Holiday Movies Even Christmas-Haters Love
If cheerful Christmas movies make you cringe, this list is for you. These darker holiday films mix horror, sarcasm, crime, and moodiness—perfect for anyone who wants something a little less shiny and a lot more interesting this season.
25. Silent Night (2021)
This one isn’t your usual warm holiday gathering. A family comes together for what they know is their last Christmas before a deadly event hits the world. It’s dry, strange, and oddly emotional—great for people who like their holidays uncomfortable.
Screenshot from Silent Night, RLJE Films (2021)
24. The Advent Calendar (2021)
A woman receives an old advent calendar that grants wishes but expects something terrible in return. The movie slowly gets creepier as the days pass. It’s stylish, tense, and perfect for anyone who thinks holiday stories should feel a little cursed.
Screenshot from The Advent Calendar, Siddhi Films (2021)
23. Fatman (2020)
Mel Gibson plays a rough, world-weary Santa being hunted by an annoyed kid’s hired assassin. It’s gritty, weird, and surprisingly entertaining. If you’re sick of wholesome Santa stories, this twisted action-comedy is a refreshing break from the usual sweetness.
Screenshot from Fatman, Saban Films (2020)
22. Better Watch Out (2016)
This starts out like a typical babysitter-at-Christmas setup, then flips into something darker and more unpredictable. It’s sharp, mean, and full of moments you don’t see coming. Great for viewers who enjoy holiday movies that take a hard left turn.
Screenshot from Better Watch Out, Universal Pictures (2016)
21. The Ice Harvest (2005)
Set on a cold Christmas Eve, this crime comedy follows two guys trying to pull off a robbery while everything goes wrong. It’s messy and cynical in the best way. A perfect pick if you want zero holiday cheer.
Screenshot from The Ice Harvest, Focus Features (2005)
20. Black Christmas (2006)
This slasher remake leans into chaos as sorority sisters get hunted during winter break. It’s bloody, campy, and doesn’t pretend to be anything else. If traditional holiday movies annoy you, this one’s loud, wild energy is a fun counterbalance.
Screenshot from Black Christmas, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (2006)
19. P2 (2007)
A woman leaving work on Christmas Eve ends up trapped in a parking garage by someone who refuses to let her go home. It’s tight, tense, and totally unnerving. Holiday music has never sounded creepier than it does here.
Screenshot from P2, Summit Entertainment (2007)
18. The Silent Partner (1978)
A bank teller notices a mall Santa preparing a robbery and decides to steal the money first, sparking a dangerous chase. It’s smart, cold, and suspenseful. The Christmas setting makes everything feel even stranger and more off-kilter.
Screenshot from The Silent Partner, Carolco Pictures (1978)
17. The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)
A mom recovering from amnesia starts remembering she used to be an assassin, right as her old life comes crashing back. With snowy holiday scenes and explosive action, it’s a great choice for anyone who wants Christmas with a side of chaos.
Screenshot from The Long Kiss Goodnight, New Line Cinema (1996)
16. The Lodge (2019)
A woman ends up snowed in at a cabin with her future stepkids, and everything slowly unravels into something unsettling. It’s quiet, cold, and heavy. If you like psychological horror more than holiday comfort, this one hits the mark.
Screenshot from The Lodge, Neon (2019)
15. Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Tom Cruise wanders through a strange, dreamlike New York during Christmas after a confession shakes his marriage. The holiday lights make the whole thing feel even more surreal. It’s moody, slow, and perfect for people who prefer atmosphere over cheer.
Screenshot from Eyes Wide Shut, Warner Bros. (1999)
14. Gremlins (1984)
It may look cute at first, but once the creatures multiply, the town falls apart fast. The mix of chaos, dark comedy, and Christmas decorations still works today. Great for anyone who finds traditional holiday movies too sweet.
