It’s the most wonderful time of the year … to go to the theaters. Every year, there are a handful of movies that consistently during December, be it on TV, in theaters or during your family gatherings. Some of the most notable include “Elf,” “Home Alone,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “The Polar Express” and “White Christmas,” all classics that embrace the season and only feel right to watch around Christmas time.
However, there are many movies that have sparked ongoing debates on whether or not they are truly Christmas movies. Sure, they may take place around Christmas or are winter-themed, but are they really movies that you could only watch during the holidays? Let’s take a look at some debated Christmas movies and determine if they are really Christmas movies or just movies that happen to take place during Christmas.
What is a Christmas movie?
It would only make sense to define what a Christmas movie is before declaring what is and isn’t one. While it is subjective to everyone what defines a Christmas movie, there are a few characteristics that are shared by most people.
- A Christmas movie must have a significant amount of the movie take place during Christmas time
- It makes the most sense to watch during Christmas time
- The holiday spirit must play with the tone of the movie
- The plot could not be feasibly told without Christmas
- Themes include redemption, loneliness, identity, hope, love, acceptance and relationships between family or loved ones
- It is a movie that would appeal to a broad audience
Although a Christmas movie does not have to take place during Christmas time throughout the entire movie, a substantial amount — say an entire act of the screenplay — should. Not only that, but a true Christmas movie does not need to have been released in November or December to be considered one. The movie can also can cross with another genre that may not necessarily be associated with Christmas. Now, let’s look at some movies that some claim — or do not claim — to be Christmas movies.
Warning: spoilers lie ahead.
Die Hard
By far, the film that causes the most arguments whether it is a Christmas movie, “Die Hard” does not fit the traditional mold of an easygoing, cozy movie to watch during the winter. For one, the entire plot takes place on Christmas Eve with the conflict starting with John McClane (Bruce Willis) trying to reconcile with his wife, Holly (Bonnie Bedelia), with the themes of redemption and identity being very present in this movie. There is plenty of Christmas imagery throughout, along with the movie appealing to a broad audience as an action movie that people of all ages can enjoy.
The biggest argument against it being a Christmas movie is that Christmas is just in the background and not necessary for the plot. I also don’t believe it really has much holiday spirit until the end, when it becomes evident that John must save Holly. It also doesn’t really make a difference watching it during Christmas time or any other time. So there is a strong case against it being a Christmas movie.
However, I thought about why Christmas Eve was chosen as opposed to another night. The terrorists’ plot to steal millions happens on Christmas Eve because people are most focused on family then, rather than the giant hostage situation taking place in the movie. Additionally, John came to Los Angeles, California on Christmas Eve because he felt lonely and wanted to make amends with his wife. The argument that “Die Hard” is not a Christmas movie is that much of the plot would be the same without Christmas. That said, the character’s actions that lead to the overall plot all make sense because they take place during Christmas — a time to come together with loved ones. It comes down to John having the heart to reconcile with his wife and the terrorists being heartless enough to threaten hundreds of people on Christmas Eve.
Verdict: “Die Hard” IS a Christmas movie.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Christmas is literally in the name, so how can this not be a Christmas movie? Well let me explain the argument against “The Nightmare Before Christmas” being a Christmas movie. First off, a majority of the movie takes place in Halloweentown. Second, it is also very popular around Halloween too. It is also definitely a bit scarier — at least for kids — than the average Christmas movie as the aesthetic and overall mood does feel more spooky. However, many can make the argument that even movies that revolve around Christmas may not be Christmas movies at all.
That said, that last sentence is the issue with this argument. The plot revolves around Christmas. There is no other holiday that could replace it without changing the entire plot. It follows all the general rules of a Christmas movie as a significant amount of the story takes place during Christmas time. Jack’s main objective is to make Christmas and spread the spirit (even if he does it incorrectly). There are also themes of love and redemption throughout the movie.
While it is a Halloween movie, it is not mutually exclusive from being a Christmas movie too. The entire idea came from Tim Burton’s combined love of Halloween and Christmas. And while maybe Christmas is not the perfect time to watch it for everyone, I definitely see why people would watch it around Christmas time. It’s not the ideal Christmas movie, but that is why there’s a debate on it.
Verdict: “The Nightmare Before Christmas” IS a Christmas movie.
Carol
One of my favorite films I’ve seen, and among the few I’ve given a 5/5. When I first watched “Carol,” I did not think it was a Christmas movie (it didn’t help that I watched it in April). It’s an LGBTQ+ movie first, and that is generally what I categorized it as for a while. I myself was even surprised how may categorized “Carol” as a Christmas movie while doing research for this article.
The first two acts of the film take place around Christmas time. The plot could feasibly be told without Christmas, but it makes more sense that it takes place around Christmas. There are themes in “Carol” that are common in Christmas movies such as: identity, acceptance and romantic relationships. However, it is not necessarily the best to watch at Christmas time as opposed to another time. It is rated R for a sex scene, so it is not a film for younger audiences. Most importantly, there’s just not much holiday spirit in the movie. The time of year doesn’t change the narrative; the focus is on Carol’s (Cate Blanchett) identity and where it conflicts with her relationship with Therese (Rooney Mara) and Carol’s custody of her daughter. It is a movie set around Christmas, rather than a Christmas movie.
Verdict: “Carol” is NOT a Christmas Movie.
