The Christmas holiday season is the perfect time to unwind with family, share gifts, eat your body weight in Turkey, and feast your eyes on as many movies as possible. There’s always something on at the cinema that’s perfect escapism during the holidays, and the streaming services will also be churning out their latest Christmas offering, like Dwayne Johnson’s Red One. However, audiences also get movies with star actors who are not usually associated with festive films.
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The holiday season would definitely feel like it’s lacking something if there weren’t numerous festive offerings to consume. Whether it’s a family ritual, like sitting down to watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, or catching a festive horror like Terrifier 3. However, what’s so wonderful about Christmas movies is how they often subvert audience expectations by casting actors not usually associated with the genre.
10 Love Actually (2003)
Starring Liam Neeson
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Love Actually is one of the most sickeningly sweet, absurd Christmas movies that simply had to get a mention due to one of its cast members playing a role far removed from their usual butt-kicking parts. Liam Neeson has been utilizing his particular set of skills ever since he landed roles in movies like Excalibur from 1981, The Taken series, and as fan-favorite Jedi Knight, Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace.
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8/10 7.7/10 Love Actually R
The 2003 romantic comedy Love Actually follows various couples as they explore their relationships throughout the Christmas season. With a star-studded cast composed of Bill Nighy, Colin Firth, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, Rowan Atkinson, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Martin Freeman, and Martine McCutcheon, Love Actually has since become a Christmas staple for rom-com lovers.
Director Richard Curtis Release Date November 14, 2003 Cast Colin Firth , Emma Thompson , Liam Neeson , Keira Knightley , Chiwetel Ejiofor , Laura Linney , Alan Rickman , Hugh Grant , Bill Nighy , Andrew Lincoln Runtime 135 minutes
However, when Curtis cast him in the yuletide favorite, Love Actually in 2003, it was against type for the Irish actor. He’d played romantic roles in the past, and had often had a love interest in a lot of his roles. The quotable Love Actually was a significant departure for Neeson, and it was jarring to see him in such a schmaltzy movie.
9 I Come in Peace (1990)
Starring Dolph Lundgren
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Better known as Dark Angel, 1990s I Come in Piece is a Christmas movie starring one of the ’80s and ’90s most iconic action stars, Dolph Lundgren. The action thriller, that also manages to add a touch of sci-fi and horror, is one of the best movies of its kind to come from the ’90s. Its star was most known for fighting Rocky Balboa in cheesy sequels, so to see him in a Christmas set movie is fun.
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I Come in Peace R
I Come in Peace follows Houston detective Jack Caine, played by Dolph Lundgren, as he investigates a string of bizarre murders linked to an alien drug dealer who hunts humans for their endorphins. Partnered with an FBI agent, Caine faces off against the extraterrestrial threat in a battle to save humanity. The film blends sci-fi and action elements, directed by Craig R. Baxley and released in 1990.
Director Craig R. Baxley Release Date September 28, 1990 Cast Dolph Lundgren , Brian Benben , Betsy Brantley , Matthias Hues , Jay Bilas , Jim Haynie , David Ackroyd , Sherman Howard , Sam Anderson Runtime 91 minutes
The plot centers on an alien drug dealer who’s committed a series of grisly murders around Christmastime, and Lundgren’s cop, Detective Jack Caine, who must hunt the alien down. Caine is a loose cannon, which leads to a series of surprisingly funny set-pieces. The best, and most festive, is when the alien antagonist blows up another bad guy at a Christmas tree store.
8 The Grinch (2018)
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch
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Christmas is the perfect time for animated movies to bring classic stories to life, and Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch is certainly a festive holiday favorite. There had already been several adaptations of The Grinch before Benedict Cumberbatch voiced the character in Illumination Entertainment’s animated movie in 2018.
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6/10 10/10 The Grinch PG
A grumpy Grinch plots to ruin Christmas for the village of Whoville. This film is based on the classic book How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Suess, which was previously adapted into a 1966 holiday TV special and a 2000 live-action film. It was first announced back in 2013, and Benedict Cumberbatch wasn’t cast in the lead role until 2016.
Director Yarrow Cheney , Scott Mosier Release Date November 9, 2018 Cast Benedict Cumberbatch , Pharrell Williams , Kenan Thompson , Cameron Seely , Rashida Jones , Angela Lansbury , Bobby Moynihan Runtime 90 Minutes
Jim Carrey’s live-action film from 2000 was delightfully mischievous, but it was Cumberbatch’s voice role in the animated movie that was a departure for the star. Cumberbatch is a very versatile actor, but to most audiences, he’s best known for more action-oriented roles, such as Dr Strange in the MCU, or even as Sherlock in the clever, action-filled BBC drama series that began in 2010.
His voice work in
The Grinch
captures the cheeky, Christmas-hating Grinch perfectly.
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His voice work in The Grinch captures the cheeky, Christmas-hating Grinch perfectly, and while the movie plays to a younger audience, Cumberbatch sells the title character’s grumpiness well.
