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Christmas time is here, or so the song goes. And while you might be scurrying around to pick up holiday gifts for your loved ones, another problem arises: what movies should you watch this holiday season? But fear not: we've got you covered on what to watch for Christmas this year. 

Quick Picks

• Best overall: Batman Returns

• Best budget gift: Violent Night

• Best premium gift: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

The Best Gifts for Christmas Fans

1. Batman Returns

Why it's a great gift: Batman Returns is a film I try to watch every holiday season because it checks off so many boxes: gothic vibes, a gorgeous Danny Elfman score, Michelle Pfeiffer being a campy queen, Batman, and, of course, Christmastime. Batman is usually associated with Halloween time because Batman stories tend to be spooky, but personally, I like my holiday cheer with a side helping of darkness. 

Best For: Batman fans

2. Die Hard

Why it's a great gift: This list isn't your typical Christmas movie list. And if you've seen Die Hard, you might recall that it takes place during the holidays. That's the reason why there's the holiday party to begin with. If you've ever attended a company holiday party and thought "this could use some more excitement," then look no further than Die Hard. 

Best For: 80s action movie fans

3. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Why it's a great gift: No end of year season is complete without a Lord of the Rings marathon. I'm sorry, I don't make the rules. The weather outside is cold (if you're in the northern hemisphere at least), so fire up some potatoes and put the Extended Editions of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy on. 

Best For: Fantasy fans

4. Violent Night

Why it's a great gift: Okay, so an ACTUAL Christmas-themed film, look no further than Violent Night. It may not be family-friendly, but it's an amusingly, you guessed it, violent vision of Santa Claus fighting a bunch of armed mercenaries in Greenwich, Connecticut. If you like the John Wick movies, this one will appeal to your tastes, also because John Leguizamo is in Violent Night, too. And as per usual, John Leguizamo makes everything better. 

Best For: Action movie fans

5. It's A Wonderful Life

Why it's a great gift: Alright, alright, alright, we wouldn't be doing our jobs here if we didn't include at least one family friendly Christmas movie. And while everyone has probably seen Nightmare Before Christmas, why not take the whole family back further with a bonafide classic, It's A Wonderful Life. If you haven't seen it, take my word for it: it's worth it. 

Best For: Families

Gifts by Budget

Under $25

• Die Hard

• Violent Night

• It's A Wonderful Life

• Batman Returns

Under $50 

• The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Why You Should Trust Our Recommendations

Our team covers movies professionally and follows new releases, merchandise launches, conventions, collectibles, and community trends throughout the year. And we are also connoisseurs of the best movies to watch each holiday season. 

For this guide we considered:

• Quality

• Value for money

• Fan appeal

• Availability

• Giftability

• Long-term collectibility
  

Best gifts for Christmas movie fans FAQ

What is the best gift for a Christmas fan?

The best gift for a Christmas fan is the It's A Wonderful Life Blu-ray.

What should I buy for someone who already owns a lot of Christmas merchandise?

For someone who already owns a lot of Christmas merch, you should get them a Blu-ray copy of Violent Night. 

What's the best budget-friendly option?

The best budget-friendly option is Violent Night.

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