If you’re looking for Christmas cheer and Yuletide spirit, you’ve come to the wrong place because these films serve up dark humour and violence instead…
Gremlins (1984)
A kid gets an unusual gift in the form of a mythical creature called a Mogwai. The pet, which he names Gizmo however comes with a set of rules –keep him out of bright light and away from water and no feeding after midnight. Naturally the kid flubs up all the rules resulting in his town being overrun by insanely violent and malicious critters.
‘Christmas’ Moment: The horde of Gremlins led by their leader Stripe wreaks havoc on a department store on Christmas Day.
Life of Brian (1979)
The Monty Python classic tells the story of Brian, who is born around the same time as Jesus, which technically makes this some sort of a Christmas movie.
‘Christmas’ Moment: The opening scene where the three not-so-wise men stumble upon the stable where Brian is born.
Trading Places (1983)
Louis Winthorpe III (Dan Aykroyd), an upper class commodities broker is forced to trade places with a street bum named Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy) as a result of a one dollar wager made between the wealthy Duke brothers.
‘Christmas’ Moment: A down and out Winthorpe (dressed up as Santa) losing his marbles after reaching rock bottom.
Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)
What’s Christmas without a good slasher flick? This cheesy 80s horror flick has all the elements of that including an axe-wielding maniacal killer dressed up as Father Christmas. Recently remade in 2013 as Silent Night.
‘Christmas’ Moment: Santa offing one of his victims using the antlers of a mounted reindeer head.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
Director Shane Black’s directorial debut remains a cinematic classic largely owing to the chemistry between Robert Downey Jr, who plays a petty thief mistaken for an actor and Val Kilmer, who plays a gay detective.
‘Christmas’ Moment: Michelle Monaghan dressed up as a Santarina. Nuff, said.
