It’s an annual tradition by now, to suggest some unexpected holiday movies that happen to fit the season, whether by dint of being set during the holidays, or evoking some kind of holiday spirit. Whatever mood you’re in this Christmas, you should be covered with this list of nontraditional holiday movies to explore.

First up, a new release that is now available to purchase on streaming. Alexander Payne released an instant misfit holiday classic this year with “The Holdovers,” set at a boarding school in 1970 Massachusetts. Paul Giamatti stars as a grumpy history teacher tasked with supervising “the holdovers,” the kids who don’t go home during Christmas break.

Newcomer Dominic Sessa plays his single charge, while Da’Vine Joy Randolph plays the cafeteria manager who is also folded into this reluctant family. With warmth, irascible charm and a delightful wordiness, “The Holdovers” will warm it’s way into your heart. It’s only available to purchase right now, but you might as well, because this is worth the annual rewatch.

Every year, there’s a Shane Black film on this list, because the writer/director loves using Christmas as a cheat code for unlocking those wistful emotions. From “Lethal Weapon” to “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” to “Iron Man 3” to “The Nice Guys,” Shane Black simply loves Christmas. This year’s Shane Black streaming recommendation is “The Long Kiss Goodnight,” directed by Renny Harlin and written by Black.

This underrated action movie stars Geena Davis as an amnesiac assassin who suddenly recovers her skills, and Samuel L. Jackson as the private detective who helps her. Set during the holidays, this is the perfect holiday pic for action fans. Rent it on all digital platforms.

Or how about a sleazy ‘70s crime thriller for the holidays? Elliott Gould and Christopher Plummer co-star in “The Silent Partner,” about a bank teller who skims off the top of a bank robbery, and the Santa Clause stickup man who wants it back. Watch it for free on Kanopy or rent it on other digital platforms.

A classic rom-com is always a balm for the soul during these days, so turn on “The Shop Around the Corner,” the 1940 Ernst Lubitsch comedy starring Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan as a pair of rival shopworkers in Budapest who don’t realize they’ve fallen in love through corresponding via letter. Sound familiar? The Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks movie “You’ve Got Mail” is a remake. Watch it on Max or TCM, or stream it elsewhere.

The 2019 buddy comedy “The Climb” is also an unusual holiday movie, encompassing both Thanksgiving and Christmas over the years in this examination of a friendship with two old chums fighting over one woman. Directed by and starring Michael Angelo Covino and co-starring Kyle Marvin, this indie comedy has drama, pathos, friendship and a lot of cycling. It makes for a fascinating holiday watch.

For New Year’s, pop on Whit Stillman’s arch comedy “Metropolitan” about a group of well-to-do college kids home for Christmas break in New York City. Following the ins and outs of their social circle and the striving, class warfare and keeping up appearances, “Metropolitan” is a delightful social study set during the holidays. Stream it on Max, the Criterion Channel or rent it on iTunes.

Tribune News Service