So what makes a movie an official Christmas movie? - Blu-ray Forum

JDub1 · 12-03-2020, 11:59 PM

There seems to be a lot of talk about Die Hard being an official Christmas movie. So what makes a movie a "Christmas movie?" Die Hard takes place at Christmas time, but it's about terrorist and a cop from New York that just happen to be at "Christmas Time." Same as Rocky 1, the film takes place from Thanksgiving week through New Years Day. It's not about those holidays per say, It's about boxing, but Rocky the film just happens to take place during those holidays. Then you have Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story that take place during Christmas, they are also about Christmas, but the plots actually focus on celebrating Christmas.

Do you get my point? I think Die Hard and Rocky should be Christmas movies as for a few others like Grumpy Old Men.

What do you think? This is a great debate!

CyberpunkCentral · 12-04-2020, 12:03 AM

Die Hard is a Christmas movie because it's about a man trying to see his family for the holidays,

slimdude · 12-04-2020, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberpunkCentral

Die Hard is a Christmas movie because it's about a man trying to see his family for the holidays,

No it's not. You'll try your best to save your family from harm anytime, not just because of the holidays whether if it's Christmas, New Years, Thanksgiving, Independence Day etc. If I go out and commit a mass murder during the Christmas season, does that make it a Christmas event? No it's just a mass murder, and it's the same for a movie. Without going into a religious debate, a real traditional Christmas movie tell the story or depicts the birth of Christ. That's the true meaning of Christmas.

Lee A Stewart · 12-04-2020, 12:57 AM

Die Hard didn't make the list:

List of Christmas films

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christmas_films

Kaiju · 12-04-2020, 01:00 AM

Jingle Bells and Candy Canes.

Al_The_Strange · 12-04-2020, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee A Stewart

Die Hard didn't make the list:

List of Christmas films

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christmas_films

It, and the sequel, are on there as "Christmas Action Films."

I am disappointed that Reindeer Games is absent.

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimdude

If I go out and commit a mass murder during the Christmas season, does that make it a Christmas event? No it's just a mass murder, and it's the same for a movie.

That would describe many of the "Christmas Horror Movies" on the list Lee posted.

thecooldud · 12-04-2020, 02:08 AM

I wasn't aware there was anyone with any authority to make an "official" list.
Something's a Xmas movie if you think it is.
End of.

Lee A Stewart · 12-04-2020, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecooldud

I wasn't aware there was anyone with any authority to make an "official" list.
Something's a Xmas movie if you think it is.
End of.

That's as clear . . . as mud.

xbs2034 · 12-04-2020, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

It, and the sequel, are on there as "Christmas Action Films."

I am disappointed that Reindeer Games is absent.

That would describe many of the "Christmas Horror Movies" on the list Lee posted.

To me, Christmas must either factor into the plot or setting in a major way (say Christmas imagery in many scenes). From that action list, I think for instance Die Hard and Batman Returns can count as Christmas movies, whereas Jurassic World does not (its such a minor factor I even forgot it was set during Christmas).

Jim Pez · 12-04-2020, 04:52 AM

What about Better off dead would you consider that a Christmas movie? It takes place during Christmas time and it has a few Christmas scenes in it.

Josep5349 · 12-04-2020, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimdude

No it's not. You'll try your best to save your family from harm anytime, not just because of the holidays whether if it's Christmas, New Years, Thanksgiving, Independence Day etc. If I go out and commit a mass murder during the Christmas season, does that make it a Christmas event? No it's just a mass murder, and it's the same for a movie. Without going into a religious debate, a real traditional Christmas movie tell the story or depicts the birth of Christ. That's the true meaning of Christmas.

If the reason that lead to your actions is triggered by the Christmas season, be it pressure of commercialism, a hatred of all things Christmas then it would be a deemed a Christmas specific event. In the case of Die Hard, we shouldn’t forget the terrorists targeted the building on Christmas Eve because they knew the Christmas party was being held that day and that was crucial to their plans.

Have to disagree with your own interpretation of what makes a Christmas movie. Christmas movies imo are ones which take place during the Christmas period and convey any one of, or all, feelings of joy, compassion, forgivenesses, togetherness, redemption, love, family, friendship, kindness, and above all, hope. And yes, there are a countless movies that convey those things that take place during other times of year but that’s just the silliness/magic of Christmas.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee A Stewart

Die Hard didn't make the list:

List of Christmas films

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christmas_films

Yes it did. You missed it. It’s listed under Christmas action films.

.

RCRochester · 12-04-2020, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimdude

No it's not. You'll try your best to save your family from harm anytime, not just because of the holidays whether if it's Christmas, New Years, Thanksgiving, Independence Day etc. If I go out and commit a mass murder during the Christmas season, does that make it a Christmas event? No it's just a mass murder, and it's the same for a movie. Without going into a religious debate, a real traditional Christmas movie tell the story or depicts the birth of Christ. That's the true meaning of Christmas.

That would generally be defined as a nativity movie.

L.J. · 12-04-2020, 10:39 AM

To me film would be set during Christmas time, but doesn't have to be about Christmas. For as a film having multiple holidays in it, would say no its not a Christmas film. In the end it really doesn't matter tho. If the viewer finds a reason to call it a Christmas film. Then that's what the viewer should do.

Martoto · 12-04-2020, 10:41 AM

No such thing as an official Christmas movie.

