As a child of the ’80s and a lifelong action movie enthusiast, I’ve seen my fair share of holiday-themed flicks, but none have ever quite captured the essence of Christmas like “Die Hard.” Growing up, we didn’t have fancy Christmas decorations or extravagant parties, but we did have an old VHS copy of this masterpiece. Every December, as the snow fell outside and the cold winds howled, my family would gather around our small television to watch John McClane single-handedly take down a band of terrorists in Nakatomi Plaza on Christmas Eve.
A wide variety of films can be considered holiday classics during Christmas time. Ranging from comedies and dramas to mysteries, science fiction, westerns, and even horror, the diversity is immense. Notably, there are also Christmas action movies that may even belong to another genre mentioned earlier.
In this discussion, we won’t get bogged down in debates about which films are universally considered Christmas movies. Instead, we’ll approach the topic with flexibility, acknowledging that the definition of a Christmas film can vary greatly depending on personal perspectives. Just as Christmas is a holiday with diverse meanings for different people, so too can a movie be considered a Christmas film based on individual interpretations and traditions. We’ll explore a range of films that might fall under this category, reflecting the fluid nature of the holiday and the freedom people have to celebrate it in their own unique ways, including through the media they include in their annual Christmas celebrations.
Considering that context, there are still some movies, even after 30 years, debatably deserving of being labeled as holiday classics. From well-known ones to lesser-known or more recent productions, here are the top picks for those seeking a Christmas movie experience with added elements of action such as fights, chases, and explosions.
10. Silent Night (2023)
If there is an action director out there who has absolutely nothing to prove, it is the legendary John Woo. The highly influential filmmaker changed the action movie genre forever with pioneering classics like “Hard Boiled” and “The Killer,” not to mention the unhinged cult classic “Face/Off.” Woo mostly stepped away from Hollywood after scoring several big hits in the 1990s, returning to helm movies in his native China for most of the 2000s and 2010s. But he came back in a big way in 2023 with “Silent Night.”
In this film, titled “Silent Night,” the holiday theme isn’t merely decorative – the main character, Brian Godlock (played by Joel Kinnaman from “Suicide Squad”), dons an ostentatious reindeer sweater during a major fight scene. However, the significance goes deeper: after his son is murdered in a gang attack, Brian loses his ability to speak. Contrary to popular belief, speech isn’t essential for exacting brutal, bloody revenge, which is exactly what “Silent Night” offers for most of its duration. The action unfolds so spectacularly with acrobatic moves, gunfire, explosions, and falling bodies that dialogue becomes unnecessary. With Christmas lights casting a red and green hue over the scene, it’s easy to see why critics are raving about John Woo’s return, making “Silent Night” an ideal present for action movie enthusiasts.
9. The Silent Partner
1978’s “The Silent Partner,” which graced our screens, could be considered a cult classic in the United States, but it was a box office success in its birthplace Canada. This action-thriller features Elliott Gould as Miles Cullen, a bank clerk at a mall, who uncovers a plot by none other than the mall Santa (Christopher Plummer) to rob the bank. Suspecting he could get away with it, Miles makes off with a large chunk of the bank’s money before the Santa can. However, the Santa becomes wise when he watches news reports about the robbery and calculates that the amount reported stolen is significantly greater than what he actually took.
In a glowing critique, Roger Ebert labeled “The Silent Partner” as a chilling and smartly executed thriller with a remarkably intricate plot that stands out distinctly. This production later garnered six Canadian Film Awards, among them best picture and best director for Daryl Duke. Although it may not offer the light-hearted excitement typically found in holiday-themed action films, “The Silent Partner” remains an engaging choice for the season. Additionally, it offers a glimpse of future holiday movie star, John Candy, making his early screen debut.
8. Violent Night
You might have dismissed “Violent Night” from 2022 as just another clichéd Santa-themed horror flick, but remember not to judge a book by its cover or, in today’s terms, a movie by its thumbnail. Instead, this film was originally described as “Die Hard” meets Santa Claus. In this action-comedy, David Harbour plays a Santa who isn’t shy about using force when needed to protect the Christmas spirit. The villain in this case is none other than Mr. Scrooge (John Leguizamo), a fitting name for someone holding a family hostage on Christmas Eve.
