Colored lights vs. white lights, wrapped gifts vs. unwrapped gifts, Elf on the Shelf vs. Unwrapped – there are a million Christmas debates. But nothing is more exciting than sharing your opinion Die Hard It’s a Christmas movie, and to be honest, I don’t understand why. Die Hard It might be an action movie, but it actually takes place on Christmas Eve…at a company Christmas party. John McClain wrote “ho ho ho” on the sweatshirts of the men he killed. This is a Christmas movie. In fact, it contains more Christmas than it’s a wonderful life Indeed, the latter is considered a classic Christmas movie. So what is given? What makes a movie a Christmas movie?
Some are obvious choices: Christmas holidays, santa claus, Elf. But like every other Christmas debate, deciding what constitutes a Christmas movie is quite personal, aside from the obvious winner. Everyone has their own favorite Christmas movie, and for many families that means liking a movie that has nothing to do with Christmas – e.g. The Wizard of Oz. First broadcast on television in November 1956, The Wizard of Oz It was a massive television event and received huge ratings. For many families, this time of year is immediately associated with this spectacular musical, especially when it aired between Thanksgiving and Christmas from 1959 to 1962. You’re seared in your memory, and for some of the baby boomers I interviewed, that’s exactly why The Wizard of Oz is their Christmas family movie night tradition.
But what about movies set at Christmas or during the Christmas period? That obviously makes them Christmas movies, right? Again, it depends. I personally found good guy One of the best Christmas scenes in movie history – “Karen! I got their most expensive tree! – but if I recommend watching good guy Letter to my husband in December, he was shocked. It’s not a ~Christmas~ movie to him because most of the movie doesn’t take place on Christmas Day. However, other films have holiday-centric plots and are still considered “non-traditional” Christmas movies. Could it be that Die Hard It became a franchise after the first film in 1988, and none of its subsequent films have anything to do with Christmas? Is it because Gremlins Despite being set at Christmas, it feels more like a weird sci-fi movie?
Then you have to look at other “Christmas” movies and determine the parameters that would make it a movie to watch every season, especially if the entire movie doesn’t take place around the holidays, e.g. it’s a wonderful life. The 1946 Frank Capra classic starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed is one of those movies that people immediately mention when trying to list Christmas movies – Although the actual Christmas “part” only comes in the second half of the movie. Christmas Eve 1945 yes However, when the entire plot reaches its climax, all the talk about angels and the entire town coming together for George Bailey at Christmas time definitely makes it a Christmas movie.
When you consider all the other broad parameters of a “Christmas” movie, it’s easy to see why everyone has a different opinion. freezing and Frozen 2 Often featured on Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas lineup, I can only assume it’s because snow equals Christmas vibes? Likewise, my husband is always a little hesitant toy story It’s on TV this time of year as it only has a small Christmas scene at the end – but for me, I don’t mind. I especially remember seeing toy story In a movie theater on Christmas Eve 1995.
What makes a Christmas movie a Christmas movie? you. How do you view this holiday and your own family traditions. Do you just want classic Christmas movies? you can’t go wrong white christmass. A movie with at least one Christmas scene? Give edward scissorhands Give it a try. A movie whose entire plot is centered around the holidays? Miracle on 34th Street is the clear winner.
Let’s be honest, any movie you watch on Christmas is officially a Christmas movie. No one has to agree with you, any more than someone likes fruitcake or mint-flavored things this time of year. We all have our own interests, moods and feelings.
(but Die Hard End of story, it’s 1000% a Christmas movie.
