From our friends at Magic City Weekend.

We all have our favorite Christmas movies to watch each December. But if you don’t want to fire up Elf for the eighth time this season, or just simply want to check out something a little different, we’ve put together a list of films that are Christmas-adjacent enough to satisfy the holiday spirit!

‘Tis the season for some action

Looking for some action-packed counterprogramming? You’ve got plenty of options!

Die Hard 2: Die Harder

Why just Die Hard 2? Well because this is a list of non-traditional choices and we’ve already discussed at great length why Die Hard should be a standard Christmas classic. But if you’re looking for more you can watch the further adventures of John McClane as he once again finds himself at the wrong place and wrong time on Christmas Eve.

The movie is available on MAX GO right now. If you don’t have that you can rent it for less than $5 on a number of different platforms.

Where to watch

via GIPHY

Lethal Weapon

You’re never too old to enjoy the adventures of Roger Murtaugh and Martin Riggs. The plot features plenty of references to the holidays which is all you really need to justify cueing up this 1987 classic.

Where to watch

Batman Returns

Batman may not be able to spend the holidays with his family (too soon?) but you can spend your holidays with the Caped Crusader. The follow-up to the 1989 Batman takes place during Christmas so it totally counts for a holiday movie!

You can watch it for free if you have the DC Universe streaming service If not, there are plenty of places to rent it.

Where to watch

Laughing all the way

Burn off some of those Christmas calories laughing along with one of these flicks.

via GIPHY

Trading Places

You might not immediately think Trading Places when you think Christmas, but the 1983 Eddie Murphy/Dan Aykroyd comedy is loaded with just as many Christmas themes as it is laughs.

Where to stream

Trapped in Paradise

What could go wrong when you try to rob a small-town bank on Christmas Eve? Nic Cage, Jon Lovitz, and Dana Carvey find out the hard way in this quirky 1994 comedy.

You can check it out now if you have Starz or you can rent it from your favorite streaming service.

Where to watch

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Part action, part comedy, all fun! Shane Black loves setting his movies around Christmas and 2005’s Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is no exception! Check out a former Batman (Val Kilmer) team up with the future Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) in a fish out of water murder investigation.

It’s available to stream on HBO GO/NOW or rented at one of the places below.

Where to watch

Scream and shout, that’s what Christmas is all about

The weather outside doesn’t have to be the only thing that’s frightful. Check out some of the creepier options you can stream this Christmas.

via GIPHY

Gremlins

So Gremlins is more comedy than horror, but either way, it makes for a fun viewing during the holidays.

Where to watch

via GIPHY

Krampus

If you aren’t familiar with the legend of Krampus just picture the opposite of Santa (seriously the origin of Krampus is creepy AND IT WAS SOMETHING MEANT FOR KIDS). This 2015 dark comedy has fun exploring the scarier side of Christmas.

[Note: There are a lot of movies called Krampus (and most of them are terrible) so be sure you’re checking out the one linked below.]

Where to watch

Edward Scissorhands

This is the closest you’ll ever get to a true Tim Burton/Johnny Depp Christmas movie. Just imagine wrapping a present with those hands…yikes.

It’s available on Starz or can be rented from one of the streaming services below.

Where to watch

Black Christmas

Did you know John Carpenter’s Halloween was partially inspired by a Christmas movie? Black Christmas might not be a traditional Christmas classic, but it’s one the earliest slasher movies released and is still just as creepy 40+ years later. (You should avoid the 2006 remake though.)

It’s currently available on SHOWTIME ANYTIME and Shudder. If you don’t have those you can rent it below.

Where to watch

The post 10 Non-traditional Christmas movies you can watch this holiday season appeared first on Cincy Weekend.