10 Christmas Movies You Forgot Featured Marvel and DC Stars

As a die-hard fan of both superhero films and holiday movies, I must say that the intertwining of these two worlds has truly made my Christmas season more exciting than ever! It’s fascinating to witness the lives of our favorite superheroes take a festive turn on the big screen.

Nowadays, it’s not easy to find guaranteed success for big film studios. However, there are a few genres that tend to turn a profit consistently: horror films, holiday movies (especially Christmas), and superhero films. These genres have a strong fanbase, and for Christmas movies, the season itself seems to require their production. With so many Christmas and superhero movies being made, it’s only natural that some talent overlaps. Essentially, we are talking about Christmas movies featuring actors familiar with the superhero world. In this case, Red One, starring Dwayne Johnson and Lucy Liu from the DC Extended Universe, along with Chris Evans and J. K. Simmons from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, fits right in.

Keep in mind that with countless Christmas movies out there, we had certain criteria. To start, the movie needed to be either a theater premiere or exclusively available on a major streaming platform. Secondly, it wasn’t necessary for the leading actor to have been part of an MCU or DCEU project; they just needed to have appeared in a Marvel or DC production. If the Christmas movie featured multiple stars from these universes, it was more likely to make our list. Lastly, the star had to be in a traditional Christmas film, excluding titles such as “Batman Returns,” “Die Hard,” and “Gremlins.

Ryan Reynolds, Octavia Spencer, and Rose Byrne in Spirited (2022)

Many film versions of Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella “A Christmas Carol” have been created. And here comes another one momentarily. Some are faithful adaptations, while others like Apple TV+’s “Spirited,” add a touch of satire. However, they all feature three ghosts and some introspection.

In the film titled “Spirited“, there are several Marvel actors included, with Ryan Reynolds being one of the most notable. Known for his roles in the “Deadpool” movies (as well as “Blade Trinity“, “X-Men Origins: Wolverine“, and the DC flop “Green Lantern“) is not the only one. Additionally, Rose Byrne, recognized from “X-Men: First Class ” and “X-Men: Apocalypse “, is also part of the cast. Lastly, Octavia Spencer, who had a short yet humorous appearance in Sam Raimi’s initial “Spider-Man” movie, is also present.

Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, and Robin Wright in A Christmas Carol (2009)

In 2004, Robert Zemeckis’ digital adaptation of “The Polar Express,” despite receiving mixed reviews and a high production budget of $170 million, still managed to turn a profit. This sparked a brief trend of all-digital capture films that were often more unsettling than entertaining. Subsequently, he delved into the realm of Old-English epics with “Beowulf,” before returning to Christmas themes with a straightforward adaptation of “A Christmas Carol.” Meanwhile, Jim Carrey, who had previously starred in “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” nine years prior, found himself back in the Christmas domain with “Batman Forever.

In the same vein as Jim Carrey, I wasn’t the only one gracing the sets. Similar to him, Gary Oldman from “The Dark Knight” trilogy was present, portraying multiple digitally designed roles. Just like Robin Wright, a favorite of director Robert Zemeckis, who starred in the “Wonder Woman” films, was also part of it. Colin Firth, famous for his roles in the “Kingsman” series, took on the role of Scrooge’s nephew as well.

Paul Giamatti and Paul Rudd in All Is Bright (2013)

Despite boasting several well-known actors on its cast list, the movie “All Is Bright” seemed to slip under the radar and wasn’t widely appreciated. It’s unfortunate because, although it doesn’t offer anything groundbreaking in the realm of Christmas crime films, the two main actors deliver outstanding performances. Compared to “Reindeer Games,” which boasts its own share of comic book stars, “All Is Bright” is a more rewarding viewing experience.

In the film “All Is Bright,” we find Paul Rudd, known for his role in “Ant-Man,” and Paul Giamatti, famously from “The Amazing Spider-Man 2.” Interestingly, their success levels within the Marvel universe have varied significantly. Giamatti’s portrayal of The Rhino has been considered one of his less impactful performances, but who knows, there might be a chance for him to reprise a Marvel or DC role in the future?

Kathryn Hahn, Susan Sarandon, Ariana Greenblatt, and Jay Hernandez in A Bad Moms Christmas (2017)

In 2016, the movie “Bad Moms” resonated with viewers, earning over $180 million on a minimal budget of $22 million. Given its success, a follow-up was bound to happen. True to form, less than a year later, the sequel, titled “A Bad Moms Christmas,” was released. Although it didn’t match the original’s earnings, it maintained a lower budget and satisfied fans of the first film.

Similar to the first movie, it’s the wonderful camaraderie among Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn that truly shines in A Bad Moms Christmas. As anticipated, Hahn steals the show with her exceptional performance. Interestingly enough, she is also the film’s most recognized Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) star, following her role as Agatha Harkness in Agatha All Along, which she recently headlined after introducing the character in WandaVision. However, Hahn isn’t the only star from superhero movies. Susan Sarandon, known for her role in Blue Beetle, portrays the mother of Hahn’s Carla, and Ariana Greenblatt, who appeared in Avengers: Infinity War, plays the daughter of Jay Hernandez’s character in Suicide Squad. Both characters share the last name Harkness.

Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, and Tyrese Gibson in Black Nativity (2013)

The movie “Black Nativity” didn’t receive significant acclaim from critics or at the ticket counter. Critics felt that it was overly dramatic, yet there was recognition for the performance of Angela Bassett, as is often the case when she’s involved in a production.

In addition to Angela Bassett from Black Panther, this movie also features Forest Whitaker, her costar from a previous film. Interestingly, they share the lead roles here. Moreover, Tyrese Gibson, who you might recall from Morbius, is also part of the cast.

Jim Carrey, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Anthony Hopkins in Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

If you were among those who watched “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” in 2000, that film holds a special place for you. Critics back then didn’t find it as captivating, perhaps because they hadn’t yet seen “The Cat in the Hat,” which later demonstrated how disastrous and insensitive a Seuss adaptation could be. Moreover, the practical effects used in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” have given it an elegant maturity over time.

To clarify, Jim Carrey didn’t make his last Christmas movie with this one, but it was undeniably the most successful in his Christmas movie career. In a similar vein, Anthony Hopkins, known for his role in the Thor films, narrates the story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. It’s worth noting that while her appearance might be fleeting, Bryce Dallas Howard, who played a role in Spider-Man 3, is featured here under the character name “Surprised Who.

Nicolas Cage and Don Cheadle in The Family Man (2000)

Although The Family Man doesn’t feature three ghosts, its narrative bears striking resemblance to A Christmas Carol. The main character in The Family Man, much like Scrooge, is initially self-centered and money-driven. However, he undergoes an extraordinary experience that profoundly changes his outlook on life. This experience involves living a parallel life where he chose love over wealth, which is orchestrated by an angel. Thus, it can be argued that The Family Man is more reminiscent of It’s a Wonderful Life than A Christmas Carol.

This movie shares similarities with “It’s a Wonderful Life,” but it leans more towards Marvel and DC in its style. Firstly, it was directed by Brett Ratner, who is famous for “X-Men: The Last Stand.” Secondly, Nicolas Cage, known for playing Ghost Rider and Spider-Noir, and Don Cheadle, who played War Machine, are among the stars in this film.

Paul Giamatti, Elizabeth Banks, Rachel Weisz, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan in Fred Claus (2007)

occasionally, it’s clear that a Christmas film won’t be good from the time its initial trailer is released. This was true for “Fred Claus“, a movie whose most notable achievement in entertainment history is a funny one-liner on 30 Rock (a popular TV show).

As a passionate cinephile, I must confess that this film is brimming with big names from the superhero movie scene. For example, Paul Giamatti, known for his role in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, dons the Santa Claus suit. Additionally, Rachel Weisz, who graced us as Black Widow, is also part of this cast. Notably, Elizabeth Banks, a familiar face from the Spider-Man trilogy, is here too. Also joining us are Kevin Spacey, who once portrayed Superman’s adversary, and Burn Gorman, a veteran from The Dark Knight Rises. To add to the excitement, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, best known for his role in Watchmen, makes a brief appearance, just as he did in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Chiwetel Ejiofor, Liam Neeson, Martin Freeman, and January Jones in Love Actually (2003)

Has the movie Love Actually held up well over time? Not entirely. However, it remains a beloved holiday classic for many viewers. Additionally, it boasts an impressive cast with numerous actors who have also played significant roles in Marvel and DC productions.

Prominently featured are Liam Neeson, known for his roles as Ra’s al Ghul in Batman Begins and The Dark Knight; Colin Firth from Kingsman, three years before his role in A Christmas Carol; Chiwetel Ejiofor, who appeared in Doctor Strange and Venom: The Last Dance; Martin Freeman, star of Black Panther; and a cameo by January Jones from X-Men: First Class. Prior to portraying Rick Grimes on The Walking Dead, Andrew Lincoln was part of a well-known and contentious love triangle.

Chris Pine, Jude Law, and Hugh Jackman in Rise of the Guardians (2012)

“If there’s a lesser-known film from DreamWorks Animation’s library, it’s ‘Rise of the Guardians.’ Despite earning double its production cost, it didn’t perform as well as anticipated. Since its release, it appears to have fallen out of favor in subsequent years.

As a cinema enthusiast, I find it intriguing that this animation, released in 2012, is essentially a superhero spin-off of sorts, similar to The Avengers. Although it doesn’t star the Avengers themselves, it boasts an impressive roster of familiar faces from the world of superhero movies. Chris Pine, known for his role as Wonder Woman’s Steve Trevor, takes on the lead as Jack Frost. Jude Law, who enchanted us as Captain Marvel’s Yon-Rogg, delivers a captivating performance as the villain, Pitch Black. Lastly, Hugh Jackman, famous for his roles as Deadpool and Wolverine, brings life to none other than E. Aster Bunnymund, the Easter Bunny in this production.

Red One is now playing in theaters.

2024-11-29 22:10