Holiday Movies That Aren’t Actually About the Holidays

Many films incorporate the holiday season as a backdrop without focusing on traditional festive themes or sentimental messages. These movies often utilize the aesthetic of snow and twinkling lights to contrast with genres like action or horror and create a unique atmosphere. Audiences frequently return to these titles during the winter months for their distinct blend of seasonal setting and intense storytelling. The following list explores twenty-five films where the holidays serve as a stage for narratives involving crime and adventure rather than gift exchanges.

‘Die Hard’ (1988)

New York police officer John McClane travels to Los Angeles to reconcile with his estranged wife during her company holiday party. Terrorists led by Hans Gruber seize the Nakatomi Plaza skyscraper and take the employees hostage in a calculated heist. McClane must rely on his wits and limited weaponry to neutralize the threat and save the captives. The film utilizes Christmas imagery like Santa hats and wrapping tape to juxtapose the violent action sequences. It remains a quintessential example of how a festive setting can enhance a gritty thriller.

‘Lethal Weapon’ (1987)

Two mismatched Los Angeles police detectives must work together to uncover a massive drug smuggling ring. Veteran sergeant Roger Murtaugh is just days away from retirement while Martin Riggs is a volatile narcotics officer on the edge. The story takes place during the Christmas season and uses the holiday as a stark contrast to the loneliness Riggs experiences. Their investigation leads them into a dangerous confrontation with special forces mercenaries. The final act culminates in a brutal fight on a front lawn illuminated by festive lights.

‘Batman Returns’ (1992)

The caped crusader faces a triple threat in Gotham City as the holiday season approaches. A deformed man known as the Penguin emerges from the sewers to run for mayor while the mysterious Catwoman seeks her own form of justice. Batman must also contend with corrupt businessman Max Shreck who manipulates the city for his own gain. The snowy streets and giant Christmas tree in Gotham Plaza serve as the primary battlegrounds for these larger than life characters. Director Tim Burton uses the winter setting to amplify the gothic and tragic elements of the story.

‘Gremlins’ (1984)

A gadget salesman buys a mysterious creature called a Mogwai for his son as a unique Christmas present. The gift comes with three strict rules that are accidentally broken and result in the spawning of malevolent reptiles. These mischievous monsters unleash chaos upon the small town of Kingston Falls on Christmas Eve. The film blends horror and comedy as the creatures attack locals and sabotage holiday decorations. It famously subverts traditional holiday tropes with its dark humor and creature violence.

‘Edward Scissorhands’ (1990)

An artificial man with scissors for hands is taken in by a suburban family after living alone in a gothic castle. He falls in love with the daughter of the family and tries to adapt to regular life in the pastel neighborhood. The story frames the narrative around an elderly woman telling her granddaughter why it snows on Christmas. Edward uses his unique hands to create ice sculptures that produce a magical snowfall for the town. The bittersweet ending cements the film as a modern fairy tale set against a holiday backdrop.

‘Trading Places’ (1983)

Two wealthy commodities brokers make a cruel bet to switch the lives of a snobbish investor and a street hustler. The experiment takes place over the holiday season and forces both men to adapt to their new and jarring realities. They eventually discover the wager and team up to seek revenge on the manipulators during a frantic day on the trading floor. The film uses the festive Philadelphia setting to highlight the disparities between the rich and the poor. A drunken Santa Claus at a corporate party serves as one of the most memorable scenes.

‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’ (2005)

A petty thief posing as an actor arrives in Los Angeles and gets entangled in a complex murder investigation. He teams up with a private eye and a struggling actress to solve the mystery during the Christmas season. The plot weaves through twisted narrative turns and dark comedy as the trio uncovers a deep conspiracy. Frequent references to the holidays appear throughout the film alongside rapid fire dialogue. The script uses the festive backdrop to pay homage to classic noir films while deconstructing the genre.

