Everyone thinks Christmas is all about peace, love, and tear-jerking lottery commercials. But those of us who love fantasy know that this time of year is the perfect breeding ground for everything to go wrong… or for magic to turn against us.
What could be more Christmassy than an invasion of mischievous creatures, a Santa Claus punishing naughty children, or the Antichrist himself being born in the capital?
If you’re the type who prefers a bit of adrenaline in the snow to powdered sugar, here’s our selection for an unforgettable experience.
1. THE POISONED GIFT
It’s necessary to start with the movie that taught us that a pet comes with great responsibility (and that you should never trust an adorable Mogwai).
Gremlins (United States, 1984)
Joe Dante, winner of the Master of Fantasy award at Curtas 2021, has created the ultimate Christmas fable for lovers of mayhem. Billy receives an exotic gift with three simple rules: no light, no water, and above all, no food after midnight. Of course, he breaks them all. What follows is total anarchy as mischievous green creatures wreak havoc on an idyllic snowy village. Funny, politically incorrect, and absolutely essential.
2. SPANISH CHRISTMAS
At Curtas we love Spanish cinema, and this film is, quite simply, a piece of our fantasy cinema history.
The Day of the Beast (Spain, 1995)
Álex de la Iglesia gifted us with a delirious premise: a Basque priest discovers that the Antichrist will be born in Madrid on December 25th. To stop him, he’ll have to “do evil” and team up with a death metal fan (the unforgettable Santiago Segura) and a phony TV presenter. Madrid has never looked so apocalyptic or so hilarious.
3. THE DARK ORIGIN OF SANTA CLAUS
Forget the kind, good-natured grandfather of Coca-Cola and his trucks. Here we revisit the darker roots of the myth, where Christmas is something wild and dangerous.
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (Finland, 2010)
Deep within the Korvatunturi Mountains, an archaeological dig unearths the true origin of Santa Claus. And no, he doesn’t deliver presents; he punishes. This Finnish gem blends 80s teen adventure with folk horror, revealing a gritty Norse mythology where elves are savage old men and danger is real.
4. THE BLACK LEGEND OF SAINT NICHOLAS
If Rare Exports is adventure, this is pure slasher. A Dutch twist that turns tradition into a nightmare.
Saint (Netherlands, 2010)
Dick Maas reimagines the figure of Saint Nicholas (Sinterklaas) not as a saint, but as a renegade and bloodthirsty bishop who returns every full moon on December 5th to massacre Amsterdam. It’s a raucous film, visually spectacular (that rooftop chase on horseback is incredible) and with a very enjoyable touch of dark humor.
5. WHEN THE SPIRIT IS LOST… HE COMES
At Curtas, we adore Krampus. He’s our favorite Christmas figure. So much so that we enjoy Krampusnacht (Krampus Night), that Alpine tradition that takes place on the night of December 5th, when the beast takes to the streets with cowbells and sticks to frighten young and old alike.
To pay him the tribute he deserves, here is his film:
Krampus (United States, 2015)
A dysfunctional family loses its Christmas spirit during a snowstorm, unwittingly summoning Krampus, the ancient demon who punishes the unbelievers. The film is a festival of practical effects and terrifying creatures. It’s the perfect blend of dark humor and suspense to watch with a group while raising a glass to Krampusnacht.
BONUS: ANIMATION FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Because animation isn’t just for kids, we close with three visual gems that rewrite Christmas myths with a unique style overflowing with imagination.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (United States, 1993)
The Gothic. Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, discovers Christmas and, fascinated, decides to kidnap it to improve it. Henry Selick (under Tim Burton’s direction) created a stop-motion masterpiece that never gets old. It’s visually hypnotic, musically perfect, and has that macabre yet endearing touch.
Klaus (Spain, 2019)
The Masterpiece. Forget inexplicable magic; here, Santa Claus is born of chance and human kindness. Sergio Pablos spearheaded a technical revolution with 2D animation that looks like 3D, telling the story of a selfish postman and a reclusive toymaker. It’s funny, exciting, and visually one of the most beautiful films of the last decade. An instant classic.
Rise of the Guardians (United States, 2012)
The Epic. If the Avengers were folkloric figures, they’d be these guardians. Here, “North” (Santa Claus) is a tattooed Cossack warrior who wields sabers. Alongside the Easter Bunny and Jack Frost, he must confront “The Boogeyman” who threatens children’s dreams. An epic fantasy adventure filled with action and spectacular character design.
This Christmas, turn off the lights, turn on the TV, and let fantasy fill your living room.
Happy holidays from Curtas Festival do Imaxinario!