More Christmas Action Films

Last Updated on December 21, 2023

W​hen the trailer for Violent Night hit, people were excited to check out this new Christmas action film. They were excited by the idea of setting an action film during the holiday season. While that’s great, it’s not a new concept. There have been some great action holiday movies for decades. No, we’re not talking about Jingle All The Way. It’s always a great time to drink some hot chocolate and watch some stuff blow up or someone gets punched in the face while Christmas lights twinkle in the background.

S​anta’s Slay (2005)

T​his one could fall into more of a horror category, but the action is what makes it the most fun. If the opening scene doesn’t get you excited, then you obviously don’t love Christmas. Hall Of Fame wrestler Bill Goldberg plays Santa like you’ve never seen him. Santa is actually the son of Satan. He lost a bet 1,000 years ago and had to deliver toys to children once a year. His time is up, and he is ready to drop the nice act to return to his naughty side.

D​eadly Games, aka Dial Code Santa Claus (1989)

E​veryone gives Kevin McCallister credit for being the first kid to defend his house from robbers. Let me introduce you to Thomas. He defended his house from a killer dressed up as Santa and was much less cutesy about it. This French film depicted a kid who was ready to go to brutal lengths to keep a crazed Santa from hurting his family. This film was unavailable in North America until 2018. Now it’s streaming on Shudder, so give it a watch and find your new best Christmas Action film.

B​atman Returns (1992)

T​he follow-up to Tim Burton‘s record-breaking Batman movie is filled to the brim with Holiday Cheer. It takes place during the holiday season and brings plenty of excitement. Batman is back, and now he has to face multiple villains as he tries to resist the allure of Catwoman. The whole movie has snow and holiday decorations throughout to give Gotham a different yet familiar feel from the first movie.

The B​ourne Identity (2002)

T​his movie doesn’t scream Christmas but is set in snow-filled cities and landscapes to really get you in the mood for Christmas. Jason Bourne is pulled out of the ocean with no memory and a gunshot wound. As he tries to find out who he actually is, he finds that lots of people are trying to kill him. The holiday doesn’t factor in really until towards the end when he stops at a farmhouse to take cover and finds a Christmas Tree up. As he looks around, he realizes it is Christmas Day.

I​nvasion U.S.A. (1985)

Y​ou know when a good time to invade America is? Well, the Russians think it’s during the holidays. The only person that can stop a Russian invasion is, of course, Chuck Norris. It turns out the whole operation is run by a Russian spy that he could have killed during his army days but wasn’t given the okay by his commander. He won’t make the same mistake again as he wages an all-out war on the Russian invaders. The best part may be watching Chuck Norris have a shoot-out in a mall decked out for Christmas. Nothing makes it out unscathed.

I​ Come In Peace, aka Dark Angel (1990)

T​aking place during the holiday season, we meet Dolph Lundgren, who is a cop that doesn’t play by the rules. He wants to take drugs off the street permanently. When unexplained deaths happen and mysterious puncture marks appear on the victims, there can be only one answer. Aliens. Yep, it’s Drago vs. Aliens in this one, and for that alone, you shouldn’t miss it.

T​he Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)

Y​ou’ll probably not be surprised to learn that since Shane Black wrote this, it takes place at Christmas. You might be surprised to learn that action maestro Renny Harlin directs it. Geena Davis plays a mom living in a small town. Years earlier, she was found with no memory of who she was. As someone is passing by the area, they see a news report of the town’s Christmas parade when her image appears. After that, all hell breaks loose as thugs show up to kill her. She goes on a journey to find out who she is and why she seems to be really good at killing people. A ton of fun and worth watching for Sam Jackson’s one-liners.

Cobra (1986)

S​et during the holiday in sunny Los Angeles, there are some mysterious killings. Only one way to find out who is responsible. Unleash a rogue cop, played by Sylvester Stallone. His superiors task him with escorting an important witness out of town, but a mysterious cult wants her dead. Only Cobra can protect her and destroy a psychopathic group in one fell swoop. Watch as Cobra calmly takes a sip of warm beer while a robber shoots up the Christmas decorations at a local grocery store. Emmm, warm beer.

L​ethal Weapon (1987)

D​ie Hard gets all the Christmas love, but Lethal Weapon can claim some of the holiday cheer. Yet another movie written by Shane Black, so of course, the holiday makes an appearance. Two new partners, Riggs and Murtaugh, have to stop a group of drug smugglers. One of the men working for the group may know Riggs more than anyone realizes. The film ends with Mel Gibson and Gary Busey engaging in hand-to-hand combat on the front lawn among Christmas decorations.

D​ie Hard (1988)

Y​ou had to know it was going to be on the list, right? Die Hard has become the ultimate Christmas action movie and might be responsible for leading the movement to find fun action films to watch during the holiday instead of the usual fare. John goes to see his family in L.A. and gets caught up in terrorists taking over the building. He is the only thing that can stop them from killing everyone inside and getting away with millions of dollars. Yippie Ki-Yay!

W​hich do you think is the best Christmas action film? Let us know in the comments.