JAWS the Revenge and 12 days of alternative Christmas movies
When it comes to festive movies, most people turn to classics like Home Alone (1990) or It’s A Wonderful Life (1946).
But not everyone craves traditional holiday cheer. For those who prefer their Yuletide spirit spiked with sharks, action, horror, or sci-fi, here’s a countdown of 12 unconventional Christmas films to liven up your holiday season.
1. Jaws the Revenge (1987)
The fourth entry in the JAWS franchise is infamous for its absurdity, but it also doubles as an unexpected Christmas movie. Set during the holidays, Ellen Brody (Lorraine Gary) relocates to the Bahamas to escape the trauma of the past, only to find herself pursued by a vindictive shark. The holiday backdrop, complete with Christmas carols and festive decorations, makes this aquatic revenge tale a bizarre yet oddly seasonal choice.
We even get Sean Brody being eaten by a shark, juxtaposed with carol singers, not something you'll find in Hallmark or Netflix festive fare.
And the fourth JAWS film gives Michael Caine his second Christmas classic (ahem) years before The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992).
2. Jurassic World (2015)
Dinosaurs and Christmas might not seem like an obvious pairing, but the holiday connection in Jurassic World lies in its opening scenes. The film begins during the Christmas season, with two brothers being sent to the dinosaur park as their parents grapple with a looming divorce. While the film quickly trades yuletide cheer for dino chaos, the familial themes resonate with the season's spirit of togetherness.
3. Invasion U.S.A. (1985)
Chuck Norris takes the lead in this explosively over-the-top action film, which features an attempted Soviet invasion during Christmas. Packed with one-liners, explosions, and yuletide carnage, this movie is a testament to the excess of ’80s action. It's the perfect pick for fans who want their holiday viewing filled with martial arts and rocket launchers.
4. Lethal Weapon (1987)
Before Die Hard became the quintessential “alternative Christmas movie,” Lethal Weapon made its mark.
The Shane Black-penned buddy-cop action film with Mel Gibson and Danny Glover begins with a Christmas-themed drug bust and features a tree lot shootout.
Amid the bullets and banter, the themes of redemption and family align surprisingly well with the holiday season.
5. Dark Angel (I Come in Peace) (1990)
This sci-fi cult classic sees Dolph Lundgren battling an alien drug dealer who arrives on Earth during Christmas. Set against a backdrop of tinsel and lights, Dark Angel is packed with explosive action, cheesy dialogue, and a tagline that’s as iconic as it is absurd: “I come in peace.” If your idea of holiday fun includes intergalactic criminals and explosions, this one is a must-watch.
6. Gremlins (1984)
Perhaps the best-known entry on this list, Gremlins, directed by Joe Dante and executive produced by Steven Spielberg from a script by Chris Columbus, is both festive and horrifying.
It begins with a father gifting his son an adorable Mogwai named Gizmo, only for chaos to erupt when the rules for caring for Gizmo are broken. Equal parts comedy and horror, the film’s snow-covered Christmas setting make it a seasonal staple for fans of darker holiday fare.
The kitchen scene with a mum battling Gremlins with a microwave and other kitchen appliances is a bonafide classic.
7. Batman Returns (1992)
Tim Burton’s gothic take on the Caped Crusader reaches its frosty peak in Batman Returns. Set during the Christmas season, Gotham City is draped in snow and decorations as Batman (Michael Keaton) faces off against the Penguin (Danny DeVito) and Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer). With its icy aesthetic and themes of loneliness and redemption, the film offers a unique spin on holiday storytelling.
8. The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)
Geena Davis stars as an amnesiac schoolteacher who discovers her past as a government assassin during Christmas. What follows is a high-octane thrill ride filled with explosions, witty dialogue, and heartfelt moments. Written by Shane Black, the king of holiday-adjacent action films, The Long Kiss Goodnight is an underrated gem that blends festive cheer with pulse-pounding action, from Renny Harlin who went onto direct Deep Blue Sea (1999).
9. Krampus (2015)
For those who prefer their Christmas movies with a dash of horror, Krampus delivers. Based on the folklore of a demonic anti-Santa, the film tells the story of a dysfunctional family forced to battle for survival when they lose their holiday spirit. Equal parts chilling and darkly funny, Krampus is a perfect pick for fans of spooky seasonal tales.
10. Trading Places (1983)
While not an obvious Christmas movie, Trading Places is steeped in holiday themes. Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd star in this classic John Landis comedy about a social experiment that swaps the lives of a street hustler and a wealthy executive. Set during the Christmas season, the film’s themes of generosity, greed, and redemption make it a surprisingly festive choice.
11. Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Stanley Kubrick’s final film - starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman - may not scream “holiday classic,” but its story unfolds during Christmas in New York. With lavishly decorated sets and a hauntingly surreal atmosphere, the movie explores themes of desire and secrecy in a season traditionally associated with togetherness. It’s an unconventional but visually striking Christmas film.
12. Die Hard (1988)
No list of alternative Christmas films would be complete without Die Hard. Bruce Willis stars as John McClane, a New York cop trapped in a Los Angeles skyscraper on Christmas Eve. The festive setting, complete with holiday music and decorations, juxtaposes perfectly with the non-stop action, earning Die Hard its reputation as the ultimate alternative Christmas movie.
Words by Dean Newman
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