Warner Bros.
When the holiday season roll around , most watcher are used to cozying up with classic likeHome AloneandIt ’s a marvelous animation . For those craving something a little less traditional and more quirky , however , there are several improper Christmas flick that can zest up anyone ’s Yuletide celebrations . These films use the festal season as a backdrop , but channelize clear of the usual heartwarming vacation stories and instead offer something sweet , thrilling , or even downright outlandish .
From the iconicDie Hardto the whimsicalEdward Scissorhands , these unique Christmas movies are pure for those looking to celebrate the holidays with a twist . Whether fans are look for thrill action or quirky romances , there ’s an untypical Christmas motion-picture show for every kind of cinephile . Just be warn , some of these picks are n’t exactly home - well-disposed !
Warner Bros.
Bad Santa (2003)
For viewers whodon’t want their Christmas movies full of sunniness , Bad Santais the perfect choice . aim by Terry Zwigoff , this obscure comedy stars Billy Bob Thornton as Willie T. Soke , a dampen - up , constantly intoxicated con artist who pose as a section computer storage Santa to rob malls on Christmas Eve . This year , he and his “ elf ” spouse in crime Marcus ( Tony Cox ) set out to deplume off another heist . Their plans alter , however , when they meet the socially awkward kid Thurman ( Brett Kelly ) , who believes that Willie is the tangible Santa .
Full of dingy humor and leaning heavily on misanthropic and problematic characters , Bad Santadoesn’t pull any punches and embraces its brand of comedy . potomania and self - loathing are n’t precisely the most wholesome subject , and the motion-picture show expend its irreverent wit to poke fun at its characters . While it does have genuinely worked up moment , it never loses its comedic edge , make it the perfect mix of heartwarming and hysterical .
Gremlins (1984)
Gremlinsis an ’ fourscore fad classic inspired by the urban caption of the titulary beast that weresaid to keep company those in the British Royal Air Force in World War II , often wreaking mayhem and causing malfunction wherever they go . This is true in the 1984 flick , too , where a unseasoned man identify Billy Peltzer ( Zach Galligan ) receive a mysterious and adorable Mogwai distinguish Gizmo ( vocalise by Howie Mandel ) as an former Christmas gift . Gizmo come with exacting rules : no lustrous light , no water , and absolutely no feeding after midnight . Of of course , when those normal are broken , chaos ensues in Billy ’s quiet town at Christmastime .
The film is just as ridiculous as it vocalise , and there was no “ Christmas movie ” quite like it before , making it an instant standout despite some contestation . The imp - like mogwai may have expectant adorable eye , but make no mistake , the gremlins it spawns are aggressive and out for blood . Director Joe Dante ’s movie , along with others , would even cause a change in the Motion Picture Association of America ’s ( MPAA ) paygrade system of rules , which would be alter within two calendar month ofGremlin‘s button to include anew PG-13 rating .
Carol (2015)
In the humor for some forestall love this Christmas ? Director Todd Haynes’Caroltransports hearing to 1950s New York during the holiday season , where Carol Aird ( Cate Blanchett ) , a woman entrap in a stifling marriage , meets Therese Belivet ( Rooney Mara ) , a department shop shop clerk with still dreams of a different life . spark fell when Carol buy a Christmas gift for her girl from Therese , with their initial encounter soon blossom into a out of sight love story .
Carolis one ofthe best LGBTQ+ pic of all time , go beyond a typical meet - cute story to become a nuanced portrait of a passionate , yet impossible love . Blanchett and Mara are impeccably project as the leads , with their chemistry anchor the period film ’s first lovemaking tale . Christmastime is simply the backcloth to their semisweet romance , with New York ’s snow-white street and twinkling lights capturing an idyllic and unexpected moment that would soon become so much more .
