The Top Ten Christmas Action Movies

How do you make an action movie persistently marketable for the rest of time? Set it during the Holidays! But wait: do Christmas and action movies really go together? Of course they do! There's nothing that says happy holidays like shooting a guy's face off and these action films set during Christmas deliver bodies, and action, like presents from Santa.

What are the best Christmas action movies? Nothing says Christmas like a good shoot 'em up or crime thriller. These movies are the best of the Christmas movies that have nothing to do with Christmas genre. For most of these films they could have been set during any time of the year and they wouldn't have been affected a bit. Half the movies on this list are set in LA, almost entirely because a real Christmas movie in LA would be boring. No snow, no trees, no winter clothes? See why they added gunplay?

If you have Netflix, there are some pretty good fantasy movies streaming on Netflix There aren't a lot of good zombie movies on Netflix, but I'll save that rant for another list.

Die Hard

Of course Die Hard is #1. The office Christmas party just got serious. John McClane (Bruce Willis) fights an office building full of terrorists in this modern Christmas classic.

Also Ranked

#6 on The Greatest Movies of the 1980s, Ranked

#7 on The Most Rewatchable Movies

#12 on The Best Christmas Movies of All Time

#3 on The Best Thriller Movies with a Hostage

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The Best Christmas Movies of All Time

Lethal Weapon

Danny Glover is "Too old for this s**t." But that didn't stop them from making 3 sequels to this brilliant action comedy. That's right, I said brilliant. The final fight scene between Gary Busey and Mel Gibson is the greatest reminder that it's the holidays you will find.

Also Ranked

#19 on The Greatest Movies of the 1980s, Ranked

#70 on The Most Rewatchable Movies

#38 on The Best Christmas Movies of All Time

#59 on The Best Movies Roger Ebert Gave Four Stars

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Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Robert Downey Jr is a conman who stumbles into being an actor who stumbles into being a private detective. If that sounds too confusing don't worry, this is actually one of the sharpest most well made movies of the last 10 years. Featuring excellent performances from Downey, Val Kilmer, and Michelle Monaghan, this neo-noir film set during the holidays will surprise you.

Also Ranked

#35 on The Very Best New Noir Movies

#23 on The Funniest Comedy Movies About Cops

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The Worst Christmas Movies

Batman Returns

Set during the Christmas season for no reason (hey that rhymed) this is the insane bat film that people either absolutely love or vehemently hate. (Unlike Batman and Robin, which we ALL HATE) The tree lighting scene with Christopher Walken giving a surreal speech and a girl being thrown from a roof to cause the tree lighting make it one of the most twisted Christmas movies of all time. And don't even get me started on the kidnapping train.

Also Ranked

#24 on The Best Superhero Movies Ever Made

#36 on The Best Movie Sequels Ever Made

#12 on The Best Movies of 1992

#8 on The Best Superhero Movie Sequels

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