The best version of A Christmas Carol (meaning, the one with the best ghosts) is still available for you to check out on Tubi. Cheer-max your holiday (“Merry-bundle”? “Joy-stack”?) with this most unsettling version of the endlessly retold classic story. Bonus, it’s under half an hour, and that half hour is packed.

Directed by Richard Williams. Produced by Chuck Jones. Scrooge played by Alastair Sim.

LINK  (No fees or subscriptions required)

Seriously, if you haven’t seen it, it’s a holiday treat.

I’ve been looking for other offbeat Christmas movies and I’ve stumbled on two.

First is a fairly well-known Finnish horror comedy called Rare Exports. I was sure I’d seen it years ago, but I didn’t remember it.

The number one thing I want to say is that it’s gorgeous. You really can’t underrate the power of a beautiful landscape on film. It’s also not as violent as I remember, even though it can be quite bloody. The weird violence from the supernatural threats happen almost entirely off screen. It’s like the grimmest kiddie horror movie of all time. Loved it.

The other is a movie-length (under two hours) miniseries called The Sleeper. It’s a combination of ghost story, murder mystery, and family holiday farm drama, and it’s way better than it has any right to be. Especially the ending.

Not gorgeous, but still good.

One final comment, which is the epitome of a buried lede. My previous post was a shout for help, and help was given. I’m tremendously grateful. Thank you.

Have a happy holidays.