In “Violent Night,” Santa Claus uses a sledgehammer, indicating the intense action and violence portrayed in the film. Even though one character, Trudy (Leah Brady), is young and contributes by setting traps, this movie is not for kids due to its violent content. Unlike other Christmas classics, “Violent Night” deserves its R rating and may be more appropriate for parents to watch after their children have fallen asleep dreaming of sugar plums.
7. Die Hard 2
While “Die Hard 2” maintains its connection to the holiday season by being set during Christmas time, it significantly decreases the emphasis on Christmas elements compared to the original “Die Hard”. This is evident through the reduced presence of Christmas motifs throughout the film. However, just like in the first installment, John McClane (played by Bruce Willis) travels to reunite with his wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia) for the holidays, adding a touch of holiday warmth to the storyline. The difference here is that this time around, John aims to celebrate Christmas as a happily married couple, rather than trying to win back his separated wife as in the original movie. This subtle shift contributes to a somewhat homier Christmas atmosphere.
Absolutely, the tranquility vanishes when John learns that the very airport he’s lounging at is under control of terrorists. Instead of the slow-burn tension in the original, what unfolds is a high-octane, explosive action thriller. Many fans consider “Die Hard with a Vengeance” as the best sequel in the series, but “Die Hard 2” remains a strong contender. As for this collection, “Die Hard 2” is the last installment to use Christmas as a setting and feature Holly as a character on screen.
6. Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale
If you reside outside of Finland, France, Norway, or Austin (specifically at Fantastic Fest in 2010), then you likely missed the theatrical release of “Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale.” This film, boasting an impressive array of genres including Christmas-fantasy-horror-black comedy, may not appeal to everyone, but it offers a unique twist on holiday cinema for those who are open to its unconventional take.
In this film’s fictional universe, Santa is not just a mythical figure but a malevolent one who torments children. Luckily, he is believed to be deceased, until his tomb is looted and numerous reindeer are killed. To fully appreciate the movie, it’s recommended to go in without prior knowledge. It may not be suitable for very young viewers, but older kids, especially those who can handle a bit of fear, might find it enjoyable. Critics have praised this film as a unique blend of dark humor and holiday horror, with an impressive 89% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
5. The Long Kiss Goodnight
It was challenging not to give Shane Black top billing on this list, given his extensive work in creating action films during the holiday season. In fact, he expanded the genre of seemingly non-Christmas movies when he directed and co-wrote “Iron Man 3,” a Marvel Cinematic Universe sequel that turned out to be a Christmas movie in disguise. However, it would have been unfair to only include one of his films on this list, and we believe that “The Long Kiss Goodnight” deserves recognition as the second best Christmas action movie by Shane Black.
1996 saw the film “The Long Kiss Goodnight” starring Geena Davis, who portrays a woman living a peaceful life despite suffering from amnesia. During Christmas celebrations with her family, she experiences a car accident resulting in a concussion. This incident triggers memories of her past life, revealing that she is an expert in knife fighting and hand-to-hand combat. Her skills are put to the test when an attacker targets her and her loved ones at home. The plot shares similarities with “The Bourne Identity”, although it predates the movie adaptation by a decade and was based on a book series.
In addition to Samuel L. Jackson, Brian Cox, and David Morse, “The Long Kiss Goodnight” is a movie that showcases the unique style of Shane Black – featuring sharp dialogue, fully fleshed characters who have an undeniable chemistry, and noteworthy, as it’s set during the holiday season.
4. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
In the film titled “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” which is the sixth installment in the official James Bond series, there’s a complex history attached to it. The fact that Sean Connery, the original star, was absent from this film initially caused quite a stir among fans, as many found it hard to accept a new actor stepping into his shoes. To add to this, George Lazenby played Bond only once in this movie, making it unique because no other actor has had just one appearance as 007 before moving on. Over the years, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” was often overlooked when lists of the best Bond movies were compiled; however, it has since been reevaluated and is now commonly regarded as one of the franchise’s finest productions. In our own ranking of every James Bond movie from worst to best, we placed “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” in the top 10, even ahead of several films featuring Sean Connery.
