7 Best Christmas Movies That Aren't Really Christmas Movies

You don’t need Santa Claus for a good Christmas movie.

If you’re like me, you generally despise Christmas movies. Call me a Grinch, call me something even worse, but holiday movies just don’t scratch the itch. Luckily, there are plenty of great Christmas movies that aren’t really Christmas movies.

Some of them are controversial choices, like “Die Hard.” Others have a Christmas feel but are easily defined as belonging to other genres, like “Rocky IV”. And then there are movies like “Eyes Wide Shut,” which take place at Christmas, but Christmas certainly isn’t the first thing you associate with the film.

So without further ado, here is my pick of the seven best Christmas movies that aren’t really Christmas movies that you can stream on Max, Prime Video, and more. best streaming services.

“Die Hard” (1988)

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“Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?” This may be a more difficult question to answer than proving the existence of God. Some swear that its plot around a hostage Christmas party makes it a Christmas movie, and others think the party could be for anything and the movie would be exactly the same movie.

If you fall into the former camp, check out our guide to best Christmas movies to watch if you think Die Hard is a Christmas movie. If you fall into the latter camp, welcome to the party, buddy.

For those unfamiliar with “Die Hard,” the film is considered one of the greatest action films of all time. It stars Bruce Willis as NYPD Detective John McClane, who is caught up in Hans Gruber’s (Alan Rickman) terrorist takeover of a holiday party for ex Holly’s (Bonnie Bedelia) company. -wife of McClane, at Nakatomi Plaza. It’s a must-have any time of year, not just Christmas.

Watch it now Hulu, Peacock, Main video And AMCPlus

“Lethal Weapon” (1987)

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“Lethal Weapon” is another great action film that some associate with a Christmas movie. And to be fair, the final scene of the film takes place on Christmas Day. But that’s about all the movie has to do with Christmas, which is to say not much.

But it’s still a great film to watch this holiday season. “Lethal Weapon” stars Mel Gibson as LAPD detective Martin Riggs, who behaves erratically and suicidally following the recent loss of his wife. LAPD Captain Ed Murphy (Steve Kahan) doesn’t believe Riggs is truly suicidal and connects him with veteran detective Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover). At first, Murtagh also doesn’t believe that Riggs is unwell, but after the two begin investigating a plot involving a CIA paramilitary unit, he realizes that Riggs’ pain is real, just like the threat of the mysterious Shadow Company behind the plot.

Buy or rent it now at Amazon

“Iron Man 3” (2013)

Directed and written by “Lethal Weapon” writer Shane Black, including “Iron Man 3” on this list was a controversial choice for me. I don’t like the movie a whole lot, but mostly because of what it does with some Wonder characters and how this impacted the MCU moving forward rather than how it presents itself as a standalone film. Inasmuch as incredibly hit movie that’s partly set at Christmas but really isn’t a Christmas movie, it was a mistake to leave it off the list.

“Iron Man 3” takes place following the events of 2012’s “The Avengers,” and is set in a United States rocked by a terrorist campaign led by a mysterious figure known as “the Mandarin.” As Iron Man, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) tracks down the evil Mandarin in a Miami mansion, only to discover British actor Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley), whom the real Mandarin used as a scapegoat. Now Tony must find the real villain before he can unleash the dangerous Extremis compound on the land.

Watch it now Disney+

“Rocky IV” (1985)

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Most people don’t think of Christmas first when they think of “Rocky IV.” The Cold War, training montages, and Dolph Lundgren’s incredible Ivan Drago lines probably come to mind first. But with an unauthorized 15-round boxing match culminating in the Soviet Union, it absolutely qualifies for this list. Even though most reviews I didn’t like it (they’re wrong).

The fourth installment of the “Rocky” franchise, “Rocky IV,” begins with Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), former enemy turned friend of Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), ready to come out of retirement to defend the honor of America and all it represents versus Soviet boxer Ivan Drago and the communist attitudes he represents. This match ends in disaster, and to avenge his friend, Rocky agrees to a 15-round boxing match in the Soviet Union against Drago and heads behind the Iron Curtain to begin training.

Buy or rent it now at Amazon

“Batman Returns” (1992)

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The second superhero movie On this list, “Batman Returns” is the second installment of the 1989-1997 “Batman” series. A sequel to 1989’s “Batman,” this Tim Burton film pits Batman (Michael Keaton) against disfigured crime boss Oswald Cobblepot, aka The Penguin. Their conflict is sparked by a Christmas kidnapping involving wealthy industrialist Max Shreck (Christopher Walken).

But this film is also notable for introducing Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer) to the series. Also known as her alter ego Selina Kyle, she goes from Max’s gentle assistant to a vengeful villain, who happens to be in love with Bruce Wayne. Once you’re done watching “Batman Returns,” be sure to watch “The Penguin” for Colin Ferrell’s version of the waddling villain, also available on Max.

Watch it now Max.

“Edward Scissorhands” (1990)

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Another Tim Burton film for the list, none of which are animated. “Edward Scissorhands” stars Johnny Depp as Edward, an artificial humanoid abandoned by a deceased inventor before giving Edward his hand. This leaves Edward with blades for fingers, aka “scissor hands.”

But despite this frightening appearance, Edward is totally in love. Once taken in by Peg Boggs (Dianne Wiest), an Avon saleswoman who discovers that Edward lives alone in the deceased inventor’s decrepit mansion, he falls in love with Peg’s daughter, Kim (Winona Ryder). Once again, this is a classic “not really a Christmas movie” because it’s actually a romantic fantasy film. But with an iconic scene in which Edward carves an ice sculpture modeled after Kim at Christmas, which also gives the townspeople a gift of snow, it definitely has Christmas movie elements.

Watch it now Hulu

“Eyes Wide Shut” (1999)

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Not everyone would include a psychological drama about a masked orgy in their Christmas movie list. But when this movie starts at a Christmas party, it’s perfect for a list of the best Christmas movies that aren’t actually Christmas movies.

It’s a polarizing choice, though – and that’s without even getting into the film’s themes. Director Stanley Kubrick said it was his “greatest contribution to the art of cinema.” My father, on the other hand, said that no one would watch the film if Kubrick’s name wasn’t attached to it. You’ll have to pay attention for yourself to see which camp you fall into.

“Eyes Wide Shut” is based on the 1926 short story “Dream Story.” Set in 1990s New York, the plot centers on Dr. Bill Harford (Tom Cruise), who is shocked when his wife (Nicole Kidman) reveals that she had considered having an affair 12 months earlier. Upon learning this news, he embarks on an adventure which leads him to infiltrate a masked orgy of an anonymous secret society.

Watch it now Paramount Plus

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