We all know there’s something incredibly special about Christmas films. They might sometimes feel a bit predictable, and the acting can occasionally be exaggerated, but many of them undeniably capture the warmth and festive spirit of the season. A lot of us have a favorite movie that we turn to year after year as the holidays approach. These films are the perfect way to immerse yourself in the joyful atmosphere of Christmas!
However, no matter how many times you watch your favorite holiday movie, there are always some things that go unnoticed. From subtle details to hidden references, here are a few extraordinary things that many viewers miss in beloved Christmas films.
The Muppets’ Christmas Carol
One of the funniest aspects of The Muppet’s Christmas Carol is Michael Caine’s portrayal of Ebeneezer Scrooge. What makes it so amusing is how seriously he plays the role, especially in contrast to the energetic performances of the other characters!
A neat hidden detail in this movie is the name of a shop in one scene. It’s called “Micklewhite,” which is a nod to Michael Caine’s real name, Maurice Joseph Micklewhite.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
This film is a perfect choice to watch once Halloween ends and the Christmas season begins. But did you know that the mastermind behind it, Tim Burton, once worked as an animator for Walt Disney?
This connection is subtly referenced in the movie. In one quick shot, you can spot a character resembling the Evil Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, holding the infamous poison apple!
The Santa Clause
This is another beloved holiday movie, proving that kids can deliver stellar performances! Take a look at this scene of Charlie, the main character, sitting at his school desk. See anything unusual?
That’s right! The boy behind him has elf ears! There are several hidden elves throughout the movie, and you might not spot all of them on your first viewing. Watch it a few more times and see how many you can discover!
Love, Actually
This modern Christmas classic feels so real – and it is in many ways! While the whole film isn’t based on true events, the opening scenes, where we see people greeting each other at the airport, were real.
None of these individuals were actors! Instead, the crew used hidden cameras to capture genuine moments of real people reuniting at the airport. They then got permission to use the footage in this touching opening scene.
Elf
There have been plenty of modern Christmas hits, and we believe that Elf is arguably one of the best. When it came out in 2003, there were no streaming services or digital versions available. DVDs were still the go-to option.
If you pause the DVD version at any point, you’ll notice that the progress bar at the bottom switches from its traditional look to one shaped like a candy cane. It’s a small feature we wish was included in the digital version!
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
Though it didn’t enjoy the same level of success as the earlier films in the franchise, The Santa Clause 3 still holds its charm. Hidden details like this one make it even more fun to watch!
In this scene, you can see that Santa’s favorite drink isn’t Red Bull, but a “Red Deer”! It’s a playful nod to his reindeer, who pull his sleigh. The attention to detail here is simply delightful!
The Santa Clause
Now let’s look at the original film from the franchise, The Santa Clause, which hit theaters in 1994. Starring Tim Allen, this film was part of a series of successful projects in his career, and it’s a nostalgic favorite for many.
The film even nods to Tim Allen’s past successes! For instance, there’s a moment when he wears a toolbelt, which is a clear reference to his role on the TV show Home Improvement.
It’s a Wonderful Life
Going back to the roots of holiday classics, we have the timeless and heartwarming It’s a Wonderful Life, released in 1946. This film is a perfect example of how sometimes, mistakes can lead to magical moments.
In one scene, Uncle Billy shouts, “I’m alright, I’m alright.” This was actually a mistake after a prop was dropped off-screen. Actor Thomas Mitchell improvised the line, which the director liked so much that it was kept in the final cut.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
One of the main reasons this iconic Christmas movie is so beloved is Jim Carrey’s performance as the Grinch. His evil grin is unforgettable! But did you notice this fun easter egg?
There’s a scene where we see Whoville’s money. Instead of American dollars, they use “Whomoney”! The coins also feature the phrase “e Pluribus whonum” instead of the usual “e Pluribus Unum.”
Miracle on 34th Street
This beloved classic has been remade several times, but nothing quite compares to the charm and magic of the original. While it may be in black-and-white, the film still manages to captivate with its nostalgic appeal.
Perhaps what makes it so special is the fact that the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, shown in this scene, was real! The crew filmed during the actual 1946 parade, which meant they had to ensure everything was perfect to match the live event.
