Traditionally Christmas movies are full of joy , laughter , lovable character , complicated romances and well-chosen endings . If you ’re front for family - friendly fib they will frequently involve Santa , reindeers , elves and present manner of speaking related dramas , along with a serious old fashioned moral . Mostly these festive tales are sweet-flavored and saccharin with surplus confect canes and twinkling lights . But what if you hate that ?

For those of you who are more Grinch than talent - giver or who simply want to watch something that you have n’t already see so many time , we ’ve pulled together a list of non - traditional Christmas picture . Just be warned that we ’re stepping out of doors of the gift boxwood here .

Some of these movies are only tenuously link to the gay season with their setting or some elements of content . However , one affair they all have in common is that they are great pic that should be on your alternative Christmas movie play list .

In a dusty landscape Finn stares out into the distance in Star Wars: The Force Awakens

The Nightmare Before Christmas

A controversial choice , Tim Burton’sThe Nightmare Before Christmasis a holiday loanblend , combining both Halloween and Christmas . As such the engaging narrative of loveable pumpkin king Jack Skellington , who tries to replace Halloween with Christmas should be standard viewing for both occasions . As for its Christmas roots , it has gift , decoration and a unique take on Santa , what more could you necessitate for ?

The quirky story , wondrous animation , and folk - friendly content mean this is an unconventional but great selection for anyone of any long time who wants their festive play to be a little more offbeat .

Rise of The Guardians

This 2012 animation is an often overlooked gem that sees Santa become an action hero . Alongside a ring of unbelievable Hero of Alexandria which includes the tooth fairy , the Easter bunny girl and the most emo Jack Frost the world has ever see , Santa must save the world from evil spirit Pitch .

The stellar voice cast , dandy life , and well - written story mean this movie is a must - see . If you ’ve not bring out this Christmas related caper then this class is the time to do so . You wo n’t regret it .

Batman Returns

Everyone knows thatBatman Returnsis one of the most off-the-wall embodiment of the franchise we ’ve ever see . It compound the dark brooding stylings of Tim Burton with some quite honestly surreal book option . Luckily the S is passed off as genius and the result is an gratifying trick , which is still keen fun to ascertain .

Looking back now , the setting echo the dark broodiness of the more modernistic movies , yet the script reflects a more kitsch and camp fashion , resonant of the animate series . It ’s a perfect combination that has not been matched since . Just do n’t follow it up with a viewing ofBatman and Robin , whatever you do .

Iron Man 3

We ’ll admit this one ’s a stretch but it has Christmas gifts and a festive place setting so we ’re counting it . After all , the season ask more superhero film and we finger positive enough to shoehorn this one into the lineup , alongside the caped crusader .

While it ’s far from the best Marvel moving picture ever made , Iron Man ’s third jaunt is none the less an enjoyable caper . There ’s a lot of retribution and redemption in this tale as Tony Stark seek to reconstruct his cosmos after everything he retain dearest suffer at the hired hand of the Mandarin . A great choice for Marvel fans to plunk into during December .

Edward Scissorhands

Further cement Tim Burton as a victor of alternative festive moving-picture show isEdward Scissorhands , the classic romance drama from back in 1990 . It follows the tale of Edward , an hokey man left with scissor grip for helping hand after his Lord dies .

After last a solitary life for years he is finally brought into the local residential district by Peg , who wants him to experience all the world has to offer . While the story is still heartwarming , it ’s far from a traditional Christmas tale , yet it still make for keen festive viewing .

Gremlins

While not quite as family - friendly as some choices , Gremlinsis still a must for your festive viewing list . This definitive comedy repugnance sees chaotic unripe elf terrorise the locality after Billy Peltzer fails to follow the simple rules given to him along with Gizmo , the loveable puppet with a baleful side .

All he had to do was keep him away from pee and bright light and not run him after midnight . You would n’t think that would be too difficult , would you ? seemingly it was as Peltzer flash the rules , make full comedic bedlam .

Bad Santa

The most controversial Santa to ever live , Billy Bob Thornton’sBad Santais an anti - Christmas , Christmas movie that you need to add together to your see leaning .

Posing as Santa in rules of order to pull off a huge con , Thornton ’s character Willie Stokes gets distracted by a serial publication of disorderly event come Christmas eve and the knock - on effects make for harbor viewing .

An entirely flaky , pretty saturnine but implausibly peculiar take on being Santa , Bad Santaprovides the clowning alongside the crime in this dramatic caper that makes for grand gay wake .

Sidious, Tyranus, Maul, and Vader.

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

It would n’t be Christmas with aJames Bondfilm on the television and if you want to go truly Christmas themed thenOn Her Majesty ’s Secret Serviceis a solid choice . While George Lazenby sadly can not live up to Sean Connery ’s bequest the flick is still a heavy watch .

The story is hard and Diana Rigg is fantastic as Tracy . Lazenby is also an underratedBond . He receive a wad of stick but mostly it ’s simply because the Connery legacy is too bully to cope with . The game combines all the action , romance and drama you require in a Bond movie and it ’s setting adds some festive vibes to the occasion .

Trading Places

Starring Eddie Murphy and Dan Akroyd , this classic motion picture see businessman Louis Winthrope sent to the street and replaced by street floozy Billy Ray Valentine . The craft is a result of a bet between two moneyed businessmen . The consequences of this decision are hilarious as well as heartbreaking as the two men are thrown out of their comforter geographical zone .

The December setting and the most awkward Christmas party you ’ve ever see help put this movie on the gay favorite list . If you ’re in the modality for a great Christmas comedy , with some added drama and desperation , then look no further .

Die Hard & Die Hard 2

Before you shout me down listen me out as I justify the final , and likely most controversial , pick .

Die Hard(and its contiguous sequel ) are what I in person care to call Schrodinger ’s Christmas movies . Due to their setting at Christmas time , if someone evoke look on a Christmas movie thenDie Hardcounts ( as should any other flick which are set during the vacation time of year . )

However , asDie Hardis primarily an action franchise ( and one which everyone should have the freedom to observe all year round ) then at all other times they are NOT Christmas movies . Thus just like the qat is both dead and alive , theDie Hardmovies are both Christmas movies and not Christmas movies . As such you could ensure they have a place on your festive movie list , along with our other choice .

How Rachel Zegler’s

NEXT:10 Christmas Movies you’re able to Watch Year Round

Alternative Christmas Movies

The Nightmare Before Christmas Cropped

Santa in Rise of the Guardians

Batman with e christmas present behind him in batman returns

MCU Iron Man Versus Aldrich Killian Fire Iron Man 3

edward scissorhands Cropped

gremlins

Billy Bob Thornton as Willie Soke in his Santa hat and beard in Bad Santa

George Lazenby as Bond in the snow in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

Dan Aykroyd holding a gun to his temple in Trading Places

"I have a machine gun now" - Die Hard (1988)

Movies