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Want to know what are the best Christmas movies that aren't really Christmas movies in 2025? This is the list for you. Here we've pulled together 10 films that make for an exciting alternative best Christmas movies list that skirts the cliches of festive cheer, mistletoe kisses, and spoiled children tearing open presents.
If you want to do things a little differently this year when it comes to your Christmas viewing then you're in the right place. We've added dark dramas, superhero adventures, and – yes – Die Hard to our list here. We've also decided to stay clear of the best Christmas horror movies, since they all tend to be more festive than not.
10. Little Women
Year: 2019
Director: Greta Gerwig
There's not one, but two Christmas scenes in this movie, plus it was released in cinemas on Christmas Day in 2019 – what more do you want? Little Women is just a barrage of festive wholesomeness. Of course, there's the 1994 version starring Winona Ryder too, but we're talking about the Greta Gerwig adaptation.
The small ladies in question are played by Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen and Emma Watson, with Laura Dern as Marmee. Plus, the two Christmas scenes aren't just nice to watch, they also highlight the changes in the March family over time, so they’re vital to the plot.
Check out our Little Women review for more insights.
9. Iron Man 3
Year: 2013
Director: Shane Black
The third Iron Man instalment is sometimes a little bit overlooked in the MCU, coming as it does immediately after the game-changing first Avengers movie. That's a shame, as it's arguably the best of Tony Stark's solo trilogy. Suffering from PTSD following Loki's attack on Earth in the preceding film, Tony (Robert Downey Jnr.) is determined to make the world a safer place – by any means necessary. Meanwhile, the villainous Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) masterminds a series of bombings around the world and Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce) plots revenge against Stark.
Plot wise, Iron Man 3 could take place at any time of the year. It's set in the holiday season, though, and there are subtle hints of A Christmas Carol in the way that Tony learns to change his ways. It's a terrific movie whenever you watch it.
8. The Green Knight
Year: 2021
Director: David Lowery
We've all been on a Christmas mission in our time, but rather than braving the supermarket rush to grab the last frozen turkey, Dev Patel's Sir Gawain is faced with ghosts and giants on his festive pursuit of purpose in The Green Knight. After slaying the titular mythological monster on Christmas Day, Gawain is told to meet his foe again one year later to receive the same fate, thus embarking on a journey through woodlands, over mountains, and into the deepest depths of despair and delusion.
Not only is The Green Knight one of the greatest A24 movies to date – high praise, indeed – it's also one of the weirdest Christmas movies you're likely to find, but it still counts. David Lowery's film is visually stunning, with surrealist imagery and carefully composed frames, and its medieval-set tale is both riveting and profound. The Green Knight's almost anti-ambiguous ending rather perfectly sums up the more cynical approach to Christmas, too; sometimes, leaving all that magic and sentimental stuff at the door is fine.
7. Paddington
Year: 2014
Director: Paul King
Who wouldn't want to spend the most wonderful time of the year with a kind and polite little bear? All three Paddington movies encompass everything good about the holiday season – kindness, generosity, family; they emanate warmth.
The titular bear is voiced by Ben Whishaw, with a supporting cast including Julie Walters, Sally Hawkins, and Peter Capaldi, while Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant take on the role of villain in each respective movie. The first installment follows Paddington as he travels from Peru to London, where he's taken in by the Brown family. Wholesomeness ensues.
Read our Paddington review next or look at his new adventure with our guide to Paddignton 3.
6. In Bruges
Year: 2008
Director: Martin McDonagh
Martin McDonagh, Colin Farrell, and Brendan Gleeson have teamed up to make some of the greatest comedies of the 2000s, and while The Banshees of Inisherin pulled in plenty of Oscar buzz for the trio, it was their work on In Bruges all those years ago that remains their finest collaboration. The film sees haphazard hitman Ray (Farrell) and his mentor, Ken (Gleeson), sent to the Belgian capital after one of Ray's missions goes drastically wrong, and a child ends up in the firing line. As a result, Ken is tasked with tidying up after his pal, with devastating (and hilarious) consequences.
