To be a Christmas movie a film needs to hit several marks including scenes with snow, a minimum of 3 classic holiday songs either played on the radio or sang by a choir, a mention of the big man in red at least once, among other yuletide elements. As long as there is a hint of Christmastime in the storytelling which greatly impacts the audience experience.
Every year (almost like tradition) the debate comes up, whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie or not. And sure the story would work any other time of year but the overall experience would be different. That said, Christmas movies are not a genre but rather a personal definition.
Here are some Christmas and winter-inspired movies that I’m looking forward to watching this season.
SPOILER ALERT: You will not find any Hallmark movies on this list!
- Snowday (2000)
- National Lampoons Christmas Vacation
- Die Hard (just the first one)
- Santa Claus 1 – 3
- Elf
- How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
- Jingle All The Way
- I’ll Be Home For Christmas
- Harry Potter 1 – 7
- Home Alone 1 & 2
- Frozen 1 & 2
- Ernest Saves Christmas
- Noelle
- Eight Crazy Nights
- Snow Dogs
- A Bad Mom’s Christmas
- Christmas With The Kranks
- Just Friends
- The Polar Express
- Grumpy Old Men & Grumpier Old Men
- The Family Stone
- 4 Christmases
- Snowpiercer, Seasons 1 & 2
Let me know your favorite holiday movie in the comments!
