If the thought of watching another Hallmark Christmas Movie makes you want to hide under the covers until the New Year, you're not alone. As joyful as these films can be, it's understandable to not want to be constantly steeped in the holiday spirit. Thankfully, fans of action movies are in luck. There are many great movies that take place during the holiday season that aren't just about Christmas.

Update November 25, 2023: The holiday season has begun, and this article has been updated by Amanda Minchin with more action films that are holiday adjacent but can be enjoyed any time of the year.

While Christmas-themed action movies are more popular than ever, and John Woo is about to return to the action genre with Silent Night on December 1, 2023. Here are action-packed movies set during the holidays that will satisfy the urge for action while still staying well within the confines of the season.

Die Hard (1988)

While not specifically about Christmas, Die Hard certainly touches on a common holiday movie trope. In the first installment of the popular Die Hard franchise, John McClane (Bruce Willis) is a rebellious New York Cop, who arrives in Los Angeles on Christmas Eve to spend the holidays with his estranged wife Holly Gennero (Bonnie Bedalia).

John finally reaches his destination, Holly's holiday party at Nakatomi Plaza. Shortly thereafter, the party is crashed by German terrorists lead by the infamous Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman). While the LAPD handle the situation from the ground, John attempts to neutralize the threat from his vantage point within. Following an altercation with one of the terrorists on another floor, McClane sends a series of touching holiday messages to Hans as he fights his way through the onslaught.

What Makes It Great?

Whether Die Hard is indeed a Christmas movie is hotly debated. There are some solid arguments on both sides. It does take place during a holiday party and even features a race home for the holidays by a disillusioned Grinch. Yet Die Hard's status as one of the greatest action movies of all time, and the fact that it was released in the summer, means that it can be enjoyed any time of the year.

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Related: The Best Christmas Action Movies to Watch If You Love Die Hard

Shazam (2019)

One of three superhero movies on this list, Shazam! easily sets its Christmas tone by featuring the Bing Crosby song "Do You Hear What I Hear" in the opening scene. The film tells the story of young Billy Batson (Asher Angel), who, when he says the magic word SHAZAM, becomes a fully grown superhero (Zachary Levi). Along the way, Shazam must fight a mad scientist and a host of evil demonic forces.

What Makes It Great

Shazam! is clearly set at Christmas time, notably with the snow and Christmas decorations throughout the film. Yet it never draws attention to itself very much and is a straightforward superhero action movie, one that harkens back to the comic books of the Golden Age in the 1940s which Shazam originated. It features plenty of horrific moments fans of 1980s classics like Gremlins might associate with a holiday haunt but also features a heartwarming story of a family coming together that fits right at home with Christmas.

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The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)

Directed by Shane Black (who will appear multiple times on this list), The Long Kiss Goodnight follows the story of Samantha Caine (Geena Davis), a suburban schoolteacher with amnesia who is just trying to enjoy the holiday season with her family. Soon, however, Samantha starts to experience vivid memories of her past life that unearth the uneasy truth - she used to be a ruthless government assassin. After a stranger tries to assassinate her in her own home one snowy night, Samantha hires private investigator Mitch Hennessey (Samuel L Jackson) to help look into her past.

What Makes It Great?

Stellar noir name aside, the beginning of the movie feels so much like your traditional Christmas classic. In fact, it's easy to forget it's an action movie... that is, at least, until we find out Samantha's true identity. The avalanche of snowy action sequences, gunfights on ice skates, and explosions galore that ensue make it a worthy addition to your cold weather repertoire.

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Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

Shane Black also directs Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, a film-noir parody set around the holidays in Los Angeles. In the opening sequence, we meet protagonist Harry Lockhart (Robert Downey Jr), a petty thief in need of some last-second Christmas gifts. His robbery of a toy store soon goes awry, forcing Harry to try to elude the police. During his escape, Harry accidentally stumbles into an audition. Still emotional from the death of his partner, Harry lands the role and is sent to L.A. for a screen test. Upon his arrival, Harry teams up with his high school crush Harmony Lane (Michelle Monahan) and headstrong Private Investigator Perry Van Shrike (Val Kilmer) to solve a mysterious murder.

What Makes It Great?

The movie successfully sells the Christmas spirit (despite it being set in L.A.) through subsequent holiday parties and less-than-subtle Christmas references. While it is a catalyst for the events that ensue, the holiday season is not the main attraction of this film - The sharp-tongued dialogue and gritty action sequences are. Plus, this film arguably served as a comeback for Downey Jr and has been one of the last for Kilmer so far.

