Top 10 Anti-Christmas Movies

May your holidays be a complete disaster! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for movies for people who don't like Christmas but want something that's technically a Christmas movie. Our countdown includes movies “Gremlins”, “Batman Returns”, “The Nice Guys” and more! Welcome to Viralworld Magazine, and today we’re counting down our picks for movies for people who don’t like Christmas but want something that’s technically a Christmas movie. So, do you have a treasured memory watching any of these movies around Christmas time? Let us know in the comments? #10: “Violent Night” (2022) In this movie, a family is being held hostage by mercenaries and it’s up to Santa Claus to save the day. However, instead of using the magic of Christmas love, this Santa uses weapons and violent means and takes no prisoners. While we still root for Santa in this movie, it’s nonetheless disturbing to see Saint Nick hacking apart bad guys, leaving a bad taste in our mouths. In some ways, the movie is a throwback to movies such as “Home Alone” and “Die Hard,” but commits to going over the top with its absurd premise. #9: “Trading Places” (1983) A commodities trader played by Dan Aykroyd and a street hustler played by Eddie Murphy have their roles reversed as part of a bet between two wealthy brothers. After they find out what the brothers did to them, Aykroyd and Murphy’s characters decide to get revenge, which is hardly a Christmas virtue. Cruel and unusual, “Trading Places” is a wildly politically incorrect movie from the glory days of the 1980s. Whenever Christmas is brought up in the movie, it’s always sent up with actions that counter sentiment that is generally expected in a holiday film. #8: “The Nice Guys” (2016) Writer/director Shane Black sure does like to use Christmas as the backdrop to his movies, as he also did in his screenplay to the earlier “Lethal Weapon.” Aside from the last scene of the movie that takes place at a bar during a Christmas Party, “The Nice Guys” doesn’t have much to do with the holiday. A private eye played by Ryan Gosling and an enforcer played by Russell Crowe team up to find a missing young woman. The movie is full of wild twists and turns, and it’s a fun film to tune into if you only want something tangentially related to Christmas instead of watching another Hallmark movie. advertisement #7: “Brazil” (1985) Co-written and directed by Monty Python veteran Terry Gilliam, “Brazil” is a dark comedy about a dystopian government which is horribly incompetent and inefficient. Set around Christmas, the film is also a satirical commentary on consumerism, and the holiday season is treated as one giant excuse for mindless consumption. In the film’s opening scene, the government raids a house on Christmas eve to apprehend a suspected terrorist. Unfortunately, it’s a case of mistaken identity which results in an innocent man dying under detention. Terrific performances from supporting actors such as Robert DeNiro and Michael Palin add to the cynical feel of the film. #6: “Batman Returns” (1992) Tim Burton’s “Batman” sequel is one of those summer blockbusters that for some reason is set around Christmas. Since this is Gotham, there are a lot of dark and depressing things happening around the Yuletide season, from Penguin’s parents abandoning him as a baby in the opening scene, to the attempted murder of Selina Kyle. However, since this is Tim Burton we’re talking about, there’s also a lot of eerie beauty with his depiction of Christmas, from the atmospheric Danny Elfman score to the festive decorations spanning Gotham. Any good feelings are interrupted by the menacing villains played by Danny DeVito and Christopher Walken, which is all to the good. #5: “Bad Santa” (2003) In this bleak comedy, Billy Bob Thornton plays a crook who poses as a mall Santa to rob stores during Christmas Time. Naturally, such a lowlife wouldn’t be expected to have much holiday spirit, but for Thornton’s character, that is an understatement. He shows up to work having had too much to drink and swears like a sailor, so the character lives up to the name implied by the film’s title. If you hate Christmas for its sentimentality and its forced cheeriness, this movie is a breath of fresh air to take your mind off the carolers and the tacky sweaters. #4: “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993) Tim Burton comes up with interesting ways of looking at Christmas, as he did with “Edward Sissorhands.” After discovering Christmas Town, Pumpkin King Jack Skellington wishes to celebrate Christmas and take over duties for Santa Claus. However, Jack finds out the hard way that Christmas isn’t a good fit for him. The scene where he assumes the role of Santa and gives children presents is downright terrifying. The film is a good fit for Halloween viewing, but it’s more ironically suited to the Christmas season. “Nightmare Before Christmas” is for anyone who carves jack-o-lanterns around Christmas Eve. advertisement #3: “Black Christmas” (1974) Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy and happiness, but neither of those emotions is really found in “Black Christmas.” In the film, a psychopath stalks a sorority, leaving disturbing messages over the telephone and killing the sisters one by one. “Black Christmas” is one of the most influential horror movies to come out of the 1970s and is considered one of the earliest slashers. Interestingly enough, in addition to directing “Black Christmas,” Bob Clark also made “A Christmas Story,” which is much more in the sentimental Christmas vein and a holiday classic. #2: “Gremlins” (1984) The movie starts off like a heartwarming Christmas tale, especially when Gizmo is introduced, but that goodwill goes off the rails very quickly. The mischievous Gremlins mock everything that Christmas stands for as they wreak havoc on a small town during the holidays. The scene where Phoebe Cates’s character tells a heartbreaking story about what happened during one traumatic Christmas is enough to take the holiday cheer out of anyone who’s watching. The soundtrack uses some festive tracks such as “(Christmas) Baby Please Come” and “Do You Hear What I Hear?” but they’re positivity is jarring in contrast to the carnage that comes. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Silent Night” (2021) This Movie Is Just a Real Downer “The Ref” (1994) With Denis Leary, You Can Tell It’s Gonna Be a Middle Finger Toward Christmas This Disturbing Kubrick Classic Is a Holiday Movie in the Loosest Terms “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” (2005) Another Movie to Put in Your Shane Black Christmas Marathon #1: “Die Hard” (1988) “Die Hard” takes place on Christmas, but there is much debate over whether it should be considered a Christmas movie - and with good reason. The movie goes out of its way not to be your traditional Christmas film. The closest thing to a Christmas miracle is John McClane’s superhuman heroics in his efforts to rescue a group of hostages kidnapped by terrorists. The movie is rated R for its violence and foul language, so that means it isn’t family friendly. To put this movie on after “It’s a Wonderful Life” can give you a sense of whiplash.