Screenshot from Gremlins, Warner Bros. (1984)
13. Krampus (2015)
A family’s constant arguing ends up summoning Krampus, a monstrous creature who punishes them one by one. It’s creepy, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt. If you want a movie that pokes fun at holiday stress while adding real scares, this is it.
Screenshot from Krampus, Universal Pictures (2015)
12. Brazil (1985)
Set during a twisted, bureaucratic Christmas season, this movie feels like a holiday nightmare. Everything is exaggerated, messy, and strangely funny. It’s perfect for viewers who see the holidays as corporate chaos rather than magical joy.
Screenshot from Brazil, Universal Pictures (1985)
11. Tokyo Godfathers (2003)
Three homeless strangers find a baby on Christmas Eve and try to track down its parents. It’s gritty and emotional but also hopeful in a very real way. A great pick if you want a holiday story that feels honest, not sugary.
Screenshot from Tokyo Godfathers, Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan (2003)
10. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Edward’s quiet loneliness hits harder during the Christmas scenes, when he’s surrounded by people who don’t understand him. It’s imaginative, sad, and surprisingly tender. If you prefer bittersweet over cheerful, this one still holds up beautifully.
Screenshot from Edward Scissorhands, 20th Century Fox (1990)
9. The Ref (1994)
A burglar gets stuck playing mediator to a fighting couple on Christmas Eve. It’s loud, sarcastic, and packed with arguments. For anyone who finds picture-perfect Christmas families unrealistic, this chaotic comedy feels almost refreshing.
Screenshot from The Ref, Buena Vista Pictures Distribution (1994)
8. A Christmas Horror Story (2015)
This anthology jumps between several creepy holiday tales, including Santa battling zombie elves. It’s weird, energetic, and full of surprises. People who love horror but not holiday fluff will have a good time with this one.
Screenshot from A Christmas Horror Story, RLJ Entertainment (2015)
7. They Look Like People: Christmas Segment (2015)
Though only part of the movie takes place at Christmas, the holiday scenes add extra weight to the story’s paranoia and emotional struggle. It’s quiet, tense, and deeply human. A thoughtful option for viewers who like subtle, psychological darkness.
Screenshot from They Look Like People, OCN Distribution (2015)
6. Saint (2010)
This Dutch horror film imagines St Nicholas as a murderous ghost who returns every December to collect victims. It’s fast, bloody, and doesn’t hold back. A great pick if you want folklore with a vicious twist.
Screenshot from Saint, A‑Film Distribution (2010)
5. Black Christmas (1974)
This early slasher builds tension slowly as strange calls and disappearances haunt a sorority house during winter break. Its cold atmosphere still works decades later. Perfect for horror fans who don’t want anything warm or sentimental in their holiday viewing.
Screenshot from Black Christmas, Warner Bros. (1974)
4. The Green Knight (2021)
Set around Christmas in a dark medieval world, this fantasy follows Gawain’s dangerous journey into the unknown. It’s moody, strange, and beautifully shot. Great for viewers who prefer haunting winter vibes over holiday comfort.
Screenshot from The Green Knight, A24 (2021)
3. The Holdovers (2023)
This melancholy holiday movie follows a grumpy teacher stuck at school with a student who also has nowhere to go. It’s funny in a tired, honest way. Anyone who dislikes overly cheerful Christmas films might really connect with this one.
Screenshot from The Holdovers, Focus Features (2023)
2. Die Hard (1988)
A cop ends up battling terrorists in a skyscraper on Christmas Eve, turning the holiday into pure action. Its energy, humor, and nonstop tension make it a favorite for people who avoid traditional Christmas movies. It’s endlessly rewatchable for a reason.
Screenshot from Die Hard, 20th Century Fox (1988)
1. Bad Santa (2003)
A miserable con man posing as a mall Santa drinks, steals, and spirals through the season in the darkest way possible. It’s crude, weirdly heartfelt, and beloved by people who think Christmas movies are usually too sweet. A perfect anti-holiday classic.
Screenshot from Bad Santa, Miramax Films (2003)
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