Not everyone wants their Christmas movies dripping in carols, matching pyjamas, and perfectly wrapped happy endings. If you’re looking for snow, tension, chaos, or emotional depth—without the forced cheer—you’re in the right place.
This list is for viewers who want films that touch the holiday season without being swallowed by it. Some happen to unfold at Christmas, others simply carry winter energy, but none rely on jingling bells or predictable festive formulas.
If this year has been a lot, if you’d rather scream than swoon, or if action beats awkward rom-coms for you, here are 11 Christmas-adjacent movies worth binging.
Better Watch Out (2017)
What starts as a quiet babysitting gig in a peaceful suburban home quickly descends into something far more disturbing. Ashley, a 17-year-old babysitter, is left watching over 12-year-old Luke when strange break-ins and escalating threats take over the night.
The film flips expectations with sharp twists, dark humour, and psychological tension. Perfect for anyone who wants horror with a Christmas backdrop and zero holiday sentimentality.
Carol (2015)
Set during the Christmas shopping rush of 1950s New York, Carol follows the slow-burning romance between Therese, a young photographer, and Carol, an elegant woman trapped in a collapsing marriage.
The holidays act as a quiet backdrop to a story filled with longing, restraint, and emotional risk. Ideal for viewers craving romance with depth, not clichés.
Spencer (2021)
This psychological drama centres on Princess Diana during Christmas at Sandringham in 1991, as her marriage to Prince Charles unravels.
Lavish holiday traditions contrast painfully with Diana’s inner turmoil, isolation, and desire for freedom. Christmas is present—but only as a haunting frame around a deeply personal crisis.
Spoiler Alert (2022)
Told across multiple Christmases, Spoiler Alert traces the real-life love story of Michael and Kit—from first dates to devastating illness.
While the holidays bring warmth and nostalgia, the heart of the film lies in its raw exploration of love, vulnerability, and loss. Emotional without being overly festive or fake.
Krampus (2015)
When family tension reaches its breaking point, Christmas takes a dark turn. Krampus mixes horror and comedy as a supernatural creature punishes a dysfunctional family for losing the holiday spirit.
Instead of warmth and joy, you get chaos, monsters, and twisted humour—perfect for anyone tired of feel-good Christmas narratives.
Silent Night (2021)
Set against the looming threat of global extinction, Silent Night is a bleakly funny apocalypse film disguised as a Christmas dinner party.
As a toxic gas cloud approaches the UK, friends and family gather to confront impossible choices, moral panic, and uncomfortable truths. Dark, unsettling, and surprisingly funny.
Carry On (2024)
If Die Hard is your idea of a Christmas movie, Carry On will hit the spot. TSA officer Ethan Kopek finds himself caught in a deadly standoff at LAX on Christmas Eve when a mercenary threatens mass casualties.
High stakes, nonstop tension, and action-heavy storytelling—tinsel optional.
The Holdovers (2023)
Set at a New England boarding school, this film follows a strict teacher forced to supervise students stuck on campus over Christmas break.
Blending humour, grief, and unexpected connection, The Holdovers uses the holiday season as a quiet backdrop for character growth and human moments—never syrupy, always sincere.
Black Doves (2024)
This British spy thriller unfolds during the holidays, following a secret agent tasked with protecting a woman after her lover’s murder.
Espionage, betrayal, and high-stakes manoeuvring drive the story, while Christmas adds atmosphere rather than distraction. Ideal for fans of suspense and strategic drama.
Elves (2021)
A Danish family’s Christmas getaway to a remote island takes a terrifying turn when they discover carnivorous elves lurking in the woods.
Dark fantasy meets horror as innocence clashes with deadly tradition. The festive setting only heightens the dread, making this a great pick for fans of chilling winter stories.
White Reindeer (2013)
After losing her husband just before Christmas, Suzanne’s grief leads her into an unexpected—and uncomfortable—friendship with his former lover.
This film explores loss, betrayal, and healing with emotional honesty. Winter and Christmas details set the mood without overshadowing the raw human story at its core.
If traditional Christmas movies aren’t your thing this year, these picks prove you can still enjoy the season—just with more edge, depth, and tension. Whether you’re in the mood for horror, action, or emotional realism, there’s something here that doesn’t require fake snow or forced cheer.
