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| Best Movies Like The Holiday Hitman. |
If The Holiday Hitman has convinced you that Christmas decorations are just potential defensive equipment waiting to be discovered, there are plenty of films ready to deliver more of that gloriously ridiculous combination of action, comedy and family chaos. The 2026 action-comedy follows Hank Carter, a professional hitman who attempts to repair his struggling marriage with a peaceful Christmas getaway, only for his decision to reject a lucrative assignment to turn the family holiday into a battleground.
With rival assassins closing in, Hank must protect his wife and daughter without revealing the dangerous career he has been trying to leave behind. Directed by Bradley Stryker and originally titled Jingle All the Slay, the film combines festive surroundings with an assassin thriller and a family comedy. If that unusual mix has left you searching for something similar, these 20 films offer more unconventional heroes, chaotic family gatherings, deadly misunderstandings and action sequences that make an ordinary holiday look positively relaxing.
Movies Like The Holiday Hitman
1. Violent Night (2022)
Violent Night is an action-comedy that takes the familiar Christmas figure of Santa Claus and gives him a rather less conventional evening at work. When a group of criminals invades a wealthy family's home, Santa finds himself confronting the attackers instead of delivering presents and moving on to the next chimney.
The film shares The Holiday Hitman's love of turning a festive setting into an action playground. Both stories take traditional Christmas imagery and place it alongside dangerous criminals, absurd situations and unexpected violence. The difference is that Santa is the unlikely defender here, whereas Hank is a professional killer trying to keep his existing skills a secret. Either way, the message is clear: a peaceful Christmas is apparently too much to ask.
2. The Family Plan (2023)
Mark Wahlberg stars as Dan Morgan, an apparently ordinary family man whose carefully constructed domestic life becomes complicated when his hidden past catches up with him. Forced to protect his family, Dan must use abilities that his wife and children never suspected he possessed.
The similarities to The Holiday Hitman are particularly strong. Both films revolve around dangerous men who want to prioritise their families but discover that their previous careers are remarkably difficult to leave behind. The contrast between ordinary family responsibilities and extraordinary threats provides much of the humour. Dan's attempts to maintain a normal family holiday while dealing with serious danger would fit comfortably alongside Hank's increasingly desperate efforts to stop Christmas from becoming a disaster. It is another reminder that some family secrets are considerably more complicated than forgetting someone's birthday.
3. Nobody (2021)
Bob Odenkirk plays Hutch Mansell, an unassuming suburban father whose quiet existence is disrupted after a home invasion brings his dormant violent abilities back to the surface. What begins as an ordinary domestic incident eventually draws him into a much larger confrontation with dangerous criminals.
Like Hank in The Holiday Hitman, Hutch is a family man with a professional history that makes him considerably more dangerous than he appears. Both films explore the tension between domestic responsibility and a violent past, using everyday surroundings to create action that feels unexpectedly explosive. Nobody takes a darker, more grounded approach, but its mixture of deadpan humour, concealed expertise and escalating danger makes it an excellent choice for viewers who enjoy watching an apparently ordinary man become the last person anyone should underestimate.
4. The Killer's Game (2024)
Dave Bautista stars as Joe Flood, an experienced hitman who becomes entangled in a contract killing scheme that threatens to destroy the life he wants to build. The film mixes professional assassins, personal relationships and action-comedy in a story where an already dangerous occupation becomes even more complicated.
The connection to The Holiday Hitman is obvious: both feature highly capable killers whose personal lives collide with the demands of their profession. Their attempts to manage relationships while navigating a world of professional violence create opportunities for both action and absurdity. The Killer's Game is less focused on Christmas and family-home chaos, but it offers the same broad appeal of watching an assassin discover that the most difficult part of his job might be dealing with everything outside it. Apparently, being exceptionally good at killing people does not automatically qualify someone for a peaceful romantic life.
5. The Hitman's Bodyguard (2017)
Ryan Reynolds plays Michael Bryce, a bodyguard tasked with protecting notorious hitman Darius Kincaid, played by Samuel L. Jackson. Their personalities clash almost immediately, and their journey becomes a chaotic mixture of shoot-outs, insults and increasingly ridiculous complications.
