What better way to relax during the stressful holiday season for grownups than with these timeless Christmas movies?
Given how hectic the holiday season may be these days, many people opt to escape into the realm of movies to help them relax. Tinseltown typically has a solution for everything, whether they’re seeking a feel-good movie to replenish their depleting supply of holiday spirit or a laugh-out-loud Christmas comedy to divert them from their lengthy to-do lists.
However, not all Christmas movies are appropriate for families; some are better appreciated by yourself or a group of adults. That’s not to argue that none of these films are suitable for kids, but there are undoubtedly plenty of other movies that might be considered ideal for children. As of now, letโs take a look at the top Christmas adult movies to binge-watch.
The Ref (Available on Prime Video)
Even though The Ref may not have been the best Christmas film for adults to come out of the 1990s, it is still a ton of fun to see. It’s a comedy-drama that follows a cat burglar who, when his accomplice abandons him in the middle of a break-in, ends up holding a quarreling couple hostage.
Despite the possibility of some disturbing and dubious scenes, the film instead emphasizes the lighter side of the scenario, with the would-be thief helping the couple resolve some of their unresolved personal issues. The Ref is surprisingly relevant and has lots of amusing moments. It is definitely worth watching this Christmas.
Spirited (Available on Apple TV)
Most people will probably question why Apple didn’t just develop an Elf sequel when they sit down to watch Spirited. After all, is said and done, Spirited still makes for a charming and enjoyable Christmas movie, but the truth is that question will likely still be present when the titles begin to roll.
Will Ferrell plays the Ghost of Christmas Present in the movie based on A Christmas Carol, and he’s determined to assist Clint Briggs, played by Ryan Reynolds, in changing his ways. But he soon realizes that he is the one who needs to change, and his reasons for picking Clint are much more personal than he would ever dare to admit.
A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas (Available on Prime Video)
While it’s wonderful to see Kal Penn and John Cho star in greater and bigger roles, the Harold & Kumar film series has suffered as a result of the duo’s recent success. Since the previous Harold & Kumar film was released more than ten years ago, fans have not received any strong assurances that a proper sequel to A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas will ever be released.
A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas is an absurdly stupid film that is very much a product of its time, just like the other two Harold & Kumar movies. The titular characters’ drug-fueled antics provide a little more likable alternative to the likes of Cheech Marin. Neil Patrick Harris is back in the role.
Fatman (Available on Peacock)
Fatman, a 2020 independent film starring Mel Gibson and Walton Goggins, is recommended for those searching for something a little darker to watch this holiday season. In order to make up for the loss of cash from his failing toy manufacturing firm, which has witnessed a steep fall in recent years due to more and more children’s names being added to the naughty list, it depicts jolly old Saint Nick agreeing to build military weaponry for the US government.
Billy Wenan, a spoilt, affluent youngster who anticipates receiving everything on a silver platter, is one such child. Billy swears vengeance on Santa when he opens his stocking to discover a lump of coal rather than the presents he desired. Wenan even went so far as to hire a hitman to kill Chris Cringle, so this is no empty threat. The action and hilarity that comes next are definitely worth watching.
Bad Santa (Available on Paramount +)
The movie Bad Santa takes tremendous satisfaction in its obnoxiousness and frequently goes above and beyond the call of duty to offend. As a result, it occasionally borders on the ridiculous, but overall, the writing seems to accurately reflect the characters. Keeping all these in mind, there aren’t many better Christmas-themed comedies than this one for anybody seeking for a good chuckle.
In stark contrast to some of his other starring roles, Billy Bob Thornton gives a truly gifted performance. Additionally, the supporting actors, especially Tony Cox, does a good job in their roles. Sadly, the 2016 follow-up falls short of the original in every way, but it did illustrate that the humor in the first film was actually fairly well-measured rather than just the writers spouting profanity and crude one-liners to shock the audience.
Eyes Wide Shut (Available on Netflix)
Eyes Wide Shut makes a great job of criticizing the increasingly commercialized aspect of Christmas for the more cynical moviegoers out there. Although much of the on-screen conversation is squarely focused on spending rather than enjoying, the lavishly decorated backdrops assist to give the movie a very festive atmosphere. It’s possibly a touch gloomy, but it also gives a decent portrayal of Christmas in contemporary society.
Eyes Wide Shut would also turn out to be Stanley Kubrick’s final contribution to the world, with the renowned filmmaker passing away just six days after sending his ostensible final cut to Warner Bros. executives. Although some have questioned whether it was genuinely completed before Kubrick passed away, it is nevertheless a fantastic film that every cineaste should see.
Die Hard (Available on Disney +)
The majority still tend to view Die Hard as a Christmas movie, despite the fact that Bruce Willis himself loves to claim that it isn’t. It’s a little odd in that regard because the original Lethal Weapon movie is also set around Christmastime, yet it seldom ever comes up in discussions about holiday movies. However, others would argue that this is merely because Die Hard is a far better movie.
Die Hard features one of the most recognizable, not to mention the most intriguing, hero/villain pairings ever with John McClane and Hans Gruber. One of the many reasons that tens of thousands of fans see Die Hard every year during the Christmas season is the nearly continual banter between the two, which perfectly punctuates the film’s terrific action scenes.
Home Alone (Available on Disney +)
Due to the insane amount of comedic violence they each feature, the first two Home Alone movies would almost surely have had a PG-13 classification if they had been released in 2021 as opposed to the 1990s. The humor present in the films, however, hasn’t altered over the years and is still as amusing now as it was thirty years ago.
It’s hilarious to see Hank and Marv repeatedly outwitted by an eight-year-old kid. It’s also funny to see Kevin try to act like a grown-up after he’s adjusted to being left alone. The majority of American adults viewed the original films at least once throughout the 1990s, and many of them more than once. The majority of American adults viewed the original films at least once throughout the 1990s, and many of them more than once. This adds to the nostalgia element.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (Available on Disney +)
In the early 1980s, a young Disney animator created The Nightmare Before Christmas as a poem. Nevertheless, a little more than a decade later, it would go on to become one of the most popular Christmas movies ever, grossing more than $90 million at the box office and astounding both viewers and critics with its outstanding stop-motion animation and outstanding inventiveness.
The Nightmare Before Christmas may not be as spectacular as it once was given the significant advancements in CGI technology and the more understandable animation techniques available now. However, this does not diminish the beauty of its plot or characters, nor can these developments diminish the joy of nostalgia that revisiting it brings.
Itโs a Wonderful Life (Available on Prime Video)
It’s a Wonderful Life, which is partially based on Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, is widely recognized as one of the best films of all time, let alone one of the best Christmas movies. This is maybe a little odd considering that despite receiving five Academy Award nominations, the film struggled to break even at the box office and garnered negative reviews from critics when it was first released in 1946. In truth, the film would not likely be nearly as cherished as it is today if not for the administrative blunder that caused it to enter the public domain at the beginning of 1974.
The aforementioned mistake permitted broadcasters to play the film without having to pay any royalties, therefore it was regularly broadcast across several stations each year throughout the holiday season. As a result, it evolved into a beloved and constant seasonal feature, a position that it continues to enjoy in many homes today. The movie has recently been colorized to better meet contemporary standards, although the original still holds up reasonably well.
