Holiday Movies That Aren’t Actually About the Holidays

While many movies use the winter holidays as a setting, not all of them are about traditional holiday cheer. Often, filmmakers use snow and lights to create a striking contrast with genres like action or horror, resulting in a memorable atmosphere. People often rewatch these films during the winter because they offer a unique combination of seasonal visuals and thrilling stories. Here’s a list of twenty-five movies where the holidays provide the backdrop for crime and adventure, rather than heartwarming holiday tales.

‘Die Hard’ (1988)

Police officer John McClane goes to Los Angeles hoping to patch things up with his wife during her work Christmas party. However, the party is interrupted when a group of terrorists, led by Hans Gruber, take over the Nakatomi Plaza skyscraper and hold everyone hostage. McClane, armed with only his intelligence and a few weapons, has to find a way to stop them and rescue the hostages. The movie cleverly uses Christmas decorations, like Santa hats and wrapping tape, to create a striking contrast with the intense violence. It’s become a classic example of how a Christmas setting can make a thrilling action movie even more impactful.

‘Lethal Weapon’ (1987)

In Los Angeles, a seasoned detective nearing retirement and a reckless narcotics officer are forced to team up to bust a large drug operation. The story unfolds during Christmas, highlighting the isolation felt by one of the detectives. Their pursuit of the criminals leads to a dangerous showdown with highly trained mercenaries, ultimately ending in a violent clash on a brightly lit lawn decorated for the holidays.

‘Batman Returns’ (1992)

As the holidays approach, Batman finds himself facing three major challenges in Gotham City. The Penguin, a disfigured man, unexpectedly enters the mayoral race, while the enigmatic Catwoman pursues her own brand of justice. Adding to the chaos, ruthless businessman Max Shreck exploits the city for personal profit. The snowy streets and a large Christmas tree in Gotham Plaza become the backdrop for clashes between these dramatic characters. Director Tim Burton uses the winter season to enhance the story’s dark and melancholic atmosphere.

‘Gremlins’ (1984)

A salesman brings home a strange creature called a Mogwai as a Christmas gift for his son. The gift comes with three important rules, but they’re broken, leading to the creation of evil, mischievous monsters. These creatures cause mayhem in the town of Kingston Falls on Christmas Eve, attacking people and ruining the holiday spirit. The movie is a funny and scary blend of horror and comedy, turning traditional Christmas themes on their head with its dark humor and monster action.

‘Edward Scissorhands’ (1990)

A gentle man made of artificial parts, with scissors instead of hands, is welcomed into a typical suburban family after spending years living in isolation in a dark castle. He finds love with the family’s daughter and attempts to adjust to life in their colorful neighborhood. The story is told as a grandmother explains the origin of Christmas snow to her granddaughter. Edward, with his unusual hands, creates beautiful ice sculptures that magically bring snowfall to the town. The film’s touching, yet sad, ending establishes it as a classic fairy tale with a holiday setting.

‘Trading Places’ (1983)

In this holiday comedy, two rich brokers make a heartless bet: they swap the lives of an arrogant investor and a down-on-his-luck street performer. As both men struggle to adjust to their drastically different circumstances, they eventually uncover the scheme and join forces to get even with those who manipulated them, all unfolding during a chaotic day of trading. The film is set during the holidays in Philadelphia and cleverly emphasizes the gap between the wealthy and the poor, featuring a particularly memorable scene involving a tipsy Santa Claus at a company party.

‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’ (2005)

A small-time crook pretending to be an actor lands in Los Angeles and unexpectedly finds himself involved in a murder case. He joins forces with a private detective and an aspiring actress to unravel the mystery during Christmastime. The story is full of surprising twists and dark humor as the three uncover a larger conspiracy. The film is packed with quick-witted dialogue and holiday references, using the festive season as a backdrop to both celebrate and playfully subvert classic film noir tropes.

‘Iron Man 3’ (2013)

After the battle of New York, Tony Stark deals with anxiety and trouble sleeping. When a terrorist called the Mandarin starts bombing things, Stark finds himself stranded in Tennessee, without his Iron Man suit. He has to rely on his intelligence and skills to get inside the enemy’s headquarters and discover why these attacks are happening. The movie takes place during Christmas, and the holiday season’s themes of new beginnings and self-discovery are woven throughout the story. Director Shane Black uses the Christmas setting to make the action feel more personal and focused on Tony Stark’s journey.

