Christmas is right around the corner and there's no better time to cozy up with loved ones and watch your favorite holiday movie. With so many PG-rated classics, there's no shortage of holiday films that are suitable for the whole family. But when the adults need some alone time, they may want to watch something that's a little edgier, a little raunchier, but still chock-full of Christmas Spirit.
Here, we list some of the best Christmas movies with more adult themes, perfect for when the kids go to bed. These include some classics along with new movies from the last decade. Keep in mind that some of these movies might be okay for older teens. But if you want something to curl up to with just adults, these aren't your garden-variety Santa stories.
Updated on November 28th, 2023, by Christine Persaud: The best Christmas movies are ones you can watch with the whole family. But some of the funniest, most entertaining Christmas movies are for adults only. These are a few films for those who don't want sappy, traditional Christmas flicks and prefer something a bit raunchier, maybe even a little violent, no-kids-allowed Christmas movies.
12 Bad Santa
Bad Santa
- Release Date
- November 26, 2003
- Cast
- Billy Bob Thornton, Tony Cox, Brett Kelly, Lauren Graham, Lauren Tom, Bernie Mac
- Rating
- R
- Main Genre
- Comedy
If you're into dark comedies, 2003's Bad Santa certainly delivers. Every year, leading men Willie and Marcus pose as a mall Santa and elf to rip off nearby stores. This year, Willie is more depressed and more vulnerable than ever, leading an onslaught of shenanigans to ensue. With sexy scenes and downright naughty laughs, Bad Santa is as R-rated as Christmas movies come.
What Makes It Great?
Billy Bob Thornton always shines in these pessimistic, down-on-their-luck characters, and Bad Santa is no exception. While the character is a conman, he's also a reflection of every dejected Santa actor kids may have come across at a local mall in their area. His chemistry with Lauren Graham also helps move the story forward. But it's really the relationship between Willie and a little boy named Thurman that truly makes the movie. Even though it's not a typical sappy Christmas movie, the ending does provide a healthy dose of Christmas positivity. The movie was so popular, it spawned a sequel, Bad Santa 2.
11 National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
christmas vacation
- Release Date
- November 30, 1989
- Director
- Jeremiah S. Chechik
- Cast
- Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki, John Randolph, Diane Ladd
- Rating
- PG-13
- Runtime
- 97
- Genres
- Comedy
How can you go wrong with a classic like National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Follow the Griswold family as they try (and ultimately, fail) to have a perfect, traditional Christmas celebration. Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) is desperate to make this Christmas the best ever for his family. Despite worry about work and getting his bonus, he goes all out. Naturally, plenty of hijinks ensue as he attempts to make his house the best on the block and deal with his crazy extended family.
What Makes It Great?
With its slapstick comedy and goofy fun, it's no wonder the movie has become a staple of the holiday season, perfect if you're looking for lots of laughs and a hint of nostalgia. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is a classic movie worth watching again and again. Any family dealing with the pressures of Christmas will relate to the movie. It takes some wild turns as well that make the film pure, unadulterated fun.
10 Four Christmases
Four Christmases
- Release Date
- November 26, 2008
- Cast
- Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, Jon Voight, Jon Favreau
- Rating
- PG-13
- Main Genre
- Comedy
In Four Christmases, Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughan shine as Brad and Kate, a married couple with severely dysfunctional families. Since both Brad and Kate come from divorced households, their Christmas is spent traveling from house to house, with each adventure full of mayhem and chaos.
What Makes It Great?
This Christmas classic is perfect for lovers of romantic comedy. The movie is relatable in so many ways. Those who come from quirky and chaotic families of divorce can completely understand the frantic nature of trying to fit everyone in for the holidays. There are also some touching moments, and the overarching theme about the importance of family, no matter how much of a headache they can be at times.
9 The Night Before
The Night Before
- Release Date
- November 20, 2015
- Cast
- Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anthony Mackie, Jillian Bell, Lizzy Caplan, Helene York
- Rating
- R
- Main Genre
- Comedy
The Night Before takes place on Christmas Eve when three childhood best friends reunite to find the best party in New York City. Ethan, Isaac, and Chris have made it a tradition to spend Christmas Eve chasing parties, and decide that this year, they're going to outdo themselves and somehow make it to the best party: the Nutcracker Ball.
What Makes It Great?
Full of drugs and booze, The Night Before certainly brings a different kind of holiday spirit. The three leads excel in comedic performances, and together, they make a hilarious grouping. The supporting and guest cast list adds to the fun, including names like Mindy Kaling, Jillian Bell, Michael Shannon, Ilana Glazer, Tracy Morgan, and even Miley Cyrus as herself.
8 Office Christmas Party
Office Christmas Party
- Release Date
- November 25, 2016
- Cast
- Jason Bateman, Olivia Munn, T.J. Miller, Jennifer Aniston, Kate McKinnon, Courtney B. Vance
- Rating
- R
- Main Genre
- Comedy
Office Christmas Party takes corporate America back to college. The interim CEO of a big company says if the team can land a massive contract, she won't follow through with her promise to cut 40 percent of the workforce. When the entire firm is at risk of losing their jobs, they devise a solution, one that includes throwing a mega-Christmas bash to win over a major client in order to come together as a team.
What Makes It Great?
With its star-studded cast, Office Christmas Party is full of sex-fueled, gross-out laughs. It's a hilarious look at the sad reality of lay-offs and cutbacks, and an attempt to impress a client that gets way out of hand. It's a wild ride throughout, and while Office Christmas Party hangs its hat on raunchy humor, sometimes, that's all you want and need.
