By Steven Hartman · December 11, 2023
Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? According to Bruce Willis, it is not. But the hotly contested debate of what constitutes a Christmas movie and if Die Hard is one might have to be relegated to the “let’s agree to disagree” bin. While it’s hard to define what exactly Christmas movies are (many argue Home Alone isn’t even a Christmas movie) here is a collection of festive films that might stir a conversation this holiday season on whether or not it belongs in the annual list of must-watch Christmas movies.
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Scripts from this Article
Lethal Weapon
Reindeer Games
Batman Returns
Edward Scissorhands
Eyes Wide Shut
Spencer
Rocky IV
It’s A Wonderful Life
Shane Black loves setting his stories during Christmas time (Long Kiss Goodnight, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Iron Man 3, The Nice Guys) and the one that started it all was the 1987 action-comedy Lethal Weapon. Taking place during the Christmas season, the story follows two police detectives: Martin (Mel Gibson), a suicidal loose cannon, and his partner Roger (Danny Glover) who is getting a little too old for cop work. Being the holiday season, the story has a redemptive quality to it as Martin finds the family and friendship he needs.
Thieves dressed up in Santa outfits decide to rob a Native American casino on Christmas knowing the security is light and the owner’s safe is full of cash. Reindeer Games was one of renowned action director John Frankenheimer’s final films and one of many major motion pictures written by Ehren Kreuger whose recent Top Gun: Maverick smashed box office records. It also boasts a cast of several Oscar nominees and winners: Ben Affleck, Charlize Theron, Gary Sinise, and Isaac Hayes. Fresh out of prison, Rudy (Affleck) just wants to make it home for Christmas but those plans are set aside when his new girlfriend’s brother convinces him to pull the Christmas robbery.
Set during Christmastime, Batman must battle the latest villains eager to make their mark in Gotham City: The Penguin and Catwoman. It has all the pieces of a contemporary Christmas movie from Christmas tree lightings, mistletoe, meet-cute moments between Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton) and Selina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer) – Catwoman’s alter ego, Christmas Eve parties, snowy downtown, and even the awkward moment when the two lead characters almost kiss. Could this be Tim Burton’s Hallmark movie? Not exactly, but it does check all the boxes for being a Christmas classic.
Another Tim Burton classic, Edward Scissorhands is the story of a reclusive young man with scissors for a hand. Surprisingly accepted in the perfect suburban enclave down the hill from his spooky castle, the timid man carves out a living cutting hair and landscaping bushes. The third act brings the beauty of Christmas as lights glow and the spirit of the season emanates. But it doesn’t snow here, at least not until Edward starts ice sculpting and sending a flurry of the white stuff in the air. It’s magical and heartbreaking, especially when we discover what happens between him and his inventor one recent Christmas.
When you think of family holiday classics, you think of Eyes Wide Shut. Maybe that’s just me. As Tom Cruise struggles with his wife’s infidelity, he gets pulled into a night of strange sexual occurrences ending up at some rich-people orgy where his face is revealed to the masked guests and his life is threatened. Not quite a holiday family film, Eyes Wide Shut is the final masterpiece of Stanley Kubrick and probably Cruise’s catalyst for sticking with the summer blockbusters. There are Christmas lights, snow, shopping with the family, and more – that makes it a Christmas movie, right?
In the biopic that garnered Kristen Stewart an Oscar nomination for her turn as Diana Spencer, this Christmas movie follows the famous princess during a holiday visit with the Royal Family. Amid a series of Christmas traditions, Diana goes through the motions while suffering a series of mental health issues as her marriage crumbles. This tale follows the beginning of the end of the royal marriage between Diana and Charles. It’s not exactly snuggle-under-a-blanket-with-hot-cocoa-type entertainment, but it’s a Christmas movie nonetheless.
The year is 1985. Americana is at its peak. And Rocky plans to fight the towering murdering machine Drago in Moscow on Christmas Day. Wrapped in an American flag and ready to take down his Cold War foe, Rocky trains to battle the boxer who killed his best friend in the ring. It’s snowy, Christmastime and Rocky rings in the holiday by becoming another underdog as he fights his latest nemesis all leading up to a miracle of gaining the respect of the Russian crowd. Not all parents would abandon their child to fight in Moscow on Christmas, but not all parents are Rocky Balboa.
Why is It’s a Wonderful Life a Christmas movie? Think about it. Most of it doesn’t even take place during Christmas. And while there are a few references toward the end of the film, such as last-minute decorating of the tree and singing carols, there isn’t much else. In fact, the plot itself has nothing to do with Christmas at all! Although it was released in January, that never stopped a movie from claiming it’s a Christmas movie (we’re looking at you Die Hard which was released in July) The only thing it has going for it is the feel-good nature of a Frank Capra movie and its ability to get played constantly during the holidays.
But, I’m not the Grinch about to say it’s not a Christmas movie so we’ll leave It’s a Wonderful Life in that category.
Are there any other movies you think deserve the classification of being a Christmas movie?
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