5 Sci-Fi Movies That Are Perfect For Christmas Time

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Okay, so Christmas isn’t exactly when most people think of amazing sci-fi – and honestly, that makes sense. Sci-fi usually throws you into scary or disastrous situations, relying on science and tech to fix things. That’s not really what you want to watch during the holidays, right? But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some cool sci-fi movies that either get the holiday spirit or just offer something totally different when everything else is so cheerful.

Here are 5 science fiction movies that are great to watch during the holidays. While they aren’t traditional Christmas films, they’ll likely add to your enjoyment of the season.

5) Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special

You could get caught up in debates about what counts as a movie versus a short, or how Marvel categorizes its special releases. But if you skip the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, you’re missing out on a fun addition to your holiday movie lineup.

James Gunn brought the Guardians of the Galaxy family together for a funny and touching Christmas story. It centers around the team trying to lift Peter Quill’s (Chris Pratt) spirits, as he’s feeling down about being far from Earth. It’s hard not to love a project that lets the cast naturally improvise and joke with each other, especially when it involves a fun cameo from Kevin Bacon, who clearly enjoys playing himself. The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special perfectly blends science fiction and Christmas cheer, showing aliens going to great lengths – even if their plans aren’t always perfect – to create a Christmas miracle.

You can stream it on Hulu-Disney+.

4) Alien

Some movie fans actually prefer a darker, more unsettling experience during the holidays instead of the typical cheerful Christmas films. If you’re looking for a sci-fi movie that’s the complete opposite of Christmas cheer, it’s hard to beat Alien (1979).

Ridley Scott’s dark and disturbing take on a birth-related story has stayed with audiences ever since its release. Nothing quite prepares you for the joy of Christmas like imagining yourself trapped on the spaceship Nostromo with Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), facing a terrifying alien creature. It’s a perfect example of a movie that deliberately offers something completely different during the festive season.

You can stream it on Hulu-Disney+.

3) Iron Man 3

Shane Black, known for films like Lethal Weapon and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, loves including Christmas in his movies, and Iron Man 3 was no exception. This film is the most focused on science fiction in the Iron Man trilogy, showcasing more armored suits and advanced biotechnology with the Extremis process.

For sci-fi and Marvel fans looking for a thrilling movie with a Christmas setting, Iron Man 3 is a perfect choice. Just like Die Hard is often considered a Christmas movie, Iron Man 3 fits that bill as well.

You can stream it on Hulu-Disney+.

2) Gremlins

Joe Dante’s 1984 film, Gremlins, is surprisingly a Christmas movie. The story starts with a father searching for a unique Christmas gift for his son in Chinatown. He finds a cute, furry creature named Gizmo, but there are rules: don’t feed it after midnight! Naturally, those rules are broken, and Gizmo multiplies into mischievous, destructive gremlins. The climax of the film involves a large-scale battle against the gremlins, led by their boss Stripe, and takes place all over a town fully decorated for the holidays.

Gremlins is more than just a funny horror film set at Christmas. It perfectly balanced comedy, scares, and holiday cheer, and actually led to the creation of the PG-13 movie rating. Let’s celebrate its impact!

You can stream it on Hulu-Disney+ and HBO Max.

1) Children of Men

Bet you didn’t see this one coming, but here we are.

As a film fan, I’m always struck by how relevant Children of Men still feels. It takes place in 2027, a near future where everyone’s become infertile, and society is starting to crumble. The UK’s become this really strict, controlled place, trying to keep the peace. The story follows Theo, played by Clive Owen, who’s kind of given up on things until his ex-wife, a rebel, asks him to do something huge: help a young woman named Kee escape with the first pregnancy in decades. It’s not long before things go wrong, and suddenly Theo and Kee are on the run, dodging all sorts of dangerous groups – from the government to extremists and even other rebels – all with their own ideas about what this baby means.

The movie Children of Men feels like a science fiction retelling of the story of Mary and Joseph. Director Alfonso Cuarón intentionally drew inspiration from the Nativity story, and the powerful idea of a single birth bringing hope to the world remains just as impactful in this futuristic setting. Plus, the incredible, long-take action scenes and suspense are a fantastic bonus. It’s a fitting film to watch around the holidays.

You can rent the movie through various digital services.

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2025-12-23 03:41