Home Alone
Over the years, the Home Alone franchise has expanded, including a less-than-loved entry released in 2021. However, the original film remains a fan favorite, especially due to its hidden details, like the one seen below.
Instead of Little Caesars, the filmmakers opted for “Little Nero,” named after the Roman emperor. This clever choice is just another example of the film’s attention to detail, and it’s one of the many reasons it stands out!
Arthur Christmas
Though this film debuted just a decade ago, it remains a fantastic choice for getting into the holiday mood, appealing to both adults and children. One of the hidden gems in this film is especially worth noting.
If you look closely at Arthur’s mug, you’ll see the phrase, “I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus.” Not only does this reference the famous holiday song, but it also cleverly ties into Arthur’s own family. After all, his father happens to be Santa Claus, so it makes perfect sense!
Klaus
The 2019 Netflix release Klaus is one of the more recent films on this list. Keep your eyes peeled during a scene involving Santa’s sled, and you might spot some hidden writing near the back that reads “A113.”
For those unaware, “A113” is a nod to the classroom number where many Pixar animators studied animation. Pixar often includes this number in their films, though interestingly, they didn’t create this particular one!
Gremlins
This film sits somewhere between horror and comedy, but we’d argue it certainly qualifies as a Christmas movie, albeit a rather unconventional one! Not everyone may have noticed the hidden machine in one of the background shots, though.
It vanishes in the next shot, which seems odd. The reason? It’s supposed to be the time machine from the 1960 film The Time Machine, explaining its sudden disappearance! This proves the filmmakers were true cinephiles.
White Christmas
White Christmas is a pioneering Christmas musical and one of the first major films in color. It played a key role in shaping the Christmas film genre, and there’s a clever little secret toward the film’s end!
Early in the film, Phil Davis says, “I want you to have nine children.” Sure enough, later in the movie, he’s shown with all nine of his kids. A subtle, yet delightful detail!
Krampus
Similar to Gremlins, Krampus blends horror and holiday themes, though it leans more into the terrifying than the festive. It’s a smart inclusion of a hidden reference in this scene.
The house in the film strongly resembles the infamous home from The Amityville Horror, a real-life horror story based on the haunting of a house in Long Island. This adds an extra layer of thoughtfulness to the film.
The Santa Clause 2
We’ve already looked at the first and third films in the Santa Clause series, so now let’s focus on the second installment. Tim Allen reprises his role as Santa, but his dedication to the role might surprise you!
In one scene, child actors truly believed Tim Allen was the real Santa Claus. In turn, he decided to play along and pretend to be Father Christmas for them. That’s a lot of respect for the role!
The Santa Clause 2
As if that weren’t enough, there’s another hidden gem in this film! A few years prior, Tim Allen voiced the iconic character Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story, and one of his famous lines was, “you are a sad, strange little man.”
In The Santa Clause 2, Tim Allen repeats this line verbatim, but this time directed at a completely different character. It’s always a treat when actors reference their past work, and this instance is no exception.
A Christmas Story
Films based on real-life events are often delightful, and A Christmas Story is a prime example. In the movie, there’s a scene set in a converted Chinese restaurant that was once a bowling alley, named “Bo Ling.”
This bizarre mix-up actually happened in real life! The director’s mother once mistakenly took him to a bowling alley thinking it was a Chinese restaurant because the ‘w’ in the word “bowling” had burned out. A detail so easily overlooked!
Home Alone
While some find the premise of this film a bit far-fetched—how could a mother forget her child at home?—it’s actually more plausible than you might think! Take another look at the ‘headcount’ scene.
You might notice Heather accidentally counts the neighbor in the van as part of the family and even counts herself twice. This causes her to believe there are 11 people in total. Let’s hope this scenario doesn’t happen in real life!
The Polar Express
This modern animated classic from Castle Rock Entertainment and Warner Brothers doesn’t shy away from referencing past classics. If you look closely at this tiny gadget in the film…
It may seem insignificant, but this is actually the famed ‘flux capacitor’ from Back to the Future! The inclusion of this reference is a nod to director Robert Zemeckis, who worked on both films.
