Christmas is one of the most wonderful times of the year, and along with it brings watching classic Christmas films. However, some films have gone down as notorious disasters. Some are known to sap the Christmas joy of those who are unfortunate enough to watch them. Here are seven of the worst Christmas movies ever made.
Home Sweet Home Alone (Home Alone 6) [2021]
The sixth entry in the Home Alone series, the film stars Archie Yates, Rob Delaney, Ellie Kemper and Kenan Thompson. It follows a boy who is left home alone (get it?) and must defend himself from a couple who believe he has stolen from them. Another tired entry in the series, this film is too mean-spirited to root for and too infuriating to enjoy. Even original star Maculcay Culkin hates it! It’s too much of a drag; stick to the first movie.
The Nutcracker in 3D (2010)
A strange adaption of the famous ballet, The Nutcracker in 3D stars Elle Fanning, Nathan Lane and John Turturro. The film is one of the rare few to hold a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes and it’s easy to see why. For an almost $100 million budget, it’s garish to look at, from the atrocious color grading to its disgusting visual effects (especially the rats). It’s also a musical misfire with grating songs and unsettling allusions to Nazi Germany. Maybe the original ballet should be left untouched by filmmakers.
Red One (2024)
Red One is an action film starring Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy Liu and J.K. Simmons. Santa Claus goes missing, and it’s up to the team of good guys to go get him back and save Christmas. The plot is generic and the entire experience is a bore with little to win the audience over. It’s drab, lifeless and unfun, everything a Christmas movie shouldn’t be.
Jingle All The Way (1996)
Jingle All The Way is a comedy starring Arnold Schwarenzeager, Sinbad and Rita Wilson. It follows two dads who attempt to find a toy on Christmas Eve and the frenzy that follows. The plot sounds like a home run but in execution it’s a surprisingly unfunny miss. The actors are trying their best but the film comes off as mostly a waste of time and you spend the rest of the runtime wishing you were elsewhere.
Eight Crazy Nights (2002)
One of the few films about Hanukkah, Eight Crazy Nights stars Adam Sandler, Jackie Titone and Rob Schneider. The film is an absolute chore to sit through, as it tests your patience and your time. It barrages you with unfunny jokes and toilet humor to the extreme. Knowing that there’s a scene where many deer eat poop and enjoy it should be enough for you to turn away.
Jack Frost (1998)
Jack Frost is a fantasy comedy that stars Michael Keaton, Kelly Preston and Mark Addy. It follows the titular character, who is revived as a snowman and reconnects with his family. Jack Frost as the snowman, is simply too unnerving to watch. During the watch, you become too preoccupied in watching and laughing at his goofiness that the rest of the overly sentimental film escapes you completely.
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964)
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians is a sci-fi B-movie starring John Call, Leonard Hicks, Vincent Beck and Pia Zadora. The plot follows a group of Martians who abduct Santa Claus to bring joy to Mars. The film has terrible costuming, acting, editing, and occasionally drags, but it has gone down as a “so bad it’s good” film. It’s cheesy and goofy tone makes it a fun movie to laugh at, if you can stomach the flaws surrounding it. If you like campy old movies, grab a buddy and you might just find a way to enjoy this one.
