Yippee-Ki-Yay, Mother Elf-er: Unconventional Christmas Movies
The holiday season can devolve into watching A Christmas Story on repeat for several days in a row; we know that you’ve already seen it, but you still can’t drag yourself away. Still — and we’re not ashamed to admit it — we can’t (or won’t) stop either. In fact, our philosophy is... bring on the Christmas movies! We’re going to embrace the Christmas movie tradition and — just like the Grinch — make our hearts grow three sizes bigger and ugly cry through every Christmas movie we can find on Netflix (even if we’ve seen it 12 times before).
Whether you’re a fan of Christmas classics like It’s a Wonderful Life or Miracle on 34th Street, or you just can’t get enough of hilarious favorites like Elf and Home Alone, it seems like everyone has that one special Christmas movie that they have to watch every year. But, if you’d rather walk barefoot on Christmas tree ornaments or take an iron to the face (seriously though, how are Home Alone’s Wet Bandits not dead?) then we have a list of the 5 most unconventional Christmas movies just for you!
1) Children Throwing Snowballs Instead of Throwing Heads: The Nightmare Before Christmas
The pumpkin king’s attempt to kidnap Santa Claus makes this Christmas-inspired movie a tad darker than your usual Christmas fare.
Still... is there anything more festive than a Scrooge-like character learning the true meaning of Christmas? Nope! Jack Skellington is the ultimate Grinch; he literally wants to steal Christmas for himself.
Thankfully, after a series of misadventures, Jack learns the true meaning of Christmas. He learns that the holiday is about more than just wearing a white beard, a red hat, and putting presents under the tree; it’s a time to embrace and appreciate the people around us and all they do — even if they are the ghouls and goblins of Halloween Town.
2) We Come in Peace (and Joy): Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
This little holiday gem from 1964 doesn’t usually make it on people’s “Nice List” of Christmas movies to watch with the family.
And — well — that’s because it falls in the category of “it’s so bad, it’s good” kind of thing. Er... actually... it’s more like it’s just so bad, it’s actually bad.
But how can you not love a story about Martians kidnapping Santa Claus to bring cheer and the Christmas spirit to the children of Mars?
And, in the end, an alien named Dropo becomes the Martian Santa Claus and children across the planet rejoice. So, that’s pretty festive and adorable
3) Hate Christmas and Everybody Makes You Feel Like You're a Leper: Gremlins
Gremlins is definitely not your typical Christmas movie. For instance, Kate’s story about finding her dead dad stuck in the chimney dressed as Santa Claus? Whoahhh, that is pretty heavy for a feel-good Christmas flick! But, if you are looking for that special something that isn’t your typical Christmas movie, then this is the one for you!
Plus, you get to see Gizmo in adorable Santa hat. You’ll be able to enjoy the movie as long as you don’t feed Gizmo after dark, get him wet, or...um...oh no. What’s the 3rd rule?!
4) We'll Still Have Our Christmas Party: Edward Scissorhands
Tim Burton’s beautiful and dark fantasy, Edward Scissorhands, is far from the expected or usual “cheery” Christmas film.
Still, the story of the lonely and “monstrous” Edward is also a perfect way to discuss some of the more melancholy feelings associated with the holidays as well.
It is a film that highlights what it means to be different, weird, or feel a sense of alienation during the Christmas season.
Even though the film ends on a bittersweet note, there is the hope that love and acceptance (if even only by a special few) can help us overcome our differences and give everyone the chance to dance in the snow!
5) Yippee-Ki-Yay: Die Hard
We know that there’s been some controversy about whether or not the beloved Alan Rickman and Bruce Willis masterpiece, Die Hard, can be considered a Christmas movie.
All we can say is... if you don’t think this is the greatest Christmas movie ever made, then you can just fall off the Nakatomi Plaza skyscraper and take that humbug attitude with you!
Not only did it spawn the greatest “ugly” sweater of them all with the infamous “Now I have a machine gun. Ho-ho-ho” scene, or have the ultimate Scrooge in the character Hans Gruber, but it’s also a story about family and doing anything imaginable to be with them on the holidays (even fighting terrorists). And isn’t Christmas all about family? Case closed.
Whatever movie you spend your holiday vacation watching, we hope that it makes your season merry and bright! Don’t let anyone make you feel guilty about watching Die Hard this Christmas, or ugly crying when Kevin McCallister sees his mom on Christmas morning! We want you to be happy and smile all season (smiling’s our favorite just like Buddy the Elf) so watch your favorite Christmas movie and wear a DBH Christmas t-shirt too.