Home Alone
The directors of Home Alone certainly had a penchant for hidden details! When Old Man Marley first appears, a Gregorian chant plays to make him seem somewhat eerie.
However, when we discover that he’s a kind-hearted man, the song “Carol of the Bells” plays instead. Interestingly, the two pieces share the same four notes, but the context shifts the entire mood—showing how perception can change everything.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Dr. Seuss, the author of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, was known for his eccentric and whimsical stories. One of his other beloved tales is Horton Hears a Who, and the creators of The Grinch decided to sneak in a reference to it.
If you look above the clock tower in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, you’ll spot a familiar elephant statue. It may seem out of place, but it’s actually Horton the Elephant! A clever and charming Easter egg!
Arthur Christmas
Aardman Animations is arguably one of the most iconic animation studios in the world, just behind Pixar and Disney. Known for their highly successful franchises like Shaun the Sheep, Chicken Run, and Wallace & Gromit, they have built a reputation for creativity.
In Arthur Christmas, they cleverly referenced their own iconic creations. If you look closely at this scene, you’ll spot a small doll on the floor – it’s none other than Shaun the Sheep. What a fun Easter egg!
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
This 1964 classic was one of the pioneers of stop-motion animation in Christmas films. Although it has been more than 55 years since its release, it still holds a special place in people’s hearts, especially with hidden details like this one.
Hermey, the elf who dislikes making toys, seems to be a bit of an oddball. His hair and ears are noticeably different from the other elves. Could it be that he’s not an elf at all, but actually a human?
The Year Without a Santa Claus
This 1974 stop-motion classic is another old favorite with a secret reference to look out for. If you pay attention to this scene, you may recognize a familiar character.
The character in this shot is a nod to Charlie Chaplin’s iconic “The Tramp.” You can spot his top hat and signature mustache. Interestingly, this reference was removed in the 2006 remake.
The Christmas Chronicles
Netflix’s 2018 Christmas film, The Christmas Chronicles, follows in the footsteps of other major film studios with clever Easter eggs.
In one scene, the valet is seen watching a show on his tablet. If you look closely, it’s none other than Stranger Things, Netflix’s hit series.
Home Alone
Over the years, many rumors have circulated about the making of Home Alone, especially concerning the famous tarantula scene. One common myth is that actor Daniel Stern faked his scream to avoid actually being frightened by the spider.
In reality, Daniel Stern screamed for real while the tarantula was on his face. The animal trainer assured him that the spider couldn’t hear, so screaming was harmless.
Frozen 2
While Frozen 2 may not be a traditional Christmas movie, it certainly brings the holiday spirit! The story of Elsa, full of magical fairytale moments, captivates both adults and children alike.
In one scene, Elsa’s father mentions reading books by “a new Danish author.” This is a reference to Hans Christian Andersen, famous for classics like The Little Mermaid – as seen on the book cover.
Gremlins
Gremlins is undeniably a peculiar Christmas film. With its strange storyline and bizarre creatures, it really challenges the idea of what a Christmas movie can be.
The film includes multiple references to other movies. Directed by Steven Spielberg, who also directed E.T., there’s a subtle E.T. doll, along with several Looney Tunes characters, acknowledging Warner Bros, the film’s producer.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas follows in the footsteps of Gremlins by adding references to other major film studios. Keep an eye on the kids’ pajamas in this film.
They’re wearing pajamas adorned with famous Disney characters like Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse! It’s a clever way for animators to pay homage to each other.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
How the Grinch Stole Christmas is not just filled with references to other films, but also has plenty of subtle touches that highlight the characters’ personalities. Take a look at Martha May’s stockings, for example.
Rather than the usual red, Martha May’s stockings are a pale green. This is a deliberate choice to symbolize her love for the Grinch, who is, of course, green!
Elf
Film productions can sometimes change at the last minute, and that’s exactly what happened with Elf. A casting change occurred due to scheduling conflicts, and Wanda Sykes was replaced by Faizon Love, who humorously kept the name tag meant for Sykes.
