will Ferrell) and 40-year-old Dale (John C. Reilly), who still live at home and are forced to coexist after their parents fall in love. The movie ends in a hilarious scene showing both brothers sleepwalking while “sleep-destroying” the Christmas presents under the tree. Although a nontraditional holiday movie, some may make an exception forStep Brothersfor its Christmas timeline and relatable themes many families experience during the season.

Buy or rentStep Brotherson Amazon Prime Video

Lady and the Tramp

WatchLady and the Trampon Disney+

Toy Story

Woody (left) and Buzz Lightyear in 1995’s ‘Toy Story’.Disney/Pixar

WatchToy Storyon Disney+

Goodfellas

Ray Liotta as Henry Hill and Lorraine Bracco as Karen Hill in 1990’s ‘Goodfellas’.Warner Bros.

WatchGoodfellason Max

Rocky

Burt Young as Paulie in 1976’s ‘Rocky’.United Artists

A pivotal scene in the 1976 sports drama occurs on Christmas Eve when a fuming, drunken Paulie (Burt Young) —Rocky Balboa’s best friend — barges in onSylvester Stallone’s Rocky and his love interest, Adrian (Talia Shire), who is also Paulie’s sister. Everything seemingly goes sour for him at that point. With a baseball bat in hand and a holiday wreath on his arm, this scene is basically a nightmare before Christmas for the boxer.

Buy or rentRockyon Amazon Prime Video

Edward Scissorhands

Winona Ryder as Kim and Johnny Depp as Edward Scissorhands in 1990’s ‘Edward Scissorhands’.20th Century Fox

Tim Burton’s 1990 obscure tale of self-discovery has a magical scene in the latter part of the movie centering around Edward (Johnny Depp) and his love interest, Kim (Winona Ryder). The moment happens during Peg’s (Dianne Wiest) annual Christmas party in a neighborhood immersed in the holiday spirit. The most Christmas-y scene occurs when she finds Edward making an angel ice sculpture that creates a beautiful sprinkling of “snow.”

WatchEdward Scissorhandson Peacock

Bridget Jones’s Diary

Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones and Colin Firth as Mark Darcy in 2001’s ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’.MIRAMAX

MIRAMAX

Nothing beats ringing in the new year like embarrassing yourself in front of a handsome bachelor — even if that bachelor is the one wearing an ugly reindeer sweater. In 2001’sBridget Jones’s Diary, what starts as a not-so-meet-cute between the talkative Bridget (Renée Zellweger) and the offensive Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) at a New Year’s Eve party unfolds into one of the most swoon-worthy rom-coms the genre has to offer. It’s the perfect non-Christmas film to cozy up with friends and a romantic reminder that your soulmate may be the person you least expect.

WatchBridget Jones’s Diaryon Max

source: people.com