Once a year millions of people scramble to prepare for the major holidays like Christmas and New Year. Watching movies is a tradition for many movie-fans during these holidays, especially Christmas time. There are so many wonderful Christmas movies to look forward to that are cheerful and filled with holiday spirit.
But, just like in real life, sometimes, things don't always turn out as planned, and that can be seen in some of these holiday releases. Take Bad Santa, for example. In this film, a man whose job is to dress up as Santa Claus and make children happy is actually a depressed drunk who hates the holidays and cannot stand the joy in others. There are many more tragic holiday movies, and here they are some just to name a few.
Black Christmas (2019) - 3.3
This movie was produced by Blumhouse Productions, which also produced Get Out and 2018's Halloween. The 2019 release Black Christmas was set to be a terrifying holiday horror, but it didn't rank well on IMDb. Critics and viewers complained that the movie was a disgrace to the original 1974 version because of its mediocre writing and bad acting.
The story follows a group of college girls whose schoolmates are being killed off during the Christmas season by a serial killer on campus who is on a holiday murder rampage. This movie is definitely a tragedy due to all the horrible bloodshed and it's low IMDb rating.
Jack Frost (1998) - 5.4
The main character in this movie is a family man played by actor Michael Keaton. Tragedy hits the story quickly when during the winter holidays he suffers an accident and dies. His son then builds a snowman, which comes to life as his dad.
As the new snow-dad, he finally has the time he never had to be with his son and build a bond. Sadly, viewers can assume that things will come to an end when spring arrives and melts all the snow away including dad. Although Jack Frost received an average rating, this movie is a classic and very well-known holiday flick.
Surviving Christmas (2004) - 5.4
Another Christmas movie that goes from cheery to sad is Surviving Christmas. The star cast includes Ben Affleck as the main character, Christina Applegate, Catherine O'Hara, and Josh Zuckerman. The film follows a lonely but wealthy advertising executive, Drew Latham (Ben Affleck) who pays a family living in his childhood home to pretend to be his family for the holidays.
Sadly, the family agrees and signs a contract that they deeply regret as Drew proves to be the worst guest ever. This movie is a true holiday tragedy as a family is forced to adhere to an egocentric and lonely man's Christmas demands.
Last Christmas (2019) - 6.5
For fans of comedy-romance, this movie is a rollercoaster of emotions, with scenes that will bring tears and others that will bring laughter. The tragic truth in this movie is the near-death and real death experiences that create an ironic outcome that is too good to be true but is still devastating to watch.
Actress Emilia Clarke from Game of Thrones plays the main role in this movie along with actor Henry Golding (upcoming Snake Eyes). The sad and ironic twist at the end of the movie seals their fate in a bittersweet moment.
The Best Man Holiday (2013) - 6.7
For movie fans who love drama, chaos, emotion, and sorrow, this is definitely the movie that takes the cake. The movie is set during a holiday get-together that goes terribly wrong as every member starts to really iron out their dilemmas with each other. The heaviest hit comes at the end when it is discovered that one of the members is terminally ill.
The dramatics in this plot only build up to have a tragic ending that will leave viewers in tears. Still, The Best Man Holiday is epic, with a star cast that includes Lawrence Howard, Nia Long, Taye Diggs, Morris Chestnut, and more. The entire Franchise of The Best Man is a kick to watch during the holidays.
The Family Man (2000) - 6.8
When a single Wall Street executive in New York, Jack Campbell (played by Nicolas Cage) is given a second chance he wakes up on Christmas day to find himself in new life married to his college girlfriend, Kate, played by Tea Leoni (Madam Secretary), and with two children.
Naturally, he is frantic and can't find a way out of this "dream." The movie progresses, showing Jack falling for his new family and his old flame. Everything seems to be going fine until he's ripped out of that reality and sent back to his normal lonely life. The tragedy in The Family Man is the cruel build-up of his love for his family, which disappears suddenly, leaving him with no one to love on Christmas day.
Bad Santa (2003) - 7
Actor Billy Bob Thornton plays as a swindler who ruins Christmas in this 2003 production. He dresses as Santa and works at a mall to bring holiday cheer to children. Instead, he drinks and plots to rob the mall along with his sidekick, Marcus played by Toni Cox.
Bad Santa is a tragic holiday movie because of the character's complete lack of holiday morals and his ridiculous plan of thievery. The movie does have a few positives and is rated high on the list for having an interesting concept, some comedic elements, and great performances.
Gremlins (1984) - 7.3
This 1984 movie directed by Joe Dante is about a man with good intentions who accidentally ruins Christmas for an entire town by purchasing a cute fluffy toy for his son. After not heeding the storekeeper's warnings, the toy starts to cause chaos and destruction, making the holidays not so jolly.
The movie Gremlins displays an interesting premise of how little cute things can turn to ugly monster things. This movie scored rather high on the list and is considered a holiday cult classic from the 80s. It gained so much popularity, in fact, that merchandise sold like wildfire after the initial release.
Home Alone (1990) - 7.6
Many movie fans consider this movie to be a favorite during the holiday season. Interestingly, Home Alone and all of its sequels are actually tragic holiday stories. Imagine a parent leaving their eight-year-old kid at home while they board a plane to travel across the world. That's what happens in this funny but unfortunate story about Kevin (played by Macaulay Culkin), a little boy who must fend for his own life and safety while two violent thieves attempt to break into his house and do him harm.
There are some heartbreaking moments in this movie, but there's also Christmas cheer, comedy, and a good bit of suspense to keep the holidays interesting.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) - 8
Director Tim Burton does a great job of portraying two worlds becoming one and things going horribly wrong in The Nightmare Before Christmas. When Jack Skellington from Halloween Town discovers Christmas Town, he becomes obsessed and decides to take Christmas into his own hands after kidnaping Santa Clause.
His decision causes distress and turmoil as jolly times turn into tragic times. Jack soon realizes the error of his ways, but the damage has already been done, and children have already been traumatized. The movie might follow Jack and his development as a character, but the irreparable havoc he imposed might stay in the memories of young children for life.