Elf
At the start of Elf, Will Ferrell’s character Buddy arrives in New York and tries to interact with the locals, who find him odd and out of place.
Interestingly, the people Buddy interacts with were not actors – they were just everyday New Yorkers, going about their usual day, unaware they were part of a movie scene.
Scrooged
In the 1988 film Scrooged, Bill Murray’s character has a funny accident during one scene where he falls flat on the floor after leaving a restaurant.
This wasn’t scripted! Bill had slipped on water he had thrown earlier in the scene. He stayed in character, though, and handled the situation like a pro.
Elf
Some actors seem to appear in a wide range of movies, making it feel like they’re always around. Then there are those actors who you don’t realize were in another film until you see them again! Peter Billingsley is the perfect example of this.
He originally played Ralphie in A Christmas Story back in 1983. Fast-forward 20 years, and Peter was all grown up, starring in Elf—another holiday classic! Today, Peter is a successful producer and director, moving beyond just acting.
The Polar Express
Animated films have a unique advantage: the ability to add hidden details that viewers often overlook. Since everything is created digitally, it’s easy to insert small things without disturbing the actors.
Take a close look at the scene with the enormous Christmas tree. Can you spot it? Every direction on the compass is pointing South! This makes sense, considering there’s no other direction to travel from the North Pole.
It’s a Wonderful Life
One of the challenges of shooting a Christmas film is that it’s rarely filmed during the holiday season. Filming usually takes place earlier in the year, sometimes even in the summer. This was the case with It’s a Wonderful Life!
The movie was filmed during a summer heatwave, forcing the crew to pause production temporarily. If you look closely at actor James Stewart, you’ll notice beads of sweat on his forehead caused by the scorching heat!
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
One of the most remarkable aspects of How the Grinch Stole Christmas is the Grinch himself. How did they make Jim Carrey look like that? Here’s the truth: it wasn’t just makeup…
The ‘suit’ Jim Carrey wore was covered with yak hair! The hair was dyed green and attached to the suit, as yak hair was the only material that could create that odd floating effect.
A Christmas Carol
No matter which adaptation of A Christmas Carol you prefer, the story’s message remains powerful. The animated version from 2009 stands out as one of the best. Did you catch this hidden detail?
Towards the film’s end, Scrooge sees his gravestone with the date of his death shown as February 7th. This is significant because that happens to be the birthday of the author, Charles Dickens!
Home Alone
We’ve already seen one clever detail in Home Alone regarding Kevin being abandoned, and here’s another one. Early in the movie, if you take a good look at the trashcan, you’ll notice something…
Kevin’s plane ticket is tossed in the trash! This happens after he spills milk, but it’s a smart addition. By losing the ticket, the family doesn’t realize Kevin is missing when they board the plane.
Home Alone
Let’s keep going with Home Alone! One of the most famous scenes is when Kevin looks at a picture of Buzz’s girlfriend. She’s not particularly attractive, and there’s a real reason for that! Can you guess why?
The crew used a picture of a crew member’s son, who wore a wig for the role! They felt it would be unkind to make fun of a real girl, so they opted for this clever workaround. It’s a great decision that kept things lighthearted!
Just Friends
This is a perfect example of how filmmakers adjust the scenery to fit the mood. After the Christmas decorations are ruined, the remaining decorations are altered to reflect the characters’ emotions.
Take a look at the bottom left of the frame, and you’ll notice a snowman that appears sad! It seems he’s lost his body and is feeling down about how Christmas has been ruined.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Earlier, we pointed out how much Martha May Whovier adores the Grinch in this film. But the filmmakers wanted to emphasize this relationship even more by adding additional Easter eggs!
The Grinch gives Martha an angel tree topper made from various objects. Later, as she grows older, you can see that the jewels in her hair are actually from that same angel tree topper! What a sweet little touch!
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
This fun fact is interesting not because of something that’s in the movie, but because of something that’s not in it. In the 1964 stop-motion classic, you’ll notice Yukon Cornelius has a strange habit of licking his pickaxe.
Yukon is actually searching for something specific underground: a peppermint mine! When he licks his pickaxe, he’s making sure he didn’t miss it by checking if it tastes like peppermint.
