5 Unconventional Christmas Movies With an Edge

Get in the Christmas spirit with these unconventional, edgy Christmas films!

“Christmas Vacation,” “Elf,” “A Christmas Story.” These are staple Christmas-themed films that most everyone has come to love over the holidays. But while there are many that people love to list as their holiday favorites, there are a couple unconventional and edgy Christmas films that people might not think twice about.

While some may feel like a stretch and others are still debatable to this day, join me as I explore a few films with the Christmas theme but maybe not the spirit.

5. Lethal Weapon

Many don’t think of “Lethal Weapon” as a Christmas movie and with its theme…at least in the traditional sense. While Riggs and Murtaugh’s odd couple pairing is the highlight of the film, the setting is scattered with Christmas from beginning to end. One of the film’s opening scenes is to the tune of “Jingle Bell Rock,” there’s a cocaine bust in a Christmas tree lot, and the final fight takes place in a Christmas-lit neighborhood.

The Los Angeles setting may throw some off with its warm weather and lack of snow, but don’t miss the obvious. “Lethal Weapon” has a Christmas setting, it’s just not the Winter Wonderland many would expect.

4. Batman Returns

There’s no theme that can overshadow The Dark Knight but “Batman Returns” is plagued with the theme of Christmas. The Ice Princess being kidnapped at the lighting of the Gotham Christmas tree sets things into motion for the story. After that, the snow covered landscape and Christmas themed buildings and villains carry a subtle nod to the winter holiday.

If that weren’t enough, the romantic connection between Batman and Catwoman is sparked by mistletoe. The line, “Mistletoe can be deadly if you eat it…” is one of the most significant lines in the film and marks two climactic moments between Batman/Bruce Wayne and Catwoman/Selina Kyle.

Throughout “Batman Returns” a majority of characters are aware of the Christmas holiday and mention it through common dialogue. If Batman and his adversaries weren’t so lustrous characters, the Christmas theme may have been a bit more noticeable.

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3. Gremlins

This film mixes horror and comedy in a tale that turns cute and cuddly into frightening and vicious. “Gremlins” takes place in a smaller town where a strange but cute creature named Gizmo is introduced to a family around Christmas.

When Gizmo accidentally spawns numerous other creatures that transform into Gremlins, then the town is overcome by terrifying chaos. Despite the chaos, the setting is filled with Christmas trees, lights, wrapped gifts, and even Christmas cookies. And even though the Gremlins are the source of the horror, a particular Christmas story told by Phoebe Cates’ character is the most eerie part of the film.

“Gremlins” treads the line of horror and comedy but definitely infuses Christmas with its story.

2. Bad Santa

While “Bad Santa” may be an obvious Christmas-themed film, it’s definitely not conventional. Filled with sex, violence, and vulgar language, “Bad Santa” is far from the wholesome image painted for most Christmas films. A few examples of this crude behavior include grand larceny, murder, assaulting minors, and even propositioning prostitutes.

This may not be a film to watch with the family but it is definitely a comedic riot to watch with your more vulgar friends and peers.

1. Die Hard

This is a film that’s under some scrutiny right now for being considered a Christmas movie. But despite what a select number of polled panelist say, “Die Hard” is still considered to be a Christmas movie by many.

With songs like “Let It Snow” and RUN-DMC’s “Christmas in Hollis” having a presence in the film, it’s easy to see why people would associate “Die Hard” with Christmas. In addition to the music there are multiple Christmas references in the dialogue between characters. Probably the most notable references are from Bruce Willis’ character John McClane. “Now I’ve got a machine gun…HO HO HO” is probably the second most recognizable piece of dialogue outside of “Yippie Kay Yay…”

“Die Hard” may be an action based film but it is scattered with Christmas elements. I don’t know many non-Christmas films that would end on the song “Let it Snow.” To me, “Die Hard” will remain a Christmas tradition in my house.

What are some of your favorite unconventional Christmas films?