The Holiday Hitman focuses on an assassin protecting his family, while The Hitman's Bodyguard builds its comedy around the uncomfortable relationship between two professionals who would probably prefer never to work together. Both films combine gunfights, sharp dialogue and larger-than-life criminal characters. The contrast between serious danger and comic behaviour is particularly appealing for anyone who enjoyed the lighter side of Hank's predicament. If you like action films in which people spend almost as much time arguing as they do surviving, this is an easy recommendation.
6. Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard (2021)
This sequel brings back Michael Bryce and Darius Kincaid, adding Sonia Kincaid to a story involving international criminals, dangerous assignments and increasingly chaotic personal relationships. The result is an action-comedy that places its characters in situations where keeping a cool head is clearly not their strongest skill.
The film shares The Holiday Hitman's taste for mixing domestic relationships with professional violence. Both stories use personal connections to complicate an already dangerous situation, while the comedy comes from characters trying to maintain control when everything around them is falling apart. The Holiday Hitman keeps its action close to a family getaway, whereas this sequel expands the chaos across a much broader adventure. Either way, the characters' professional experience does not stop their personal problems from following them everywhere.
7. RED (2010)
Bruce Willis stars as Frank Moses, a retired CIA operative whose supposedly quiet life is interrupted when highly trained assassins begin targeting him. He reunites with former colleagues, proving that retirement can become a rather flexible concept when people with weapons start turning up unexpectedly.
RED shares the central idea of a dangerous professional trying to enjoy a quieter life before being dragged back into action. Hank wants to save his marriage and enjoy Christmas with his family, while Frank discovers that his past refuses to stay buried. Both films use the contrast between everyday expectations and extraordinary danger to generate humour. RED also features an ensemble of eccentric characters whose experience makes them formidable opponents. If The Holiday Hitman's blend of family life and professional mayhem appeals to you, this film delivers a similar balance without relying on Christmas decorations for its entertainment.
8. RED 2 (2013)
Frank Moses returns in RED 2, joining his fellow former operatives on another international adventure involving assassins, intelligence secrets and an increasingly complicated mission. The sequel expands the original film's mixture of action, humour and characters who are clearly not suited to conventional retirement.
Its connection to The Holiday Hitman lies in the way experienced killers attempt to navigate ordinary relationships while being pulled into extraordinary circumstances. Both films understand that a character's professional reputation can create problems long after they decide to slow down. RED 2 leans into ensemble comedy and globe-trotting action rather than domestic Christmas chaos, but it offers plenty of the same appeal for viewers who enjoy witty dialogue, capable assassins and plans that collapse almost immediately. A quiet life sounds lovely in theory; apparently, nobody informed the people with the weapons.
9. Mr. Right (2015)
Anna Kendrick plays Martha, a woman who falls for Francis, portrayed by Sam Rockwell, only to discover that her new romantic interest is a professional hitman with a decidedly unconventional approach to his work. Their relationship becomes increasingly complicated as Francis's past brings danger into their lives.
Like The Holiday Hitman, Mr. Right combines romance with the unpredictable world of contract killing. Both films place personal relationships at the centre of stories involving people whose careers are anything but ordinary. Francis's unusual personality adds a playful edge to the action, while Martha's involvement creates a romantic dimension that complements the criminal chaos. The film is a particularly good choice for viewers who enjoyed the idea of an assassin trying to make a relationship work despite having an occupation that is difficult to explain over dinner.
10. Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)
John Cusack stars as Martin Blank, a professional assassin who returns to his hometown for a high-school reunion and reconnects with his former girlfriend. Unfortunately, his professional obligations and personal history make the visit rather less relaxing than he might have hoped.
The resemblance to The Holiday Hitman comes from the contrast between a killer's private life and the complications created by his profession. Both stories explore what happens when an assassin tries to reconnect with the people and relationships he has neglected. Grosse Pointe Blank combines dark comedy, romance and criminal intrigue, making it a strong choice for viewers who prefer character-driven humour alongside their action. Martin's reunion is not quite a festive family holiday, but both films demonstrate that returning to ordinary life is difficult when your previous career has involved an unusual amount of danger.
11. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
Robert Downey Jr. plays Harry Lockhart, a petty thief who unexpectedly becomes involved in a Hollywood mystery alongside a private detective played by Val Kilmer. The story combines crime, sharp humour and increasingly complicated circumstances as its characters struggle to understand what is happening around them.
