Mary Murphy
Top 10 Christmas Action Movies To Watch This (and Every) Year
There is something oddly comforting about watching chaos unfold while the lights are twinkling and the cocoa is hot.
Christmas action movies hit a sweet spot where the stakes feel bigger, the settings feel cozier, and the adrenaline feels even more fun.
You get all the classic holiday ingredients, like parties, travel disasters, and family drama, but with explosions and one-liners layered on top.
Some of these picks are true action staples, while others bend the genre with comedy, fantasy, or a little mischief.
Either way, they are the kind of rewatches that instantly flip your brain into “it’s the season” mode.
If you want a holiday marathon that feels festive without being saccharine, start right here.
1. Die Hard (1988)
Holiday cheer is in the air at a high-rise Christmas party, until everything spirals into an unforgettable siege.
John McClane’s fish-out-of-water energy makes the action feel personal, because he is not trying to save the world, just the people he loves.
The movie uses its office setting brilliantly, turning elevators, vents, and stairwells into a playground for suspense and strategy.
Alan Rickman’s Hans Gruber is the rare villain who feels smart enough to be genuinely scary, which raises the tension in every scene.
It also nails that specific end-of-year mood, where everyone is distracted, exhausted, and just hoping to make it through the night.
By the time the credits roll, it feels like you watched a Christmas story told through broken glass and grit.
2. Lethal Weapon (1987)
Seasonal vibes show up in the background while the story throws you into a gritty buddy-cop ride with real emotional weight.
The contrast between holiday decor and danger makes the action pop, because the movie refuses to let the season soften the stakes.
Riggs and Murtaugh work so well together because their differences create both humor and heart, not just punchlines.
The set pieces build steadily, with shootouts and chases that feel grounded rather than cartoonish, which keeps everything tense.
It is also a surprisingly poignant watch, since themes of grief, loneliness, and chosen family fit right into the holidays.
When you want something festive-adjacent but not fluffy, this one delivers adrenaline with a side of warmth.
3. Die Hard 2 (1990)
Winter travel stress gets cranked to the extreme when a snowy airport becomes the stage for a takeover.
This sequel leans into bigger spectacle, but it still keeps the core appeal of one determined guy improvising through impossible odds.
The setting is perfect for Christmas viewing, because airports already feel like holiday pressure cookers even before the bullets start flying.
McClane’s frustration with bureaucracy adds a relatable edge, especially when everyone around him keeps underestimating the threat.
There are plenty of tense moments built around timing, communication failures, and the terrifying vulnerability of planes in the air.
It is not subtle, but it is absolutely satisfying when you want high-stakes action with a frosty seasonal backdrop.
4. The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)
A cozy suburban life turns inside out when buried secrets surface right in the middle of the holidays.
Geena Davis carries this movie with a performance that shifts from sweet to lethal without ever losing your interest.
The amnesia setup keeps the plot moving, because every clue unlocks a new layer of danger and a new reason to keep watching.
Samuel L. Jackson adds the perfect counterbalance, delivering humor and nervous energy that makes the action feel even sharper.
The Christmas setting works like a fun disguise, hiding shootouts and spy twists behind parades, lights, and seasonal noise.
If you want a holiday action pick that feels different from the usual macho formula, this one is a standout.
5. Gremlins (1984)
A seemingly innocent Christmas gift becomes the spark for a small-town disaster that escalates faster than anyone expects.
The movie blends action, comedy, and creature chaos so smoothly that it feels like a holiday tale gone spectacularly wrong.
Once the gremlins multiply, the story becomes a full-on survival scramble, with set pieces that are both tense and strangely hilarious.
The Christmas decorations and cheery storefronts make the mayhem even more memorable, because the contrast is so extreme.
It also has that classic ‘80s energy that makes rewatches feel comforting, even when the creatures are causing total havoc.
This is the pick for anyone who loves their holiday entertainment with bite, mischief, and a little bit of gleeful anarchy.
6. Batman Returns (1992)
Snowy Gotham looks like a twisted holiday postcard, and the atmosphere alone makes this an essential seasonal rewatch.
Tim Burton’s style turns Christmas into something dramatic and eerie, which is exactly why the action hits so hard.
Michael Keaton’s Batman feels more isolated than ever, and that loneliness oddly fits the emotional undercurrent of the season.
The Penguin and Catwoman bring big, operatic villain energy that keeps every confrontation intense and unpredictable.
Action scenes feel heightened but still purposeful, because the story is fueled by obsession, betrayal, and identity.
If you want a Christmas movie that is glamorous, dark, and packed with iconic moments, this one belongs on your yearly list.
7. The Night Before (2015)
A long-running holiday tradition goes sideways when three friends decide to chase one last legendary Christmas Eve.
While it leans heavily into comedy, the movie keeps the momentum high with constant misadventures, close calls, and escalating chaos.
The nighttime setting gives it that “anything could happen” feeling, which pairs perfectly with the restless energy of the holidays.
It also balances its wild moments with surprisingly heartfelt beats about growing up, moving on, and not wanting to lose your people.
The action here is more frantic than violent, but the pace makes it a fun marathon pick between heavier titles.
Watch this when you want holiday mayhem that feels modern, ridiculous, and still weirdly sweet by the end.
8. Iron Man 3 (2013)
Holiday downtime is supposed to be restful, but this story uses the season to underline how little peace its hero actually gets.
Tony Stark’s anxiety and sleeplessness add a different kind of tension, making the action feel tied to something emotional and real.
The movie delivers big set pieces, including airborne danger and explosive surprises, while still keeping the tone witty and sharp.
Christmas details show up throughout, giving the whole thing a cozy glow that contrasts with the destruction.
It is also a more personal chapter, because Tony has to rely on brains and improvisation instead of just fancy tech.
If you want a blockbuster that still feels like a holiday watch, this is a great pick for your yearly rotation.
9. Violent Night (2022)
A home invasion turns into a wild holiday brawl when a very unexpected version of Santa decides to intervene.
The premise is delightfully ridiculous, but the movie commits fully, which is why it works instead of feeling like a gimmick.
David Harbour brings a bruised, fed-up energy that makes this Santa oddly lovable even while he is taking down villains.
The action is brutal and over-the-top, yet the Christmas setting keeps it playful in a darkly comedic way.
Under the mayhem, there is a simple message about kindness and family, which makes the whole thing feel surprisingly festive.
This is the choice for viewers who want their holiday movie night loud, messy, and unapologetically chaotic.
10. Home Alone (1990)
A kid accidentally left behind turns an empty house into a fortress, and the result is basically an action movie in disguise.
The traps and stunts are cartoonish, but they are structured like a clever battle plan, which is why it remains so satisfying.
Kevin’s resourcefulness is the real star, because he transforms fear into confidence in a way that feels inspiring and funny.
The holiday setting is not just decoration, since the movie is also about family, belonging, and the magic of coming back together.
It is endlessly rewatchable because every gag builds like a set piece, and the pacing never lets the fun sag.
When you want a Christmas classic that still delivers thrills, this one earns its spot every single year.
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