Happy Subversive Holidays!
Yes, it’s the holiday season, and there is much debate what the best of all holiday films…but what about the most subversive?
As you can see, Santa’s had a tough year, and needs a drink!
Let’s look at some of the more raucous Christmas films that can alleviate the stress, beginning with our two favorite stoners!
A Very Harold & Kumar 3-D Christmas!
As you can see, the poster promises a very naughty 3D experience from these two “buds”!
Here is the trailer:
The world’s favorite stoner buds Harold Lee and Kumar Patel cause a holiday fracas by inadvertently burning down Harold’s father-in-law’s prize Christmas tree!
Harold and Kumar are funny – goofy, stupid, FUNNY.
Bonus points to Neil Patrick Harris for diving into the deep end of this wild wild pool of holiday fun!
Next up: what do you do when your Christmas gifts turn on you?
Gremlins!
This film is EXACTLY why I did a list of “subversive” holiday films!
These “Gremlins” take a twisted look at the holiday spirit!
The setup is simple: a boy inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning his new pet – which unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town during the holiday!
Oh, did you know that this classic Christmas movie was released originally in June 1984? Oh well, it’s all about Christmas and that’s enough for me!
Check out the trailer:
“Gremlins” star Zach Galligan said in an interview that when the movie was made, there was no CGI special effects, so all of the Gremlins were actually animatronics, each costing between $30-40,000!
No need to build a Gremlin when you can draw a twisted Christmas character, like Jack Skellington!
The Nightmare Before Christmas!
Director Tim Burton took on Christmas in a different way in 1993, and it’s one of the films I hear most about in terms of favorite holiday delights!
It’s the story of Jack Skellington, the King of Halloween Town, who discovers Christmas Town, but his attempts to bring Christmas to his home causes all sort of complications.
Here is the trailer:
Director Tim Burton said he was inspired after seeing a Halloween merchandise display in a store being taken down and replaced by a Christmas display. The juxtaposition of ghouls and goblins with Santa and his reindeer sparked his imagination.
Lucky for us!
Another of the most popular Christmas films was made by a Director who also made one of the most terrifying!
“Black Christmas!”
This 1974 shocker tells the story of a mad killer stalking a sorority in the days leading up to Christmas!
Olivia Hussey and Margot Kidder head up an outstanding cast in a really well done thriller!
Check out the trailer:
The best thing about this film, aside from being a really scary film, is that it was directed by Bob Clark, who also made the classic holiday film “A Christmas Story!”
He really knew how to approach a holiday from all directions!
Of course, perhaps the most subversive holiday film of all has one of the funniest lines as well!
“Bad Santa”!
This ain’t your father’s holiday movie! How can you NOT love a film with the classic line:
“Fuck me, Santa!”
Check out the raucous trailer for this 2003 film:
Billy Bob Thornton stars as a department store Santa, who works only to case the place to rob after hours, along with his cohort Tony Cox – but this cast also includes Lauren Graham, Bernie Mac and John Ritter as well!
As profane as the film is, it’s also sweet and endearing by the end – get the unrated version and have a blast!
If these are just TOO subversive for you, I have the traditional Christmas films as well:
From “Love Actually” to “Elf, “It’s A Wonderful Life” to “White Christmas” and more – here are some great holiday classics – click by story here:
Need more?
OK, here are more, like “Die Hard”, “A Christmas Story” and some Judy Garland as well! Click here to see them all!
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Leave me a comment and let me know your favorite holiday film – and let’s embrace this holiday season no matter what the obstacles!
Categories: Art, Books / Media, Comedy Movies, Cult Movies, Exploitation films, Film Fight Club, Great Films, Horror films, Movies, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities
johnrieber 
Nightmare b4 Christmas and Gremlins are my picks and of course some Bruce Willis and Die Hard 🙂
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Nightmare Before Christmas is my pick. Thanks, John!
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That was the film I had the most people beg for!
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😀
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I loved Gremlins when I first watched it. It was very different at the time.
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Yes, a fun 80’s burst of energy with a slightly devilish POV!
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Gremlins and Nightmare Before Christmas are two of my biggest Christmas rewatches. BTW, I featured Kelly Clarkson’s and The Vienna Boy’s Choir’s rendition of Silent Night on my blog today.
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Thank you for sharing that!
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Yay! Nightmare Before Christmas! Also loved bad santa and Harold and Kumar!
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There are so many great holiday films, these are just the tip of the iceberg!
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I have never seen ‘Harold and Kumar’, but I dearly love ‘Gremlins’, and enjoyed ‘Bad Santa’ too.
Best wishes, Pete.
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We have the “unrated” version of “Bad Santa” on blu-ray which is just a bit more profane and a nice change of pace from the sweet stuff!
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