10 'Alternative' Christmas Films That Still Employ Classic Festive Themes

10. Christmas Time! Mistletoe And Crime: Lethal Weapon

Christmas. The perfect time to put aside all our differences and come together. Particularly if you have a massive drug-smuggling operation to bring down in LA. (And no, cocaine is definitely not a substitute to festive snow!) For those enjoy the 'buddy-cop' relationship between Stark and Rhodes in this year's Iron Man 3, well this is where it all began with Shane Black's first screen play, Lethal Weapon. The festive spirit is most definitely being corrupted as we enter the film...a drugged up woman leaps off a balcony to her death as 'Jingle Bell Rock' plays out to audiences. Cocaine dealers selling their goods at a Christmas tree lot. And the best course of action for that is a large dose of Christmas violence. If you like a lot of action in your festive films, then this is a good place to start (and continue as we head through the rest of the article). The 'lethal weapon' that is Mel Gibson's Riggs and the straight man Danny Glover's Murtaugh are a brilliant team, two detectives who play by very different rules. Murtagh feels he's past it as he reaches his 50th birthday. Riggs is the black sheep of the department...and yet the charm of this film is how they find a common cause. This is easily one of Gibson's best roles...his quips and charm, coupled with a (un)healthy dose of violence makes for a great, loveable rogue. A great little 80's gem and a great start to your alternative Christmas viewing...