A Look Inside the Christmas Movie

Because the holidays are upon us, I thought it would be fun to look at one of my favorite genres - The Christmas movie.

I will start off by saying this: I do not agree that Die Hard is a Christmas movie. If you would like to stop reading right now because this tears a hole in your dark Christmas heart and makes you want to pull your hair out…

…well I hope you don’t pull your hair out, and I do hope you continue reading this post, but I get it. I’m not going to argue specifically why Die Hard is or is not a Christmas movie, but…just because a movie takes place during the holiday season doesn’t immediately make it a Christmas movie. Are there a few elements here and there within the Die Hard story that allows for pro-Die Hard people to stretch their belief system and make a point. Sure. Will I listen to you? No. Will I be kind and considerate and not dislike you? Of course.

With that said, I want to talk about Christmas movies, what makes up a Christmas movie, maybe delve into the history a tad, and list a few of my favorites. First things first…

Christmas movies have been a cherished part of holiday traditions for generations, a big part of my own, because they bring warmth, joy, and a touch of magic to our screens. I think we could all use a little more of that right more often. Their history reflects not only evolving cinematic trends but also society’s never-ending love for the holiday spirit. So let’s work up that holiday spirit, and dive in shall we?

A Brief History of Christmas Movies 

The earliest Christmas-themed films date back to the silent era, with short films like A Christmas Carol (1901), which adapted Charles Dickens' timeless tale of redemption. The very FIRST Christmas movie was aptly named, Santa Claus - a British silent movie produced and released in 1898. According to our AI overlord, Google, “Santa Claus was a technical marvel and groundbreaking cinematic creation for its time. It was one of the first moving pictures to use "parallel action", which allowed viewers to see Santa on the rooftop and the children in the nursery at the same time.” As far as I’m concerned, that is seriously neat. To think that that kind of visual storytelling hadn’t ever been done before is kind of mind blowing. It wasn’t until the 1940s, though, that Christmas movies really cemented their place in cinematic history. In a way, I’m not surprised. What was happening in the 1940’s? The worst world war in history, and people needed to be reminded of the good there is in this life and world. They needed to be reminded that redemption is possible, that good things do happen if we just believe. As expected and to no surprise, they were largely religiously-based, but not necessarily simple faith-based films.

Classics like It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) and Miracle on 34th Street (1947) emerged as heartfelt stories celebrating themes of family, kindness, and faith. Faith is a BIG one when it comes to Christmas movies; no matter the situation the character is in, if they believe, if they hold on to what’s true in their hearts, they’ll find a way. These two particular films (Life and Miracle) were released during a post-war era when audiences continued to crave hope and comfort, but to also let go of the past - a previous way of thinking. They wanted to see how light can overcome the dark, even if it’s merely inside of us.

In the decades that followed, Christmas movies became more diverse in tone and style. The 1980s and 90s brought a mix of comedy (National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation), fantasy (The Santa Clause), and in the modern era, streaming platforms have exploded with romantic Christmas movies, making the genre more accessible. This, however, is another Substack post, because I believe that Hallmark has saturated the market with so many Christmas movies that it’s dulled the genre quite a bit. At the same time, though, whenever a non-Hallmark Christmas movie is released with an interesting hook (and isn’t afraid to go beyond the G rating), I’m all in. So I’m not saying the Christmas movie is dead, by any means, but Hallmark really has cornered the market, whether we like it or not.

So What Makes a Great Christmas Movie?

This is all debatable, and really…quite general in nature. Most movies have the below references within them, but there is always a little added magic and wonder when they’re combined with the season of Christmas. A great Christmas movie ultimately captures the essence of the season through a blend of heartwarming storytelling, universal themes, and festive visuals. This is kind of “duh”, really, but to go a bit further…here’s what I feel helps define the magic:

Themes of Love, Hope, and Redemption

Christmas movies explore personal transformation, familial bonds, and the power of kindness. Whether it’s Ebenezer Scrooge finding his humanity or Kevin McCallister realizing the value of family in Home Alone, these stories resonate with viewers of all ages, and can be enjoyed with multiple family members. Look at Four Christmases with with Vince Vaughan and Reese Witherspoon. They have to literally go and visit four different families during Christmas. It’s all about family, folks.