Although Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is more of a crime mystery than a traditional assassin action-comedy, its irreverent tone makes it a compelling follow-up to The Holiday Hitman. Both films use humour to soften the tension created by dangerous situations, allowing their characters to stumble through trouble without losing their personalities. The difference is that Hank's problems begin with a Christmas assignment, while Harry's troubles grow out of a much messier chain of events. If you enjoy crime stories that refuse to take themselves too seriously, this film deserves a place on your watchlist.
12. Bullet Train (2022)
Brad Pitt stars as Ladybug, an unlucky assassin assigned to retrieve a briefcase aboard a high-speed train in Japan. His seemingly straightforward mission becomes increasingly complicated as several other professional killers reveal that their assignments are connected.
Bullet Train shares The Holiday Hitman's enthusiasm for bringing multiple assassins together in a confined setting and letting their competing objectives create chaos. Both films feature dangerous professionals whose carefully planned jobs spiral out of control, with dark humour providing a counterweight to the action. The locations differ considerably: Hank's trouble unfolds around a luxury lakeside mansion, while Ladybug's problems develop aboard a speeding train. Nevertheless, the combination of eccentric killers, elaborate confrontations and absurd misunderstandings makes Bullet Train an excellent choice for anyone who wants more assassin-focused comedy.
13. The Nice Guys (2016)
Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe star as a private investigator and an enforcer who reluctantly work together to investigate a complicated case in 1970s Los Angeles. Their partnership is marked by misunderstandings, physical mishaps and a steady stream of situations that become worse whenever they attempt to take control.
The Nice Guys does not centre on a hitman protecting his family, but its mix of crime, comedy and characters struggling to manage a dangerous situation makes it a worthwhile companion to The Holiday Hitman. Both films rely on the contrast between serious stakes and ridiculous behaviour. The Nice Guys is more of a detective comedy, offering mystery and sharp character interactions instead of a Christmas siege. However, viewers who enjoy witty exchanges and action that frequently takes an unexpected turn should find plenty to appreciate. Competence, it turns out, is not always the same thing as having a plan.
14. Spy (2015)
Melissa McCarthy plays Susan Cooper, a CIA analyst who moves from behind-the-scenes support into the field after a mission takes an unexpected turn. Her new responsibilities bring her face-to-face with dangerous criminals, complicated assignments and plenty of opportunities for comedy.
Spy provides a different perspective on the professional world that surrounds The Holiday Hitman. Rather than following a hitman trying to protect his family, it centres on an intelligence worker who must adapt to a much more dangerous environment. However, both films balance action with humour and feature characters whose abilities become particularly useful when circumstances turn chaotic. Spy also makes excellent use of misunderstandings and unconventional problem-solving, making it a good choice for viewers who want their action films to be funny without abandoning the excitement of a genuine thriller.
15. The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)
Geena Davis stars as Samantha Caine, a woman living an ordinary suburban life who begins uncovering a dangerous past she cannot fully explain. As her forgotten abilities emerge, she finds herself caught in a conspiracy that forces her to confront the person she used to be.
The film has a strong thematic connection to The Holiday Hitman because both stories revolve around the collision between family life and a dangerous professional identity. Samantha's attempt to understand her past creates a different kind of tension from Hank's efforts to conceal his occupation, but both characters must navigate the consequences of extraordinary abilities in ordinary surroundings. The Long Kiss Goodnight takes a more serious approach, with a substantial emphasis on action and suspense. Still, its central premise makes it an appealing choice for anyone interested in characters who cannot simply leave their previous lives behind.
16. Game Night (2018)
Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams play a married couple whose regular game night takes a bizarre turn when a staged kidnapping appears to become a real criminal incident. As the evening progresses, the group struggles to distinguish between the game and the danger unfolding around them.
Game Night shares The Holiday Hitman's ability to transform a seemingly harmless domestic occasion into an escalating disaster. Both films use familiar surroundings and personal relationships to create comedy out of situations that rapidly become dangerous. The major difference is that Game Night follows ordinary people caught in an extraordinary mess, while Hank has the professional skills to fight back. That contrast makes the films interesting companions: one asks what happens when criminals invade family life, while the other asks what happens when family life becomes an obstacle to dealing with criminals. Neither offers a particularly convincing argument for hosting guests.
17. Home Alone (1990)
Macaulay Culkin stars as Kevin McCallister, a young boy accidentally left behind when his family travels for Christmas. When two burglars attempt to break into his home, Kevin uses household objects and elaborate traps to defend the property.
