Watching Christmas movies, whether consciously or just out of the traditional habit of the season, is inevitable during the most wonderful time of the year. But watching the same reruns of Rudolph, Frosty, Scrooge, and Charlie Brown can get tedious and boring after a decade or two. So, why not throw on something different?
There's nothing wrong with the more traditional holiday fare, everyone has their favorite cutesy, warm-and-fuzzy Christmas flick. But sometimes viewers want something with a little more spice than sugar. So, thanks to the lovely folks at IMDb, watchers can easily pick some of the best-rated alternative Christmas flicks for the holiday season.
Krampus (2015) - 6.2
Nothing says Christmas like a giant, hooded monster that eats naughty children, right? Krampus is to Christmas what Trick r' Treat is to Halloween, a dark side to an otherwise festive holiday. When a young boy is fed up with his dysfunctional family, he unwittingly summons Krampus, a holiday demon who gives the Engle family a not-so-merry Christmas. Assisted by his evil elves and terrifying toys, the horned holiday monster makes for anything but a silent night.
The Ref (1994) - 6.9
And now for something completely different, though to call this film light-hearted would be more than a bit of a stretch. When a thief breaks into the home of a bickering rich couple, he takes them hostage and has to play marriage counselor to keep the peace as he hides from the authorities.
Almost nobody is likable in this dysfunctional Christmas flick, and it's home to some of the most brutal insults in any comedy movie period. Honestly, it's a crime it only gets a 6.9 rating.
Nutcracker: The Motion Picture (1986) - 7.0
Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker ballet is a time-honored Christmas tradition that children have loved for decades. Nutcracker: The Motion Picture is almost none of those things. Unlike most productions, this Nutcracker takes more from the book by E.T.A. Hoffman than the mad Russian's Christmas visions. There is no Sugarplum Fairy, the Mouse King is a seven-headed kaiju, and Drosselmeyer has some serious creeper vibes going on. Needless to say, things get really weird really fast.
Batman Returns (1992) - 7.0
Who wouldn't want to spend the holidays with Gotham's Dark Knight? Although this Christmas with the Caped Crusader has only been truly recognized as a holiday classic in recent years, Batman Returns deserves a spot on the watch-list this season.
From swinging down to fight crime in front of a gigantic Christmas tree to brooding over Gotham City's snowy rooftops, there are plenty of moments in this Tim Burton masterpiece that deserve to be comic-book Christmas cards.
Gremlins (1984) - 7.3
It's been repeated and repeated, but some people are quick to forget that Gizmo was indeed a Christmas present. Ergo, he should have a place on the screen by the glow of the twinkling lights. Not to mention, isn't it always fun seeing Stripe and his gang of green Gremlin buddies wreak havoc on Christmas eve? It might not be the most holly-jolly on the list, but to say it isn't a classic is completely untrue.
Father Christmas (1991) - 7.5
Father Christmas might be more kid-friendly than Gremlins, but it does offer a very different look at Santa Claus. The animated feature shows how St. Nick spends a year away from the Christmas duties as he takes a vacation around the globe.
Not only do viewers get to see Santa enjoy Scotland and France, but they see him drink, smoke, and gamble in a Las Vegas Casino! Well, that's certainly one way to stay jolly.
A Christmas Carol (1971) - 7.6
Not only did this version win an Oscar, see Alistair Sim reprise his role as Ebenezer Scrooge, feature Chuck Jones in the director's chair, but it's considered one of the most book-accurate versions of A Christmas Carol available. Since it pulls from both the original text and illustrations, the short gets spooky as soon as Jacob Marley appears at the front door. And it doesn't stop there. It's the perfect balance of festive and frightening that most adaptations of the book can only dream of.
Edward Scissorhands (1990) - 7.9
Although it's not strictly a Christmas movie, Tim Burton's strange and unusual fairytale features several pieces of wintery imagery that are definitely Christmas-card-worthy in the eyes of any Burton fan.
Pair the story of an inventor's lonely creation discovering suburbia with Danny Elfman's incredible score and angelic choirs, there's definitely some festive elements going on here. It's a perfect romantic movie for a date-night on a cold and frosty evening.
Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) - 8.0
Of course, how can one possibly talk about Tim Burton and Christmas without this stop-motion masterpiece? Jack Skellington's Christmas plot is beloved by a tsunami of fans on Halloween, but it definitely deserves a second viewing on Christmas as well. The Nightmare Before Christmas has been described as a twisted version of a Rankin/Bass holiday special, so why not watch it alongside Rudolph and Frosty? Maybe Jack should come by more often?
The Snowman (1982) - 8.2
Tired of watching Frosty? Try watching Raymond Briggs's The Snowman. Not one word of dialogue is said, but this tale of a snowman coming to life says more than one might think. It's an underrated, emotional gem and while the books the film was based on are moderately successful, it still doesn't get nearly the views it deserves. Worth more than an 8.2, and definitely worth more than a few extra watchings.