I would say 'Gremlins,' 'Die Hard,' and 'Black Christmas' are all pretty good Christmas movies that aren't really about Christmas.

In this quote, James Roday identifies three films—'Gremlins,' 'Die Hard,' and 'Black Christmas'—as great Christmas movies, but with a twist: they are not traditionally about Christmas. Roday’s point is that while these movies are often associated with the holiday season due to their release dates or settings, they do not center around the conventional themes of Christmas, such as family, goodwill, or the Christmas spirit. Instead, they incorporate the holiday backdrop while focusing on different genres, from horror to action and comedy.

The films Roday mentions are all cult classics that have become integral parts of many people’s holiday movie watching, even though they do not adhere to typical Christmas movie tropes. 'Gremlins' combines comedy and horror, 'Die Hard' is an action thriller, and 'Black Christmas' is a slasher film. By including these movies in the Christmas genre, Roday challenges the conventional idea of what defines a Christmas movie. His selection suggests that the holiday setting can serve as an interesting backdrop for stories that explore much darker or different themes.

Roday’s quote also touches on the idea of holiday tradition and how certain films, even if they aren't explicitly about Christmas, have become associated with the season due to their popularity and the cultural space they occupy during this time. These films offer a contrast to the usual Christmas fare by providing alternative entertainment for those who may not be as interested in traditional holiday themes but still want to participate in the festive atmosphere.

Ultimately, Roday’s comment highlights how Christmas movies have evolved over time to include a wide range of genres, showing that the holiday season is not just about one type of story. It’s about a shared cultural experience, where even non-traditional films can be enjoyed as part of the holiday viewing ritual.