Unconventional Movies to Watch this Christmas

It’s no secret that I love a good horror movie and will find any excuse to watch them, even at Christmas time. From classic horror, to creature features, and even action movies, there are so many, unconventional, choices out there. Which I love to mix in with my favourite (more traditional) Christmas movies.

So since today is Friday 13th, which if you ask me is the perfect day for horror movies, and the release date of Christmas horror movie remake ‘Black Christmas‘, I thought it would be a great time to share some of my favourite, unconventional movies to watch this Christmas.

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Read more: Unconventional Movies to Watch this Valentines Day

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Gremlins

Gremlins was one of the first horror movies I ever watched, not that I found it overally horrific or scary. I actually found Gizmo very cute and the Gremlins quite funny to watch. It remains one of my favourite movies and I always re-watch it over the Christmas period.

The movie is set on Christmas Eve and begins with Billy (Zach Galligan) receiving a mogwai named Gizmo as a pet. But he quickly finds out that there are three rules to follow when caring for a mogwai. And failure to do so can have severe consequences.

Die Hard

The internet seems split on whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie. In my opinion any movie set on Christmas Eve has to count as one, and Die Hard is no exception. But instead of Santa coming down the chimney, we have Bruce Willis crawling through the ventilation system. Trying to save his wife and her coworkers being held hostage at their office holiday party

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Is it a Christmas movie? Is it a Halloween movie? Well, in our house it’s both. The story of ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ is both heart warming and spooky. It tells the tale of a misfit skeleton trying to find purpose, in all the wrong places. And when he tries to take over Christmas things go from bad to worse, as he wreaks havoc on the ‘human world’. The movie is funny, charming, and has a great soundtrack. What’s not to love?

The Shining

What(!?), I hear you shouting. A slightly alternative pick, but a film I’ve grown up watching during the Christmas period. Set during the Winter season Jack Torrance has been given the job as caretaker of the Overlook Hotel.

Jack Nicholson, in my opinion, is superb in the roll. I get engrossed in the movie and how his character slowly descends into madness brought on by cabin fever. Acting aside, the movie is suspenseful and the snow scenes are beautifully filmed.

When you’ve finished watching The Shining, make sure to check the sequel, Doctor Sleep. I watched it opening night with my family and was very impressed. It’s a great story and Ewan McGregor is exceptional as an adult Dan Torrance.

Black Christmas (1974)

The original Black Christmas was a classic slasher movie, about a group of sorority sisters being stalked during the holiday season. But when one of them goes missing and another girl winds up dead, they begin to wonder who the man on the end of the phone is; and none of them quite realising where he is… So if you’re looking for something a little scairer this Christmas, then this movie ticks all the boxes. And when your finished, why not check out the 2006 and 2019 remakes?

Bad Santa

If you enjoy dark or risque humour then you need to add Bad Santa to your Christmas movie list. The story follows Willie, an alcoholic sex-addict who works as a department store Santa. Though this isn’t the kind of Santa you’d want around your children! He’s a crude and dishonest petty thief who loves nothing more than robbing the malls he works at, afer closing time. But that doesn’t mean he can’t earn redemption in this dark comedy.

Batman Returns

Tim Burton’s second Batman film stars the caped crusader battling against two of his greatest foes; the seductive Catwoman and ever illusive Penguin. The movie itself is set against a Christmas backdrop, which brings a yuletide moodiness to Gotham. Making it a great addition to your Christmas movie list. Also, the movie has penguins! Which is an instant win for me.

Krampus

There are a lot of different folk stories surrounding the Christmas holiday, but this movie tells the story of a horned beast called Krampus that goes around punishing naughty children. Honestly after watching this movie you’ll never want to make it onto the naughty list!

What are some of your favourite unconventional Christmas movies? Let me know in the comments. And if you’re looking for some more suggestions, make sure to check out Britt’s Creepmas movie marathon picks.