‘Eyes Wide Shut’ (1999)

After a heartbreaking revelation from his wife, a doctor in New York City finds himself on a strange and perilous overnight adventure. He meets a series of unusual people, ultimately leading him to a masked gathering hosted by a hidden group. The city’s Christmas lights create a dreamy, almost unreal atmosphere, contrasting the warmth of the holiday season with the emotional coldness between the characters. The film delves into themes of jealousy and obsession, set against the backdrop of bustling holiday shopping and festivities.

‘In Bruges’ (2008)

After a job goes wrong, two hitmen are sent to lie low in a well-preserved medieval Belgian city. While the older hitman appreciates the historic atmosphere, his younger colleague struggles with guilt and impatience. Their boss eventually shows up to deal with the fallout, and the Christmas setting adds a touch of sadness to this darkly humorous story. The city itself feels like a place between worlds, where the characters await their destiny.

‘The Long Kiss Goodnight’ (1996)

A schoolteacher living in the suburbs wakes up with amnesia and slowly starts remembering she used to be a highly trained government assassin. While trying to figure out who she really is, she partners with a private investigator, all while being pursued by people from her past. The story unfolds during the holidays, with snowy scenery playing a big role. She uses the cover of the festive season to blend in before unleashing the fighting skills she’d forgotten. It’s a fast-paced action story combined with a journey of self-discovery and reclaiming one’s strength.

‘Go’ (1999)

After a drug deal goes south at a supermarket, the film follows three interconnected stories in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. We see a cashier struggling to pay her rent, and two soap opera stars caught up in legal problems. All this happens on Christmas Eve, creating a stark contrast between the holiday spirit and the characters’ desperate actions. The film captures the energy of young people and the rave culture, and shows how a single night can change everything for those involved, told through a non-traditional, fragmented timeline.

‘Carol’ (2015)

In the 1950s, a department store photographer finds herself falling for a woman stuck in an unhappy marriage. Their connection leads to a secret love affair that goes against the expectations of the time. As Christmas approaches, the two women run away together on a journey west. Against a backdrop of snow and holiday cheer, they share tender moments and unspoken desires. The film uses the Christmas season to examine feelings of loneliness and the bravery it takes to follow your heart.

‘Spencer’ (2021)

Princess Diana spends Christmas at Sandringham, but the festive occasion is far from cheerful. Over three difficult days, she battles her inner demons and feels trapped by the strict rules of royal life. The movie portrays the holiday as a mentally taxing experience, not a happy one. As her marriage falls apart, Diana imagines she sees the ghost of Anne Boleyn, hinting at her desire to escape. The cold, grand setting of Sandringham mirrors her feelings of loneliness and isolation.

‘Tangerine’ (2015)

On Christmas Eve, a transgender woman who previously worked as a sex worker is released from prison only to discover her partner has been unfaithful. She and her close friend embark on a frantic search through the streets of Los Angeles to confront the other woman. The film vividly portrays the unique blend of glamour and hardship in Hollywood during the holiday season, highlighting the experiences of people often overlooked in typical Christmas stories. Ultimately, it’s a story about the power of friendship and staying true to those you care about, all unfolding over the course of one wild day.

‘Rocky IV’ (1985)

Boxing legend Rocky Balboa takes on Ivan Drago, a powerful Soviet fighter created through genetic engineering. The fight is set for Christmas Day in Moscow, fueled by tragedy after Drago fatally injures Rocky’s friend, Apollo Creed, during a match. To prepare, Rocky endures a grueling training regimen in the harsh Russian winter, relying on basic equipment. The fight is a fierce battle of strength, broadcast globally on Christmas. Rocky’s win isn’t just a sporting achievement; it represents a hopeful easing of tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union, showcasing the power of sportsmanship.

‘Shazam!’ (2019)

Billy Batson, a boy in foster care, is on a quest to find his mother, but his search leads him to an ancient wizard who gives him incredible powers. By speaking a magic word, Billy turns into a powerful adult superhero and begins to learn how to use his abilities with the help of his foster brother. Set in Philadelphia during Christmas, the story culminates in an exciting battle at a carnival. The festive holiday season highlights the story’s themes of family and finding where you truly belong, blending thrilling superhero action with a heartwarming search for a home.