Memorable Characters

From Buddy the Elf to the Grinch, unforgettable characters are oh-so important when it comes to nailing a Christmas movie. Granted, there is room for the “everyman” character, but there is almost always something just a little “extra” about them. They’re often quirky, relatable, larger-than-life, reflecting the joy and challenges of the holiday season. And guess what that does? It makes these larger-than-life characters relatable in spite of their extreme situation and/or “extra” personalities or types.

Atmospheric Settings

(I feel like I’m a weather man when I type that)

Snow-covered streets, twinkling lights, and cozy fireplaces - they’re all in there! Why? They create the perfect holiday ambiance. A great Christmas movie invites viewers into a world that feels like a warm hug on a winter night, and lord knows we could all use one or seven of those from time to time. Whether you’ve noticed it about yourself or not, we want these settings and arenas to trickle into our subconscious. We need the settings to be just as much a part of our Christmas movie viewing as an elf or Santa (look at Santa’s workshop and home in the Disney movie, One Magic Christmas…it’s the coziest!)

A Dash of Magic (and sometimes a LOT more than just a dash)

Whether it’s a flying reindeer, a department store Santa who might just be the real deal, or the whimsical North Pole, Christmas movies include a touch of magic that helps us believe in miracles. And that’s the key - not only do movies in general offer us a chance to feel as if miracles can happen, but Christmas is a season that most of celebrate and have come to believe is a special time of the year. We believe it’s special whether we’re religious or not, because it comes at a time of the passing of another year, it’s much darker outside, family is usually around more often the normal (which can be a good or a bad thing), and there is just simply a different feeling in the air. That equates to a feeling of magic, whether it’s supernatural or not.

Universal Appeal

The best Christmas movies are timeless and cross generational boundaries, and are generally the most re-watchable movies on the market. How often do you watch a brand new Christmas movie every year? I might watch one new Christmas movie per year, but I end up watching at least a dozen or more in total. So that means we’re going back to movies that we’ve seen dozens and dozens of times, and yet we still love them. There is a familiarity within these films, and they remind us of what it felt like when we first watched them - usually when we were much much younger. And what does that do? It reminds us of the innocence of childhood and how exciting being a kid was “back then”. All of these elements resonate on a universal level, though of course experienced in different ways. I mean, I’ve watched It’s A Wonderful Life well over 40 times. (I’ve had 45 Christmases in my lifetime, by the way.) They remind us of the importance of togetherness and the joy of giving, resonating with audiences year after year, and we actually get excited to watch our old favorites again. How many movies can claim that kind of success? It’s really kind of a special thing, to put it plainly.

On That Note Then…Why Do We Love Them?

Christmas movies aren’t just entertainment; they’re an emotional experience that connects us with loved ones and evoke the nostalgia of holidays past. They serve as a reminder of what’s truly important, offering moments of reflection, laughter, and celebration. The time of year is specific and focused on creating a feeling - whether or not you listen to Christmas music, or have ongoing family traditions, the movies themselves are familiar buoys that we can cuddle up with after the never-ending parties, social get-togethers, and work events come to an end. It’s like going home!

So, as you settle in this holiday season with a mug of cocoa, a very large glass of wine, or whatever tummy tempting morsel that you only eat during this particular season, find your favorite Christmas film! Take a moment to appreciate how these stories have become part of our collective holiday traditions, and a very significant part of your life in whatever way is unique to you. Their movie magic never fades, and they exist to remind us that our own personal magic, hopes and dreams, wishes and prayers are possible.

A List…In No Particular Order

I had to do it. I had to make a list of my favorite Christmas movies, because hey…why not…but it’s also because I want to know which ones are your favorites and if I’ve missed any! I have to keep the list at a maximum of 20 otherwise I would basically just end up listing every single Christmas movie ever made. That doesn’t really make much sense (but it’s not that far from the truth). While this is in no particular order, I am listing them as they come to mind…so maybe there is a slight ordering system going on here.

• It’s A Wonderful Life
• Elf
• The Bishop’s Wife
• One Magic Christmas
• National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
• Love Actually
• Scrooged
• The Muppet Christmas Carol
• Christmas in Connecticut
• Holiday Inn
• A Boy Called Christmas
• The Family Man
• Klaus
• The Santa Clause
• While You Were Sleeping
• Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
• Miracle on 34th St
• Home Alone
• White Christmas
• Twas The Night Before Christmas (this was a 1974 TV movie about a mouse who accidentally damages a clock tower and has to be convinced to let go of his skepticism about Santa. I loved this little movie as a kid, and it brings back all the feels every time I watch it. Also…the mice are really cute.)

What’s your favorite Christmas movie? 

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