Home Alone might seem like a gentler choice than The Holiday Hitman, but the similarities are surprisingly entertaining. Both films use Christmas settings, domestic surroundings and improvised defences to create action-comedy sequences. The major difference is the scale of the threat and the identity of the defender: Kevin is a child protecting his home from burglars, while Hank is a professional assassin protecting his family from rival killers. Nevertheless, the idea of turning ordinary household items into defensive tools gives both films a shared appeal. Home Alone also proves that sometimes the most dangerous person in a house is the one everyone has underestimated.
18. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
Kevin McCallister returns for another Christmas adventure after becoming separated from his family and finding himself in New York. When he encounters the same burglars from the first film, he once again relies on inventive traps and an impressive understanding of how household objects can be used against intruders.
The sequel shares The Holiday Hitman's festive backdrop and escalating conflict between a defender and determined attackers. Both stories find comedy in the contrast between Christmas cheer and increasingly chaotic confrontations. While Home Alone 2 remains a family comedy rather than an assassin thriller, its emphasis on improvised defence and holiday misfortune makes it a natural recommendation. Hank uses his professional experience to keep attackers away from his family; Kevin uses ingenuity, traps and an apparently limitless supply of inconvenient objects. Both approaches suggest that a well-prepared household can be surprisingly difficult to invade.
19. The Man from Toronto (2022)
Kevin Hart plays Teddy, an ordinary man whose identity is mistaken for that of a notorious assassin, played by Woody Harrelson. The confusion draws him into an international criminal situation that he is thoroughly unprepared to handle.
The Man from Toronto is particularly suitable for viewers who enjoy the comedy of mistaken identities and ordinary people caught in dangerous professional worlds. The Holiday Hitman features an experienced killer trying to conceal his background, while this film follows someone who becomes involved in the same world largely because of an unfortunate misunderstanding. Both stories use criminal threats to create comic complications and force their characters to adapt quickly. The film also balances action with the tension created by characters who are not always honest about their circumstances. Sometimes the biggest problem is not having the wrong job, but being mistaken for someone who is exceptionally good at it.
20. The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
Kurt Russell stars as Santa Claus in this Christmas adventure about two siblings whose attempt to capture Santa on camera turns into an unexpected journey to help save the holiday. The film combines festive fantasy, family relationships and adventure in a story built around Christmas mishaps.
The Christmas Chronicles is the least assassin-focused choice on this list, but it offers a useful alternative for viewers drawn to The Holiday Hitman's festive setting and family-centred stakes. Both films place Christmas traditions at the heart of a story in which things do not go according to plan. The difference is that The Christmas Chronicles embraces magical adventure rather than criminal violence. It is therefore a good option for families or viewers who want the holiday atmosphere without the hitman complications. Sometimes a Christmas emergency can be solved with a little magic rather than a professional background that nobody should put on a family greeting card.
My opinion on The Holiday Hitman and its closest alternatives
The Holiday Hitman has an appealing premise because it combines two genres that rarely sit comfortably together: the professional assassin thriller and the family Christmas comedy. Hank Carter's attempt to repair his marriage while defending his loved ones from rival killers creates an immediate source of tension, but the festive setting gives the story room for absurd humour. Personally, I would start with Violent Night, The Family Plan and Nobody because they offer the strongest mix of action, unexpected comedy and characters whose dangerous pasts interfere with their personal lives.
Bullet Train is another excellent option for anyone who prefers a larger collection of eccentric assassins and increasingly ridiculous complications. Meanwhile, Home Alone provides an entertaining reminder that improvised household defence can be funny without involving professional killers. Not every recommendation needs to match The Holiday Hitman scene for scene; sometimes a similar tone or central idea is enough. After all, Christmas already comes with enough family drama without adding a bounty on someone's head.
If The Holiday Hitman left you wanting more action-comedies, unconventional heroes and criminal plans that fall apart at the worst possible moment, these 20 films offer plenty of options for your next movie night. Start with Violent Night if you want another festive action story, choose The Family Plan for a family man with a dangerous past, or pick Bullet Train for an ensemble of assassins who make every problem considerably worse. Which film would you watch first, and have we missed a particularly good movie that belongs on this list? Share your favourite recommendation and let other fans know which action-comedy deserves the next spot on their watchlist.