Sounds pretty dark, right? Well, yes, it is, but what is Christmas without a few tasteless jokes? The fact of the matter is, the events of In Bruges take place at Christmas, it's a story about repentance and redemption, and it sees one man trying to soak up some culture and enjoy life while his friend just wants to get drunk and be miserable. If that doesn't match up with your experience of the holidays, you're doing it all wrong.
Read our In Bruges review for more on this gem.
5. Die Hard
Year: 1988
Director: John McTiernan
Die Hard begins as a story about a man trying to reconnect with his wife on Christmas Eve, but quickly descends into chaos and carnage as Nakatomi Plaza finds itself under siege from the maniacal Hans Gruber and his team of mercenaries. With hostages aplenty, it's up to NYPD Detective John McClane – one of the greatest action movie heroes of all time – to save the day.
Yes, Die Hard may be a badass, blistering action flick, but movies very rarely fit into just one category, and the fact this '80s classic literally takes place at Christmas is enough to settle the argument: it's 100% a Christmas movie. That's not to mention the fact John McClane dresses up his nemeses in snazzy festive jumpers, too – how sweet!
4. Batman Returns
Year: 1992
Director: Tim Burton
Following up the 1989 Batman movie was always going to be tough, but with Batman Returns, Tim Burton really cut loose and imbued his superhero sequel with all the fantastical, gothic charm he could muster. Burton's Gotham City becomes a winter wonderland, at least until Batman villains Penguin and Catwoman wreak havoc in their own special ways and bring Bruce Wayne's world crashing down.
You only have to take a look at the snow-covered streets and that gargantuan Christmas tree in Gotham Plaza to realize Batman Returns isn't just one of the best Batman movies, it's also ideal viewing for the festive season. It has a will-they-won't-they romantic subplot, a mean-spirited bad guy looking to spoil everyone's fun, and a mysterious man flying through the night sky – what more could you ask for?
3. Eyes Wide Shut
Year: 1999
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Eyes Wide Shut is set at Christmas therefore it's a Christmas film. Stanley Kubrick's final film before the filmmaker's death in 1999 stars Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman (who were married IRL at the time) as Bill and Alice, a couple whose relationship is strained after Alice admits she has considered cheating on Bill.
This results in Bill embarking on a night-long escapade, which includes infiltrating a masked sex party held by an unnamed secret society. Standard Christmas fare, we think you'll agree.
Want to dive into classic cinema? Read our Eyes Wide Shut review.
2. Phantom Thread
Year: 2017
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
If you enjoyed this year's One Battle After Another and want to try another film from director Paul Thomas Anderson's stacked back catalog, then give Phantom Thread a go. This twisted romance follows Alma (Vicky Krieps), a young woman who falls for the handsome fashion designer Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis). As their relationship progresses, however, Alma struggles to cope with the obsessive, fastidious way he lives his life. The action comes to a head over the holiday season, hence its inclusion on this list.
Phantom Thread puts a gothic twist on the costume drama, while still maintaining a surprisingly strong sense of humor. It's another beautiful, intricate work from Anderson, and an unforgettable film that takes you on a dark, strange journey before leading you back out into the light.
1. Citizen Kane
Year: 1942
Director: Orson Welles
If you incorporate Citizen Kane into your festive viewing schedule, you can watch Mank (David Fincher's film about the movie's screenwriter, Herman J. Mankiewicz) afterward for the ultimate film nerd's Boxing Day double bill.
The movie is about Charles Foster Kane, a media tycoon based on William Randolph Hearst, who, despite his wealth and power, struggles to process the events of his childhood. Christmas is key to Orson Welles' 1941 classic, although it may not seem so from the outset – the all-important Rosebud sled is a childhood Christmas gift from Thatcher to Kane, and without Rosebud, there'd be no story.
Want to know more about our top pick? Read our Citizen Kane review.
For more holiday goodness, check out our lists of the best Christmas TV episodes and the best Disney Plus Christmas movies.
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