Tired of the usual movie fare?

What gets mentioned when people discuss winter holiday traditions? Food; games maybe? Presents? Religious attendance or traditions, at a guess.

For my family, it was movies. 

Movies the night before Christmas, to be precise. A white wall cleared of stuff, the projector set up, and my dad choosing the movies from the battered cardboard box. Usually the same movies, but some years there were surprises.

All were 35mm films, sometimes requiring more than one reel. They’re stored in round metal canisters, still in the battered box.

I remember “Steamboat Willie” with a very strange Mickey Mouse, and old films of my sister and me, roller-skating in the driveway. (And me knocking her down because she said something. Her trying to get up to go after me.)

TV offered minimal variety, this being pre-cable, pre-computer, pre-internet. “The Wizard of Oz” was the Christmas movie each year. We watched all those ‘60s and ‘70s puppet movies: 

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”

“The Little Drummer Boy”

“Santa” something something

The Heatmeister one

That Charlie Brown Christmas tree show

My family sat on the orange shag watching TV and movies, eating Jack in the Box burgers, candy and mail-order petit fours. The lights were off to improve the experience. Sticky sweet bits and squirts of ketchup were lost in the carpet forever. 

And now

It’s changed, of course. Streaming means we can watch shows on demand and where we want. Culture flexes and becomes something new. But the past favorites come around again. 

All that to say that I reached out to friends, family and total strangers to ask about their formative holiday movies. What did they love? What do they watch now, and what did they watch then (and not love—that matters too)?

Maybe it’s who my friends and family are, but the movies they shared did not include “It’s a Wonderful Life” or even that Charlie Brown one. 

If you were never moved by the holiday standards, read on. Could be you’ll find something to watch here, wherever you watch movies, with your loved ones. Whoever they are. 

“Die Hard” (1988)

Man tries to save his family and their celebration from terrorists. The saving-your-family side of Christmas. Has holiday music and an office party. Bruce Willis.

“The Lion in Winter” (1968)

Henry II lets Eleanor of Aquitaine out of jail for Christmas. It doesn’t go well. Katherine Hepburn and Peter O’Toole.

“Violent Night” (2022)

Santa Claus vs. mercenaries. John Leguizamo, Beverly D’Angelo, David Harbour.

“Lethal Weapon” (1987)

Apparently there’s an argument online over which bloody movie is more full of the holiday spirit: “Lethal Weapon” or “Die Hard.” LW covers the sad, lonely and depressed side of Christmas. And isn’t there a Christmas tree lot in there? Mel Gibson, Danny Glover.

“Joyeux Noel” (2005)

The informal World War I Christmas truce, when soldiers simply stopped fighting for a day and met to share food and drink in No Man’s Land. Christian Carion, Guillaume Canet.

“The Shining” (1980)

Of course this is a Christmas movie, and not just because it’s winter outside and the family is trapped together. Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd.

“Anna and the Apocalypse” (2017)

The zombie apocalypse arrives at Christmas and singing ensues. Ella Hunt.

“A Midnight Clear” (1992)

 In World War II, U.S. soldiers set up an observation post in France, expecting enemy soldiers. Those Germans who arrive have other plans. Peter Berg, Kevin Dillon.

“Batman Returns” (1992)

What is family? Catwoman and her cats love each other. Everyone else seems kind of solitary. Michael Keaton, Michelle Pfeiffer, Danny DeVito.

“Gremlins” (1984)

Break pet-care rules and bad things happen. The gremlin is a Christmas present, so that makes this a holiday movie. Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates.

“Spencer” (2021)

You think you have in-law troubles? Try being Princess Diana visiting her husband’s family at Christmas. Kristen Stewart.

“Edward Scissorhands” (1990)

Young Edward, yes, has scissors for hands. Ice sculptures at Christmas. Johnny Depp.

“All That Heaven Allows” (1955)

A wealthy widow and a younger man—a landscape gardener—brave social disdain and find romance. Jane Wyman, Rock Hudson.

“Krampus” (2015)

An old-world demon arrives to punish an unhappy family at Christmas. Adam Scott, Toni Collette.

Screen Rant recommends :

“Jack Frost” (1998)

Kid’s father dies, kid plays magic harmonica to bring him back, dad returns as a snowman. Michael Keaton, Kelly Preston.

Apparently there was a “Jack Frost” in 1997 too. Serial killer meets vehicle carrying genetic research, he turns into snow, keeps killing. But I didn’t mean that one. Shannon Elizabeth, Scott MacDonald.

“Black Christmas” (1974)

Creepy phone calls, a murder and a vanishing woman spoil Christmas break at a sorority house. Olivia Hussey, Margot Kidder.

“Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993)

Jack Skellington tries to imbue his Halloween town with the Christmas spirit. Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara.

Screen Rant also obligingly reminded us about 

“Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever” (2014) 

starring the now-late celebrity cat. That’s going on the to-watch list. 

Do you have your weirder favorites? Let us know in the comments online or in an email to copyeditor@riverreporter.com. Because the petit fours are on order and the candy is in the bowl. It’s time to relax and enjoy the season.