What Do You Think Makes a Movie a Christmas Movie?
NOT a Christmas movie
There are a lot of opinions out there about what counts as a Christmas movie. I recently shared three films that help me get into the holiday spirit. Everyone is different, but here is the key factor in defining a movie as a Christmas movie for me: Christmas must be an essential part of the story.
The movie can’t just have a Christmas scene in it. Christmas must play an integral part of the story. For instance, there is a scene in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone that features Christmas, but that does not make it a Christmas movie. Christmas plays a very minimal role in the story. However, in How the Grinch Stole Christmas (both versions), the story revolves around Christmas. That whole story happens because of Christmas.
Another example is Toy Story, which ends with Andy celebrating Christmas with his family and opening up new toys while his current toys listened on in anticipation. This is one scene that does not define the movie. Mean Girls is a hilarious movie, but the Christmas aspect is so minimal that it does not count either.
Then, of course, there's Die Hard which takes place during a Christmas party, John McClane is in town to celebrate Christmas, etc. Christmas is essential to the story of Die Hard.
How do you define a Christmas movie? Is there more to it? Am I too picky?