If you love Christmas movies, then you’ve probably enjoyed many of the best Christmas action movies that the cinema industry has to offer.
Here we have ranked the 15 best Christmas action movies ever made after taking into account feedback from viewers around the world.
Best Christmas Action Movies
1. Lethal Weapon (1987)
Lethal Weapon starred Mel Gibson as Martin Riggs and Danny Glover as Roger Murtaugh. The movie was released in 1987 and followed hard-boiled cop Riggs as he partnered with straight-laced family man Murtaugh.
Both Riggs and Murtaugh were on opposite ends of the spectrum when shooting criminals. Their bond becomes more robust when they begin to encounter life-threatening situations.
Richard Donner directed lethal Weapon.
2. The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)
The Long Kiss Goodnight was an action film released on June 20, 1996, U.S.A. It was directed by Renny Harlin and written by Shane Black. The actors starring are Geena Davis, Samuel L. Jackson, and Jeff Daniels.
This Long Kiss Goodnight plot will have you on the edge of your seat until the end. A spy who suffers from a complete loss of memory struggles to remember who she is and why someone is trying to kill her.
In her search for answers, she discovers that she might be a trained operative and the target of a rogue international agency. The Long Kiss Goodnight is one of the best Christmas action movies you can ever imagine seeing this Christmas.
3. Batman Returns (1992)
The monstrous Penguin (Danny DeVito), who dwells in the sewers below Gotham, teams up with evil, shocked businessman Max Shreck (Christopher Walken) to overthrow Batman (Michael Keaton) once and for all.
But when Shreck’s shy assistant Selina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer), finds out about it and Shreck tries to exterminate her, she turns into the sexy Catwoman.
She collaborates with the penguin and Shreck to destroy Batman, but unexpected sparks fly when she faces the crusader.
Batman Returns was directed by Tim Burton and released on June 19, 1992.
4. Die Hard (1988)
The plot of Die Hard tells the story of a New York cop, Detective John McClane, in his Christmas vacation who visits his estranged wife in L.A.
Little did he know that a large terrorist group attacks the building and takes all people inside as hostages. John is not a regular cop, though.
After realizing what’s going on, he does his best to save as many people as possible and stop the terrorists for good.
Directed by John McTiernan, Die Hard is another Christmas action movie to keep you on edge, but don’t forget to keep a bottle of cola beside you while watching this action-packed movie with a shooting spree.
Starring in the Die Hard movie is Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman.
5. Shazam! (2019)
One Christmas movie I enjoy watching every year is ‘Shazam!’. Shazam! Is probably most appealing to younger audiences given its comedy and action-packed storyline.
It’s fast-paced, often unpredictable, and a lot of fun — and an ideal Christmas action movie. Shazam!
It has little to do with Christmas, but the film is set on Christmas Eve, and much of the humor revolves around the characters preparing for or celebrating the holiday.
Shazam! It is a 2019 American superhero film based on the D.C. Comics character of the same name. It is the seventh installment in the D.C. Extended Universe (DCEU).
The film is directed by David F. Sandberg, with a screenplay written by Henry Gayden. It stars Zachary Levi, Asher Angel, Mark Strong, Jack Dylan Grazer, Ron Cephas Jones, Grace Fulton, Cooper Andrews, Marta Milans, and Djimon Hounsou.
6. Die Hard 2 (1990)
Die Hard 2 (also known as Die Harder) is a 1990 American action thriller film. It is a sequel to the 1988 film Die Hard and the second in the Die Hard series.
The film was directed by Renny Harlin, written by Steven E. de Souza and Doug Richardson, produced by Cinergi Pictures, and distributed by 20th Century Fox.
The cast includes Bruce Willis as John McClane, William Sadler, William Atherton, Bonnie Bedelia, Dennis Franz, Franco Nero, Art Evans, Fred Thompson, Zeus Carver, and Reginald Vel Johnson as Al Powell.
Die Hard 2 is a Christmas action movie that centers on John McClane as he’s headed to Washington D.C. when terrorists take over Dulles Airport and plan to take control of a plane.
A group of rogue military veterans leads the terrorists, and it’s up to the lone cop McClane to save the day once again.
7. The Last Boy Scout (1991)
The last boy scout, a movie from 1991, is often referred to as one of the best action movies in the list of top ten Christmas action movies.
It stars Hollywood A-lister Bruce Willis, who plays the role of tag team specialist Joe Hallenbeck who has to take over the case of a murdered football star who had just retired. Hallenbeck gets on the trail of the murderer who wants to ruin his reputation.