7 Scrooged
In another throwback film, Scrooged re-imagines Charles Dickens' classic tale, A Christmas Carol. The story follows a television executive who is rude, uncaring, and generally selfish. Soon, he finds himself visited by three ghosts. They warn him that he's heading fast toward a lonely and meaningless demise. Will he change for the better and find his Christmas spirit?
What Makes It Great?
While the messaging in Scrooged is a good one for kids, it's also a wake-up call for working parents who might not realize how much time they spend focusing on their jobs. It's an enlightening movie delivered with a dose of holiday magic. Bill Murray's performance as the grouchy boss who wants his entire staff to work overtime on Christmas Eve is second to none.
6 Krampus
Krampus
- Release Date
- November 26, 2015
- Cast
- Emjay Anthony, Adam Scott, Toni Collette, Stefania Owen, Krista Stadler, Conchata Ferrell
- Rating
- PG-13
- Runtime
- 98
- Main Genre
- Horror
Sure you've heard of Santa Claus, but have you heard of Krampus? As one of only a few holiday horror films, Krampus follows a young boy who loses his Christmas spirit and thus releases an ancient demon to wreak havoc on his family. Krampus, originating from European myth, adds a darker side to Christmas lore. Keep the Christmas tree lights on if you dare watch this flick.
What Makes It Great?
Krampus brings the world of folklore into the Christmas movie genre, offering a spin that's different from the usual. While the movie received mixed reviews, it topped the box office when it opened. It's praised for offering "gory good fun" and it's the perfect movie to watch if you are still looking for some scares to offset all the holiday cheer.
5 A Bad Moms Christmas, 2017
Christmas can definitely be a stressful time, especially for mothers who want to make the holiday special for their whole families. When three overworked mothers decide to rebel against the expectations set on them during the holidays, things quickly take a turn in A Bad Moms Christmas. Soon, their own mothers help create more chaos as Christmas quickly goes south.
What Makes It Great?
There aren't many Christmas movies dedicated to women, and A Bad Moms Christmas is a raunchy comedy that's perfect to watch with girlfriends during a sleepover night. Each mom is relatable in her own way, from the desperate to-please mom to the one who never goes out and lets loose and the party mom. It's a movie about moms taking back Christmas, which is something every mother will fist pump into the air and appreciate watching.
4 Die Hard
Die Hard
- Release Date
- July 15, 1988
- Cast
- Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson, Paul Gleason, William Atherton, Hart Bochner
- Rating
- R
- Main Genre
- Action
Yes, we believe Die Hard is a Christmas movie and a great one at that. Taking place on Christmas Eve, John McClane is forced to spring into action during a holiday party that is overtaken by terrorists. As a skilled police officer, McClane must save the hostages and take down the bad guys in the ultimate Christmas thriller.
What Makes It Great?
It goes without saying that Die Hard is the perfect Christmas movie for adults who aren't really into Christmas movies. The only tie-in with the holiday season is that the events in the action-packed movie take place over Christmas. Beyond that, there's no holiday cheer or corny holiday message of cheer. But society has spoken and Die Hard has been declared a Christmas movie worth queuing up year after year. It's perfect for the anti-Christmas movie person and makes a great compromise film to watch.
3 Black Christmas
Black Christmas
- Release Date
- December 11, 2019
- Cast
- Imogen Poots, Cary Elwes, Aleyse Shannon, Brittany O'Grady, Lily Donoghue, Madeleine Adams
- Rating
- PG-13
- Main Genre
- Horror
In our second horror entry, Black Christmas is perfect for slasher fans. In this flick, a group of young sorority women are preparing for holiday parties and fun. However, the girls are soon preyed on by a vicious Christmas killer. With threatening text messages, talk of black magic, and sinister plans, there's a lot to unpack in this movie.
What Makes It Great?
A loose remake of the 1974 Canadian movie of the same name, Black Christmas is full of thrills and kills. It's sure to send shivers down your spine. While the movie received mixed reviews, some appreciate the timely feminist themes. The sharp dialogue and urgency of the scenes through the plot add to the intensity, making this an unusual but interesting choice for the holiday season.
2 Love Actually
Love Actually
- Release Date
- September 7, 2003
- Cast
- Bill Nighy, Gregor Fisher, Rory MacGregor, Colin Firth, Sienna Guillory, Liam Neeson
- Rating
- R
- Main Genre
- Comedy
Love Actually is another staple holiday movie that tells the stories of multiple couples as they attempt to navigate their complicated love lives. It depicts all types of love, from a married couple going through marital woes, a Prime Minister balancing the obligations of his job with his attraction for an employee, a young man trying to find himself, and a washed-up pop star and his bond with a best friend.
What Makes It Great?
The movie has equal parts romance as it does comedy; with so many different but intertwined character stories to follow, Love Actually is sure to not only hold your attention but raise your holiday spirits too. You'll run through various emotions throughout, from sadness to happiness. There are heartwarming and heart-wrenching moments. The acting is spot-on and the opening and closing scenes, which feature real families reuniting at the airport, will tug at heartstrings. The movie and its messaging about how love is all around in so many forms never gets old.
1 Almost Christmas
Almost Christmas follows a grieving family as they look to spend the holidays together after their mother's death. Though well-intentioned, the family is highly dysfunctional. Nonetheless, Dad hopes that all his kids and their respective families can get along so he gets his own deserved Christmas miracle.
What Makes It Great?
The film is at times, emotionally intense, but silly at the same time, perfect for fans of drama and comedy. Almost Christmas might actually be therapeutic for a family going through the same situation. It provides some light comedy to help you get through a difficult situation of any kind. Danny Glover shines as the lead character and he is supported by a talented cast that includes Omar Epps, J.B. Smoove, and Gabrielle Union. While the movie received mixed reviews, it's considered one of those Christmas movies worth watching again and again because of the positive messaging and touching storyline.
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