Your Guide to Guys’ Christmas Movies
Christmas is a time of giving and receiving, a time of sharing and caring. It’s the season of romantic Christmas movies, of Hallmark Channel heartwarmers and priceless family classics.
No wonder guys are having such a hard time finding something to watch at Christmas.
Granted, most of them can fall back on classics like Home Alone and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. But it’s a long holiday, and two movies just aren’t going to cut it. So if you’re a guy who’s looking for a few refreshing movie options or a girl who’s looking to share a movie that won’t make her guy run in terror, here are a few options for you.
If you’re anything like me, you know plenty of guys (and girls!) who have this as one of their annual Christmas movies. In fact, I remember December being the first time I saw a Die Hard movie (incidentally, it was the second one where John defends himself with an icicle – those things are deadly!). If channels are airing both flicks around Christmas, then clearly someone else out there thinks that it’s good holiday viewing.
What is it about John McClane that keeps us coming back Christmas after Christmas? First, it’s one of the best action movies out there (not to mention an awesome action film series). Second, it’s a Christmas movie. Third, you’ve got Alan Rickman being devious in something other than a black wig and cloak (no offence, Harry Potter fans!). And finally, you’ve got John McClane being, well, John McClane. For an extra treat, watch both of them back-to-back. Ho ho ho and Yippee-ki-yay.
This one is a classic that is on most people’s lists already (and if it’s not, it definitely should be). Billy Murray does a terrific job playing the Scroogish character of Frank Cross, whose Christmas is about to become a lot more spirited. Fans of Raiders of the Lost Ark will recognize Indy’s love interest Karen Allen playing Frank’s lost love. Bill Murray wasn’t the only Murray in the film though. Three of his brothers joined in the fun (one of whom plays Frank’s father in a flashback… very trippy).
This is the perfect film for those guys who are tired of the same old Christmas Carol. While it follows the same format as its predecessors, Scrooged has more bite to it and isn’t afraid to bend the story to suit its needs. It’s the most refreshing remake of the story in years, and will definitely be hard to beat.
If you haven’t seen a Matthau-Lemon movie before, then you need to start with this one. A winter movie with a Christmas flair, it’s the story of two guys who have been enemies (and neighbours) for years. When a woman moves in across the street, they add rivals in love to their list of battles.
This is a classic and well-loved film for anyone who remembers is coming out (which was a generation ago). But if you’re looking for a fun Thanksgiving-Christmas flick that has everything from buddy-buddy comedy to hilarious insults to pranks that make sixth graders look mature, this is the movie for you.
Gremlins is one of those movies that most people forget takes place at Christmas. This is because it’s a Christmas movie that doesn’t really focus on Christmas, but the season is the inciting incident to the whole thing. When Billy’s father brings home and adorable ‘mogwai’ from his most recent trip, it comes with three rules: (1) If you expose it to light, you may hurt it. (2) Don’t let it get wet. (3) Don’t feed it after midnight.
Most of the guys who have seen this movie probably won’t mind a re-watch, especially when most of their other viewing options include people finding the true meaning of Christmas. Guys (and girls!) who haven’t seen it before are in for a treat. It’s a mischievous little flick that not only teaches people to listen carefully to instructions, but might also make you reconsider that Christmas gift you’ve got saved up for someone. This is also one to recommend to fans of horror who are having trouble finding a Christmas movie. While the gore factor isn’t on the same level, some of the violence comes pretty close.
C.C. Baxter has been in insurance for the last four years. He has facts at his fingertips. But what he also has is a fabulous apartment, an apartment that has attracted the attention of his bosses. Soon Baxter is loaning out his apartment as a place for his bosses to meet their flings in exchange for special treatment at work. But Baxter will start to question this arrangement when his boss makes a move on the girl Baxter likes.
If you come from a family where at least one black and white movie is insisted upon at Christmas, and the thought of sitting through one more showing of A Christmas Carol or It’s a Wonderful Life is making you dread the holidays, look no further. This Billy Wilder film is a classic holiday film that will not only get you in the holiday spirit, but will have you covered until New Years. It’s part romantic comedy, part guy flick, all fun.
If you’ve got an anime lover in the house, this is the perfect Christmas movie. The story was originally taken from an old John Wayne western called 3 Godfathers, in which three men find an abandoned baby and set out to find the mother. Here, three homeless people: an older man, a young girl, and a cross-dresser find a baby girl abandoned in the snow. Again, Christmas is the perfect backdrop for this story of self-discovery, hope and loss. If It’s a Wonderful Life is wearing you down, try this one instead. It’s got all the same heart and feeling, the struggles and the salvation, without the familiarity that makes you want to change the channel. For a different kind of Christmas movie, give this one a try.
Did I miss any? Comment below with your favourites, or fire me a tweet.
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