If you’re like me, the Christmas season mostly consists of three things; sleeping in, eating copious amounts of chocolate and watching Hans Gruber fall from the top of the Nakatomi Plaza. However, whilst Die Hard tends to be the go-to for anyone looking for an ‘unconventional’ Christmas film, devoid of the usual schmaltz and sappiness the genre is known for, it is by no means the only one of its kind. Here are some of my favourites;

5. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

Starring a pre-Iron Man Robert Downey Jr. as hapless petty thief and wannabe actor Harry Lockhart, this quirky crime comedy sees the superhero-to-be paired up with a no nonsense, short tempered private eye (Val Kilmer) as he shadows him in order to prepare for his next role, only to become entangled in a mystery involving a struggling actress (Michelle Monaghan) and several dead bodies.
While the film’s connection to the Christmas season is admittedly quite strenuous (the only real connection to the holiday is the setting and Monaghan donning the iconic Santa dress), it more than makes up for it with its clever and witty script and the entertaining chemistry between the three leads. Downey’s performance as the clueless motormouth Lockhart is one of the actor’s best, showing a side of him that’s far sillier than the suave, confident persona embodied by his later roles, and watching Kilmer become increasingly annoyed by his antics is a joy to watch.

4. L.A. Confidential (1997)

Something about crime movies set in L.A. really seems to go with Christmas for some reason, huh? Much like Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, L.A. Confidential doesn’t primarily focus on Christmas, though it is at least more central to the plot, which involves 3 LAPD officers seeking to root out corruption in the city’s police department by investigating the murder of an officer involved in the real-life “Bloody Christmas” scandal. Irrespective of its festive connections, L.A. Confidential is one of the best mystery movies ever made. The script is watertight, never giving the characters a moment to breathe as they fall further and further into an endless spiral of drugs, violence and corruption as the tension ratchets up. It’s easy to see how this influenced later L.A.-set detective stories like True Detective or The Shield. The performances are also fantastic across the board, with then-newcomers Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe stealing the show as the timid Ed Exley and the thuggish Bud White respectively. If you’ve yet to check this one out, this festive season would be the perfect time.

3. Black Christmas (1974)

Christmas themed horror films are certainly nothing new, but Black Christmas takes the cake as the most iconic. Directed by Bob Clark, who also helmed the much lighter Christmas classic A Christmas Story (1983) (an exercise in contrast if ever there was one), the film followsa group of sorority girls staying at their college house over Christmas, who after receiving a series of threatening phone calls are slowly picked off one by one by an unseen killer. Though many people like to credit Halloween (1978) as the film that started the slasher craze of the 1970s and 80s, Black Christmas deserves that title even more so, as it predates John Carpenter’s classic by quite a few years and arguably created many of the tropes commonly associated with the genre. The film is dripping with atmosphere, using its one location setting to its full advantage, and the ‘less-you-see’ tactic of hiding the killer from the audience’s point of
view keeps the tension at a constantThe cast is also star studded, featuring New Hollywood stars such as Olivia Hussey (Jesus of Nazareth, Romeo & Juliet) and Margot Kidder (The Amityville Horror) giving extremely committed and believable performances. Seek it out, but best to make sure no one’s peeking through the window while you do.

2. Batman Returns (1992)

The sequel to Tim Burton’s much loved and widely successful Batman sees the Caped Crusader fighting for justice at the Yuletide Season, as he goes up against the monstrous Penguin (Danny DeVito) and the feisty Catwoman (Michelle Pfieffer) whilst trying to uncover a plan by business tycoon Max Shreck (Christopher Walken).
Though still financially successful, Returns proved controversial upon release, mainly due to its twisted dark tone and graphic violence (lest we forget the Penguin’s infamous nose biting scene). However, recent years have been kinder to the film, with many (including current Batman Robert Pattinson) declaring it the best film in the franchise. Whilst I wouldn’t go that far, it’s undoubtedly one of the most unique; the snowy landscapes of Gotham City are something we’ve not seen in any other Batman movie, which gives the film a unique edge that other films in the series don’t have.
The casting is also exceptional; Keaton makes for a phenomenal Batman, DeVito is virtually unrecognisable as the deranged Penguin, Pfieffer proves herself to be the definitive cinematic interpretation of Catwoman and Walken is delightfully over the top as Shreck. Perfect for anyone looking for some superhero action this festive season.

1. Gremlins (1984)

Perhaps slightly predictable, but it’s for a good reason. Joe Dante’s darkly funny Christmas-themed tale  of a group of murderous little creatures terrorising a small town is bothone of the best of its kind and one of the most iconic movies of the 1980s.
The biggest part of Gremlins’ appeal is its ability to balance genres, as at many points in the movie, you’re left unsure whether to cringe in shock or cry with laughter. This blending of humour and horror extends to the numerous kills throughout the film; one in particular involving a power chair, an old lady and a two-storey window is sure to leave people both horrified and bursting with laughter (if like me you have a particularly sick sense of humour). The effects work is also surprisingly impressive, especially for a film released in 1984; the iconic and adorable Gizmo is especially mind-blowing, to the point that it’s hard to believe that he’s not a real creature, as the animatronic puppet breathes such life and personality into hismovements and facial expressions.

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