7 Daddy’s Home 2 (2017)
Starring Mel Gibson And Mark Wahlberg
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When Daddy’s Home was released in 2015, it was a hit with audiences, and also at the box office, where it grossed $243 million against a budget of $69 million. This subsequently led to a sequel being greenlit, and this time another action star was cast alongside Mark Wahlberg and comedy veteran Will Ferrell; the legendary Lethal Weapon star, Mel Gibson.
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10/10 Daddy’s Home 2 PG-13
Produced by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay and directed by Sean Anders, Daddy’s Home 2 is a Comedy and Holiday film starring John Cena, Mark Wahlberg, and Ferrell himself. The premise follows the two fathers from the first film, now having to deal with their own fathers coming to visit.
Director Sean Anders Release Date November 10, 2017 Cast Mel Gibson , John Lithgow , Will Ferrell , Mark Wahlberg Runtime 100minutes
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Daddy’s Home 2’s reviews were brutal, but in all fairness, nobody was expecting a masterpiece following the fun but flawed first movie. Also, all everybody wanted to see was how the two dads would adjust to life when their own fathers arrived for the Christmas holidays, played by Mel Gibson and John Lithgow. Both Wahlberg and Gibson riff on their action personas with some fun set pieces in a movie that is a decent sequel.
6 Rise Of The Guardians (2012)
Starring Hugh Jackman And Alec Baldwin
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The premise for Rise of the Guardians is a lot of fun, and very festive. When the evil spirit Pitch launches an assault on Earth, the Immortal Guardians team up to protect the innocence of children all around the world. The team just so happens to consist of the Easter Bunny, played by Hugh Jackman, Alec Baldwin’s North, who’s actually Santa Claus, plus The Tooth Fairy, The Sandman, and Jack Frost.
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6/10 9/10 Rise of the Guardians PG
Rise of the Guardians is a DreamWorks animated movie where Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, Jack Frost, and the Sandman join forces to protect the world’s children from the evil Boogeyman. It features a stellar cast of actors such as Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman, Isla Fisher, Chris Pine, and Jude Law.
Director Peter Ramsey Release Date November 21, 2012 Cast Chris Pine , Alec Baldwin , Jude Law , Isla Fisher , Hugh Jackman , Dakota Goyo Runtime 97 minutes
It’s quite the Festive team-up, but it’s Hugh Jackman who makes the biggest impression, as the Easter Bunny. He’s obviously better known for playing Wolverine in the X-Men series, his standalone films, and, of course, the very popular Deadpool & Wolverine. Hugh Jackman has made a career out of a variety of different roles, whether it’s musicals, comedy, drama, and romantic parts. Playing the Easter Bunny is one of the most unexpected parts he’s taken on.
5 The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
Starring Kurt Russell
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One of the best action icons from the 1980s is undoubtedly Snake Plissken. The eye-patch-wearing, gun-toting war hero turned outlaw, is one of Kurt Russell’s greatest action roles, and it launched his career into similar territory. Russell has been known as an action star for much of his career, and when the chance came to play Santa Claus in The Christmas Chronicles arose, he was a great choice.
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8/10 10/10 The Christmas Chronicles PG
The Christmas Chronicles is a 2018 Netflix original Christmas movie starring Kurt Russell as Santa Claus. After sneaking onto Santa’s sleigh and losing all of the world’s presents by crashing the sleigh, two young children named Teddy and Kate race against time to save Christmas. The film was followed up by The Christmas Chronicles 2 in 2020.
Director Clay Kaytis Release Date November 22, 2018 Cast Lamorne Morris , Darby Camp , Judah Lewis , Kimberly Williams-Paisley , Kurt Russell , Oliver Hudson Runtime 104 minutes
The Christmas Chronicles is a modern classic. Russell was a sprightly 67 when he took the role of Santa Claus, and it was the perfect time for him to step into the shoes of such an iconic figure. There are moments in the movie where you can tell that director Clay Kaytis is well aware of Russell’s action pedigree, and while he may have been slightly too old to recapture his earlier fight scenes, he still manages to bring some gravitas to the role.
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4 Violent Night (2022)
Starring David Harbour
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Every so often, a Christmas movie comes along, and subverts the genre in wonderful, and in the case of Violent Night, savage ways. David Harbour’s killer Santa movie is a brutally effective departure for the Stranger Things star. The movie follows Harbour’s disillusioned Santa Claus as he delivers gifts for all the children who’ve been good.
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7/10 8/10 Violent Night R
David Harbor dons the silk red coat and hat of Santa Claus in Violent Night, a black comedy Christmas action film by director Tommy Wirkola. A group of mercenaries lays siege on the property of a wealthy family on Christmas Eve in hopes of scoring a self-bestowed gift of $300 million, leaving Santa Claus as the unlikely but capable last line of defense. Though the family themselves may not be perfect, the youngest daughter remains a kind-hearted child. With her help, and a unique repertoire of magical skills and tools at his disposal, Santa will double-check his naughty and nice list as he dispenses his own brand of justice to the assailants.