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Anna and the Apocalypse (2017)

Part action, horror, and musical, Anna and the Apocalypse is a British film that takes on what else but the zombie apocalypse for the holidays. In it, a cozy town is besieged on the night of the school's holiday pageant, forcing the titular Anna (Ella Hunt) and her high schoolmates to face the aftermath in the days to come. Running for your lives through a Christmas tree farm has never been so exhilarating!

What Makes It Great?

The concept of this film is one to behold. Besides its Christmas ties, it manages to thread together drama and story alongside its mish-mashed genres. For those not in the know, the musical scenes are as expected as a zombie hoard. One does not associate zombies with Christmas, which makes this a delightful treat from another viewing of A Christmas Story or Elf.

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Batman Returns (1992)

Batman Returns is an action-packed sequel to Tim Burton’s Batman. The movie introduces two new villains, Catwoman (Michelle Pfeifer) and The Penguin (Danny Devito). Together, the Penguin and Catwoman team up to try and rid Gotham of Batman once and for all. The plot thickens when sparks fly between Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton) and Selena Kyle (aka Catwoman). In fact, the two discover each other's alter ego's while dancing under the mistletoe.

What Makes It Great?

While the plot itself has little to do with Christmas, the movie imbues festive feelings through the wintry Gotham setting, extravagant holiday parties and even a Rockafeller Center-style Christmas tree lit up in the middle of Gotham City. It also makes sense to plunge a character named after an arctic inhabitant into the fray. This film is more well-known as a continuation of Burton's franchise than as a holiday movie by far.

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Gremlins (1984)

Perhaps the most tamely rated of the films on this list, Gremlins has long been considered a coincidental holiday classic. This comedy horror action classic was directed by Joe Dante, written by Chris Columbus, and features a young Howie Mandel as Gizmo. In it, the owner of a new, toy-like pet breaks the most important rules for its care and keeping, with hilariously dire consequences. The Norman Rockwell visionof a town is soon terrorized by the out-of-control mayhem that ensues.

What Makes It Great?

The holidays can be hard on anyone's diet, but feeding these guys after midnight has worse consequences than an expanding waistline. This film considers the importance of proper pet care and keeping in a whole new context.

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Three Days of the Condor

Fay Dunaway and Robert Redford are a match made in film heaven in the spy action thriller Three Days of the Condor. In it, a CIA researcher comes back from a lunch break to discover that his coworkers are dead. Talk about taking a long lunch! Now, he's in a race against time to find the person or persons responsible and who he can trust before they come for him next.

What Makes It Great?

Christmas in New York plays more of a background, dare we say, metaphorical role in this picture. Setting the story there and then just adds a whole new layer to its foundation of stakes. Full of twisty-turny whodunits that will keep you guessing right to the very end, this film is perfect for playing armchair detective with friends.

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Lethal Weapon (1987)

Lethal Weapon was also, surprise, surprise, directed by Shane Black. Mel Gibson and Danny Glover have excellent chemistry playing Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh, respectively. Lethal Weapon follows the perfectly mismatched Murtaugh and Riggs as they assist internal affairs in uncovering a black-market arms operation involving dirty cop Jack Travis (Stuart Wilson). Not surprisingly, this film led to its very own franchise.

What Makes It Great?

In truth, this is the original Christmas action movie, preceding Die Hard by a whole year. The holidays play a more crucial role for Riggs' character, who is alone, struggling with the loss of his wife alongside his family man of a partner. Instead, he finds the gift of a true friend in his partner, Murtaugh.

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Related: 20 Christmas Movies for Badasses

Iron Man 3 (2013)

Iron Man 3 fits into the Marvel universe timeline shortly after the first Avengers movie. In it, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder following the events in New York. A sleepless and troubled Tony buries himself in his work, isolating himself from his loved ones (in yet another common Christmas movie theme). Eventually, Tony is confronted with a new terrorist threat in the form of the Mandarin (Ben Kingsley). In order to defeat him, he must once again learn to rely on his friends and family.

What Makes It Great?

The plot would have worked at any time of year. But, with director Shane Black at the helm, it's clear there needed to be a holiday tie-in. After all, Black clearly has a soft spot for Christmas. In Tara Bennett and Paul Terry's The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Black said that "Christmas bands together and cements a story. You feel like there’s a common unity among all the people in it. It’s just something [audiences] constantly notice in the background. It represents a flavor, and there is a sense that 'We are all in it together.'"

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