My Top 10: Alternative Christmas Films

When it comes to Christmas time, it gives us a cheap excuse to watch certain films where there is Christmas in the film, but is not necessarily the central theme. Some of the films have even created debates on whether it is a Christmas film over any other aspect in contains.

So don't be surprised if you notice any entries in this list that you consider to be Christmas rather than just 'alternative Christmas'.

I must give a few honourable mentions. I'll start with 'When Harry Met Sally'. One of the most popular rom-coms of all-time. Starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan who are two people who form a friendship and they fear it could become a relationship. Can a man and a woman remain friends, or will sex ruin their friendship?

With Christmas turning up again and again throughout this film, it is a great excuse to watch one of the great modern rom-coms.

Another is Edward Scissorhands. One of Tim Burton's most popular films. It stars Johnny Depp as a young man who quite literally has scissors for hands. Christmas plays an important role during the film as Edward is trying to blend into a society that many consider him as a freak.

If this was a top 11, it would include 1940's 'The Shop Around The Corner'. This very enjoyable rom-com sees two department store employees that can barely stand each other unknowingly fall in love through the post as each other's anonymous pen pals.

With the Christmas being the perfect setting for the final act, this is heart-warming and funny enough to be part of your regular Christmas film playlist.

As you can already see, there are many great alternative films out there that can still keep you in the holiday spirit. Now here is my top 10: 

10) Hook - With the London setting being at Christmas, you can watch this during the holidays with no guilt whatsoever.

A childhood classic for many that is packed with action and adventure. Along with a belter of a John Williams score, this is another Spielberg classic no matter what the director now thinks of his own creation.

9) Batman Returns - Tim Burton's entertaining Batman sequel has Christmas running throughout this great modern Greek tragedy.

With an all-star cast including Michelle Pfeiffer, Danny DeVito and Christopher Walken, it is a great blend of superhero action with that vintage Tim Burton gothic setting.

This was the first Batman film I ever watched and it still works for me and many others almost 30 years later.

8) Gremlins - High up in many peoples favorite alternative-Christmas films, Gremlins is a timeless classic that can be watched at Halloween as a horror as well as Christmas.

Where a young boy stumbles upon a strange creature, chaos ensues and it is entertainment throughout.

Despite looking like a kids film, the violence and scares shows why this certified as a 15.

7) The Godfather - Amazingly, there is enough Christmas in this 70's classic.

The story of an aging mafia boss who transfers control to his son is considered by many as the perfect film.

I think it's great but not perfect, but it is still a great film to watch and fine enough for Christmas.

6) The Apartment - The 1960 Oscar Best Picture winner has Christmas playing a big role.

It sees Jack Lemmon play New Yorker trying to rise in his company's hierarchy by hiring out his apartment for executive members for trysts.

The use of Christmas seemed a bit flawed to me. Bit it still does not down-grade the sheer enjoyment of this terrific mix of romance, comedy and drama.

5) The Disappearance Of Haruhi Suzumiya - A hidden anime gem from 2010.

While this is a continuation of a TV series, I still managed to be highly captivated by this almost 3hrs adventure drama.

It's a gripping watch that keeps taking you down a path before adding a further twist to dramatically shake things up. Wonderful animation, strong re-watchability and enough Christmas to be included in this list.

4) Die Hard - The great debate of whether Die Hard is a Christmas film or not rages on.

For me the action outweighs the Christmas, and that's why I consider to be an alternative Christmas film.

It sees an off-duty police officer takes on a group of highly organised terrorists in a Los Angeles skyscraper, sounds like Christmas to me.

It's non-stop high-octane entertainment with sharp writing and memorable characters. A timeless classic.

3) Stalag 17 - One of the great war films that rarely gets mentioned in mainstream cinema.

Set in a prisoner-of-war camp, after two escaped prisoners are killed, one of the Americans is seen to be an informant to the Germans. Is he the informant, or is he being framed by the real informant?

There is an important scene set on Christmas Day, so you can happily enjoy all the fun these band of soldiers have in this camp.

2) In Bruges - I've had this featured in many of my previous lists. So it's obvious how much I like this film.

Two hitmen mess up a mission and get told to hide out in Bruges. Trying to hide is not good for one of the hitmen played by Colin Farrell. It is a hilarious black comedy and it is set during Christmas. The perfect opportunity to have a laugh.

1) Catch Me If You Can - One of Steven Spielberg's underrated greats that received two Oscar nominations.

The true story of American con-man Frank Abagnale Jnr. and is chase from an FBI agent.

It has amazing performances by Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks, and Christmas has an important role to play.