Geeky Holiday Movies & TV That Aren’t (All) About Christmas

Winter isn’t coming — it’s here! So that means it’s time to cozy up with some hot cocoa. Wrap yourself in some blankets, put some snacks within reach, and pick up the remote. But instead of flicking aimlessly through the channels and services, why not prepare a list? And even better, make sure that list is totally on theme for the holidays.

Whether it takes place during winter, features arctic scenery, or involves Christmas, these media picks are perfect for the season. Plus, if you’re a bit of curmudgeon, they don’t all have to do with Christmas cheer. Honestly, some are downright dreary in the best way possible. Below, check out 10 cold weather-themed movies and TV series to stream while the fireplace roars.

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Krampus

This is our most Christmas-y pick, we promise. The 2015 horror-comedy Krampus is inspired by a creature from Austro-Bavarian folklore. It sets the scene with rude relatives and chaotic holiday plans, sparking anger and outrage. Festivities go sour, tensions soar higher, and a horned creature stalks children and adults alike. Using gingerbread candy and toys, Krampus lures, traps, and kills his victims because they’ve lost the Christmas spirit. Talk about intense!

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Stranger Things

We’ll never look at stringed lights the same way. One of the most iconic scenes from Stranger Things involves Christmas lights both strung and pinned to ugly ’80s wallpaper. Attempting to communicate with her missing son, Joyce Byers devises a spelling system for him to message her. The idea is clever and looks great on screen. Plus, it sparks joy to see the lights utilized so uniquely. Then, it goes on to inspire abject fear when Will Byers uses the wall to spell out RUN.

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Hawkeye

‘Tis the season for ugly sweaters and found family! The Marvel live-action series Hawkeye takes place during the most wonderful time of year. Set in New York City, the show ensures we get our fill of heroes drinking hot cocoa and fighting while framed by twinkling lights. Snow and ice make a getaway drive pretty difficult, but that’s what we want out of a super hero show. And in the end, Clint Barton’s frozen heart is thawed by his protégé Kate Bishop. That’s Christmas at its core.

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Gremlins

A cult classic ’80s film, Gremlins imagines if little mischievous creatures were truly to blame for aircraft and household accidents. The movie starts sweetly, with a Mogwai coming home to a family for Christmas. And isn’t the little guy just as cute as a puppy? Unfortunately, disaster unfolds when the rules about feeding the Mogwai and getting them wet are broken. When the Gremlins take over, Christmas gets a whole lot crazier.

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Batman Returns

No DC fan can get through December without a Batman Returns rewatch. In the director’s signature style, the movie meshes creepy color palettes and characters with things that would generally bring smiles, not frowns. But snow signifies The Penguin, a nasty villain with a penchant for murder and mayhem. Frosty windows remind us of Catwoman’s tumble out of her apartment window. Mistletoe, however, now that’s a nice one.

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Mr. Robot

Nothing says holidays like hacking stuff alongside your siblings — and a dead dad who still haunts you! Mr. Robot season 4 is set during Christmastime, with references to the holiday throughout. These references range from unnerving to cheerful. Much of the decor fits perfectly into the scene while still leaving you with the nagging feeling that something isn’t quite right, and that’s basically the viewer experience of Mr. Robot in a nutshell. Or should we say nutcracker?

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Game of Thrones

Although Game of Thrones takes place across Westeros, we spend a lot of time in Winterfell as well as the North. House Stark’s slogan, “Winter is coming,” has made an indelible impact on pop culture vernacular. Additionally, some of the primary antagonists include ice zombies from beyond the Wall. Combine this with the fur-trim costumes and fire-breathing dragons, and you have yourself all the seasonal staples!

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Harry Potter

Of course, Christmas at Hogwarts is truly the most magical time of the year. The Great Hall is decked out in trees and holly, with warm fires and golden goblets full of cozy drinks. Winter wear includes massive striped scarfs over Wizarding robes or soft sweaters. And who can forget the Christmas feast! The holiday features most heavily in The Sorcerer’s Stone, while winter is a big part of Prisoner of Azkaban as well. But whichever Harry Potter movie you choose to put on, Christmas is a prominent plot or a cheerful background bit. Might as well do a movie marathon, then.

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The Terror

AMC’s anthology series The Terror touches on quite a few horror concepts. But season 1 is steeped in magical realism, following the expedition of a doomed crew on their way to find the Arctic Passage. Every single episode plunges you into the surreal sub-zero terrain of these sailors. Plus, The Terror season 1 features Indigenous folklore and characters alike. So come for a history lesson then stay for the rapid descent into madness due to scurvy. It’s a good time.

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Yellowjackets

What would you do if you were stranded in the wilderness during the winter months? A tense and terrific drama about survival and sisterhood, Yellowjackets deposits a high school soccer team into the mountains with no way home. The non-linear narrative jumps back and forth between the surviving women’s current lives and the awful things they did to get there. With a third season on the way soon, there’s no better time to dive into this sensational story.

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Of course, our list can’t cover all the options. Many people love to wind down to the dark comedy of Fargo (both the film and anthology series). Die Hard is a Christmas classic for action-adventure fans. Vikings spends most of its seasons in snow-covered medieval Scandinavia. Disney’s Frozen gives us all the non-denominational ice skating, snowman building, and reindeer we could want. And we have to give a shout out to Ice Age! Meanwhile, Snowpiercer, 30 Days of Night, The Shining, and The Revenant remind us how horrifying ice and snow can be when you aren’t in an idyllic snow globe of a controlled environment. Still, these characters’ dire straits are our delights.

Which of these movies or shows will you stream during snowy days? Did we miss your coziest not-Christmas-but-kinda-Christmas media pick? Share your watch list at side.show/geekgroup or in the Sideshow Social Network. And as always, don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!