‘Brazil’ (1985)

In a bleak, bureaucratic future controlled by endless paperwork, a humble office worker longs to help a mysterious woman. When he tries to fix a simple mistake – caused by a computer glitch – he finds himself branded an enemy of the state. The story unfolds in a grim industrial setting, ironically decorated for Christmas, which underscores the strangeness and cruelty of the totalitarian government. Meanwhile, festive shoppers are caught in the crossfire of terrorist attacks, and the holiday imagery serves as a dark, satirical commentary on this oppressive world.

‘The Apartment’ (1960)

A driven but overlooked insurance clerk starts letting company executives use his apartment for secret meetings, hoping to impress his superiors and earn a promotion. Things get complicated when he falls for the elevator operator, who is also having an affair with his boss. The story reaches its peak during the busy Christmas and New Year season, with a crucial office holiday party serving as the backdrop for shocking revelations and life-changing choices. The film offers a blend of sharp commentary on office politics and a sweet, developing romance.

‘The Ice Harvest’ (2005)

Two criminals – a crooked lawyer and a mobster – try to rob their boss on Christmas Eve. Their escape from Wichita is foiled by icy conditions and their own poor planning. As the night goes on, things turn violent and they begin to betray each other, all while crossing paths with a cast of strange characters. The story unfolds in a cold, slick setting, with freezing rain and Christmas decorations highlighting a dark and dangerous situation. It’s a Christmas story where selfishness and staying alive matter more than goodwill.

‘Reindeer Games’ (2000)

A former car thief gets out of prison and pretends to be a deceased fellow inmate to win over a woman he’d only seen in pictures. However, her dangerous brother strongarms him into pulling off a casino robbery on Christmas Eve. To survive, he must keep up the charade while navigating the dangerous heist. The robbers cleverly disguise themselves as Santa Claus to get inside the casino, and the Christmas setting is key to both the robbery plan and the elaborate deception.

‘Less Than Zero’ (1987)

When a college student comes home to Los Angeles for the holidays, he discovers his old friend is struggling with a drug addiction. He attempts to help him escape a dangerous world of drug debts and dealers. The film highlights the stark contrast between the glamorous parties and wealthy lifestyles of the era and the characters’ downward spiral. It portrays a bleak Christmas season, marked by indulgence and despair, and offers a haunting look back at youth culture in the 1980s.

‘Three Days of the Condor’ (1975)

A quiet, bookish CIA researcher comes back from lunch to a shocking scene: his entire office staff has been murdered. Now a fugitive in New York City, he races to uncover who inside the agency is targeting him. The story unfolds during the busy Christmas season, making his desperate situation even more isolating. To find a safe haven and get answers, he reluctantly kidnaps a woman, and together they expose a dangerous conspiracy connected to oil and the pursuit of power. The chilling winter setting adds to the suspense of this thrilling, paranoid tale.

‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ (1969)

As a Bond fan, this one always hits me hard. It’s a classic ‘Bond goes undercover’ story – this time, he’s infiltrating a research facility hidden in the Swiss Alps, hunting down Blofeld. What he uncovers is truly terrifying: a scheme to spread a deadly virus using women who’ve been brainwashed. The film is packed with incredible ski chases and action, all set against the stunning, snowy backdrop of a Christmas holiday. And it’s more than just thrills; there’s a genuine love story, a wedding, and ultimately, a really tragic ending. The Christmas setting actually adds to the emotional weight, making it one of the most memorable and moving films in the entire series, in my opinion.

‘L.A. Confidential’ (1997)

In 1950s Los Angeles, three detectives—each with their own approach—investigate a mass murder at a coffee shop. Their investigation reveals widespread corruption reaching into the police force and city hall. A particularly violent incident of police brutality against prisoners on Christmas Eve, dubbed ‘Bloody Christmas,’ becomes a major scandal, exposing the dark side of Hollywood’s glamour. The film uses this historical setting to examine the true price of justice.

As a total movie buff, I’m always curious to hear what everyone watches during the holidays that isn’t a classic! So, I’d love to know – what’s your go-to, non-traditional holiday film that you make time for every year? Share in the comments – I’m looking for some new favorites!

2025-11-27 04:51