Five unconventional Christmas movie tales.

These films feature Christmas, but the characters find themselves in unusual circumstances or historical settings. Additionally, the protagonists themselves are not your typical Christmas gifts. We present movies that, while popular for holiday viewing, certainly do not conform to tradition.

“Die Hard”

Die Hard, action, USA, 1988. Directed by: John McTiernan. Starring: Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson, Paul Gleason, William Atherton, Hart Bochner, Alan Rickman

How can you reconcile with your ex-wife if she doesn't want to? You need to choose a holiday when everyone is in a good mood and cheerful spirits. A conversation is best started in a crowded place. That’s what NYPD officer John McClane thought. However, the Christmas party in the skyscraper unexpectedly turned into a tragedy. Hans Gruber and a gang of terrorists took over the building and took all the guests hostage. But “Die Hard” McClane, miraculously evading capture, engages in a showdown with the criminals.

“Batman Returns”

Batman Returns, directed by Tim Burton, starring Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Michelle Pfeiffer

The action of this cult film takes place during the Christmas holidays, although it is not entirely about Christmas (or perhaps not at all about Christmas). Tim Burton's second Batman film possesses all the attributes of his equally gothic Christmas tale “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” but this film is also filled with violence, danger, and sexuality.

A boy with physical disabilities is born into a wealthy family: the parents decide to get rid of the child and throw him off a bridge. However, the boy survives and is raised by penguins living in Gotham's sewers. Later, the Penguin decides to seize power in the city. Naturally, Batman stands in his way, as one would expect.

“The Nightmare Before Christmas”

The Nightmare Before Christmas, 1993, directed by Henry Selick

A frightening yet kind and touching tale about Jack Skellington, the king of Halloween Town, who steals Santa Claus to take his place and learn to give people joy instead of horror and fear. The script for this wonderful animated film was written by the master of gothic tales, Tim Burton, with Henry Selick directing (“Coraline”).

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“Bad Santa”

Bad Santa, featured image, black comedy, USA, 2005. Directed by: Terry Zwigoff. Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Tony Cox, Brett Kelly

This Santa drinks heavily and uses profanity, resembling Billy Bob Thornton in a drunken stupor. The thing is, the character in “Bad Santa” works as Santa Claus in large department stores. He then robs them and spends the rest of the year drinking with his dwarf friend, who works as an elf with him during the holiday season. The film serves as a sort of counter to traditional Christmas tales that fill movie theaters around the world. It's also a Christmas comedy, only a dark one, but its humor, smoky and alcoholic, is brilliant. Plus, the film has a sequel.

“A Christmas Tale”

Un conte de Noel, 2008, drama, France. Directed by: Arnaud Desplechin. Starring: Catherine Deneuve, Mathieu Amalric, Melvil Poupaud, Emmanuel Devos, Chiara Mastroianni

A large family gathers together for Christmas. Such reunions often become the only opportunity for relatives to see each other throughout the year. It’s no surprise that these “meetings” often turn into open confrontations and public revelations of various “skeletons in the closet.” A true delight for cinephiles.