Have you watched all the Christmas movies for children? Or just want something that’s more grown up? Here is our list of the best Christmas movies for adults.
There is a plethora of Christmas movies – either from the big screen or made-for-TV specials – out there. But many of those movies are, understandably, aimed at children – after all, Christmas is a magical time for them. While many people of all ages enjoy those films, sometimes, those of us who are aged 18 and above might just want something that isn’t just focused on Santa, Rudolf, or a kid whose parents care so much they leave him at home when they go on holiday.
Fortunately, there are plenty of options for movies that are aimed at more mature viewers – whether that is comedy, drama, horror, or a mixture of those. Here is our list of the best Christmas movies for adults (and no, we haven’t included Die Hard).
Scrooged
Bill Murray stars in a blackly comic reworking of the classic tale A Christmas Carol from 1988. He plays cynical and selfish TV executive Frank Cross, who has lost his Christmas spirit. As he prepares for a live adaptation of A Christmas Carol, he is visited by – you’ve guessed it – a succession of ghosts who want him to regain his Christmas spirit.
Violent Night
With a title like this, you know exactly what you are going to get with this movie. This action-comedy from 2022 stars David Harbour as an immortal, but increasingly bitter, Santa, who plans to retire after this year’s festivities. But, happening upon a mansion where the family inside have been taken hostage by a group of mercenaries, Santa resolves to save the girl inside, who still believes in Santa. This he does, in a series of violent set-pieces – but can he also rescue his faith in Christmas too?
Bad Santa
Billy Bob Thornton stars in this 2003 comedy as Willie, who, along with his assistant Marcus, are professional thieves that every year get jobs as a department store Santa and elf, with the aim of robbing it on Christmas Eve night. Willie is a foul-mouthed, sex addicted bad guy, but his plans are thrown into chaos when he meets a young boy, Thurman Merman, in his Santa role. While his criminal plan goes into action, will he find redemption through Thurman?
Gremlins
This 1984 horror comedy has become a classic. Bizarrely, it was rated PG on its release – the 80s really were wild – but the horror and violence in it really does mean that younger viewers should stay away from it. But, if you’re older, this movie is a lot of fun. In it, a teenage boy receives a mysterious Christmas present, a mogwai – but must abide by three rules – don’t expose it to sunlight, don’t get it wet and don’t feed it after midnight. Of course, the latter two happen and the mogwai multiply and turn into gremlins, which are destructive and murderous (told you it wasn’t for kids) – Billy has to find a way to stop their wave of destruction.
The Night Before
This 2015 comedy is in the vein of movies such as American Pie and Superbad. In it, three childhood friends – including one played, inevitably, by Seth Rogen – reunite every Christmas Eve in search of an exclusive Christmas party, the Nutcracker Ball, in New York City. For this Christmas – which has been decided will be the final one of their tradition – the friends secure tickets to the Ball. Of course, nothing runs smoothly and a combination of drugs, girlfriends and various revelations means that the night descends into chaos – but can the three reconcile and find out the real meaning of the season?
Trading Places
Another 80s classic, this movie, set over Christmas and New Year, sees a wealthy commodities broker – played by Dan Aykroyd – swap places with a poor street hustler (Eddie Murphy), as part of an elaborate bet to see how the two can perform when their lives are swapped. Looking at the issue of nature versus nurture, the film follows the two and how they adapt to their differing circumstances – but also how they try to gain revenge on those who set up the bet.
