As the holidays approach, you may find yourself wanting to curl up with a warm blanket and a hot drink and watch a film. However, you’ve seen “Elf” one too many times and “A Christmas Story” is getting real old. Instead, try a movie on this list to spice up your seasonal viewing party.

8. Gremlins

Worst Christmas present ever? What starts out as a sweet gesture from a father to a son turns into a murderous rampage on Christmas Eve. “Gremlins” has enough nostalgia, humor and action for any 80s movie-loving person in your life.

7. Lethal Weapon

Another action movie set during Christmas time, “Lethal Weapon” spares audiences a lot of the typical Christmas movie tropes. Instead, this film has violence, witty banter, all still set around the holiday season.

6. Edward Scissorhands

It may be easy to categorize any Tim Burton film into the Halloween department, but if you watch until the end you’ll understand why this movie is listed. So many movies discuss the real origins of Christmas, so you’ll enjoy the fun twist on the reason why it snows on Christmas.

5. Batman Returns

If you thought Christmas in your hometown was boring, just be thankful you don't celebrate Christmas in Gotham. The whole city is destroyed on Christmas night, and there is not much to celebrate, especially for poor lonely Bruce Wayne. Ornaments are used as weapons though, so that's pretty cool.

4. The Nightmare Before Christmas

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Again, Tim Burton may not seem like the most jolly guy, but this film does emphasize a great deal about Christmas. Burton makes the argument for Halloween over Christmas, specifically exposing the corrupt miser that is Santa Claus.

3. Rent

Obviously, a film with a plot revolving around starving artists during the AIDS epidemic does not scream Christmas cheer, but let us not forget that it takes place on Christmas Eve and Christmas day a year later. Also, instead of the boring old Christmas carols, you can listen to a Tony award winning soundtrack.

2. Any Harry Potter Film

Since each movie in the HP franchise focuses on a year of Harry’s schooling at Hogwarts, this often includes his celebration of Christmas. Each film dedicates some time to show how Christmas is celebrated in the wizarding world. Who doesn’t wish they got to open presents and enjoy a feast at Hogwarts on Christmas?

1. Die Hard

Arguably one of the greatest action movies of all time, Die Hard” also tops off this list of unconventional Christmas movies. Set on Christmas Eve, this movie provides the perfect amount of action and excitement to counter all the warm and fuzzy holiday feelings.