CHRISTMAS-ISH TOWN — The Christmas season has kicked off and I have no doubt many of you have already watched classics like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Christmas Vacation,” “Miracle on 34th Street” and “Elf.” But I’m here to tell you that there are some non-traditional Christmas flicks that maybe you hadn’t thought of watching this year.

There’s nothing wrong with traditional holiday films, I mean I’d be lying if I didn’t watch at least one showing of the 9 billion of “A Christmas Story” this year, but sometimes it’s nice to have a little change. Here are some non-traditional Christmas movies to enjoy this holiday season.

“Gremlins”

What screams Christmas more than tiny-maniacal-evil gremlins? Well, a lot, but still, this is a Christmas movie.

The 1984 flick is a little strange and it’s dark, but it’s also a lot of fun, it’s clever and it’s a change of pace from most of your typical Christmas movies.

If you haven’t seen this movie in awhile, give it another shot. Maybe you won’t like it as much as you did as a kid, or maybe you’ll realize you didn’t appreciate it back when you had steps shaved into your hair.

While some Christmas miracles happen here and there, this movie does contain one of the more disturbing Santa stories ever committed to film. Poor, poor Kate Beringer.

“Edward Scissorhands”

Related:

7 new-to-you Christmas movies

The standard fare of oft-watched Christmas movies makes for some decent movie watching. But if you're looking for something new this season, stop and read a while.

Not everyone is a Tim Burton fan and “Edward Scissorhands” is not for everyone, but guess what, it’s very much a Christmas movie.

The odd telling of a manufactured boy with scissors for hands culminates into a happy ending complete with snow, Christmas gifts and holiday décor. Johnny Depp is actually a lot of fun to watch in this movie and the contrast between the neighborhood and the mansion on the hill where Edward lives is mesmerizing.

I know, I know, some of you are rolling your eyes, but I’m here to suggest out-of-the-box Christmas movies, and what’s more out-of-the-box than “Edward Scissorhands”?

“Better Off Dead”

It doesn’t seem like the perfect Christmas fodder, a young man is so distressed over his girlfriend dumping him that his thoughts go to incredibly dark places while a deranged paper boy has it out for him. But you know what? This dark comedy is actually a real holiday treat.

“Better Off Dead” is strange, but it’s a lot of fun and will put that twist on your holiday season that you need to keep it a little different. Be warned, however, the odds of you asking, “I want my two dollars,” for the rest of the season are very high after watching this movie.

“Jaws: The Revenge”

Who’s in the mood for a good-old fashioned bad-movie night this holiday season? If the answer was, “yes,” look no further than “Jaws: The Revenge.”

This zany Christmas tale involves a great white shark with a vendetta, a sea-faring family with a vendetta and Michael Caine with a plane — and a vendetta.

This movie is bad, but it actually takes place during Christmas and it may make you laugh just as much as Clark Griswold. This is one of those, “it’s so bad it’s good” type movies. Get some friends together and enjoy a night of bad movie making, Caribbean-Christmas style.

“Iron Man 3”

Remember when you saw “Iron Man 3” a couple of summer’s ago and something didn’t seem to fit? No, it wasn’t the lazy Iron Man-suit battle; it was the fact that you were watching it in the wrong season.

“Iron Man 3” was released in the summer, but it’s a Christmas movie. The plot centers around the Christmas season, just like “Lethal Weapon.” While we’re on this subject, we could also throw “Lethal Weapon” in here because these two movies are essentially the exact same film.

Don’t believe me? How about I explain the plot?

A rogue white man is border-line psychotic and has a black partner who plays by the rules, but always has his friend’s back. During the Christmas season a rich psychopath threatens both of their lives. The pair is eventually led to a posh mansion where a fight ensues. Later on the white partner is tortured and manages to save himself at the last moment.

Any of this sound familiar? Well, it should because all of this happens in both films. Not to mention the finale for “Iron Man 3” takes place at the shipping yard. Same setting for the finale in “Lethal Weapon 2.”

Here’s the best part. The writer for “Lethal Weapon” was Shane Black. The writer and director for “Iron Man 3”, Shane Black. This dude loves Christmas.

I digress; “Iron Man 3” is totally a Christmas movie. Accept it and enjoy it this holiday season.

There you have it, some non-traditional Christmas movies to mix up your holiday entertainment this year.

John has been writing about movies, news, sports and pretty much anything awesome for more than five years. John is the co-host of the Flix Junkies podcast and will always entertain you with his stories. John is an alumnus of both Utah Valley University and BYU. He, his wife and their two children call Salt Lake City home.

Related topics