The holiday season is filled with traditional, shall we say saccharine, Christmas movie staples like It’s a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol, but sometimes you’re in the mood for something a little different—a film that still has all the festive feels but delivers them with a quirky, unexpected twist. These cult classic Christmas movies stand out from the usual lineup, blending humor, nostalgia, and a touch of mischief to create unforgettable holiday viewing experiences.
These aren’t necessarily the most obscure Christmas movies, but they are the Christmas movies that have cult followings. The heavily quoted, and the highly recommended. You’ll find classics like Home Alone to movies that you probably don’t even think of as Christmas movies. These are the movies you put on as a palate cleanser after the saccharine classics like Miracle on 34th Street.
1. Gremlins (1984)
Why It’s a Cult Classic: It’s a Christmas movie… with monsters. What starts as a cute tale of a boy receiving a fuzzy pet for Christmas quickly devolves into a chaotic mosaic of cute and mischievous gremlins wreaking havoc on the small town of Kingston Falls, Pennsylvania.
Plot in a Nutshell: Billy receives a Mogwai named Gizmo as a Christmas gift, but when its very specific rules for its care are broken, chaos ensues as Gizmo’s evil offspring turn into destructive gremlins that terrorize the town. So it’s a Christmas movie in that it’s set during Christmas and then New Year, but it’s not specifically a Christmas movie.
2. Scrooged (1988)
Why It’s a Cult Classic: Bill Murray as a cynical, self-centered TV executive in a darkly comedic retelling of A Christmas Carol? Yes, please. The irreverent humor, sharp satire of television culture, and supernatural weirdness make this film a standout in the holiday canon.
Plot in a Nutshell: Frank Cross is a heartless TV executive who is producing a live Christmas Eve broadcast of A Christmas Carol while simultaneously living out his own haunting by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future.
3. Home Alone (1990)
Why It’s a Cult Classic: A family comedy with the soul of a heist movie, Home Alone is the tale of a mischievous 8-year-old fending off two hapless burglars with a series of homemade booby traps. While it’s become a beloved Christmas classic, its slapstick violence and unconventional hero—a child left to his own devices—make it an outlier in the cozy holiday movie genre.
Plot in a Nutshell: Young Kevin McCallister is accidentally left behind when his family goes on a Christmas vacation. With his house to himself, Kevin transforms into a pint-sized action hero, protecting his home from the Wet Bandits with traps that would make Rube Goldberg proud.
4. Elf (2003)
Why It’s a Cult Classic: A grown man raised by elves? Elf takes the classic “fish-out-of-water” trope to festive new heights, with Will Ferrell’s childlike performance as Buddy the Elf delivering endless holiday hilarity.
Plot in a Nutshell: Buddy, a human raised as an elf at the North Pole, discovers he’s not actually an elf and ventures to New York City to find his biological father. Hijinks ensue as Buddy’s boundless holiday spirit clashes with the cynicism of city life.
5. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
Why It’s a Cult Classic: Christmas with the Griswolds is anything but traditional. Packed with family dysfunction, over-the-top holiday decorations, and a literal “explosive” ending, this film takes the idea of the “perfect Christmas” and shreds it into comedic chaos.
Plot in a Nutshell: Clark Griswold’s dream of a picture-perfect family Christmas goes hilariously wrong at every turn, from a misbehaving squirrel in the Christmas tree to a surprise visit from Cousin Eddie.
6. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Why It’s a Cult Classic: It’s A Christmas Carol but with Muppets. Need we say more? Michael Caine’s serious portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge amid a cast of singing, wisecracking Muppets is somehow touching, hilarious, and magical all at once.
Plot in a Nutshell: The classic Dickens tale gets the Muppet treatment, with Gonzo as Charles Dickens (literally), Kermit as Bob Cratchit, and Michael Caine as a surprisingly heartfelt Ebenezer Scrooge.
7. Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas (1977)
Why It’s a Cult Classic: Before The Muppet Christmas Carol, there was this Jim Henson gem. It’s a heartwarming, off-the-beaten-path holiday tale featuring puppetry, bluegrass music, and a plotline that’s part O. Henry and part The Country Bear Jamboree.
Plot in a Nutshell: Emmet Otter and his mom both enter a talent show, each hoping to win the cash prize so they can buy each other a Christmas present—unaware they’re competing against each other.
8. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Why It’s a Cult Classic: Is it a Halloween movie? Is it a Christmas movie? It’s both! Tim Burton’s signature gothic charm and Danny Elfman’s unforgettable music blend together to create a movie that’s spooky, heartwarming, and festive all at once.
Plot in a Nutshell: Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, stumbles upon Christmas Town and becomes obsessed with bringing Christmas to his spooky homeland. Things go awry when his version of “Christmas cheer” turns more frightful than joyful.
9. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
Why It’s a Cult Classic: A Christmas noir-comedy starring Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer, this fast-talking, self-aware mystery blends holiday cheer with murder, black comedy, and Hollywood satire.
Plot in a Nutshell: Small-time crook Harry Lockhart is mistaken for an actor and sent to Hollywood, where he teams up with a private eye and a struggling actress to solve a murder that’s anything but merry.
10. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Why It’s a Cult Classic: Tim Burton’s dreamlike vision of suburbia at Christmas time becomes the backdrop for this poignant story of love, loneliness, and the otherworldly. The “snow” scene alone cements its place as a Christmas classic.
