The Snacks Not Included guide to the best alternative Christmas films has returned!!! With the imminent release of Robert Eggers Nosferatu – a certified Christmas horror movie that will drop of Christmas Day in the states (and in the new year on other shores), we just had to come with a new list. I’m sure this movie will appear on the 2025 list next year!!!

 

2046

If you’re in the mood for something poetic, moody, and visually stunning this Christmas Eve, 2046 by Wong Kar Wai is the perfect late-night watch. This sci-fi romance blends heartbreak and longing across four interwoven stories, each delicately unraveling through different timelines — but all orbiting around the magic and melancholy of Christmas Eve.

Lush cinematography, hauntingly beautiful characters, and Wong Kar Wai’s signature dreamlike atmosphere create a hypnotic experience that feels like slipping into a timeless holiday reverie. 2046 isn’t just a film, it’s an emotional journey — one that lingers long after the credits roll. For fans of Wong Kar Wai, this is essential holiday viewing, where love, loss, and memory dance beneath the Christmas lights.

 

The Advent Calendar

Forget the sweet treats—The Advent Calendar unwraps a holiday drenched in dread and terror. This chilling French horror-thriller takes the innocent tradition of advent calendars and twists it into something sinister.

Eva, a paraplegic for three years, receives a mysterious advent calendar as a birthday gift. But this is no ordinary festive countdown. Each opened door reveals something far from cheerful—sometimes surprising, but more often horrifying and violent. As the days pass, Eva finds herself trapped in a relentless, supernatural game that escalates to a blood-soaked nightmare.

The Advent Calendar is the perfect pick if you’re looking to add some spine-tingling suspense to your holiday watchlist. It’s a dark reminder that not all Christmas magic is merry and bright. Prepare for a countdown you won’t forget—because this year, Christmas comes with a body count.

 

Boiling Point

Boiling Point brings the chaos of the holiday season to a boiling point — literally. This nerve-wracking, real-time thriller unfolds in the pressure-cooker environment of an upscale restaurant on the busiest night of the year during Christmas. Shot in a single, continuous take, the film pulls you right into the relentless intensity of the kitchen, where every second counts, and tempers flare.

Stephen Graham delivers a powerhouse performance as a head chef on the brink, and the tension never lets up. While there’s little traditional holiday cheer, the film’s raw energy and razor-sharp execution make it impossible to look away. If the stress of Christmas resonates with you, Boiling Point will feel all too real. The follow-up TV series continues the story, expanding on the drama — and it’s just as gripping

 

Carry-on

Don’t get me wrong – this movie is not very good, but sometimes, Christmas calls for a no-frills, brain-off action movie — and Carry-On fits that bill perfectly. This over-the-top, unapologetic Die Hard knockoff doesn’t pretend to be anything more than popcorn entertainment. A mysterious traveler blackmails a rookie TSA agent into smuggling a dangerous package onto a Christmas Eve flight, setting the stage for a wild ride filled with improbable decisions and plenty of action.

Yes, it’s absurd. Yes, the plot feels like it was churned out by an AI. But Carry-On delivers just enough explosions, fight sequences, and ridiculous fun to make it the perfect mindless holiday watch. Taron Egerton and Jason Bateman were definitely laughing all the way to the bank on this one

 

Friday After Next

Craig and Day-Day are back – and this time, Christmas is on the line! In the third installment of the Friday series, the cousins find themselves penniless after a burglar dressed as Santa robs them on Christmas Eve. With rent due, they take jobs as security guards, only to find themselves in the middle of festive chaos, hilarious hijinks, and unexpected trouble.

While Friday After Next may not top the original two films, it’s packed with laughs, over-the-top holiday spirit, and plenty of feel-good moments. Perfect for some laid-back Christmas viewing, this comedy brings the holiday vibes with a side of mischief.

 

Game Over (aka 3615 code Pere Noel)

Forget the usual holiday cheer – Game Over cranks up the tension with an 80s action-horror spin on Home Alone. A surprise to many this movie actually predates Home Alone and is rumoured to the one of the inspirations for the film. On Christmas Eve, a clever and resourceful kid faces off against a deranged killer dressed as Santa, defending both himself and his grandfather in a nerve-wracking battle for survival.

Underrated and often overlooked in Christmas movie lists, Game Over delivers a unique blend of holiday thrills and horror. If you’re a fan of Christmas-themed slashers with a nostalgic 80s vibe, this one’s an essential addition to your festive watchlist.

 

Sheitan (aka Satan)

Looking for a holiday horror that drags you into the darkest corners of human nature? Sheitan (2006) is the twisted Christmas Eve tale you didn’t know you needed. Directed by Kim Chapiron and starring Vincent Cassel in a spine-chilling, unhinged performance, this French horror-thriller blends rural dread with sinister biblical undertones.

The story follows a group of reckless partygoers who, after a wild night at a disco, encounter Joseph (Cassel), a bizarre shepherd whose unsettling hospitality masks something far more disturbing. As the night unfolds, the line between reality and madness blurs, and Christmas transforms into a grotesque nightmare.

Sheitan is a heady mix of psychological horror and raw, trashy exploitation that’s as uncomfortable as it is unforgettable. It’s not for the faint of heart—but if you’re up for a holiday movie that ditches the cheer for chaos, this one’s for you.

 

Terrifier 3

The clown is back for Christmas, this film was made famous for taking the top spot from Joker 2 at the US box office.

Art the Clown returns in this blood-soaked holiday horror that’s as brutal as it is unapologetically twisted. If you thought Christmas was a time for joy and peace, this film flips that on its head with gruesome kills and spine-chilling suspense.

A must-watch for horror fans craving something bloody slasher hoorors this festive season.

Treevenge

Treevenge is a 2008 Canadian Christmas horror short film written and directed by Jason Eisener. In it, Christmas trees ripped out of their forest plan revenge against people enjoying the holidays.

This one is well worth a watch and the full movie is available here

 

Tokyo Godfathers

For our anime recommendation. On Christmas Eve, three unlikely heroes – Gin, a middle-aged alcoholic, Hana, a kind-hearted transgender woman, and Miyuki, a rebellious runaway – stumble upon an abandoned baby while scavenging for presents. Alongside the infant is a mysterious note and a key, sending the trio on a wild, emotional journey through Tokyo’s streets to uncover the child’s origins.

Tokyo Godfathers is one of Satoshi Kon’s (RIP) most grounded yet deeply touching works, blending holiday warmth with his signature flair for surreal twists. This beautifully crafted, unconventional Christmas tale reminds us that family can be found in the most unexpected place

 
That’s all for this year, but the Snacks Not Included guide to alternative Christmas films will no doubt return again next season. Look out for the podcast episodes officially launching in January.

Merry Christmas

Please find the previous best alternative Christmas movie lists below
2023
2022
2020