By Avery Newmark, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (TNS)

Tired of watching Buddy the Elf scarf down spaghetti with maple syrup? Reddit users have stepped up with plenty of suggestions for alternative Christmas movies, offering options for those craving something a little more complex.

These films show holiday spirit can shine in surprising ways — whether through magical wands, Gothic vibes or action-packed sequences.

Here’s Reddit’s guide to some of the best unconventional Christmas viewing:

‘Die Hard’

This 1988 action classic follows John McClane (Bruce Willis) as he battles terrorists (Alan Rickman and company) during a Christmas party, sparking endless debates about what constitutes a “Christmas movie” while delivering quotable one-liners and explosive action sequences.

‘Violent Night’

David Harbour stars in “Violent Night.” (Allen Fraser/Universal Studios/TNS)

David Harbour stars as a decidedly un-jolly Santa who takes on mercenaries with brutal efficiency. This recent addition to the alternative Christmas canon suggests sometimes Santa needs to check his naughty list twice.

‘Batman Returns’

Tim Burton transforms Gotham City into a Gothic winter wonderland where Michael Keaton’s Batman confronts Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman and Danny DeVito’s Penguin. The film’s dark holiday atmosphere creates an unforgettable Christmas noir.

‘Gremlins’

This cautionary tale teaches us that Christmas presents require careful reading of the instruction manual — unless you want your town overrun by mischievous monsters. A perfect blend of holiday cheer and creature chaos.

‘In Bruges’

Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson star as hitmen hiding out in a fairy tale-like Belgian city during the holidays. Dark comedy meets existential crisis in this cult classic set against a magical Christmas backdrop. Fun fact: Farrell snagged a Golden Globe for best actor in a motion picture — musical or comedy for his performance.

‘Go’

Take a chaotic trip to the checkout line in this 1999 film starring Katie Holmes and Sarah Polley. Following an ensemble of retail workers navigating a wild Christmas Eve, it show us sometimes the best holiday stories unfold after hours.

“I always forget that’s a Christmas movie! Great film,” one Redditor commented.

‘The Long Kiss Goodnight’

Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson team up in this festive action thriller about an amnesiac assassin who discovers her true identity during the holiday season.

‘The Ref’

Denis Leary shines in this sharp-tongued tale of holiday dysfunction, where a burglar becomes an unlikely family therapist on Christmas Eve.

‘Harry Potter’

Maggie Smith as Professor Minerva McGonagall in “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.” (Warner Bros/Avalon via Zuma Press/TNS)

While not strictly a Christmas movie, Hogwarts’ magical holiday celebrations have become iconic, offering a cozy yet unconventional festive atmosphere filled with nostalgia.

“‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.’ Not a Christmas movie, but the tone, setting, and soundtrack of the film always had a Christmas’y feel to me,” according to one Redditor.

‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’

Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer deliver neo-noir Christmas chaos in Los Angeles, mixing murder mystery with holiday parties in this underrated festive thriller.

‘Eyes Wide Shut’

A Manhattan doctor, played by Tom Cruise, ventures into the city’s dark underbelly after his wife (Nicole Kidman) reveals her sexual fantasies about another man. Released in 1999, this moody exploration of desire and marriage was Stanley Kubrick’s final film before his death, notable for both its controversial content and record-breaking 400-day shoot, ScreenRant reported.

“I’ve watched it most every Christmas for over a decade. It’s an adult film that explores this season without sentimentality,” one Redditor stated.

©2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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