Gremlins
Most people who have seen “Gremlins” would claim it is a Christmas movie, but there are plenty who don’t. Like “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” it is definitely scarier than most Christmas movies (though “Gremlins” is an actual horror film). However, there are many elements in Christmas movies that are present in “Gremlins.” For one, it takes place during Christmas, and there is a lot of Christmas imagery. Also, Gizmo is a Christmas gift to Billy (Zach Galligan). The movie plays with the holiday spirit, especially with Kate’s (Phoebe Cates) relationship with the holidays and her trauma from it. Most importantly, it makes most sense that it told during Christmas because of its themes. It has the theme of bonding with family and loneliness around Christmas, especially with Kate’s story.
On the flip side, because it is a horror movie at its core, it is also popular around Halloween. It also led to the creation of the PG-13 rating since it was a bit more violent for a PG rating. That said, it is a movie that still appeals to families. However, some major themes in the movie are colonialism and ignorance of other cultures, which are uncommon themes in Christmas movies. However, those themes do not disqualify it from being a Christmas movie, but rather expand what Christmas movies can discuss. “Gremlins” is an unorthodox movie, but it would be very different if it weren’t told around Christmas time.
Verdict: “Gremlins” IS a Christmas movie.
Edward Scissorhands
I actually had not seen “Edward Scissorhands” until I started writing this, and I was happy to watch it. The third act is set around Christmas. It has some themes that are common in many Christmas movies. It is big on acceptance, the growing love between Edward (Johnny Depp) and Kim (Winona Ryder), and Edward finding his identity in a society that is not willing to see him as anything other than a monster. I could see why people would want to watch it around Christmas time as it’s a movie that people of all ages could enjoy and the last act takes place in the winter.
That said, that’s where I think the case for it ends. While about a third of the movie takes place during Christmas, it doesn’t need to take place then. Only one scene uses the holiday season and could’ve been rewritten for another season. The Christmas setting isn’t even relevant in multiple scenes in the third act and Christmas has little impact on the movie throughout.
Verdict: “Edward Scissorhands” IS NOT a Christmas movie.
Eyes Wide Shut
Yet another movie I had not seen before writing this article. “Eyes Wide Shut” was Stanley Kubrick’s last film, and it came out four months after his death. Christmas has little to do with the plot, but there is a reason for the entire movie to be set during Christmas. A big theme of the movie is the commodification of sex, which serves as a backdrop to class warfare. The final scene highlights this as Bill and Alice’s daughter are going shopping while they talk about their relationship and how sex will repair it. To compare it to class, Bill and Alice are well off, meaning that their daughter can just roam around a toy store, finding anything she wishes. They are not rich enough, however, to be allowed into an elite society like Bill attempted. In this movie, Christmas quietly highlights the commodification and consumerism.
That said, while Christmas plays with the mood and adds to the themes, it is not integral to the story. Like I said earlier, the plot has little to do with Christmas. It also doesn’t have traditional Christmas themes and doesn’t have much Christmas spirit. I don’t think it’s particularly better to watch it during Christmas time as opposed to any other time. Finally, this is may not be a movie that people of all ages can enjoy, as it is rated R and has lots of nudity. It’s an erotic drama first, and Christmas just adds to its themes.
Verdict: “Eyes Wide Shut” IS NOT a Christmas movie.
Catch Me If You Can
“Catch Me If You Can” is a popular one around the holidays, and I understand why. When I watched it for the first time a few years ago, right before Christmas, I did think it felt warmer watching it with family. A decent amount of the movie also takes place during Christmas, especially at different points. Not to mention, it was released on Christmas Day in 2002. Importantly, there are themes of redemption, identity and family relationships. It’s also a good movie to watch with your family, it appeals to people of all ages and backgrounds.
That said, there are two big issues with it. First, the vast majority of it is not told during Christmas. Second, there is no Christmas spirit in the movie, as the movie doesn’t really use the holiday. This is the biggest issue with it being a Christmas movie, as the holidays do nothing to change the atmosphere of the movie. There could be no Christmas involved, and the movie would be virtually the same. It’s a nice family watch, but it is just that.
Verdict: “Catch Me If You Can” IS NOT a Christmas movie.
Batman Returns
While one would not associate Batman with Christmas, there is an association because of 1992’s “Batman Returns.” The plot follows Batman (Michael Keaton) fighting Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer), the Penguin (Danny DeVito) and businessman Max Shreck (Christopher Walken). While it does not sound like a Christmas movie, the plot takes place during Christmas time and there are points where it is highlighted. It also has the theme of loneliness and identity, especially with the Penguin. It was a blockbuster that appealed to multiple demographics, like many superhero movies do. Most importantly, it does highlight the holiday spirit and how it can bring out the jealousy and worst in people sometimes.
That said, while it takes place during Christmas, it doesn’t need to. Virtually all of the plot happens regardless of Christmas and the one scene that highlights it, could’ve just represented another sort of celebration. I also don’t think it’s necessarily the best movie to watch around Christmas, but it definitely works around this time of year. It definitely would work fine without it taking place during Christmas. That said, it works better that it does because of the atmosphere and it plays with the mood.
Verdict: “Batman Returns” IS a Christmas movie.
Final thoughts
While I believe this is the best way to judge if a movie is a Christmas movie or not, it is still subjective. While discussing movies in this article with other people, there were multiple disagreements. Some people are very loose with their definition of Christmas movies and may include the “The Godfather,” “Star Wars” and the “Harry Potter” movies because people like to watch them around this time of year. There is no set genre of Christmas movie, which makes it even easier to define or reject movies. The metrics I used were the best way to judge if a movie is a Christmas movie or not, in my opinion. After all, it does not really matter what is or isn’t a Christmas movie, the only thing that matters is being with your loved ones and watching a good movie for the holidays.
