Alternative Christmas movies to watch this holiday including Die Hard and more.

Merry Christmas everyone! Every year, it’s the Tng family’s tradition to eat a hearty feast and watch at least 4 Christmas movies. But I tell you hor, I’m starting to get sian of seeing Macaulay Culkin from Home Alone doing his signature hand pose every year. Now that the kids are older, I think it’s time we introduce them to a few alternative Christmas movies Uncle Tng and I are thinking of watching this year.

FYI, some of these movies have content that’s totally not appropriate for young kids! So make sure to watch them away from prying eyes.

1. Mug Travel (2007)

Synopsis: A little girl named Bebe receives a magical pendant and goes on an adventure from the city to the North Pole in a travelling mug. She explores different locations such as forests and deserts with her new friends: Backkom the polar bear, Konkongee the penguin, a lizard friend, and a fox.

Why you should watch it: It’s a fun animation movie that is sure to captivate your young ones, as well as ignite their sense of adventure. Parents can also take the chance to spark conversations about the real-life geographical locations (i.e the Sahara desert, Antarctica)  through Bebe’s exploration around the world.

Festive spirit meter:

2. The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

Synopsis: After accidentally crashing Santa Claus’ sleigh, a little girl named Katie and her brother Teddy pull an all-nighter to save Christmas with a savvy, straight-talking Santa Claus. 

Why you should watch it: Besides having your usual Christmas elements (reindeers, elves, presents, Santa Claus, etc.), this feel-good film has an interesting take on how Santa Claus operates in a modern world like ours. The film also touches on difficult topics such as dealing with loss and grief, and is sure to make you appreciate your family even more after watching it.

Festive spirit meter:

3. Shazam! (2019, PG)

Synopsis: Troubled orphan Billy Batson suddenly gains the ability to transform into an adult superhero whenever he shouts “Shazam!” Using his newfound powers, he has to stop the evil Dr. Sivana from conquering the world.

Why you should watch it: Action aside, this movie does a tremendous job of teaching you that family does not have to be blood-related. Billy eventually learns that the best gift on Christmas is having the people that matter around you.

Festive spirit meter:

4. Batman Returns (1992, PG)

Synopsis: Corrupt businessman Max Shreck teams up with the Penguin to take down the Batman. Along the way, they receive help from the mysterious Catwoman who may have her own agenda.

Why you should watch it: Superhero movies will definitely keep families entertained during Christmas. The movie itself is set during the holidays and features set pieces that revolve around festive decor. If you wanna feel smarter, you can also read this Twitter analysis on why the movie is actually a subversion of Christmas.

Festive spirit meter:

5. Krampus (2015, PG13)

Synopsis: A dysfunctional family finds themselves battling for their lives during Christmas after their arguments unleash Krampus — an ancient being.

Why you should watch it: This movie is, hands down, the most unique Christmas movie I’ve ever seen. By injecting a horror element to the usual Christmas trope of “losing your festive spirit”, the movie makes you appreciate the magic of Christmas. Whenever my kids start giving me attitude during Christmas, I threaten them by calling out Krampus.

Festive spirit meter:

6. Gremlins (1984, PG13)

Synopsis: Billy receives a strange Christmas gift from his father with 3 specific instructions. However, he does not follow them which causes gremlins to spawn and wreak havoc.

Why you should watch it: I still remember the outrage when Gremlins first came out. So many parents were shocked by the amount of violence and killing in what they thought was a cutesy movie. This movie does an excellent job of teaching kids to be thankful for their Christmas presents. It’s better to get a lousy gift than a demon that will tear you to shreds.

Festive spirit meter:

7. Die Hard (1988, M18)

Synopsis: Hoping to spend Christmas with his family, NYPD officer John McClane suddenly finds himself in a hostage situation and has to single-handedly rescue everyone from a building that’s occupied by terrorists.

Why you should watch it: There’s a reason why Die Hard has been called “one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time”. Despite the plethora of F-bombs and high-octane set pieces, it’s ultimately a movie that chronicles a father’s quest to spend time with his family on Christmas.

Festive spirit meter:

8. Lethal Weapon (1987, NC16)

Synopsis: Reckless LA detective Martin Riggs is reassigned to work with veteran officer Roger Murtaugh. The men clash due to their opposing personalities but are forced to come together to bust a drug-trafficking ring.

Why you should watch it: From a soundtrack that boasts classic Christmas hits such as “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Silent Night” to loads of holiday ornaments in the background, Lethal Weapon is clearly set during the holidays. Like Die Hard, it also embodies the spirit of togetherness, albeit with friends.

Festive spirit meter:

9. Edward Scissorhands (1990, PG13)

Synopsis: Edward, a humanoid with scissor blades for hands, is taken in by Peg Boggs. As he bonds with the Boggs family, Edward faces a few challenges from the community.

Why you should watch it: Prime Johnny Depp and his amazing acting abilities are enough to make this movie a “must-watch”. The fantastical elements are beautifully woven in the movie, thanks to the set pieces and background. The movie starts and ends with the holiday season, making it great to binge during Christmas!

Festive spirit meter:

10. Woojoo's Christmas (2016, PG13)

Synopsis: A 38-year-old woman named Sung Woo Joo returns to her hometown after the death of her mother to open a café. There, she meets a 26-year-old woman and a 19-year-old teen — both of whom share her name and have similar pasts. The three women then bond over their problems and help each other create their own Christmas miracles.

Why you should watch it: A heartwarming piece that has a different spin than most other Christmas stories, this movie will surely make you think and reflect. In the movie, the eldest Woo Joo sees herself in her younger friends and the decisions they make. In turn, this allows her to gain an insight into her past decisions.

Festive spirit meter:

Watch these alternative Christmas movies for something new this holiday season

As Christmas approaches, play something different on TV instead of the usual holiday classics. After all, your kids are old enough now to appreciate variety. For those who’ve yet to pick out holiday presents, be sure to check out our article on funny Christmas gifts!