‘Iron Man 3’ (2013)

Tony Stark struggles with anxiety and insomnia following the alien invasion of New York. A terrorist known as the Mandarin orchestrates a series of bombings that leaves the hero stranded in snowy Tennessee without his suit. Stark must use his engineering skills to infiltrate the enemy base and uncover the truth behind the attacks. The film is set explicitly during Christmas and features themes of rebirth and identity associated with the season. Writer and director Shane Black uses the holiday setting to ground the superhero spectacle in a character driven story.

‘Eyes Wide Shut’ (1999)

A New York City doctor embarks on a bizarre and dangerous night long odyssey after his wife reveals a painful secret. His journey leads him through various encounters with strangers and eventually to a masked orgy held by a secret society. The streets of the city are decorated with Christmas lights that give the film a dreamlike and surreal quality. The holiday atmosphere provides a warm visual counterpoint to the cold emotional distance between the characters. It explores themes of jealousy and obsession against the backdrop of festive consumerism.

‘In Bruges’ (2008)

Two hitmen are ordered to hide out in a medieval Belgian city after a job goes terribly wrong. The older hitman enjoys the historic sights while his younger partner becomes increasingly restless and guilt ridden. Their boss eventually arrives to correct the mistake amidst the foggy canals and cobblestone streets. The film is set during the Christmas season which adds a layer of melancholy to the dark comedy. The beautifully preserved city serves as a purgatorial waiting room for the characters as they face their fate.

‘The Long Kiss Goodnight’ (1996)

A suburban schoolteacher with amnesia begins to recover memories of her past life as a lethal government assassin. She teams up with a private investigator to uncover her true identity while being hunted by former associates. The action takes place during the holidays and features snowy landscapes and frozen lakes as key set pieces. The protagonist uses the festive season to hide in plain sight before unleashing her dormant combat skills. It combines high octane action with a story about rediscovering one’s power.

‘Go’ (1999)

Three intertwining stories unfold in Los Angeles and Las Vegas after a drug deal goes wrong at a supermarket. The narrative follows a cashier trying to make rent money and two soap opera actors facing legal trouble. The events occur on Christmas Eve and capture the chaotic energy of youth culture and the rave scene. The holiday setting serves as an ironic backdrop for the illicit activities and desperate decisions of the characters. The non-linear storytelling reveals how one night impacts multiple lives.

‘Carol’ (2015)

A young department store photographer falls for an older woman trapped in a loveless marriage during the 1950s. Their connection sparks a forbidden romance that challenges the societal norms of the era. The Christmas season amplifies the emotional stakes as the two women embark on a road trip west. Snowy landscapes and festive decorations frame their intimate moments and silent longing. The film uses the holiday period to explore themes of isolation and the courage required to pursue authentic love.

‘Spencer’ (2021)

Princess Diana arrives at the Sandringham estate for the traditional royal Christmas festivities. She struggles with her mental health and the suffocating protocols of the monarchy over three intense days. The film depicts the holiday gathering as a psychological trap rather than a joyful celebration. Diana envisions the ghost of Anne Boleyn as she contemplates escaping her crumbling marriage. The cold winter setting reflects her internal state of freezing isolation amidst the opulence.

‘Tangerine’ (2015)

A transgender sex worker is released from prison on Christmas Eve and learns her boyfriend has been unfaithful. She tears through the streets of Los Angeles with her best friend to find the woman involved. The film captures the sunny and gritty atmosphere of Hollywood during the holidays. It focuses on the marginalized communities often ignored by traditional festive narratives. The story emphasizes the importance of friendship and loyalty over a chaotic single day.

‘Rocky IV’ (1985)

Boxing champion Rocky Balboa agrees to fight a biologically engineered Soviet captain named Ivan Drago. The match is scheduled for Christmas Day in Moscow after Drago kills Rocky’s friend Apollo Creed in the ring. Rocky trains in the frozen Russian wilderness using primitive equipment to prepare for the bout. The fight itself is a brutal exchange of power broadcast to the world on the holiday. The victory serves as a symbolic thawing of Cold War tensions through the lens of sportsmanship.