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Ready for a pane of inherited dysfunction?The Royal Tenenbaumsrevolves around the titular mussy family , once known for its splendid child prodigies who have now maturate up and become adult riddle with insecurity and anxieties . When the family ’s patriarch fake a concluding illness to bring the children — Chas ( Ben Stiller ) , Margot ( Gwyneth Paltrow ) , and Richie ( Luke Wilson ) — back under one roof , bedlam predictably ensue ( but so does some much - require healing ) .
DirectorWes Andersonis known for his unique style , and his unmistakable visual and thematic trademarks are found inThe Royal Tenenbaums . With only a suggestion of Christmas element like its cozy aesthetic and musical reference toA Charlie Brown Christmas , the 2001 photographic film is a one - of - a - sort woof for the holiday that is n’t on the dot family - well-disposed . At its core , The Royal Tenenbaumsis an offbeat story about happen substance in and accepting the imperfectness of category , which is an specially timely message at this time of the class .
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
give its status asan iconic erotic thriller , Eyes Wide Shutis certainly far from ceremonious holiday fare . Released in 1999 , this psychological drama stars Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman as Dr. Bill and Alice Harford , a wealthy Manhattan couple whose on the face of it pure marriage ceremony is tested after a frank discussion about fidelity . Bill then has a surrealistic all-night journeying into a wraithlike , opulent , and sultry humankind where he learns more about the limits of his desire . It change him and his man and wife forever and a day .
Kubrick ’s final film is set against the eery glowing of holiday lights , but that ’s where any semblance of heat and celebration end ( that and the final Christmas shopping scene).Eyes Wide Shutis a notoriously unsettling , yet strangely hypnotic masterpiece that reveals the twisted impulses and postulate beneath high society ’s advanced exterior . Undeniably venturous and visually arresting , the film is the ideal pick for watcher who prefer their yuletide stories to be dark , unpredictable , and intriguing .
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Edward Scissorhandsis a darling modern gothic pouf tale by directorTim Burton . The fantasy film tells the narrative of the nominal fibre ( play by Johnny Depp ) , a gentle artificial mankind created by an eccentric discoverer . leave uncompleted after his creator ’s sudden end , Edward is stranded with scissors for hands and lives alone in a dilapidated star sign . When a kindhearted Avon salesgirl , Peg Boggs ( Dianne Wiest ) , discovers him and play him to her suburban neighbourhood , Edward ’s distinct feature make him the talking of the Ithiel Town .
The 1990 movie is big to watch during Christmastime , thanks to its chalk carving , snowy scenes , and heartbreaking love affair between Edward and Peg ’s daughter , Kim ( Winona Ryder).Edward Scissorhandsis an ode to being different , with this unconventional holiday classic remind audiences to celebrate their quirks and embrace kindness . For those looking to take in a wistful beloved report with some in darkness comedic turn , Burton ’s flick is a wonderful option .
Die Hard (1988)
One ofthe good ’ 80s moviesand the quintessential non - Christmasy Christmas movie , decease Hardis part of many rooter ’ yearly tradition at this period . Bruce Willis asterisk in his unforgettable use as John McClane , a New York cop visiting Los Angeles to reconcile with his estranged wife , Holly ( Bonnie Bedelia ) , during a Christmas Eve company at her workplace . Things take a lethal turn when Hans Gruber ( Alan Rickman ) , a German terrorist , and his crew highjack the construction , halt the partygoers surety . With no substitute in sight , McClane becomes a one - man regular army , battling the intruders and protect the hostages .
Directed by John McTiernan , the vacation cheer inDie Hardis hard to miss , what with its setting , Christmas birdcall , and even a gay message scrawl on a dead terrorist ( “ Now I have a political machine torpedo . Ho ho ho ” ) . This seasonal setting is cleverly used as an ironical counterpoint to the escalating violence and topsy-turvyness as McClane outsmarts the villains . Decades later , Die Hardis still the gold criterion for activity photographic film and is often rewatched by watcher looking to observe Christmas with a bang . Yippee - ki - yay !
