We've put together a selection of unconventional films for the holiday weekend (honestly — without Harry Potter). Thrillers, romantic comedies, horror movies, and even anti-New Year stories — everything to make your holidays a little better (we promise).
The Naked Gun (all parts except the sequel with Neeson)
The trilogy about the hapless but brilliant member of the "flying squad" Frank Drebin is a grand parody love letter and homage to the entire police genre at once. Here you'll find homages to the Bond films, playful nods to "Columbo," and recognizable elements from "Dirty Harry"—David Zucker managed to assemble a whole world of references and absurdity in a single film series.
But most importantly — after these films, it becomes clear: Frank Drebin as played by Leslie Nielsen easily outdid all the hypermasculine screen heroes. Simply because you can be cool without the bravado.
Phantom Thread (2017)
Paul Thomas Anderson, who gave us "Battle by Battle" in the past year, is definitely a master of refined and visually rich dramas; in this film, he creates a unique atmosphere of the mid-20th century—strict and stylish.
Daniel Day-Lewis appears as Reynolds Woodcock, a famous London tailor with impeccable taste and unbreakable habits. But the arrival of a new muse inevitably disrupts his carefully constructed order. And one of the most emotionally powerful scenes is the one that takes place right after New Year's Eve.
Violent Night (2022)
This is both the worst and the best movie to watch for New Year's — in the sense that it boldly mixes action, thriller, black comedy, and an almost fairytale-like Christmas atmosphere. As a result, you get such a strange combination that it turns into a real holiday attraction.
Here, Santa Claus decides he's had enough: people no longer appreciate the miracle, children only demand money, and the holiday itself has lost its meaning. He plans to make this Christmas his last, but by chance he ends up in a luxurious mansion where a girl named Trudy lives. Criminals take over the house, and Santa has to intervene. But instead of magic, he resorts to heavy improvised objects and, unexpectedly... a high level of holiday brutality.
While You Were Sleeping (1995)
A romcom with Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, and Peter Gallagher is a worthy alternative if you're looking for something other than "Love Actually," "The Holiday," or yet another rewatch of "The Irony of Fate."
Modest subway employee Lucy secretly dreams of handsome Peter and one day saves him from a tragedy. While he is in a coma, Peter's family mistakenly believes Lucy is his fiancée—and it is with these people that she suddenly finds the family she has always longed for. However, when Lucy's heart unexpectedly starts to lean toward Peter's brother, things get a bit more complicated.
Shrek 2 (2004)
Sequels that surpass the original are a rare occurrence. This elite club definitely includes "Batman Returns," "Mad Max 2," the second "Terminator," and "The Godfather." And among these titans, the continuation of the story about Shrek and Fiona can easily take its place.
After the honeymoon, the couple receives a letter from the Far Far Away Kingdom — Fiona's parents want to see their daughter and her chosen one. Shrek, Fiona, and of course Donkey set off to meet the family, but Fiona's relatives can't even imagine that their princess is now an ogre too. The father-in-law, the Fairy Godmother, and the (in their opinion) perfect Prince Charming get involved — and a peaceful life for the newlyweds is definitely out of the question.
The Kazan Orphan (1997)
Vladimir Mashkov's debut film is a tribute to old Soviet cinema.
The main character, Nastya, after her mother's death, finds her letter and decides to send it to the addressee—a certain Pavel. However, on New Year's Eve, three completely different Pavels suddenly appear from oblivion: one is a magician, another is a backup cosmonaut, and the third is a cook from a Pacific ship. Thus begins a strange, touching, and unexpected (New Year's!) story.
The Thing (1982)
John Carpenter's classic horror film, which makes its way into December selections thanks to its powerful winter atmosphere. The action unfolds at an isolated American base in Antarctica, where an alien organism arrives, capable of perfectly copying any living form.
Polar explorers quickly realize: the parasite has already infiltrated the team, and now any one of them could be "not who they seem." The film turns into a tense detective story reminiscent of "And Then There Were None," where the confined space, constant distrust, and the cold of Antarctica act as full-fledged characters. Ennio Morricone's minimalist soundtrack emphasizes the paranoia and hopelessness of what is happening. Are the survivors still human, or not anymore?
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
For a New Year's selection of unconventional films, it's hard to find anything more provocative than Stanley Kubrick's last movie. The film ends just like the director's entire career—with a question left unanswered. For a quarter of a century, critics, viewers, and researchers have been analyzing the film's symbols, details, and hidden meanings, trying to understand what exactly the author wanted to say: an allegory of marriage? a satire on elite power structures? an exploration of the nature of desire? or all of the above? Clear answers, just like back in literature class, are nowhere to be found.
Christmas night becomes the starting point of Dr. Bill Harford's gothic journey through the night city, where masks, secret societies, and paranoia intertwine into one endless dream-labyrinth.
This is the perfect choice for winter: festive in atmosphere, dark in content, and — yes — Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise in the leading roles.
Die Hard (1988)
The action of John McTiernan's classic action movie unfolds on Christmas Eve: police officer John McClane arrives in Los Angeles to reconcile with his wife and finds himself at the center of a skyscraper takeover by terrorists.
At first glance, it’s just an ordinary action movie with shootouts and explosions, but “Die Hard” also works as the perfect “anti-Christmas” film: the corporate party seems artificial to McClane, and recognizably annoying to the viewer. John crawls through ventilation shafts, rescues hostages, and essentially becomes an alternative Santa Claus, restoring the meaning of Christmas and New Year for those who are tired of garlands and tangerines.
Batman Returns (1992)
Tim Burton immerses Christmas in an atmosphere of icy gothic celebration. In Gotham, there is snow, garlands, tree-lighting ceremonies, and greetings, but the festivity coexists with loneliness, crime, and villains, among whom the Penguin stands out in particular. Bruce Wayne’s adversaries turn the holiday season into a tool for their evil schemes, using the holidays for revenge, while Batman—naturally, the true hero—protects this city. The film makes it clear: Christmas can be a difficult time—especially for those who are alone or risk their lives.
Despite the somber tone, the finale under the snowfall is a reminder of hope and caring for loved ones, as the hero wishes everyone a “Merry Christmas and peace,” making the film a perfect choice for a winter selection of unconventional holiday movies. That’s what it is—a festive superhero noir.
