It’s one day before Christmas and I’m enjoying the holiday in warm, sunny Florida with family. I’m taking a week-break from blogging, but thanks to my pal Dan from Top 10 Films, he’s got another smashing top 10 list filled with great Christmas movie recommendations! 🎄☃️🎅

Christmas might be the time for giving but crime is often not far away when it comes to some of the best holiday movies. In fact, yuletide criminality has delivered bona fide festive classics. These films cleverly juxtapose the warmth and joy of Christmas with the high stakes and tension of criminal escapades. Whether it’s the dark humor of a conman posing as Santa Claus, the suspense of a heist gone awry on Christmas Eve, or the over-the-top action of a lone hero battling bad guys, the mix of yuletide themes with crime makes for a fresh and compelling holiday experience.

Some of the most iconic entries have redefined what a Christmas movie can be. From Die Hard’s explosive action in a festive high-rise to Home Alone’s booby-trapped hijinks, these films use Christmas as more than just a backdrop, weaving its themes into the story’s core. Others, like Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and Fatman, revel in their darkly comedic or unconventional spins on holiday traditions, offering thrills and laughs in equal measure. Together they prove that even amidst chaos and criminal mischief, the spirit of the holidays can shine through.

10. Fatman (2020)

Mel Gibson, fresh from starring in 2017’s festive-themed Daddy’s Home 2, is Chris, a grumpy, down-on-his-luck Santa who is struggling with the decline of Christmas cheer and the increasing commercialization of the holiday. When a spoiled brat hires a hitman (Walton Goggins) to take him out after receiving a lump of coal, Santa finds himself in a fight for survival. The film’s absurd premise is anchored by Gibson’s unorthodox performance as the jaded but still benevolent Kris Kringle, making for a holiday tale unlike any other. With bloody action, a cynical yet humorous tone, and Goggins’ chilling portrayal of a relentless hitman, Fatman offers a fresh, offbeat take on Christmas.

9. Violent Night (2022)

Violent Night stars David Harbour as a disillusioned, alcoholic Santa Claus who finds himself taking on a group of mercenaries that have taken a wealthy family hostage. What ensues is a chaotic, gory, and surprisingly heartwarming battle as Santa tries to save the day and rediscover his belief in Christmas. The film is a perfect mix of brutal action, dark comedy, and festive references, drawing inspiration from classics like Die Hard and Home Alone. With standout performances from Harbour and John Leguizamo, Violent Night delivers outrageous action, holiday hijinks, and a subversive take on the Christmas genre.

8. The Ice Harvest (2005)

John Cusack stars as Charlie Arglist, a mob lawyer in Wichita who, on Christmas Eve, finds himself embroiled in a series of increasingly chaotic events after stealing $2.2 million from a local mob boss. Alongside him is his volatile associate, Vic (Billy Bob Thornton), and an assortment of eccentric characters, including a drunken friend (Oliver Platt) and a sexy bar manager (Connie Nielsen). Directed by Harold Ramis, the film skillfully mixes Elmore Leonard-style humor with a Blood Simple-like intensity, offering an entertaining exploration of greed, betrayal, and the messiness of crime. Cusack’s charm and patience in the face of catastrophe, coupled with sharp, quirky dialogue and a few brilliantly dark moments, make The Ice Harvest a must-watch for anyone looking for a holiday crime movie that’s both hilarious and suspenseful.

7. The Silent Partner (1978)

Elliott Gould stars as Miles Cullen, a bank teller in Toronto who, upon suspecting a department store Santa (Christopher Plummer) is planning a robbery, decides to steal the money before the heist even happens. What unfolds is a tight, twist-laden thriller of greed, betrayal, and morality, as Cullen is forced to outwit a sadistic robber while navigating an intricate web of loyalty and blackmail. With its unexpected turns, rich character development, and Hitchcockian tension, The Silent Partner stands out as an underappreciated holiday crime classic, offering both thrills and an unorthodox take on the Christmas season.

6. The Ref (1994)

The Ref flips the holiday crime genre on its head with sharp humor and biting wit, delivering a Christmas movie that’s as chaotic as it is clever. Dennis Leary shines as Gus, a hapless jewel thief whose plan unravels when he kidnaps a constantly bickering couple, Caroline and Lloyd (Judy Davis and Kevin Spacey), on Christmas Eve. Stuck in their home, Gus quickly finds himself less of a captor and more of a reluctant referee in their marital war. With whip-smart dialogue, hilariously dysfunctional family dynamics, and standout performances, this dark comedy explores themes of redemption and connection amidst holiday mayhem.

5. Batman Returns (1992)

Set against a snowy Gotham, the movie introduces two iconic villains: Danny DeVito’s grotesque Penguin, who schemes to take control of the city, and Michelle Pfeiffer’s seductive and chaotic Catwoman, whose complex relationship with Batman forms the film’s emotional core. With its bizarre, gothic aesthetic, Burton crafts a Christmas tale like no other, where the coldness of winter mirrors the icy hearts of its villains, and the stakes are life or death. Pfeiffer’s mesmerizing portrayal of Catwoman steals every scene, while DeVito brings a terrifying energy to the Penguin. The film’s playful yet perilous tone, combined with its high-stakes action and gothic atmosphere, makes Batman Returns a must-watch Christmas crime movie that is as thrilling as it is visually stunning.

4. Bad Santa (2003)

Bad Santa is a wickedly irreverent Christmas comedy. Billy Bob Thornton stars as Willie Soke, a perpetually drunk, foul-mouthed conman who poses as a mall Santa to rob department stores, only to have his cynical worldview challenged by an awkward, overly trusting boy who sees good in him despite his many flaws. With biting wit, subversive humor, and a sly deconstruction of holiday tropes, the film hilariously skewers Christmas clichés while ultimately affirming the season’s message of redemption.

3. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

Shane Black’s Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a dazzling Christmas crime caper that combines razor-sharp wit, neo-noir intrigue, and a festive backdrop with effortless style. Robert Downey Jr. stars as Harry Lockhart, a small-time crook accidentally swept into Hollywood’s glitzy underbelly, where he teams up with “Gay Perry” (a scene-stealing Val Kilmer), a sardonic private investigator, and Harmony (Michelle Monaghan), his childhood crush turned aspiring actress. Together, they unravel a web of murder, corruption, and dark family secrets. Black’s signature self-aware humor shines through as the film gleefully dismantles noir tropes, delivering biting one-liners, chaotic action, and unpredictable twists. Downey’s neurotic charm and Kilmer’s suave contempt create electric chemistry, making Kiss Kiss Bang Bang a must-watch for fans of clever, genre-bending holiday fare.

2. Home Alone (1990)

Home Alone is still a festive favorite more than three decades after it was first released. When two burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) target Kevin McAllister’s house, the pint-sized hero uses his wit to set up an array of ingenious booby traps that turn the tables on the intruders in delightfully absurd ways. Macauley Culkin’s endearing performance anchors the film, and the cleverness of the traps, with their over-the-top absurdity, delivers a satisfying mix of laughs and thrills.

1. Die Hard (1988)

Bruce Willis is wisecracking NYPD cop John McClane who finds himself trapped in a Los Angeles skyscraper when it’s seized by a band of calculating thieves posing as terrorists, led by Alan Rickman’s suavely sinister Hans Gruber. McClane methodically outwits the heavily armed intruders with a winning combination of comic charm and ingenuity leading to several thrilling action sequences. Die Hard isn’t just an action movie – it’s a masterclass in tension and entertainment, wrapped in a Christmas bow.

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Merry Christmas to you & yours!

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What do you think of this list? What would you add to this Christmas top 10?

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