I’m all for Christmas movies around this time of the year, even though I’m not hugely into the season, but when it comes to getting myself really into the mood for it, there are a few alternative Christmas movies that I watch on an annual year. What do I mean by alternative Christmas movies? These can be any Christmas movies that are set during the holiday, but instead of going down the more traditional route for Christmas movies (such as drama, rom-com, or just straight comedy), these films have an alternative angle to them. These alternative Christmas movies can be in a different genre, or take things further than are expected for the holiday, in terms of content.
I’ve tried to present a healthy mix of movies here, to accommodate for all tastes, so hopefully you and your loved ones can find at least one film to watch together. So, with my criteria out of the way, let’s get into this watchlist of 6 alternative Christmas movies that I love, and you will too!
1. Die hard (dir. John McTiernan)
Kickstarting this alternative Christmas movies watchlist comes one of my favourite action films, and an early example of Christmas films with a twist. Most of you will probably have heard of Die Hard, the movie that kickstarted Bruce Willis’s career in film, but for those of you who don’t know:
Police officer John McClane is trapped in a building when terrorists take it over. Among the hostages is his ex-wife (Bonnie Bedelia), and John will have to deal with terrorist Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) to get her and the rest of the hostages to safety.
Aside from being a great movie, Die Hard is the perfect action-packed movie to begin an alternative watchlist like this, and proof that there are Christmas movies out there for everyone.
2. The Hunt (dir. Thomas Vinterberg)
Taking a turn into more dramatic territory but keeping up the theme of alternative Christmas movies, The Hunt is a pretty tough film to watch, but brilliant and worth sticking with. It doesn’t just star one of my favourite actors – the incomparable Mads Mikkelsen – but is also well-suited for the Christmas sitting.
Around Christmas, Lucas is the target of mass hysteria after he is wrongfully accused of sexually abusing a child. As the film progresses, more and more people start to turn on him.
A haunting film that is both riveting and haunting, The Hunt is probably the toughest film on this list in terms of subject matter, but it’s worth a look and quite interesting as it’s a film about hostility towards a man during Christmas, a time when people are normally nicer. With that in mind, it’s one of the few alternative Christmas I can recommend being watched at any time of the year.
3. Batman Returns (dir. Tim Burton)
From the wonderfully weird mind of Tim Burton comes a film with my favourite superhero, one of my favourite actors -the always great Michael Keaton – and one of the weirdest alternative Christmas movies. In other words, it’s the kind of Christmas film that only Tim Burton could make.
Bruce Wayne/Batman has to contend with the activities of several new villains wreaking havoc in Gotham during Christmas, and finds himself falling in love with Selina Kyle/Catwoman at the same time.
Though there are elements of the film that my love for the source material can find distracting at points, I still love Batman Returns for everything that it gets right. Oh, and for its status as among the most iconic alternative Christmas movies, obviously. This is Christmas with Burton’s Gothic twist, and the protagonist dressing up as a bat – in other words, it’s awesome.
4. Krampus (dir. Michael Dougherty)
One of the more recent films on this watchlist – the film was released in 2015 – Krampus is a strange combination of horror, comedy, and alternative Christmas movie, but it manages to strike the balance pretty well.
Young Max loses interest in celebrating Christmas because of his awful and squabbling family. In doing so, he awakens Krampus, a demonic figure that seems intent on punishing his family.
The film has a great cast, including Toni Collette, Adam Scott, and David Koechner, and toes the line between horror and comedy well enough. It also has the interesting use of an actual cultural figure. Whilst it’s not unscary – is this even a word – it’s something most kids should be able to watch without being scared, and it definitely deserves its place on the list of alternative Christmas movies.
5. In Bruges (dir. Martin McDonagh)
Another more dramatic entry on the watchlist, In Bruges is, deservingly, widely praised for its writing, direction, and brilliant performances. But what I think it hasn’t been appreciated for is its status as one of the best modern alternative Christmas movies.
Ray and Ken (Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson) are two hitmen who have been sent to Bruges by their boss Harry after something went wrong during their last job. Ray hates Bruges, while Ken loves it. Meanwhile, Christmas is around the corner, as are a few surprises for Ray.
In Bruges is a great film that explores the human condition, is really very funny, and is hopefully, in time, going to earn its place in the pantheon of alternative Christmas movies. It’s also significant for me because I once saw it before spending Christmas in Bruges. It’s both sad, optimistic, and manages to embody a lot of the spirit of the Christmas season, albeit in a very roundabout way.
6. Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (dir. Jalmari Helander)
The most recent film I’ve watched that’s made it onto the alternative Christmas films watchlist, Rare Exports is an odd – in a good way – and dark Christmas story. Luckily, it’s also very funny, and a great horror-comedy to be the penultimate entry on this list.
Two children in economically depressed Northern Finland suspect that a drilling project near their homes holds the secret to Santa Claus. Little do they realise that this isn’t the Santa Claus they think they know.
The first Finnish film I’ve seen, Rare Exports is a great place to start if you want to check out some foreign horror-comedy that also makes for great alternative Christmas viewing. The film is set in the area which is said to be the home of Father Christmas in real life. It’s a film that interestingly explores Finland’s economic situation at the time and also manages to be both tense and funny. it’s pretty dark and violent, so it may be one to watch if your younger family members are sleeping.
7. Shazam (dir. David F. Sandberg)
Rounding out the list with another comic book film, Shazam is a personal favourite when it comes to alternative Christmas movies, boasting some fun action, but a lot of heart and feel-good charm that is ripe for the season.
Young Billy Batson has hardly moved into his new foster home when he runs into a magician that endows him with the power of the wizard Shazam. Billy and his foster brother Freddie, a superhero nerd, are going to have to figure out the dos and dont’s of superheroics whilst navigating the holidays.
Shazam is a surprisingly sweet film with a great message about found family, and both Asher Angel and Zachary Levi are great playing both the normal and heroic versions of Billy. All in all, it’s the purest example of alternative Christmas movies that still hold the optimistic values of season, and a film I’d recommend to families and individuals.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this watchlist of alternative Christmas movies. Did you watch any of them? What are your favourite alternative Christmas movies? Let me know in the comments below!
Until next time,
Conrad 🙂
P.S. You might find my list of Christmas stories that I love also useful if you’re looking for something to read, too!
[…] I also mentioned McDonagh’s In Bruges in this post I wrote recently, about my favourite alternative Christmas movies (yes, I stand by this as being a […]