Drama / Christmas / Historical
1982
Fanny and Alexander
A family drama where theatre, childhood fancy and a stubborn bishop collide — and Alexander refuses to be small.
Read our take →
Explore the genre
Christmas movies from the 80s
Christmas movies in the 1980s were far more varied than cosy festive entertainment. The decade mixed family comedy and romance with ghosts, action and even seasonal horror.
That unusual range has helped many 80s Christmas films become annual rewatches, whether they are heart-warming, chaotic or completely inappropriate for the dinner table.
15 movies so far
Christmas movies
Comedy / Christmas
1983
A Christmas Story
Nine years old, a single-minded wish, and a narrator who never lets you forget it.
Read our take →
Comedy / Christmas
1983
Trading Places
A rigged bet, a culture-swap and Louis Winthorpe III — still very funny, still very sharp.
Read our take →
Monster / Comedy Horror / Christmas
1984
Gremlins
A cuddly Christmas present, three simple rules — and a small town that learns what consequences look like.
Read our take →
Horror / Slasher / Thriller / Christmas / List Of Holiday Horror Films
1984
Silent Night, Deadly Night
Silent Night, Deadly Night: family and the safety of home, and why this 1984 movie still matters.
Read our take →
Neo-noir / Science Fiction / Fantasy / Science Fiction Comedy / Comedy / Christmas / Dystopian / Retrofuturism / Arthouse Science Fiction
1985
Brazil
A man who daydreams his way out of paperwork—and into trouble.
Read our take →
Action / Thriller / Spy / Propaganda / Martial Arts / Christmas / War
1985
Invasion U.S.A.
Invasion U.S.A.: fear and authority, and why this 1985 movie still matters.
Read our take →
Action / Drama / Boxing / Christmas
1985
Rocky IV
Rocky IV: courage and mortality and lifespan, and why this 1985 movie still matters.
Read our take →
Romantic Comedy / Christmas
1985
The Sure Thing
The Sure Thing: friendship, and why this 1985 movie still matters.
Read our take →
Teen / Mystery / Christmas
1985
Young Sherlock Holmes
Young Sherlock Holmes: mortality and mortality and lifespan, and why this 1985 movie still matters.
Read our take →
Romance / Drama / Crime / Coming-of-age / LGBTQ-related / Christmas
1987
Less Than Zero
Less Than Zero: family and friendship, and why this 1987 movie still matters.
Read our take →
Crime / Action / Thriller / Buddy / Buddy Cop / Christmas
1987
Lethal Weapon
A buddy cop movie with a suicide note in its pocket and an unpredictable heart.
Read our take →
Romantic Comedy / Fantasy / Christmas / Ghost / Comedy
1988
Scrooged
Scrooged: fear and belief in the supernatural, and why this 1988 movie still matters.
Read our take →
Buddy / Comedy / Christmas
1989
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
One man's quest for the perfect Christmas turns suburban order into glorious, very tangled chaos.
Read our take →
Romantic Comedy / Christmas / Comedy
1989
When Harry Met Sally
Cynicism, chemistry and a very public argument about friendship — still funny, still persuasive.
Read our take →