What makes a Christmas Movie?

[claws]

If the movie is about Christmas, it is a Christmas movie.
If the movie is set around Christmas time, it is not a Christmas movie.

Opinions?

[Alex]

To me, if it is a big part of the plot then it qualifies. For example, Die Hard is a christmas movie.

[Rev. Powell]

I agree it should be about Christmas, not merely set around Christmastime, to be a "real" Christmas movie.

I have no idea about DIE HARD because I've never seen it and actually hope to go to my grave without seeing it. Didn't interest me in the slightest and all the casual cinephiles coming out every December insisting it's a Christmas movie have turned me against it.

[Alex]

I agree it should be about Christmas, not merely set around Christmastime, to be a "real" Christmas movie.

I have no idea about DIE HARD because I've never seen it and actually hope to go to my grave without seeing it. Didn't interest me in the slightest and all the casual cinephiles coming out every December insisting it's a Christmas movie have turned me against it.

After watching Everything Everywhere All At Once, I decided that no one else's opinion on a movie was going to influence if I watched something or not ever again, so I can understand that.

[Allhallowsday]

[claws]

Can you spot Christmas in this Christmas movie?

[Alex]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQkkHleQARw

[zombie no.one]

I have no idea about DIE HARD because I've never seen it and actually hope to go to my grave without seeing it. Didn't interest me in the slightest and all the casual cinephiles coming out every December insisting it's a Christmas movie have turned me against it.

I watch it very occasionally (most recent watch was a few weeks ago, prior to that probably about 5 yrs ago) and I do have to say that despite all the incessant fanboy-esque hype it generates and the fact it has almost become a cliche of the whole 'action' genre, it is one of those films that manages to be engaging from start to finish... imho

[Trevor]

Can you spot Christmas in this Christmas movie?

Christmas tree in the corner 

[Trevor]

I agree it should be about Christmas, not merely set around Christmastime, to be a "real" Christmas movie.

I have no idea about DIE HARD because I've never seen it and actually hope to go to my grave without seeing it. Didn't interest me in the slightest and all the casual cinephiles coming out every December insisting it's a Christmas movie have turned me against it.

I saw it in 1988 in a huge cinema with more than 500 seats and a giant curved screen: I liked it but if you haven't seen it on the big screen, you won't like it much on DVD or Blu Ray.

[Trevor]

If the movie is about Christmas, it is a Christmas movie.
If the movie is set around Christmas time, it is not a Christmas movie.

Opinions?

Lethal Weapon and Gremlins would qualify for Christmas movies.

[Trevor]

When Allan Rickman fell like that, it was like he was holding onto my shoulders trying not to fall: scary movie moment indeed.

They reused this scene in Die Hard With A Vengeance.

FBI guy: "The name Gruber mean anything to you, Lieutenant?"
[Close shot of Bruce Willis' face, shot of Hans Gruber falling]
John: "Rings a bell, yeah."

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkKrYqt0nRw

 

[Cult_Moody_Movies]

Hmm....complex and layered discussion.

For me the theme of Christmas in terms of being intertwined with the story, capturing the time of year (in it's negative or positive elements), and of course having a good story are the three big elements of making a good Christmas movie. No matter if a mainstream Christmas movie (examples A Christmas Story, Miracle on 34th Street, Home Alone) or an alternative Christmas movie (Die Hard, Black Christmas, Krampus). 

[zombie no.one]

INVASION USA?  

what movies happen to take place at xmas, but make no real attempt to highlight this or combine it with any of the plot / overall atmosphere...?

there's one film whose title escapes me that I only realised takes place at xmas after multiple viewings

[claws]

Argento's Deep Red (1975) has an important flashback taking place on Christmas. The rest of the movie doesn't take place on or mentions Christmas.