Christmas time is here and for many of us, that means spending time with family and loved ones. But sometimes being stuck at home with annoying relatives, blistering cold weather and snow up to your nipples isn’t exactly what christmas dreams are made of. So, for the poor, unfortunate souls who couldn’t afford to go to a tropical paradise or exotic location during the holidays, here are some much needed movies to brighten up those winter blues for all you scrooges out there.

Cool Runnings

What better way to forget about the fact you have to share a room with your cousin who suffers from sleep apnea than to watch this classic John Candy film? “Cool Runnings” is probably the best (and only) movie about bobsledding and combines two things White people find extremely entertaining: Jamaicans and winter sports.

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A Perfect Getaway

A violent thriller that takes place on Hawaii and features beautiful scenery with plenty of bloodshed? Who wouldn’t want to watch “A Perfect Getaway” during the holidays? Nothing cures seasonal depression like good ole’ fashioned violence.

The Sun

The Beach

Not only is the cinematography in “The Beach” stunning, but it also stars a young Leonardo Dicaprio before he started to look like a honey cured ham. But the real scene stealer is Oscar winning actress Tilda Swinton as the controlling, cult-like leader and villain of the beach. Because sometimes fantasizing about being locked up in a Thai prison is better than hanging out with your family.

Pure Destinations

Weekend At Bernie’s

“Weekend at Bernie’s” is one of those classic movies everyone must watch before they die. It turned an otherwise macabre situation into comedic gold and is bound to make even the biggest grinch smile.

Thrillist

Batman Returns

Christopher Nolan should just quit now, because no other “Batman” movie comes close to the Gothic, Christmas-time masterpiece that is “Batman Returns.” This film superbly encapsulates the animated Batman series (1992-1995) that seemed way too dark for children on Saturday mornings like no other film has. Plus, it has one of my favorite actors, Danny DeVito.

Batman Wikia

Die Hard

Ring in the holidays with this action-packed movie that explodes with holiday fun. What better way to get psyched for Christmas than by watching Bruce Willis punch you in the face with yuletide joy.

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Gremlins

When Billy didn’t follow the rules to his new Mogwai Gizmo, he unleashed a terrifying army of furry Gremlins onto the small town of Kingston Falls – and this all happened during Christmas. “Gremlins” is probably the quintessential holiday movie for people who hate holiday movies, but love Christmas.

Gremlins Wikia

Iron Man 3

Most people don’t think “Iron Man” when they think of Christmas movies, but the backdrop of the film is set during the holidays.

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Co-screenwriter Drew Pearce said, “If I was going to go see an “Iron Man 3” movie, it was going to have to be at Christmas, but there’s always a reason for it as well. There’s something about Christmas as well, like when you’re telling a story about taking characters apart, it almost has more resonance if you put it at Christmas and if you’re also telling a story about lonelier characters as well. That loneliness is heightened at Christmas.”

Bad Santa

If “Elf” is too cheery for you, try this offbeat, dark comedy starring Billy Bob Thornton. This is the perfect film for people who hate the holidays and want to kill the Christmas spirit. “Bad Santa” will make you think twice before sitting on Santa’s lap at the mall and asking for presents.

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Lethal Weapon

If “Die Hard” is like the “Armageddon” of Christmas movies, than Lethal Weapon is more like “Deep Impact” – an equally great movie with a similar plot and characters – but didn’t quite gain the same popularity. It really depends on whether or not you’re a turkey or chicken person. There’s even an on-going urban legend that “Die Hard 3” started off as “Lethal Weapon 4.”

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What movies would you put on this list?

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