From the classic "Die Hard" to the recent "Violent Night," these films prove that sometimes the best way to create a festive mood is to add a good dose of action to traditional Christmas elements.
Die Hard (1988)
An undisputed leader of the genre, this intense action movie is filled with subtle irony and timeless values. On Christmas Eve, the shimmering Nakatomi Plaza skyscraper becomes the battleground between New York cop John McClane and a group of terrorists. Amid holiday lights and the sound of Christmas melodies, unfolds the story of a courageous loner facing a vastly superior enemy force. Naturally, the second part of "Die Hard" is also in our ranking!
The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)
In a snowy, pre-Christmas town, schoolteacher Samantha begins to remember her mysterious past. Amidst the festive lights and holiday bustle, an intriguing story of lost identity unfolds, where each memory could pose a deadly threat. Geena Davis brilliantly portrays a woman balancing between a cozy modern life and a dangerous past, accompanied by Samuel L. Jackson, who plays a private detective helping Samantha uncover the truth about her past.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
A quirky Christmas tale in the neo-noir genre. A small-time thief accidentally gets caught up in a whirlwind of Hollywood intrigue. Los Angeles, sparkling with holiday lights, becomes the perfect setting for a story filled with dark humor, unexpected twists, and charismatic characters. Robert Downey Jr. plays a charming loser.
Lethal Weapon (1987)
A classic cop action movie with a festive atmosphere. The story follows two Los Angeles police officers with radically different approaches to life. The festive setting provides a perfect contrasting backdrop for a tale of friendship, loyalty, and redemption. Mel Gibson and Danny Glover create one of the most memorable cop duos in cinema history.
The Last Boy Scout (1991)
Another classic Christmas action movie with Bruce Willis, this time joined by Damon Wayans. Joe Hallenbeck, once a Secret Service agent, is now a private detective whose life has gone off the rails. He's drowning in alcohol, his marriage is broken, and the only work he can find is tailing unfaithful spouses.
Batman Returns (1992)
Gotham City turns into a surreal fairytale on Christmas Eve. Batman (Michael Keaton) battles the cunning Penguin and the alluring Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer). Tim Burton creates a gothic Christmas world, where the festive lights only highlight the darkness of the city streets.
Violent Night (2022)
A fresh, bold take on the Christmas story. Santa Claus, played by David Harbour, is not a kind gift-giver but a former Viking. On Christmas Eve, he confronts a group of mercenaries who have taken over a wealthy family's mansion. The film expertly blends brutal action in the style of "John Wick" with a Christmas atmosphere and dark humor.
Fatman (2020)
Mel Gibson offers an unexpected interpretation of Santa Claus—a tired, cynical, yet still dedicated figure. He runs his Christmas factory, struggles with financial difficulties, and even takes a government contract to make ends meet. The situation becomes more complicated when a spoiled twelve-year-old boy, who received coal from Santa instead of a gift, hires a professional hitman to take revenge.
Ronin (1998)
A spy action film featuring thrilling chases through snowy France. The team includes former CIA agent Sam (Robert De Niro), former KGB operative (Stellan Skarsgård), former French Legionnaire (Jean Reno), and other specialists. They must retrieve a mysterious metal case.
The Silent Partner (1978)
A Canadian crime thriller featuring Elliott Gould and Christopher Plummer. According to zoomboola.com, the action takes place during the Christmas season in a shopping mall where the main character, a bank clerk, witnesses a robbery at his bank. He decides to use the information about the crime to get rich by making a deal with the criminals. However, he soon finds himself caught in a dangerous game with ever-increasing stakes.
Dark Angel (1990)
The film is set in pre-Christmas Houston. Police detective Jack Caine (Dolph Lundgren) investigates a series of mysterious murders of drug dealers. He soon discovers that an alien hunter is behind the crimes, using humans to harvest endorphins—injecting them with a lethal dose of drugs and then extracting the hormones produced in the brain, which are a drug on his planet.
Cobra (1986)
Lieutenant Marion Cobretti, known as Cobra (Sylvester Stallone), wages war against a cult of brutal killers. Festive displays and garlands create a surreal contrast with the grim streets where evil lurks in the shadows. The scene in the supermarket is particularly striking: the Christmas decor witnesses a brutal clash between the law enforcer and a psychopath.
Red One (2024)
Just before Christmas, someone kidnaps Santa Claus. The head of North Pole security, Callum Drift (Dwayne Johnson), teams up with bounty hunter Jack O'Malley (Chris Evans) to rescue Santa and save the holiday spirit. On their journey, they encounter mythical creatures, including fauns and evil snowmen, as well as the treacherous Krampus, who aims to steal Christmas.
