It’s almost Christmas, meaning streaming services have been inundated with a tidal wave of romantic vacation-themed comedies. A little Hallmark-esque cheesiness is perfectly fine considering how much of a downer this year it was. However, if you’re tired of the juicy, formulaic films, we’ve got something better on offer. Here are some nontraditional Christmas movies that will still get you in a festive (or terrible) mood. These are our tips for the best non-cheesy Christmas movies to stream this holiday season.
The best not cheesy Christmas movies
Editor’s note: We excluded Home Alone, Elf and a few other Christmas favorites that are undoubtedly already on your list. We instead focused on more funky or lesser-known films for this list. Are you looking for more traditional Christmas movies? We have a list for that too!
Krampus (2015)
A large family comes together to celebrate the happy holidays in this B-movie inspired horror. Just to be trapped with no electricity or heat inside when a crazy blizzard hits your city. What they don’t know when they gather around the fireplace is that the origin of the blizzard is supernatural. Saint Nicolas is not coming to town this year. Instead, a hoofed shadow drops more than coal down the chimney.
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Krampus is a bloody Christmas spectacle filled with monsters, which is part horror, part dark comedy. With a great cast including Adam Scott and Toni Collette, Krampus is sure to give you some festive horror. Watch it today with a fuboTV subscription or borrow it from Amazon using the links below.
Die Hard (1988)
Die Hard is a legendary action film from the 80s, but in recent years it has also become a real Christmas classic. When police officer John McClane comes to his wife at their office Christmas party, things quickly go wrong. Nakatomi Plaza is taken over by terrorists who take everyone but John hostage. Now it is up to him to save the day with sheer determination and wisdom.
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If you haven’t seen this classic before, do yourself a favor and check it out this holiday season. It’s full of tense action and iconic 80s one-liners, as well as great performances from Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman. Check it out with your HBO Max subscription or rent it from Amazon using the links below.
Gremlins (1984)
We move on to another memorable ’80s film that is anything but juicy or cheesy. Randall is a struggling father trying to find a Christmas present for his son. When he comes across a cute, fluffy creature in a shop in China Town, he thinks he has found the perfect gift. The Mogwai Must not be exposed to water or sunlight, or fed after midnight. Will Randall’s son obey all the rules? He’ll try, but things are quickly changing from fluffy to wild.
Gremlins is as crazy as it is fun. The horror comedy might not be your typical Christmas movie, but it is sure to keep you entertained. Watch it with a subscription on fuboTV or borrow it from Google Play using the links below.
Black Christmas (1974)
While you may not have heard of it, this movie practically invented the slasher horror genre. Black Christmas, also known as Silent Night, Evil Night, served as the inspiration for many horror mainstays, including Halloween. The film follows a group of sisters who are followed by a murderer during the Christmas season. The girls receive strange calls and seal their fate if one of them insults the disturbed person on the other end of the line.
Black Christmas is a cult classic that is partly inspired by real events. It’s hands down one of the best Christmas horror movies and one of the best non-cheesy Christmas movies that you can stream. Give him a watch with your Shudder subscription or rent it from Amazon this holiday season.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Usually this movie makes its way onto Halloween’s top lists, but it focuses a lot more on Christmas than it may initially appear. Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, is fed up with the same old festivities. However, if he sneaks into the woods, he will find doors to other vacation-themed cities. Christmas Town quickly caught his attention and not long after that he was trying to instill the merry Christmas spirit in the resident of his own creepy accommodation.
The pre-Christmas nightmare is the epitome of Tim Burton. An animated stop-motion musical, funny, strange and, above all, unforgettable. If you want to stream this non-cheesy Christmas movie, you can sign up for a free Disney Plus trial below.
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Carol (2015)
Not all romantic Christmas films have to be juicy slumber parties. Carol is the perfect example. It takes place in the 1950s and tells the moving story of two unlikely lovers. Carol finds it difficult to divorce when she meets Therese – – a department store worker helping her choose a Christmas present for her daughter. When Carol forgets her gloves on the counter, Therese quickly answers to give them back. From there, the two women form a bond that quickly turns into a relationship.
Set in a time when same-sex relationships were taboo, Carol does not shy away from the harsh realities of her time. It’s a touching romantic story made even more refreshing by its sincerity. As far as romantic Christmas movies go, this is among the best. Check it out today with your Netflix subscription or rent it from Amazon using the links below.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
It’s a Wonderful Life has been a Christmas classic for over 70 years. But few films combine magical elements, relentless optimism and the holiday spirit so well without crossing the line too cheesy. The film tells the story of George Bailey, a small town man with great ambitions who never seems to go his way. Given the overwhelming debt and potential arrest, George wishes he had never been born. Instead of granting him his wish, the angel Clarence shows George how different life in Bedford Falls would be without him.
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It’s a Wonderful Life is one of the most uplifting movies you can see this holiday season. The film teaches us not to give in to despair and to appreciate what we have – something many of us may need for Christmas. Treat yourself to some joy and check out It’s a Wonderful Life with your Amazon Prime subscription via the link below.
Klaus (2019)
Many animated Christmas films, especially for children, focus on the magical aspects of Santa and Christmas. In comparison, Klaus seems almost banal. But that makes the film something special. Klaus is not a mythical figure. He’s just a man with a knack for making toys. With the help of the postman Jesper, he begins delivering them to children in their small town of Smeerensburg in order to foster a spirit of kindness and giving.
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Klaus is undoubtedly a Christmas classic in the making. The film is charming, funny and heartwarming, but above all surprisingly humorous. It’s one of the best Christmas movies you can indulge in. Check it out on Netflix from the link below.
Tokyo Godfathers (2003)
Satoshi Kon isn’t known for sane movies, but Tokyo Godfathers is a rare exception. On Christmas Eve, a newborn is discovered abandoned in a dumpster. The rescuers are three homeless people who have formed a strong bond through their struggles together – Former drag queen Hana, an alcoholic named Gin, and teenage runaway Miyuki. Together they go in search of the baby’s parents through the cold streets of Tokyo.
Tokyo Godfathers is the definition of bohemian when it comes to Christmas movies. Despite the harsh circumstances the characters find themselves in, the film is heartwarming and is sure to make an impression. It has some problematic elements, but still offers a well-chosen family narrative. Check it out for free on Sony Crackle this holiday season at the link below.
Edward with the scissor hands
While this film doesn’t fully set for Christmas, we couldn’t resist adding another Tim Burton classic to the list. The director’s films are as wonderful as they are strange, and Edward Scissorhands is no exception. In fact, it could be one of his most surreal works. The title Edward is an artificially created humanoid. He is discovered by a door-to-door saleswoman in an abandoned Gothic mansion and she quickly decides to incorporate him into her community. Edward is incredibly adept at cutting hedges, hair, and ice sculptures, which quickly earned him the trust and admiration of the locals. It only takes one accident for things to turn sour, however.
Edward Scissorhands is one of the weirdest movies you can see this Christmas, but it’s also one of the best. If you’re convinced, give him a watch with your fuboTV subscription or borrow it from Amazon.
That sums up our picks for the best non-cheesy Christmas movies! Can’t get enough vacation movies and shows? Then check out our other Christmas lists at the links below!
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