Every holiday has its own set of instantly recognizable clichés, and many of them also bring their own set of complexities and issues to provide depth to a story. How many Thanksgiving-themed family gatherings have we seen where people who wouldn’t usually be in the same room as one another start fighting, either physically or figuratively? Instead, why not watch a science fiction Christmas movie to come together around a common passion of the genre?
Christmas has undoubtedly collected the most films with a holiday theme because it is the oldest child on the block. Science fiction is not exempt from Christmas movie celebrations.
- Brazil (1985)
Brazil, directed by Terry Gilliam at the height of his enormous talents, is fundamentally a sci-fi Christmas film and features elements of biting political satire and comedy dystopian nightmare. Brazil tells the story of Sam Lowry (Jonathan Pryce), a low-level office worker with an excessive fantasy life who defies all social mores and rules in an effort to save an imagined damsel in need possibly. It is set against the backdrop of Christmas in an excessively materialistic and bureaucratic society.
- Edward Scissorhands (1990)
. Tim Burton, the man behind The Nightmare Before Christmas, an absolute holiday classic, created this odd Johnny Depp Christmas film. Burton, despite his oddness, genuinely understands Christmas and returns to it frequently.
- Gremlins (1984)
Gremlins taught us many valuable life lessons, chief among them being the need of paying close attention to the instructions given by a wise old man at a secret, hole-in-the-wall shop when it comes to caring for the weird pet you recently purchased. Billy’s father sends him a pet from China with just three requirements. However, a swarm of monsters is let loose when Billy refuses to accompany them.
- Iron Man 3 (2013)
Some call this the worst of the Iron Man trilogy. Still, it is a perfect Christmas movie to watch, Watching Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark on his journey to self-assessment and being in a sort of dilemma between the Avengers and his personal life. It is about healing, getting to terms with the past, and moving on to the future. The movie captures the Christmas spirit in quite a different way. Jarvis being down, Pepper being out, it is Tony and his little brain and his little friend against the world (Spoiler Alert! “10 rings”).
- The Star Wars Christmas Holiday Special (1978)
An Imperial blockade prevents Chewbacca and Han Solo from traveling to the Wookiee homeworld of Kashyyyk to celebrate Life Day. Chewie’s family occupies itself with a variety of pastimes. The planet Kashyyyk, where Chewbacca is from, celebrates Life Day today. Han Solo and Chewie are attempting to travel to the planet where Chewie’s family is waiting for him, but the Empire is making their journey difficult by looking for rebels. We get a glimpse into a Wookiee family’s daily routine while we wait.
