The festive season is here, and you may be planning to settle in with some mince pies and watch a fun Christmas film.
TV schedules and streaming services are filled with old favourites such as Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life, and even modern classics such as Elf.
While these films are a staple of many people’s Christmas celebrations, you might be looking for something a little different this year. The good news is, there are some excellent Christmas-adjacent films to keep things interesting.
Here are some of the best alternative festive films to enjoy this year.
1. Die Hard (1988)
The 1988 classic action thriller Die Hard starts in much the same way as many other Christmas films. NYPD officer John McClane has let his work come before family, but he hopes that the festive season is the perfect opportunity to reconcile with them.
Yet, after some familiar scenes of our main character flying home for Christmas, the plot diverges. When a Christmas party turns into a hostage situation, McClane must rescue the civilians, including his wife, from Alan Rickman’s iconic villain, Hans Gruber.
While it was not originally intended to be a festive film, the sequel used the same Christmas Eve setting and both films end with the song ‘Let it Snow’. As a result, Die Hard has since become a firm favourite for those looking for alternatives to the old classics.
2. Gremlins (1984)
A parent searching for a last-minute present for their child is a common trope in Christmas films, and this is how Gremlins begins. That present turns out to be a mysterious creature called a “Mogwai”, which comes with a warning not to feed it after midnight.
The plot follows the chaos that ensues after this important rule is inevitably broken, and the town is overrun by monstrous Gremlins.
Yet, even though it is a comedy horror, it takes place in the lead up to the big day, with all of the atmosphere of the festive season, so it makes for great Christmas viewing.
3. Batman Returns (1992)
If you were to pick a Tim Burton film to watch over the festive period, The Nightmare Before Christmas might be the obvious choice. However, another of his films has become a popular alternative at this time of year.
Batman Begins, the second instalment with Michael Keaton as the caped crusader, takes place at Christmas in Gotham. The festivities are naturally overshadowed by a battle with Danny DeVito’s Penguin and a complex relationship with Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman.
Still, it’s a great choice if you want to get in the spirit with a film that has a festive backdrop and a slightly darker tone.
4. Trading Places (1983)
Eddie Murphy is a household name now but in 1983, he was a rising star taking on his second ever film role in Trading Places. Murphy plays Billy Ray Valentine, a street hustler who is down on his luck.
But things change over the Christmas holidays when he is forced to swap lives with Louis Winthorpe III, a commodities broker played by Dan Akroyd. Winthorpe’s employers construct an elaborate bet to see how he and Valentine will react if they change roles.
The story unfolds during Christmas parties and New Year’s Eve celebrations, with the two characters eventually coming together to share the wealth. This uplifting message is perfect for Christmas, even if this isn’t a traditional festive film.
5. Spencer (2021)
The tragic story of Princess Diana has seen renewed interest in recent years. Her tumultuous marriage to King Charles and her untimely death are the subject of the latest series of Netflix’s hit show, The Crown.
The 2021 film Spencer offers a different take, focusing on Christmas Eve at Sandringham in 1991. It follows Diana as she struggles with the isolation she feels in the royal family.
This semi-fictionalised version of events may be quite heavy, but the royal setting at Christmas still adds a certain charm.
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