The Christmas movie genre is a peculiar beast. For every heartwarming tale of familial togetherness, there’s a film that leaves you scratching your head and wondering if the writers were snowed in with nothing but eggnog and a dream. These films take the festive spirit and twist it into something hilariously bizarre, unnervingly dark, or downright absurd.
Take Santa with Muscles, for instance, a real movie (unfortunately for us all) that stars a bodybuilding Santa in a plot so convoluted it feels like the cinematic equivalent of fruitcake:
— A wealthy, arrogant health supplement tycoon suffers amnesia and believes he's Santa Claus, leading him to save an orphanage from an evil scientist.
Then there’s the holiday horror subgenre, a surprising and unsettling corner of Christmas cinema where innocent snowmen come to life—and not in the Hot Frosty (Netflix) kinda way. Instead, they’re armed with murderous intent, proving that even the holidays aren’t safe from horror’s icy grip.
Many of these films thrive on unexpected plot twists and over-the-top premises. A Christmas tree possessed by the spirit of vengeance? Check. Elves involved in a sinister nazi breeding program? Double check. These movies revel in their ridiculousness, delivering entertainment that’s as unpredictable as it is unforgettable.
But something makes these films so compelling, that it’s hard to look away. Perhaps it’s the sheer audacity of their creators. It takes guts to pitch a movie where Santa battles aliens or where a holiday wish forced out of a child slave owned by a magical talking tree. And yet, these films exist, reminding us that creativity knows no bounds—even when it teeters on the edge of absurdity and, frankly, morality.
Beyond the laughs, there’s a darker undercurrent in many holiday movies. Some serve as biting commentaries on consumerism, societal expectations, or even the holiday season itself. They use the festive backdrop to explore themes of isolation, greed, and redemption, blending their over the top nature with poignancy in ways that resonate long after the credits roll.
For those willing to explore this wild and unpredictable genre, the rewards are plentiful. These films, whether hilariously bad or surprisingly thoughtful, capture the chaotic magic of the holidays in their own unique ways, or create a perfect train wreck that’s impossible to not watch. They remind us that Christmas isn’t just about tradition; it’s about embracing the unexpected and finding joy in the unlikeliest places.
If you’re intrigued by the strange and wonderful world of holiday films, there’s a full episode of the Shoot the Sh*t podcast dedicated to these cinematic oddities. Check it out, and maybe you’ll find a few titles to add to your “so-bad-it’s-good” holiday watchlist.
Merry madness!