If gooey, sugary, doo-gooder Christmas movies have you testing your blood sugar every season, there are some films that will take the holiday edge off while entertaining you.
I decided this year to do something a little different than my normal Christmas movie marathon of feel good movies. I wanted something off beat, yet still entertaining. I found ten films that will replace my normal marathon. My friends can’t wait to sit down with a hot cup of cocoa, munch on Christmas cookies and laugh at the movies. I’ll share them with you.
Some of these films are available at DVD rental stores, for sale and online viewing at sites such as Hulu and Crackle.
Bad Santa
Nobody does bad like Billy Bob Thornton. A down-on-his-luck criminal and friend decide to rob the mall. The best way inside is to take a job as a mall Santa. The problem is that he becomes involved with a child who needs help and a security guard boss who figures things out. From there, things get interesting.
This 2003 movie went over so well that a sequel was made. Sadly, the sequel did not live up to the original, which is the way of sequels. Paired together, the two make an off-beat Christmas movie marathon fun.
National Lampoons Christmas
Hands up, everyone who dreads the yearly invasion- er, holiday visit by the relatives. Clark Griswold’s relatives make everyone else’s seem not-so-bad. Clark’s house lighting ceremony has become a classic staple of going too far with too many lights. The sight of the electric meter nearly exploding is too funny for words. Of course, if you’ve seen the movie, you know the plot. If you haven’t, you should. Cousin Eddie simply has to be seen to be enjoyed.
The Ref
What’s a thief to do when he takes a family hostage and winds up becoming a referee instead? Of all the places to rob during the Christmas season, Gus has to deal with being abandoned by his partner, which in turn forces him to take the family from hell hostage. I won’t give any more of the plot away, but you have to see this film to believe it and laugh yourself silly.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Tim Burton took a huge chance in 1993 when he made a film that was vastly different from the sugary-sweet Christmas feel-good movies of the day.
Jack Skellington, who runs Halloween Town, wants to do something different. He takes a chance and tries to run Christmas- with disastrous results. This film is cute, funny and isn’t really scary at all. It helps to teach children that everyone has special gifts and to make the most of them.
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale
This 2010 Finnish film is a new take on the “Santa Claus” theme. Without giving any of the plot away, this film is one that will have you looking out the window to see if the fat man is really watching to see if you are naughty or nice. Although there is minimal language, there is brief nudity and the overall theme is not for small children.
Santa’s Slay
What if Santa were Santa because he lost a bet? This 2005 film explores the notion that Santa was no saint, but a demon instead. It is not for small children. For those who want to take the edge off Christmas shopping and all the feel-good movies, this will do the trick. You have to watch it to believe it.
Jack Frost
You’ll never look at a snowman the same way again after watching this 1997 flick. A serial killer is transformed into a snowman during an accident and becomes a killer snowman. I’m not giving the plot away, believe me. There is a lot more to this flick, and adults will love watching a terrific movie. It has a sequel as well, and the two together are hilarious fun. Watch it first before deciding to let small children view it.
Edward Scissorhands
This Christmas movie launched the career of Johnny Depp, who plays the titular character. Made in 1990 with the legendary Vincent Price, it has a unique story line and amazing acting. What better setting than the Christmas season to teach people how to accept those who are different? You’ll cry for Edward in this amazingly beautiful movie.
Santa Claus Conquers The Martians
This oldie from my childhood has become as much of a staple as unwrapping presents. It was filmed during the height of the Cold War, which provides some of the background dialogue and plot. It was 1964, after all. It’s one of those sappy, happy, sugary children’s films that the other films on this list try not to be.
I have included it in this list because it’s a really bad film. But it’s so bad it’s good. Really. The plumbing hardware on the Martian’s heads and the ray guns that were being sold in the stores at the time; they were Air Blasters, made by Whammo.
One thing is for sure- if anyone complains about your choice of Christmas movies, put this on. They’ll stop complaining. If that doesn’t work, break out the eggnog.
Source: The author of this article has over 40 years of experience in diverse subjects and skills such as DIY, home improvement and repair, crafting, designing, and building furniture, outdoor projects, RV’ing and more.