‘Shazam!’ (2019)

A foster child named Billy Batson searches for his mother but instead finds an ancient wizard who grants him superpowers. He transforms into an adult hero by saying a magic word and explores his new abilities with his foster brother. The story takes place in Philadelphia during the Christmas season and features a carnival showdown. The holiday setting underscores the themes of family and belonging that are central to Billy’s journey. It balances the excitement of comic book action with the warmth of finding a true home.

‘Brazil’ (1985)

A low level bureaucrat dreams of saving a mysterious woman while working in a dystopian society ruled by paperwork. He becomes an enemy of the state after trying to correct an administrative error caused by a squashed bug. The grim industrial world is decorated with garish Christmas decorations that highlight the absurdity of the totalitarian regime. Terrorist bombings occur in shopping malls filled with festive shoppers and oblivious citizens. The holiday imagery serves as a satirical element in this dark vision of the future.

‘The Apartment’ (1960)

An ambitious insurance clerk lets executives use his apartment for extramarital affairs in hopes of getting a promotion. He complicates his life when he falls in love with the elevator operator who is seeing his boss. The climax of the film occurs during the Christmas and New Year season. The office holiday party serves as a pivotal moment where secrets are revealed and decisions are made. It balances cynicism about corporate culture with a tender romance.

‘The Ice Harvest’ (2005)

A shady lawyer and a mob associate attempt to steal money from a crime boss on Christmas Eve. They plan to flee Wichita but are trapped by icy roads and their own incompetence. The night spirals into violence and betrayal as they encounter various eccentric characters. The freezing rain and holiday decorations create a bleak and slippery atmosphere for the noir plot. It depicts a Christmas defined by greed and survival rather than generosity.

‘Reindeer Games’ (2000)

A car thief is released from prison and impersonates his dead cellmate to romance a woman he saw in photographs. Her violent brother forces him to participate in a casino heist on Christmas Eve. The protagonist must maintain his cover while figuring out a way to survive the robbery. The criminals disguise themselves in Santa Claus costumes to infiltrate the casino. The holiday setting is central to the mechanics of the heist and the deception at play.

‘Less Than Zero’ (1987)

A college freshman returns home to Los Angeles for the holidays and finds his high school friend addicted to drugs. He tries to help his friend navigate a dangerous underworld of debt and dealers. The festive parties and wealthy lifestyle contrast sharply with the spiraling destruction of the characters. The film depicts a Christmas devoid of warmth and filled with excess and desperation. It serves as a grim time capsule of 1980s youth culture.

‘Three Days of the Condor’ (1975)

A bookish CIA researcher returns from lunch to find his entire office staff murdered. He goes on the run in New York City while trying to figure out who within the agency wants him dead. The film is set during the Christmas season which adds a layer of public bustle to his isolation. He kidnaps a woman to secure a hiding place and unravels a conspiracy involving oil and power. The cold winter streets heighten the tension of this paranoid thriller.

‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ (1969)

James Bond goes undercover at a clinical research institute in the Swiss Alps to track down the villainous Blofeld. He discovers a plot to unleash a biological agent through a group of brainwashed women. The film features extensive ski chases and action sequences amidst the snowy peaks during Christmas. Bond falls in love and marries amidst the danger but faces a tragic conclusion. The holiday setting provides a romantic and picturesque backdrop for one of the most emotional entries in the franchise.

‘L.A. Confidential’ (1997)

Three detectives with different methods investigate a multiple homicide at a coffee shop in 1950s Los Angeles. The investigation uncovers deep seated corruption within the police department and city government. A brutal beatdown of prisoners by police officers on Christmas Eve becomes a central scandal known as Bloody Christmas. The holiday season exposes the grime beneath the glamorous veneer of Hollywood. The film uses the time period and setting to explore the cost of justice.

Please share your thoughts on which non-traditional holiday film you watch every year in the comments.