Director Tommy Wirkola Release Date December 2, 2022 Cast David Harbour , John Leguizamo , Beverly D’Angelo , Cam Gigandet , Brendan Fletcher , Edi Patterson , Alex Hassell Runtime 101 minutes
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He stumbles into a Die Hard-esq hostage situation at a rich family’s house, and communicates via walkie-talkie with their daughter, Trudy. It sees Harbor kicking all kinds of festive butt, and his Santa is seen as an action star, only killing those on Santa’s naughty list. Harbour has been an action star numerous times before, but not like this.
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3 Fatman (2020)
Starring Mel Gibson
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It’s widely known, and understood, that Santa Claus is a portly chap. Yet, the title Fatman is a pretty harsh way of describing Mel Gibson’s titular character in this festive movie with a twist. The title does make sense once you’ve seen the movie, and it’s great to see Mel Gibson tackle a different kind of Christmas film as Chris Cringle, AKA Santa Claus.
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Fatman
An unorthodox and disorganized Santa Claus wants to save his business while the world lacks good children who deserve toys. So he decides to put his factory at the service of the military, all while fleeing from an assassin hired by a spoiled boy who is angry at not receiving a present this Christmas.
Release Date November 24, 2020 Cast Mel Gibson , Walton Goggins , Marianne Jean-Baptiste Runtime 100 minutes
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The Lethal Weapon and Mad Max star made a name for himself in the aforementioned action franchises, but he’s also carved a hugely successful career out of different cinematic ventures. Gibson’s rowdy, unorthodox Santa is fighting to save his declining business, while a 12-year-old tries to kill him. Despite its low rating of 5.9/10 on IMDb, Fatman is an instant classic Christmas revenge movie. Stick it on during the holidays for some violence to counter the usual tinsel-wrapped offerings.
2 Die Hard (1988)
Starring Bruce Willis
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Die Hard is quite simply not just one of the best action movies of all time, it’s also one of the best Christmas movies, and is essential viewing during the holiday season. The Bruce Willis-starring film is so iconic, and has a formula that has been copied repeatedly.
Die Hard
is quite simply not just one of the best action movies of all time, it’s also one of the best Christmas movies, and is essential viewing during the holiday season.
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Whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie is a debate that still rages on. However, the fact that it’s set on Christmas Eve at a Christmas party in the Nakatomi Tower, and also features many Christmas quips, should settle the debate.
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10/10 Die Hard R
During a holiday party, NYPD detective John McClane’s wife’s workplace is hijacked by German terrorists led by evil icon Hans Gruber. McClane (Bruce Willis), evades capture and fights to save hostages, including his wife, and foil Gruber’s elaborate heist initially without weapons, shoes, or a shirt.
Director John McTiernan Release Date July 15, 1988 Cast Bruce Willis , Bonnie Bedelia , Reginald VelJohnson , Paul Gleason , William Atherton , Hart Bochner Runtime 132 minutes
Before Die Hard, Bruce Willis found fame in the TV show Moonlighting, opposite Cybill Shepherd. It was his trip to the coast to have a few laughs in Die Hard that began his action-hero career. The iconic shot of John McClane jumping off the top of the Nakatomi Tower is forever etched in movie history.
1 Jingle All The Way (1997)
Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger
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Jingle All the Way, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, is the best example of an actor going so far out of his comfort zone, which makes it so memorable. Jingle All the Way wouldn’t work today for various reasons, but it’s become a staple of the holiday season, and Schwarzenegger was clearly having a great time when making it.
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7/10 Jingle All the Way PG
Jingle All The Way is a Christmas-themed comedy film by director Brian Levant, released in 1996. After a business-focused father fails to procure a wildly popular toy for his son before Christmas, he must head on a city-wide hunt to find one. His hunt is complicated further when he’s forced to go head-to-head with a postal worker on the same quest, leading to a series of ever-escalating events during the holiday season.
Director Brian Levant Release Date November 22, 1996 Cast Arnold Schwarzenegger , Sinbad , Phil Hartman , Rita Wilson , Robert Conrad , Jake Lloyd , Jim Belushi Runtime 89 Minutes
Schwarzenegger was no stranger to making comedies by the time Jingle All the Way arrived in 1996, so it wasn’t a surprise to see him in a lighter role than usual. The movie was a relative success financially, making $129 million worldwide on a reported budget of $75 million.
Related 10 Exciting New Christmas Movies Releasing In 2024
The year is coming to an end, but there are still plenty of fun Christmas-themed movies coming out to get into the holiday spirit.
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Schwarzenegger’s star power played a large part in its success, and although it was a critical failure, it’s still regarded as a fun, if over-the-top Christmas film with the world’s biggest action star, at the time, making a fool of himself, and loving every moment.
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