Ah, the holidays—when we’d pile into the living room, switch on the TV, and hope for a heartwarming movie to set the festive mood. But let’s be honest, not every holiday movie delivered warm fuzzies. Some left us scratching our heads, wondering how they ever got made. The 70s and 80s, in particular, churned out some truly bizarre holiday films. Whether they were oddly dark, hilariously low-budget, or just downright confusing, these flicks carved out a peculiar niche in our Christmas memories. Let’s take a stroll down the weirder side of the holiday movie aisle.
1. The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978)
You couldn’t mention holiday oddities without this infamous TV special. With Wookiees celebrating “Life Day” and cameos from the entire Star Wars cast, it was meant to bring the galaxy far, far away into your holiday traditions. Instead, we got an awkward mix of musical numbers, confusing subplots, and the unforgettable (but not in a good way) debut of Boba Fett.
2. Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1972)
Who could forget this low-budget sci-fi “classic”? Martians kidnap Santa to bring Christmas cheer to their planet, but what we got was cheap costumes, hokey effects, and a theme song you couldn’t un-hear. Sure, it was silly, but as kids, we didn’t mind. Plus, it made Santa seem like an intergalactic superhero!
3. Jack Frost (1979)
Not to be confused with the later Michael Keaton film, this fantasy movie was part fairy tale, part fever dream. A magical winter sprite helps a young woman find love, but it’s the bizarre costumes and odd pacing that really stick with you. It was like a holiday movie crossed with a surreal stage play.
4. Santa and the Ice Cream Bunny (1972)
Nothing screams “holiday cheer” like Santa stuck in the Florida heat, being rescued by a giant bunny. This bizarre low-budget film had little to do with Christmas and everything to do with…well, we’re still not sure. But hey, it’s unforgettable, if only for how weird it was.
5. A Cosmic Christmas (1977)
Remember this animated Canadian special? Three aliens come to Earth to understand Christmas after hearing about the star of Bethlehem. It had a touching moral, but the odd mix of sci-fi and holiday cheer felt like a strange blend. Still, it had that charming 70s animation style that made it unforgettable.
6. Christmas Evil (1980)
This dark psychological thriller about a man obsessed with Christmas was definitely not your average holiday fare. It wasn’t just strange—it was unsettling. Watching this as a teen, you might have wondered, “Is this supposed to scare me or teach me a lesson?” Either way, it earned a weird cult status.
7. Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July (1979)
Leave it to Rankin/Bass to merge two beloved characters into one of the weirdest plots ever. Rudolph’s glowing nose is tied to a magic amulet, Frosty’s family faces melting doom, and somehow it all happens during a summer carnival. It was ambitious but downright bizarre.
8. The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (1985)
Based on an L. Frank Baum story, this Rankin/Bass special gave us Santa’s origin story—complete with mythical creatures and epic battles. It was visually stunning, but the plot felt more like a fantasy adventure than a cozy Christmas tale.
9. Black Christmas (1974)
A horror movie set during the holidays? This slasher flick about a sorority house under siege was groundbreaking for its time, but it felt so at odds with the season of joy and giving. Yet, for some reason, it became a cult favorite for those who liked their holidays with a side of terror.
10. Nutcracker Fantasy (1979)
This stop-motion adaptation of The Nutcracker was equal parts magical and creepy. With its dreamlike sequences and eerie puppet designs, it was the kind of movie that lingered in your mind—sometimes in a good way, sometimes not so much.
11. One Magic Christmas (1985)
This Disney film took the term “dark holiday movie” to a new level. A down-on-her-luck mom learns the meaning of Christmas through heartbreak and an angel’s intervention. It was heartwarming by the end, but wow, did it put us through the emotional wringer first.
12. The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t (1966, re-released in the 70s)
This Italian-made musical about Santa facing eviction from the North Pole was charmingly strange. The dubbed dialogue and offbeat songs made it feel otherworldly, but that was part of its charm. It was one of those movies that stuck in your mind because it was just so different.
The holidays always brought a mix of heartwarming classics and peculiar oddities, and these movies remind us of just how experimental and eclectic the 70s and 80s could be. Even when they didn’t quite hit the mark, they added a quirky charm to our holiday traditions, making the season a little more memorable—and sometimes, a lot more bizarre.
