Bah Humbug: The best anti-Christmas movies

If you’ve got a partner or family who loves Christmas movies but you really couldn’t care less, the holidays bring can be a bit of a nuisance. They’re pestering you to watch Elf, Home Alone, or A Christmas Carol yet again and the thought is probably already driving you up the walls.

So to help make those Christmas movie marathons a bit less painful, we’ve gathered the best anti-Christmas movies to add to your watch list. We’re using the term “anti-Christmas” loosely here. Some criticise Christmas, some are straight-up bizarre, some are simply set during the holidays, and some are more realistic representations of Christmas.

Whether you hate Christmas or are fed up with the cheesy vibe Christmas movies possess, there’s something here for you.

 

Die Hard (1998) / Die Hard 2 (1990)

The third Die Hard wasn’t set during Christmas, so we can’t include it here. But if you want to include it in your anti-Christmas movie marathon, why not? According to Bruce Willis, Die Hard shouldn’t be on our list at all because “it isn’t a Christmas movie” but, y’know, whatever. It’s set during Christmas, so we think it counts. 

You’re probably familiar with Die Hard already, but we'll refresh your memory. NYPD’s John McClane visits his estranged wife on Christmas Eve, joining her at her works Christmas do, when a group of terrorists take over. McClane quickly realises it’s his job to save the hostages. 

 

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The Gingerdead Man (2005)

If you hate movies that are so bad they’re funny, keep scrolling. But if you love a truly horrendous B-movie, god, do we have a treat for you! How this movie got the go-ahead is beyond us, but we’re grateful it somehow did. 

Gary Busey (yes, the multi-award-winning actor who portrayed Buddy Holly in The Buddy Holly Story) voices the Gingerdead Man in this slasher comedy. Created by a witch using gingerbread spice mix and the ashes of a serial killer, the Gingerdead Man rises (quite literally) and runs amok, murdering anyone who tries to stop him. Stick it on for gran and the kids to enjoy after Christmas dinner. 

 

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The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Jack Skellington is the King of Halloween Town. Bored of the same old same old, Jack wanders off before stumbling upon Christmas Town. Enthralled by it all, Jack shows the town his findings and decides Halloween Town will take over Christmas this year and improve it by holding it to Halloween Town's standards… which may or may not result in Santa’s abduction.

This Tim Burton classic is one that most film fanatics will have ticked off their list. A brilliant film, perfect for all ages, and on-theme without being overly Christmassy, it’s a cracking choice for a Christmas film. 

 

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Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) 

When you really think about it, Santa’s a bit creepy. “He sees you when you’re sleeping… he knows when you’re awake…” - unsettling, to say the least. Running with the idea of Santa being an unsavoury character, Silent Night, Deadly Night is a psychological slasher about a serial killer who dresses as Santa. 

Originally controversial due to its depiction of a blood-thirsty Santa, it went on to become a cult classic, spawning multiple sequels. So if the movie ends and you still aren’t satisfied with the character assassination of Santa, you can watch those.

 

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National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) 

If you’re looking for something less gory, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation might be better for the family. A slapstick Christmas comedy, Christmas Vacation stars Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, a man who simply wants an amazing Christmas for his family. But just about everything goes wrong. Clark and his wife’s parents arrive and quickly start bickering, the Christmas lights cause a power outage, Clark hasn’t received his Christmas bonus from work, the Christmas tree is way too big, and the chaos never ends. 

 

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Carol (2015)

Set during the holidays, Carol encapsulates the spirit of the festive period without it being explicitly about Christmas. This romance drama is set in 1950s Manhattan and sees Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara) stumbling across Carol (Cate Blanchett), who is browsing the doll display in a shop. They quickly develop a bond which evolves into love. With it comes complicated consequences. Hailed by the British Film Institute as the best LGBT film of all time, it’s definitely one for anyone who loves a great film.  