Another point of debate about the 1969 film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” is its classification as a Christmas movie. In my opinion, not only does it deserve this label, but it stands out among the top Christmas action movies. The storyline, centered around Bond experiencing love for the first time (which was unusual and remains so today), perfectly captures the seasonal spirit. Moreover, the film makes it clear that the Christmas holiday occurs during its narrative events.
In one memorable scene, Bond regains consciousness after getting knocked out and brought to the villain’s hideout, with the first thing he sees being a large, ornately decorated Christmas tree. When iconic Bond antagonist Blofeld (Telly Savalas) sees that Bond is awake, he delivers the line “Merry Christmas, 007.”
3. Lethal Weapon
In case you were unsure about the specific Shane Black Christmas action movie we mentioned earlier, it’s his groundbreaking 1987 film titled “Lethal Weapon.” At that time, he wasn’t directing movies on his own – he started doing so with 2005’s “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” – but “Lethal Weapon” marked the beginning of his screenwriting career. And what a start it was, signaling the arrival of a new filmmaker in Hollywood with a Christmas-themed explosion.
In all the hubbub over whether “Die Hard” is actually a Christmas movie, a growing contingent of people have joined the discourse to say that “Lethal Weapon” is the picture that should be crowned the Christmas action movie king. In fact, some have even called it the perfect Christmas movie, period. Whether you agree with that strong of an assessment or not, there’s no denying how heavily the holidays play into the debut outing of unlikely cop partners Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover).
Film School Rejects notes that the movie’s plot serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of cherishing our blessings, which encapsulates the essence of Christmas. Beyond the exciting action sequences infused with festive hues, “Lethal Weapon” also delves into the melancholic side of the holidays, highlighting how they can be particularly dismal if you’re grieving the loss of a loved one during this time.
2. Batman Returns
Tim Burton, known for his dark and eerie works, surprisingly embraces Christmas with enthusiasm. The film “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is a clear example, but his affection for the holiday extends beyond that. In “Edward Scissorhands”, Christmas plays a significant role both in the storyline and in Edward’s actions. The town is even given a white Christmas by Edward himself. Furthermore, Burton was ahead of the curve when he incorporated Christmas into a comic book character’s film universe, a move that was made 21 years before Shane Black did it.
Following his significant contribution to the development of contemporary comic book films through the release of “Batman” in 1989, Burton was persuaded to direct a sequel. He consented, and in doing so, he crafted the most unconventional, superhero-defying film he could conceptualize – while still maintaining character integrity – with the 1992 release of “Batman Returns.
He further added an excessive amount of dark-themed holiday spirit to the events, adorning his extravagant art deco interpretation of Gotham City with equally flamboyant holiday ornaments. However, it’s not merely for show; indeed, one of the film’s crucial scenes – where Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton) and Selina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer) simultaneously uncover each other’s hidden identities as Batman and Catwoman – is partly due to the customary Christmas practice of kissing under the mistletoe.
1. Die Hard
Regardless of whether “Die Hard” qualifies as a traditional Christmas film or not, this topic continues to spark lively debates among viewers. If the movie itself wasn’t exceptionally good, this argument wouldn’t be worth having. However, given that Die Hard is considered one of the greatest action movies ever made and played a significant role in boosting Bruce Willis’ career into Hollywood’s pantheon of action heroes, it’s understandable why people still discuss it so passionately, regardless of the specific topic at hand.
As I settle into my seat, the melodious strains of a Christmas carol fill the air, setting the scene for an unforgettable evening. It’s Christmas Eve, and here I am, attending an office Christmas bash. You see, I’ve got this hunch that the festive season is the ideal time to mend fences with my long-lost love, Holly. After all, isn’t a romantic rekindling the epitome of a heartwarming Christmas tale?
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2024-12-14 00:00