What makes a Christmas movie?
I ask this because I was chatting with a friend about one of the greatest Christmas movies ever–Die Hard.
His argument is that Christmas is unnecessary to the plot.
I don’t really agree with that statement. Christmas is woven into the fabric of the movie. The main reason Nakatomi Plaza is empty is because it’s a Christmas party on Christmas Eve.
But could the movie be held on the Fourth of July?
The answer is no because there is no bigger holiday in America that will empty out a giant office building like Christmas.
But for the sake of argument, let’s assume that he's right. Christmas is unnecessary for the plot of Die Hard.
Again, I ask. What makes a Christmas movie? Are you saying Christmas must be necessary for the plot?
Can a Christmas movie be about Jesus? After all, that is where the name Christmas comes from.
But historically Jesus is believed to have been born in June. That means Christmas is not about Christmas.
Does that mean that any movie that is about Jesus is not a Christmas movie?
No one believes that. No matter how hard you argue to the contrary.
Whether you believe Christmas is about the birth of Christ or not, that is one aspect of the holiday.
Some might argue that Christmas is about Santa Claus or the looser theme of “Christmas spirit”.
We will put aside that Die Hard ends with a little Christmas magic and the “ ho ho ho! Now I have a gun too” Santa.
Interestingly, I spent several years trying to understand what Celtic Christmas music is.
Personally, I think Celtic Christmas music is Christmas music with a Celtic twist.
Others disagree. There are a lot of piano albums that call themselves Celtic Christmas.
Is that Celtic Christmas music?
According to my definition, no. It is not.
Why then are some of the most-popular Celtic Christmas albums instrumental piano or guitar? They have nothing to do with Celtic culture.
The answer is because Celtic music is basically a marketing term for a general musical “feeling”. The most-popular “Celtic music” artist on YouTube is not music of the celts. It’s symphonic New Age music in my opinion. But for millions, it is Celtic music.
I try to change the definition through the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. But that doesn’t make that music any less “Celtic.”
Just because Christmas is not essential to the plot of the movie does not mean it’s not a Christmas movie.
The fact is Christmas is a holiday based on social context. For some people, it is a celebration of the birth of Jesus. For others, it’s about being nice, Santa Claus or presents.
It’s a Wonderful Life was not written as a Christmas movie. But through repeated viewings at Christmas time, it has become one of the most-famous Christmas movies ever.
Interestingly, The Sound of Music is considered by some as a Christmas movie as well. And it has nothing to do with Christmas… Except that it to was shown every year at Christmas time. (I don’t consider it a Christmas movie)
So perhaps what makes a Christmas movie is not the theme or the plot of the movie. It is all about social context. It is psychology. That’s something writers cannot necessarily define.
A plot and script can only do so much for defining social context. At some point, how we interact with a movie comes into play.
I believe a Christmas movie is a movie that makes me want to watch it at the same time every year, Christmas time.
You may not share in my tradition. That’s OK. That’s your decision. But that doesn’t make Die Hard, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Sound of Music, or even White Christmas (since Christmas is not essential for the plot) any less of a Christmas movie.
By my definition, Die Hard is one of the greatest Christmas movies ever!
