Holiday movies are almost a genre of their own. They are films that don’t even have to depict a traditional celebration in order to be Christmas or Thanksgiving movies. They just have to have that beautiful holiday cheer. In fact, even horror has found a place in the niche of holiday movies, proving that water and oil can be mixed, if just done with enough creativity and an interesting story. This often expands to crime movies and mystery thrillers that carry the holiday spirit and confirm that not everything during the holidays is jolly.
For your enjoyment, we gathered a list of holiday-themed genre movies that range from crime stories to mystery and suspense films that will give you chills that aren't usually associated with holiday celebrations. Nevertheless, even criminals have the right to celebrate during the most wonderful time of the year.
9 'Reindeer Games' (2000)
Reindeer Games
In Reindeer Games, Rudy Duncan decides to steal the identity of his recently killed cellmate when he’s released from prison. Nick had been exchanging letters with a girl named Ashley, and Rudy jumps at the opportunity to get into bed without much effort. The problem is that, when he actually should be going to his family for Christmas, Rudy meets Ashley and instantly gets kidnapped and recruited by her brother, who believes Rudy has enough knowledge to execute a heist.
It’s Not as Bad as It Was Painted to Be
The film was John Frankenheimer’s last directorial effort, and one of Ehren Kruger’s first works in screenwriting. So yes, it’s a bit clunky when following genre rules. But Reindeer Games is actually pretty entertaining and one of the best Christmas thrillers in recent decades. It stars known faces like Ben Affleck, Charlize Theron, Gary Sinise, Dennis Farina, and Danny Trejo, and it will appeal to action buffs with its cleverly-paced script.
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For everyone who sees the holidays as something that must be suffered through, these anti-Christmas movies should help you cope.
8 'Prisoners' (2013)
- Release Date
- September 20, 2013
Prisoners follows two families who face their worst nightmare on Thanksgiving Day. Their two youngest children, Anna and Joy, are kidnapped and vanish without a trace. Anna’s father, Keller, takes it upon himself to find the girls, and when a suspect is arrested he’s convinced he’s the culprit. Alex Jones whispers a few words to Keller before being released, and the father decides to act. When he abducts the mentally disturbed suspect, he goes to extreme lengths to draw up information that could help him find the girls.
The Perfect Blend of Drama and Thriller Tropes
Denis Villeneuve’s thriller starring Hugh Jackman is a modern classic that takes place in a gloomy version of the holidays. Everything is bleak at first, but it becomes a hell of a lot worse when Keller’s mind and soul are broken as he turns into a vendetta-driven monster. All this is aided by Roger Deakins’ spectacular cinematography that makes this crime thriller a holiday classic not to be missed.
7 'Bad Santa' (2003)
- Release Date
- November 26, 2003
Willie and Marcus are a couple of con men who have found the perfect opportunity to make themselves rich once a year. They get jobs at malls during the holidays as Santa Claus and his elf, respectively, and they rob whatever they can. The problem is that one day, they meet Thurman, a gullible little boy who believes the sex-addicted, and foul-mouthed Willie is the real Santa, and the not-so-real Santa decides to take advantage of the boy.
Definitely Not for the Kids
Bad Santais one of Billy Bob Thornton’s best movies, proving the actor is a chameleon who can wear a Santa suit and also be the most vile being in the world. Bad Santa is a very dark crime comedy with enough profanity to quickly prove it’s not a Christmas movie for children. The film was critically acclaimed upon release (it still holds a 78% score on Rotten Tomatoes) and 13 years later it received a sequel that pairs well with this one on a double-feature night.
6 'The Lodge' (2019)
- Release Date
- February 7, 2020
- Director
- Veronika Franz , Severin Fiala
Aiden and Mia Hall have just lost their mother to suicide, and their father Richard believes their new stepmother will help them cope. Grace becomes their new caretaker as they stay in Richard’s remote cabin on Christmas holiday, but Richard is forced to leave. At first, the siblings don’t seem to care for Grace, and creepy stuff begins happening, but then they reveal they have just been playing with her, and she decides to indulge in revenge.
A Wicked Mystery Thriller That Steps Into Horror Territory
The Lodge is one of the most underrated films about cults that have been released in recent years, but you have to give it some time until it reveals its premise. Wonderfully bleak and oppressive, the horror thriller has one of the most disturbing third acts you can think of with Riley Keough’s Grace having a very effective character turnaround. This Christmas movie will give you nightmares.
