Christmas is a time for magic and fun. At least, according to most people. During a season when peoples’ hearts are filled with cheer and whimsy, they’re far more likely to ignore or dismiss the nonsensical with a smile and a wave. That’s why most of the weirdest Christmas movie premises often escape any significant scrutiny.
Now, let’s be clear: we love Christmas movies. Though the genre may be packed with dumb Christmas tropes and cheesiness so bad it makes us seasonally lactose intolerant, there’s something distinctly charming about Christmas movies in all their ridiculous glory. Still, some festive films are born from weird and occasionally concerning premises, and we’ve gathered some of the worst for your perusal.
8. Jack Frost (1998)
Honestly, we’ve given Jack Frost a lot of attention in our lists this year. The only real reason why is that it’s both emotionally scarring and based on one of the most subtly weird Christmas movie premises of all time. Those who have seen it will understand, and those who haven’t, buckle up.
Jack Frost tells the story of a young boy whose father dies in a horrific car crash shortly before Christmas (yes, you actually see it happen). His father is then reincarnated into the body of a snowman, and the pair have one last Christmas together before the snow lich melts away and breaks everybody’s hearts all over again. Oh, and just to make it even more insane, the dad’s name is actually Jack Frost (like, before he turned into a snowman – spooky or what?).
On the surface, it’s not a bad idea for a Christmas movie. It features snow, and sort of touches on the same ideas as the beloved Frosty the Snowman. However, whoever thought that the average kid would want to see a film about a child struggling to come to terms with the death of a parent leading up to the holidays was sorely mistaken.