The Best Christmas Films aren't about Christmas

Let's face it, most films about Christmas time aren't actually THAT great, but our blinding desperation for feelgood nostaligia makes us believe that all Christmas Films = instant classics. Elf, The Santa Clause, Love Actually, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation are just some of the films misconceived as decent.

Before booing me for being a Grinch (also another bad Christmas film), I will say there are some great Christmas films out there, they just aren't centred around the idea of 'Peace on Earth', or even 'Goodwill to all Men'. They are usually something altogether darker and more alternative takes on the Holiday season. Here are some great Christmas films that aren't actually about Christmas:

Film: Gremlins (1984)
Plot: Small furry thing multiplies into loads of small furry things, which then transform into small slimey things that run amok in small town America.
Christmas moral: Don't buy pets/Mogwais for Christmas.
Why it's so good: Despite being a film I've watched since the age of 10, the classroom scene is still frickin' terrifying!
Why it's still feelgood: Amazingly cute scenes of Gizmo being all cute.


Film: Die Hard (1988)
Plot: Sharp looking Germans take over an LA office building, which really pisses off New York cop John McClane.
Chistmas moral: Give your ex-wife a ring and give it another shot.
Why it's so good: "Now I have a machine gun. Ho-ho-ho." Nuff said.
Why it's still feelgood: The cop shoots the bad German dude, even though he accidentally shot that kid from that one time. Melts the heart.


Film: Bad Santa (2003)
Plot: A delinquent conman poses as Santa in order to rob a department store.
Christmas moral: Fat kids are people too.
Why it's so good: No one has quite destroyed the illusion of Santa Clause quite as much as this film.
Why it's still feelgood: Because it makes you laugh. A lot.