You can stream The Lodge on Kanopy
5 'In Bruges' (2008)
- Release Date
- February 8, 2008
- Cast
- Elizabeth Berrington , Rudy Blomme , Olivier Bonjour , Mark Donovan , Ann Elsley , Colin Farrell
In Bruges follows two hitmen who are hiding in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe after Ray accidentally kills a boy. The problem is that Ray finds the city boring, while Ken sees some beauty in how Bruges is leading up to the holidays. When Ray decides he wants to do something else besides hiding, he gets into even more trouble, making their boss Harry take a trip to the city and try to get things together.
Karma Hits With a Holiday Backdrop
Directed by Martin McDonagh in his Hollywood debut, In Bruges is rich with the writer/director’s peculiar knack for developing characters. Starring Colin Farrell in one of his finest performances, In Bruges was celebrated by critics who saw in McDonagh’s script a style that’s pretty uncommon in the dark comedy genre. The ending is one of the most bittersweet conclusions in modern cinema.
4 'Eyes Wide Shut' (1999)
- Release Date
- July 16, 1999
Bill and Alice Harford are a socialite couple living in New York City with their daughter. They’re apparently picture-perfect as a couple, but Alice reveals she has fantasies about another man. Bill’s reaction is to seek satisfaction elsewhere, and this is how he enters a secret society where depraved sex and murder go by hand.
Family Values in the Underbelly of Human Depravity
Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shuttakes place during the holiday season as the Harfords are preparing for yet another conventional Christmas. The important thing is that when Alice and Bill finally reconcile in the end as they buy Christmas decorations, she asks for something that goes against conservative traditions, keeping the spirit of the unsettling film alive.
It is a thorough exploration of primal human instincts that doesn’t ever try to redeem the performers behind its main characters just because they were two of the most important Hollywood stars at the time.
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From Die Hard to Carol, these are films that go against the holiday spirit.
3 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang' (2005)
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
In Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, a thief in New York City enters an audition and the director mistakes his visible regret for good acting. Harry passes on to the second stage of the audition for the role, and he’s taken to Hollywood where he will train with a real private investigator and prepare himself for the role. The problem is that they become witnesses to a real crime and as the holidays get closer, things get dark for the duo. Very dark.
An Underrated Dark Comedy
Starring Robert Downey Jr. in probably his most underrated performance, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is an auteur movie by Shane Black, who debuts as a writer and director. The crime comedy was well-received by critics, although many criticized it for trying to be too funny considering the dark subject. It is one of those movies that seems to have fallen off the radar for many and only remains a cult favorite among fans of the genre.
2 'Inside' (2007)
- Release Date
- June 13, 2007
- Cast
- Alysson Paradis , Jean-Baptiste Tabourin , Claude Lulé , Dominique Frot , Nathalie Roussel
Inside follows Sarah, a woman who’s about to give birth and who decides to spend Christmas Eve by herself. Sarah is still grieving the loss of her husband in a freak car accident that he was killed in. During a rainstorm, someone knocks on her door, and early on, it’s revealed that the invader just wants one thing: to take Sarah's baby at all costs.
A Brutal and Original Home Invasion Thriller
Originally titled À l'intérieur, this French import took the horror scene by storm in 2007 with its bleak visuals and ultraviolence. The film is part of the New French Extreme movement and one of the most important foreign horror films of all time. Trust us when we say this one goes to lengths to deliver its graphic horror element. Stay away from the American remake as it’s not nearly as good as this one.
You can stream Inside on Tubi.
1 'Catch Me If You Can' (2002)
- Release Date
- December 25, 2002
Frank Abagnale is a teenager who runs away from home after he finds out his parents are separating. Quickly, he finds out people behind the counters are gullible, and he can pose as a pilot, a doctor, an attorney, and a perfect husband. However, an FBI agent starts to chase him, and the teenage criminal is forced to rearrange his game.
A Lonely Mastermind Finds His Match
Steven Spielberg’s astounding crime drama provides a holiday backdrop in the most important scenes of the movie. Frank is a lonely teen with a missing father figure who finds out his mother began another family while snow falls during Christmastime. He even calls agent Hanratty during a holiday festivity and indirectly asks for a companion. The film is all about Abagnale reacting to a family breakup against a backdrop that provides him with a hurtful glance into what couldn’t be.
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