Plot in a Nutshell: A man with scissors for hands, created by an eccentric inventor, is taken in by a suburban family and becomes the town’s misunderstood outsider. His ice-carving talents become synonymous with Christmas snow.
11. Black Christmas (1974)
Why It’s a Cult Classic: Considered one of the first slasher films ever made, this Canadian horror flick set during a sorority house Christmas party inspired countless horror tropes that are still used today.
Plot in a Nutshell: As sorority sisters prepare for their Christmas break, a series of mysterious, threatening phone calls turns deadly. The shocking twist ending cements its place in horror history.
12. The Ref (1994)
Why It’s a Cult Classic: Nothing says Christmas like a home invasion, family dysfunction, and Kevin Spacey’s iconic deadpan delivery. Denis Leary’s biting one-liners as a burglar-turned-mediator make this holiday flick a true standout.
Plot in a Nutshell: A burglar takes a married couple hostage on Christmas Eve, only to find himself stuck in the middle of their constant bickering. In the end, he may be the one in need of a hostage negotiator.
13. Bad Santa (2003)
Why It’s a Cult Classic: Crude, vulgar, and unapologetically mean-spirited, Billy Bob Thornton’s turn as a con artist Santa Claus is the exact opposite of the traditional jolly St. Nick. Yet, somehow, it’s still hilarious and oddly heartwarming.
Plot in a Nutshell: Willie T. Soke poses as a department store Santa with his partner in crime to rob stores on Christmas Eve. His plans go sideways when he befriends a socially awkward kid who just wants Santa to be his friend.
14. Die Hard (1988)
Why It’s a Cult Classic: Is it a Christmas movie? The internet says yes. Set on Christmas Eve, this action-packed thriller turns “ho ho ho” into “yippee ki-yay.” Bruce Willis as John McClane battling terrorists at Nakatomi Plaza is as festive as it gets.
Plot in a Nutshell: NYPD officer John McClane visits his estranged wife at her company’s Christmas party in Los Angeles. When terrorists take the building hostage, McClane becomes a one-man army, taking them down with holiday spirit and grit.
15. The Apartment (1960)
Why It’s a Cult Classic: More romance than Christmas, this classic from Billy Wilder is set during the holiday season and captures the loneliness that can often accompany it. Its charm and wit have made it a timeless classic.
Plot in a Nutshell: C.C. Baxter lets his bosses use his apartment for their extramarital affairs. Things get complicated when he falls for one of the women, played by Shirley MacLaine, leading to a bittersweet holiday story of love and self-respect.
16. Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Why It’s a Cult Classic: Stanley Kubrick’s final film is a psychological thriller set during the holiday season, but its surreal visuals, dreamlike atmosphere, and themes of secrecy and desire make it far from your typical Christmas flick.
Plot in a Nutshell: Dr. Bill Harford, played by Tom Cruise, embarks on a night-long odyssey through New York’s shadowy underworld after his wife confesses a fantasy. His journey leads him to a secret society’s bizarre, masked Christmas party where nothing is as it seems.
17. A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas (2011)
Why It’s a Cult Classic: The stoner comedy duo Harold and Kumar bring their chaotic energy to Christmas with over-the-top humor, surreal holiday-themed antics, and a hilarious cameo from Neil Patrick Harris as himself.
Plot in a Nutshell: Estranged friends Harold and Kumar reunite to find a replacement Christmas tree after accidentally burning down Harold’s father-in-law’s prized tree. Their misadventures include run-ins with mobsters, claymation hallucinations, and, of course, Neil Patrick Harris.
18. Anna and the Apocalypse (2018)
Why It’s a Cult Classic: A zombie apocalypse… set during Christmas… as a musical. This genre mash-up defies expectations with catchy songs, heartfelt moments, and blood-splattered holiday cheer.
Plot in a Nutshell: Anna and her high school friends must battle zombies that overrun their sleepy town just before Christmas. Between dodging the undead and belting out musical numbers, it’s a holiday survival story like no other.
19. Tokyo Godfathers (2003)
Why It’s a Cult Classic: This heartwarming yet unconventional anime film blends humor, drama, and a dash of holiday magic. It’s a touching story of found family and second chances that unfolds on Christmas Eve.
Plot in a Nutshell: Three homeless friends in Tokyo—a runaway girl, a trans woman, and an alcoholic—find an abandoned baby in the trash on Christmas Eve. As they try to reunite the baby with its parents, they embark on an unforgettable journey of redemption.
20. Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)
Why It’s a Cult Classic: This Finnish dark fantasy horror film reimagines Santa Claus as something far more sinister. Equal parts eerie and adventurous, it’s a chilling twist on the holiday myth.
Plot in a Nutshell: In remote Finland, a group of reindeer herders discover an ancient, buried figure that might be the “real” Santa Claus—only he’s not the jolly, gift-giving type. What follows is a creepy, high-stakes battle to contain a legendary threat.
Whether you’re in the mood for heartwarming nostalgia, dark humor, or quirky twists on classic tales, these cult Christmas classics deliver something truly unique. From Tim Burton’s eerie magic in The Nightmare Before Christmas to the gleeful chaos of Gremlins, these films prove that holiday movies don’t have to fit the cookie-cutter mold. So, grab some cocoa, snuggle up, and queue up one (or several) of these iconic flicks to make your holiday viewing extra special.
If you’re looking for even more Christmas nostalgia, be sure to check out this list of the best Christmas episodes of 90s TV shows. It’s the perfect way to revisit the holiday magic of your favorite shows from yesteryear.
