The worst Christmas movies ever made: A ho-ho-horrible list

'Tis the season to be jolly, but these cinematic disasters will have you questioning the true meaning of Christmas. From laughable plots to acting that's more bah humbug than ho ho ho, brace yourself for a holly, jolly sleigh ride through the worst Christmas movies ever made!


In this blog:


Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964)

Martian kidnappers, Santa in space and a plot that's more confusing than assembling furniture from a certain Swedish store, Santa Claus Conquers the Martians lands itself on our list of the worst Christmas movies ever made. This 1964 sci-fi disasterpiece attempts to answer the burning question, 'What happens when you mix Santa Claus with Martians?' Spoiler alert: Nothing good.

Jingle All the Way 2 (2014)

If you thought the original Jingle All the Way was a holiday gem, its sequel is here to dash your festive hopes. Jingle All the Way 2 takes the concept of a desperate dad in search of the perfect toy and turns it into a cringe-inducing comedy with little laughter. Starring Larry the Cable Guy (yes, you read that right), this film is less about spreading Christmas cheer and more about questioning the life choices that led you to press play.

Surviving Christmas (2004)

Starring Ben Affleck in a role that may have you questioning your taste in films, this attempt at a Christmas comedy is like a fruitcake: dry, tasteless, and better left untouched. The plot revolves around a man so desperate for holiday cheer that he pays a family to pretend to be his own. It's a premise as awkward as an office party mistletoe moment and just as cringe-worthy. So, if you find yourself in need of a holiday mood booster, consider almost any other Christmas movie in existence. Anything. Really.

The Nutcracker: The Untold Story (2010)

The Nutcracker: The Untold Story attempts to put a modern spin on the classic ballet, but instead, it pirouettes into the realm of bad decisions. This ill-fated attempt at a Christmas fantasy not only butchers the beloved tale but also introduces an unsettling blend of Nutcrackers and… Nazis. Save yourself the confusion and skip this 3D disaster – the Nutcracker deserved better.

Kirk Cameron's Saving Christmas (2014)

Kirk Cameron's Saving Christmas is less a saviour and more a festive faux pas. In this film, Kirk Cameron tries to save Christmas from what he perceives as an attack on its true meaning, but the only thing he succeeds in saving is a spot on our list of the worst Christmas films ever made. If this is Cameron's idea of a Christmas miracle, you might find yourself wishing for a different kind of intervention.

Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups (2012)

This Christmas canine catastrophe may feature cute pups, but even their adorable antics can't save this movie from being a holiday headache. Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups follows the misadventures of Santa's mischievous puppies as they accidentally unleash chaos while trying to spread holiday magic. While the premise sounds like a furry fun time, Santa Paws 2  will leave you with a holiday headache instead of warm and fuzzy feelings.

Home Alone: Taking Back the House (2002)

In the magical land of ill-advised sequels, Home Alone: Taking Back the House stands as a cautionary tale. This made-for-TV disaster attempts to recapture the magic of the original, but ends up feeling more like a lump of coal in the franchise's stocking. With a new cast attempting to fill the shoes of the iconic Macaulay Culkin and Daniel Stern, Home Alone: Taking Back the House was doomed from the start.

The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978)

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, someone thought it was a good idea to give the Star Wars franchise a holiday twist. Spoiler: It wasn't. Featuring a cringe-worthy mix of Wookiee family drama, musical numbers and the original cast, including Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher, The Star Wars Holiday Special is a reminder that even the most iconic franchises can hit intergalactic lows. May the Force be with you as you attempt to erase this holiday special from your memory.


Whether you want to tackle some of the worst Christmas movies ever made or you'd prefer to stick with the classics, get them for less when you buy secondhand DVDs and Blu-rays for less at the musicMagpie Store! Check out our Christmas Collection for a variety of festive flicks.