I Rewatch The Ref Every Year For Christmas. Why More People Need To Have It On Their Holiday Watch List

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If you’re looking for a unique way to start your Christmas movie marathon, check out The Ref from 1994, starring Denis Leary, Kevin Spacey, and Judy Davis. I make a point of watching it every year, and I always watch it first – before even the big classics like Elf, It’s A Wonderful Life, and Die Hard. It’s not that I like The Ref the most, but its surprisingly dark humor is a great contrast to the usual festive cheer, and that’s what makes it so good.

There Aren’t Many Dark Comedies Around The Holidays

I’m a big fan of darkly funny movies, but there aren’t many truly dark comedies among the most popular Christmas films. While many Christmas movies include some dark moments – like Cousin Eddie’s antics in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation or the slightly edgy humor in A Christmas Story – and some, like Scrooged, offer a darker comedic tone with a happy ending, very few maintain that darkness throughout. The Ref is a rare exception – it’s consistently dark and funny from beginning to end.

While films like Bad Santa and Violent Night offer dark humor, they rely heavily on crude comedy. The Ref is different; it’s a sharply satirical and genuinely dark film without being gross or shocking. Kevin Spacey, despite his personal issues, gives a fantastic performance as the frustrated husband to Judy Davis’ weary wife, and their chemistry is key to the movie’s success. Denis Leary is also at his funniest in this film.

Why Everyone Should Start The Holidays With This One

I wasn’t very festive last year for many reasons, but one small thing that bothered me was getting off track with my holiday traditions. I always start the season by watching my favorite concert film, The Last Waltz, right after Thanksgiving dinner. Then, I usually follow it up with an ’80s Christmas action movie like Die Hard or The Ref. Over the next few weeks, I enjoy all my favorite holiday films, and I typically finish with A Christmas Story on Christmas Day.

I’ve realized that watching The Ref is the perfect way to put the holidays into perspective – right after The Last Waltz, that is. It always reminds me to appreciate how relatively normal my family is, which is something I often take for granted. The holidays can be emotionally and professionally stressful, with work getting hectic and the pressure of parties and gift-giving building up. The Ref is a good reminder that even when things seem good, they could always be a lot worse.

This Thanksgiving, I’m planning to watch The Ref before bed. Then, on Saturday while I’m decorating for the holidays – putting up the tree and lights – I’ll be watching Die Hard, which I can stream with my Hulu subscription. Yippie-ki-yay!

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2025-11-27 14:08