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

3. The True Character Of Christmas: Trading Places

Presents and parties are always great, but they aren't what make up the true spirit of Christmas. And that is a theme that Trading Places employs. What happens if you lose all your success and riches and give it to someone who has nothing? That's the focus of this twisted social experiment, and it's a fun and fascinating ride getting there. In the festive period where everyone indulges in a good old bit of Christmas gluttony, one too many tipples and parties, Dan Ackroyd's Winthorpe finds himself in a world we he has none of those things. Losing his job, his home and his fiancée because of a wager set by the Duke brothers, he finds himself unable to cope; the most iconic scene of the film is where he tries to commit suicide wearing a Santa suit and fails, Fortunately for him, Eddie Murphy's Valentine, giving all the riches and success that Winthorpe once had, proves that you can be a better man despite all that wealth and helps Winthorpe to take back his life. Like Lethal weapon, this is a film about two unlikely characters working together...and what better time to do that then at Christmas?