Entertainment

17 Unconventional Christmas Movies That Make the Holidays Anything But Boring

EntertainmentPublished Dec 19, 2018
By Madison Breaux
Michael Keaton in Batman ReturnsWarner Brothers Entertainment

We all know Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, The Year Without a Santa Claus, and Elf, but there are a lot of Christmassy movies that don't necessarily get full recognition as a classic holiday flick. To be considered a true holiday movie, it usually has snow, reindeer, Christmas trees, and one or two special appearances from Santa -- and anything that doesn't include these things usually gets passed over as just a regular old film. We all see the debate happening with Die Hard, and that's just one movie. There are plenty of films out there that could easily be considered Christmas movies, but just get horribly overshadowed by the classics.

But no more.

We're here to shine some much-needed light on the movies that we all wouldn't necessarily think of first when we are settling down to watch a holiday film. Sure, it's always nice to watch a Christmas classic, or those wonderfully cheesy Hallmark movies, but why not mix it up every once in a while? Watching the same movies over and over again can get boring, and luckily, there are several that are just as Christmassy as the ones played on TV every year. And we certainly don't want the Christmas season to get stale, now do we?

So, let's spread the love!

Believe it or not, there are some "unconventional" Christmas movies that don't follow the traditional path but still bring some holiday cheer ... sorta. Not everyone enjoys the holly jolliness of the go-to holiday movies -- so it's good to have some other options. (Personally, we love a good Christmas horror movie.)

So, for anyone who doesn't like to do anything the "traditional" way, here are 17 unconventional Christmas movies to watch this season.

1/17

'Black Christmas'

Rated: R

The Christmas season doesn't automatically invoke feelings of wanting to watch a thriller, but this 1974 classic tells the tale of sorority sisters dealing with a serial killer on the loose around the holidays.

Holly jolly, right?

2/17

'Silent Night, Deadly Night'

Rated: R

Elf was the story of an orphan turned joyful Christmas lover, but Silent Night, Deadly Night is the story of an orphan turned killer toy-store Santa Claus. 

Different outcomes, same holiday.

3/17

'Eyes Wide Shut'

Rated: R

Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman teamed up for this erotic drama directed by Stanley Kubrick. This is definitely not a Christmas movie for the whole family.

4/17

'Bad Santa'

Rated: R

Christmas is the time for joy and laughter. We wouldn't expect an alcoholic Santa to do the trick, but here we go.

5/17

'Office Christmas Party'

Rated: R

Most holiday office parties don't involve having to impress a super important client, but Jennifer Aniston, T.J. Miller, and Jason Bateman had to pull out all of the big stops in this Christmas comedy.

6/17

'Trading Places'

Rated: R

Now who doesn't love some classic Eddie Murphy around the holidays?

7/17

'Carol'

Rated: R

Gather around on Christmas with one of the most groundbreaking love stories to be released in the last few years.

8/17

'The Ref'

Rated: R

Bickering couple Kevin Spacey and Judy Davis, and their annoying relatives, end up getting taken hostage in their own home. It goes without saying Christmas-themed hilarity ensues.

9/17

'Gremlins'

Rated: PG

This strange horror movie isn't what most people would want to watch during the holiday season, but why not switch it up this Christmas Eve?

10/17

'Metropolitan'

Rated: PG-13

A group of young, rich New Yorkers gather in one apartment for some holiday season absurdity, and lots and lots of drama.

11/17

'The Night Before'

Rated: R

Three friends gather to make their Christmas Eve as memorable as possible. And with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, and Anthony Mackie as the stars, we know this one is bound to be good for some laughs.

12/17

'The Apartment'

Rated: Not Rated

This early '60s classic isn't the most obvious Christmas movie, but it does take place around the holidays. Plus, the famous office party scene is fit for any holiday film.

13/17

'Krampus'

Rated: PG-13

There are a lot of different folk stories surrounding the Christmas holiday, but this movie tells the story of a horned beast called Krampus that goes around punishing naughty children.

So Santa ... but make it terrifying.

14/17

'Die Hard'

Rated: R

The debate on whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie has been going on for a long time, but we're going to err on the side of yes -- it is indeed a holiday movie.

15/17

'White Reindeer'

Rated: Not Rated

This underrated little 2013 film is sure to bring some comedy and drama into everyone's Christmas season.

16/17

'Edward Scissorhands'

Rated: PG-13

This Johnny Depp classic is usually played around Halloween, but let's not forget the film has some pretty memorable Christmas scenes.

17/17

'Batman Returns'

Rated: PG-13

Penguins belong in the North Pole, and the classic Batman Returns movie.

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