Alternative Festive Movies for a Trippy Christmas

Christmas times, whatever your believes may be, is considered a time of joy, coziness and togetherness by most. Whether it is the fond memories we have of our Christmas days as children, awaiting our presents with great anticipation, watching Christmas movies together or seeing that same wonder in the eyes of the kids today, there is magic in the air.

Looking For a Festive Alternative?

Whether your a Christmas elf or humbug — there’s gonna be times in the coming season where you find yourself cozy on the couch wanting something to watch on TV. You might go for a holiday special, you might go for a Christmas classic. If these aren’t your bag we have some suggestions for alternative festive films! So grab a blanket, and your warm fuzzy of choice — hot cocoa, eggnog, or some shroom tea and lets get watching!

We’ve gathered together some movie magic with low-key enough Christmas vibes to be enjoyed by the grinchy-est Grinch or the scroogey-est Scrooge. So grab a blanket, and your warm fuzzy of choice — hot cocoa, eggnog, or some shroom tea and lets get watching!

Gremlins (1984)

Gremlins is a childhood favorite or the movie that scarred you for life — depending on your sensitivity-level as a kiddo. As a Steven Speilberg joint it’s not really what you’d call countercultural, but this horror comedy has its kitschy, hilarious and sometimes downright violent moments. There may be carol singers and snow, but at its core it’s a mad-cap caper with a decidedly anti-commercial message. For younger generations who didn’t grow up with the movie, Gizmo and the gang offer a fresh holiday treat containing nil romantic meet-cutes or switching princesses. 

Brazil (1985)

Terry Gilliam’s trippy dystopian epic is a film that really digs its heels into the eerie and bleak rather than the merry and bright of the holiday season. Set in a grim industrial future, taking its cue from Orwell’s 1984, Christmas insignia is everywhere but the mood is anything but festive. Watch as an idyllic family Christmas (the mother reading ‘A Christmas Carol’ to her young children no less) is destroyed by a SWAT team smashing down a wall and dragging the father away in a straight jacket. Gasp as shopping malls are destroyed by fire bombs. Flinch as you realize you’ve come to associate the sound of jingle bells with the approach of violence. Brazil is in an anti-holiday mood. 

The Night Before (2015)

A festive spin on the trad stoner-bro genre. This movie of course stars Seth Rogen, as it is ILLEGAL for a stoner-bro movie not to. Three friends realize that their tradition of meeting up every Christmas eve may be coming to an end, as one of them prepares to become a father for the first time. Debaucherous hijinks ensue including Seth Rogen’s character Isaac having a chat with a nativity scene in church while tripping on shrooms. 

Krampus (2015)

The Krampus is a freaky-deaky festive character from European folklore who we have stanned in the past. This 2015 dark-comedy puts the scary goat-man front and center as a horror-villain for the ages. A family, thrown together for the holidays, find themselves trapped in a snowy cabin while the Krampus terrorizes them with an array of festive threats (creepy snowmen and violent gingerbread men anyone?) By the time the Krampus himself arrives you’ll be cowering beneath that blanket. 

Batman Returns (1992)

Before The Dark Knight made Batman all about growling and moping, there was some pretty campy fun to be had in Gotham. Cue Tim Burton’s Batman Returns starring Danny DeVito as Penguin, chewing the set almost as hard as he gollops down raw fish, and Michelle Pfieffer purring as she disarms policemen with a flick of her whip. The city of Gotham is covered in a layer of snow, festive lights twinkle, and a bunch of marauding Christmas clowns explode from giant presents. Obviously. 

So, behold our handpicked collection of delightfully quirky Christmas movies, carefully curated to tickle your funny bone and tug at your nostalgic heartstrings. No more sifting through mountains of Christmas specials; simply choose your favorite, settle in, whether alone or surrounded by loved ones, and savor a magical Christmas Eve!