It’s Christmas time, and you know what that means! Carol singing, cookie baking, gift wrapping and- wait, have I lost you so far? Well, if you’re not as jolly as I am that it’s the most wonderful time of the year, have no fear! Tired of the old-school claymation Christmas stories? Can’t stand Buddy the Elf? Then I’ve got the movies for you!
Not everyone enjoys the holidays, and it’s somewhat understandable. But! Just because you’re not looking forward to Christmas, doesn’t mean you still can’t enjoy a Christmas movie. Lucky for you, over the years there’s been an output of some very different kinds of Christmas movies. From horror movies to dark comedies, here are five of the best alternative takes on the holiday season. Enjoy!
1) Anna and the Apocalypse (2017)
First on the list is one the greatest genre-bending films of all time, Anna and the Apocalypse. Not only is this the only Christmas-Zombie movie I can think of, it’s also a musical. Yep.
There’s quite a sad yet heart-warming story attached to the production of this film. Its based on the short film Zombie Musical, written and directed by Ryan McHenry, who passed away in 2015 at only 27 years old. This film was adapted from his short, and made in his honor.
It moves at a break-neck pace, nodding it’s head to films such as Shaun of the Dead and High School Musical, while carving out its own distinct and very merry style. What the film lacks in budget it makes up for with heart, soul, and gore. Every song is a catchy, ironic, BANGER, and all of the performers here really care about making a fun and entertaining Christmas-Zombie-Musical.
Its a beautiful thing to behold, and if you enjoy your movies quirky, you’ll love this cutesy horror Christmas jukebox.
2) Bad Santa (2003)
Now, if you really, really despise the holiday season? This is the one for you. Not only is Bad Santa a great Anti-Christmas movie, it’s also one of the funniest things ever made.
First, transport yourself back to 2003. I will say, this movie may not be as “Politically Correct” as all of these others, but that’s on purpose. This film is acidic, awful, putrid, repulsive, disturbed, vulgar, and horribly offensive. Just like the Grinch!
So, if you like your humor dark, and your stories thin on plot, have no fear. The great Billy Bob Thornton plays a diabolical alcoholic, Willie, who has absolutely nothing going for him. He and his accomplice, Marcus, played by the great Tony Cox, pose as a mall Santa and his Elf in order to rob malls blind each holiday season.
What happens next, I dare not spoil, as it gets weirder and wilder by the minute. But Willie must face a challenge like never before, and learn a bit more about Christmas along the way- or die trying!
3) Black Christmas (1974)
And now for the classic anti-Christmas movie, Black Christmas. I have not seen the 2006 or 2019 remakes, though I am certain they are not nearly as good as this shlocky and, sadly, hidden gem.
Did you know? This film is considered one of the first slasher-horror films. It even inspired Halloween, (a much more iconic holiday horror film), using the “Killer’s POV” concept five years before the original Halloween‘s release. Pretty dope stuff.
When I first watched this film I expected nothing more than a campy, schlocky horror slasher, and it is all of those things, to be sure! But it also has some fantastic cinematography, great acting, characters you care about, and some devilishly creative death scenes.
So, if you’re a horror-hound looking for something different this holiday season, take a look at this one. You will not be disappointed.
4) A Very Harold & Kumar 3-D Christmas (2011)
This is the one for my stoners in the group, oh yeah! If you haven’t seen the Harold and Kumar series, you’ll probably either love it or hate it, depending on your tolerance for juvenile and silly humor. A Very Harold and Kumar 3-D Christmas brings their traditionally goofy style to delirious new heights.
I’d argue that this is the best of the trilogy, honestly. It’s got the biggest budget, and Kal Penn and John Cho didn’t let this go to their heads. Despite being probably the wildest entry in the trilogy, it also feels like the most mature.
It’s got a crisp hour and half runtime, some great additional supporting actors, and, as always, Neil Patrick Harris. (This is my personal favorite showcase of the actor playing a ridiculously offensive version of himself, it’s a delight).
So, roll yourself a Christmas tree, light up, and you will have a most hilarious time.
5) Better Watch Out (2016)
Last but, absolutely not least, is another holiday-horror-hidden gem from the 2010s, Better Watch Out. I’ll never forget watching this film for the first time with a group of friends- our jaws dropped to the floor.
This movie is a twisty and evil little film, about a babysitter and the children she’s watching who are suddenly under siege by a mysterious intruder. The acting here is honestly some of the best I’ve seen in such a campy and underrated horror film.
The way the plot unfolds is brilliant, and I really can’t say much more about it. The soundtrack is grand, sporting some great alternative Christmas tunes, and all of the actors understand the assignment completely. You will be shocked, appalled, and hopefully, laughing your ass off throughout the runtime.
It’s a twisted and absurd Christmas Comedy Horror movie to boot, and much like the others, will scratch that anti-jolly itch.