 

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Gremlins (1984)

We’re sure you’re familiar with Gremlins but if not, Gremlins is about Billy, a lad who receives a new pet mogwai (Gizmo), which must not be fed after midnight or be exposed to water or sunlight. Sure enough, those instructions aren’t followed. The mogwai spawns other angry, destructive mogwais that tear up the town on Christmas Eve. In case you need more convincing, there are a few Christmassy scenes, like the gremlins singing Christmas carols and Gizmo in a Santa hat. 

 

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Hot Fuzz (2007)

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have incredible comedic onscreen chemistry. And in Hot Fuzz, they both play police officers who are investigating the deaths of the residents, which all happen to be caused by terrible accidents. Brilliant officer Nicholas Angel (Pegg) works with Danny Butterman (Frost), a daft local policeman, to figure out what’s going on. Why is it a Christmas movie? It features Peter Jackson as Santa Claus. 

 

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Morvern Callar (2002)

A bit of a darker option, Movern Callar is based on the novel of the same name. It's about a woman who discovers her boyfriend killed himself on Christmas Day, leaving behind a suicide note, presents, a mixtape, and his unpublished novel. Instead of reacting normally, Movern steals her boyfriends novel and tells her friend that he left her and moved abroad. The film was well-received by critics and was nominated for multiple awards. Give it a go this Christmas!

 

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Bad Santa (2003) 

Two con men, Willie and Marcus, meet up every year around Christmas to pull off a heist. The two work in a mall as Santa and an elf, so they can steal everything they can from the department stores in the mall. A depressed alcoholic who constantly embarrasses himself, Willie’s behaviour draws suspicion from mall security. But when Willie befriends a kid who’s convinced he’s Santa, his softer side comes out. Will they pull off the heist? Will they end up in prison? You’ll have to watch this black comedy to find out.

 

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The Day of the Beast (1995) 

This black comedy, with elements of horror, follows a priest who’s attempting to stop the birth of the Antichrist on Christmas Eve. He teams up with a metalhead and the host of a TV show about the occult to sell his soul to Satan and stop the antichrist. Well received by critics and audiences alike, the film earned multiple awards, including the Goya Award for Best Director. 

One reviewer said, it “may not exactly be a traditional Christmas movie, even by the standards of the horror genre, but it’s a perfect one for those who want to thumb their noses at the “Christ” part of Christmas."

 

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The Godfather (1972)

We doubt we need to tell you much about this one, as everyone’s seen it. And if you haven’t, well, now’s the time! We won’t be giving you any spoilers either, you’ll have to watch it yourself! If you need to convince someone it’s a Christmas movie, here are your reasons: one of the most crucial parts of the movie is during Christmas, it’s all about family, and there’s a scene in a church. You’re welcome. 

 

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Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)

Santa in Finnish is “joulupukki”. And if you translate that directly, you get "Christmas goat". With this in mind, Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale is set in Korvatunturi (the Finnish region of Lapland). 

Two lads believe a mountain drilling project has uncovered Santa Claus’ tomb. But unlike the jolly old man we know, this Santa is evil. One of the boy's dads sets a trap and captures an old man who may know why children are disappearing and reindeer are being murdered. An unusual fantasy horror comedy film, it’s worth a watch if you fancy delving into the darker side of the fluffy fairytales we know today. 

 

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Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

Recognised as a critique of greed and materialism, and how the meaning of Christmas has become unclear, Eyes Wide Shut is perfect for those who are sick of how consumeristic Christmas has become. 

The film follows Bill (Tom Cruise), whose wife Alice (Nicole Kidman) admits she considered having an affair a year ago. Bill then becomes obsessed with sexual adventure and discovers an underground sex group. Once there, someone warns him he’s in danger, and it all gets super sinister. It’s not immediately obvious how this is a critique of Christmas, but if we told you, we’d ruin it for you. And it’s probably not one to watch with the whole family, but it’s a goodun!

 

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See? Not all Christmas movies are irritatingly sweet, overly wholesome, and repetitive. There are plenty of films that offer some much-needed respite from the cheesy Christmas films we’re all used to.

Sick of having the same old Christmas every year? Why not take this Christmas up a level? Click or tap here to discover Christmas events near you to make this Christmas one to remember. 

 

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Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.

 

 

  

 

 

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