If you are working on the Christmas action movies list, you may include this classic. They don’t get any better than The Last Boy Scout in action-packed war dramas.
I dare say I have watched this movie every Christmas for the last ten years. The plot is simple yet effective.
8. Fatman (2020)
Chris Cringle, also known as Santa Claus, is forced to partner with the U.S. military to save his deteriorating business.
To aggravate matters, Chris finds himself embroiled in a deadly fight against a highly-skilled assassin hired by a cocky 12-year-old after getting a lump of coal in his stocking.
Eshom Nelms and Ian Nelms directed Fatman. It also starred Mel Gibson, Walton Goggins, and Marianne Jean-Baptiste.
9. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
Look-alike Harry Lockhart (Robert Downey Jr.) bumps into an audition for a mystery film while running from the police.
When he wins the role, he ends up in Hollywood, where he and his childhood sweetheart Harmony Lane (Michelle Monaghan) and die-hard private detective Perry van Shrike (Val Kilmer) find themselves caught up in a confused, murderous conspiracy.
This expressionless, affectionate parody of film noir tropes is named after the influential film reviews and essays by film critic Pauline Kael from 1968.
Shane Black directed kiss Kiss Bang Bang.
10. Enemy of the State (1998)
Enemy of the State is a thriller movie directed by Tony Scott, starring Will Smith, and Gene Hackman.
The Enemy of the State story revolves around a Corrupt National Security Agency official Thomas Reynolds (Jon Voight) murdered a congressman to ensure the passage of a comprehensive new surveillance bill.
When a videotape of the murder comes into the hands of Robert Clayton Dean (Will Smith), a labor attorney and committed family man, he is charged with the murder.
With the help of ex-secret service agent Edward “Brill” Lyle (Gene Hackman), Dean tries to throw Reynolds off track and prove his innocence.
11. Dark Angel (1990)
Dark Angel is a 1990 Christmas action movie that revolves around a Treacherous cop Jack Caine (Dolph Lundgren), who seeks to wipe out a dangerous gang of drug traffickers known as the “White Boys.”
When the gang runs off with a supply of federal heroin and destroys the building to hide evidence of their crime, Caine investigates with fast-paced F.B.I. agent Arwood Smith (Brian Benben).
But strange new clues show that the boys’ criminal enterprise goes much further than anyone had previously imagined.
Craig R. Baxley directed dark Angel.
12. Invasion U.S.A. (1985)
Invasion U.S.A. is about a Retired C.I.A. agent Matt Hunter (Chuck Norris), who is forced back into the business when a villain from his past reappears.
The Soviet Mikhail Rostov (Richard Lynch), a terrorist Matt once caught, seeks revenge.
After failing to find Matt in his Everglades home, Rostov and his troops of communist guerrillas begin terrorist attacks across South Florida.
Millions of innocent lives are at risk, and it is up to Matt, the National Guard, and the F.B.I. to rescue them. Joseph Zito directed the film.
13. Cobra (1986)
Cobra is a 1986 action film directed by George P. Cosmatos and starring Sylvester Stallone as a former police officer named Marion Cobretti, who becomes a vigilante, seeking revenge for the death of his wife, Lucia.
Cobra is one of the best Christmas action movies in 1986. It’s a movie that combines action, drama, thriller, and romance into one.
A rugged street cop has to protect the only surviving witness of a bizarre, murderous cult with far-reaching plans. As crime rates in the United States, tough LAPD Lieutenant Marion “Cobra” Cobretti is the sole remedy for the crime-ridden urban jungle of Los Angeles.
14. Ronin (1998)
Ronin is a 1998 Christmas action movie that revolves around Deirdre (Natascha McElhone), who assembles q a team of experts who assigns her to steal a valuable briefcase, which is mysterious.
The international team includes Sam (Robert De Niro), a former intelligence officer, along with Vincent (Jean Reno), Gregor (Stellan Skarsgard), and others.
As their operation gets underway, several team members are found to be untrustworthy, and each must complete the mission with a close eye on everyone else.
Ronin was directed by John Frankenheimer.
15. Behind Enemy Lines (2001 – 2009)
Behind Enemy Lines, the plot is usually as action-packed as a movie can get. It takes place during the Yugoslav Wars, in which two pilots of the United States Air Force are trapped behind enemy lines.
Behind Enemy Lines is a 2001 American war film directed by John Moore in his directorial debut and starring Owen Wilson and Gene Hackman.
It is an action-packed Christmas action movie with a shooting spree to spice up your Christmas holiday for you.