To me, Marx Brothers movies are Christmas movies since they were mostly shown on TV at Christmas time.

CreasyBear · 12-04-2020, 10:51 AM

Honestly, Lethal Weapon is a perfect Christmas movie. It's about creating a family amongst friends and bringing the unfortunate into your family.

And killing Gary Busey on your front lawn.

levcore · 12-04-2020, 11:50 AM

If it's set at/ during Christmas or the run up to Christmas then it's a Christmas movie. If there is Christmas related paraphernalia visible in the movie, it's a Christmas movie.

imsounoriginal · 12-04-2020, 11:53 AM

Quote:

So what makes a movie an official Christmas movie?

It's set during Christmas and the holiday plays a major role in the story or aesthetic.

Nvidia · 12-04-2020, 12:40 PM

Home Alone is a christmas movie. Die Hard is more like "something else" that happens during christmas meaning Hans Gruber could have done that at easter or some other holiday.

JayTL · 12-04-2020, 12:43 PM

I like watching Friday the 13th on Christmas.

So it's My Official Chirstmas movie.

Super official, it's bolded.

Gacivory · 12-04-2020, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee A Stewart

Die Hard didn't make the list:

List of Christmas films

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christmas_films

It’s right there under Christmas action films.

12-03-2020, 11:59 PM	#1
JDub1 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jan 2015 Location:Iowa, The Hawkeye State Blu-ray reviews:65	So what makes a movie an official Christmas movie? There seems to be a lot of talk about Die Hard being an official Christmas movie. So what makes a movie a "Christmas movie?" Die Hard takes place at Christmas time, but it's about terrorist and a cop from New York that just happen to be at "Christmas Time." Same as Rocky 1, the film takes place from Thanksgiving week through New Years Day. It's not about those holidays per say, It's about boxing, but Rocky the film just happens to take place during those holidays. Then you have Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story that take place during Christmas, they are also about Christmas, but the plots actually focus on celebrating Christmas. Do you get my point? I think Die Hard and Rocky should be Christmas movies as for a few others like Grumpy Old Men. What do you think? This is a great debate!

12-04-2020, 04:52 AM	#10
Jim Pez Senior Member Member since:Aug 2016 4K collection:285 Blu-ray collection:760 DVD collection:6	What about Better off dead would you consider that a Christmas movie? It takes place during Christmas time and it has a few Christmas scenes in it. Last edited by Jim Pez; 12-04-2020 at 05:33 AM.

12-04-2020, 12:40 PM	#18
Nvidia Banned Member since:Aug 2020	Home Alone is a christmas movie. Die Hard is more like "something else" that happens during christmas meaning Hans Gruber could have done that at easter or some other holiday. Last edited by Nvidia; 12-04-2020 at 01:16 PM.

12-04-2020, 12:03 AM	#2
CyberpunkCentral Banned Member since:Apr 2009 Blu-ray reviews:6	Die Hard is a Christmas movie because it's about a man trying to see his family for the holidays,

12-04-2020, 12:57 AM	#4
Lee A Stewart Blu-ray Baron Member since:Jan 2019 Location:Albuquerque, NM	Die Hard didn't make the list: List of Christmas films https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christmas_films

12-04-2020, 01:00 AM	#5
Kaiju Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Oct 2008 4K collection:448 Blu-ray collection:1233 Trading Score:102	Jingle Bells and Candy Canes.

12-04-2020, 02:08 AM	#7
thecooldud Banned Member since:Jul 2017 Location:The interior of my own mind 4K collection:7 Blu-ray collection:929 Blu-ray reviews:1	I wasn't aware there was anyone with any authority to make an "official" list. Something's a Xmas movie if you think it is. End of.

12-04-2020, 10:39 AM	#13
L.J. Blu-ray Archduke Top contributor Member since:Aug 2013 Location:South Carolina 4K collection:251 Blu-ray collection:754 DVD collection:23 Blu-ray reviews: 145 Trading Score:56	To me film would be set during Christmas time, but doesn't have to be about Christmas. For as a film having multiple holidays in it, would say no its not a Christmas film. In the end it really doesn't matter tho. If the viewer finds a reason to call it a Christmas film. Then that's what the viewer should do.

12-04-2020, 10:41 AM	#14
Martoto Blu-ray Duke Member since:Mar 2014 Location:Glasgow Blu-ray reviews: 7	No such thing as an official Christmas movie. To me, Marx Brothers movies are Christmas movies since they were mostly shown on TV at Christmas time.

12-04-2020, 10:51 AM	#15
CreasyBear Blu-ray Count Member since:Apr 2019 Trading Score:115	Honestly, Lethal Weapon is a perfect Christmas movie. It's about creating a family amongst friends and bringing the unfortunate into your family. And killing Gary Busey on your front lawn.

12-04-2020, 11:50 AM	#16
levcore Blu-ray Grand Duke Member since:Jun 2011 Location:Dryland 4K collection:306 Blu-ray collection:2617 Trading Score:3	If it's set at/ during Christmas or the run up to Christmas then it's a Christmas movie. If there is Christmas related paraphernalia visible in the movie, it's a Christmas movie.

12-04-2020, 12:43 PM	#19
JayTL Banned Member since:Jan 2013 Location:Outside Orlando Trading Score:104	I like watching Friday the 13th on Christmas. So it's My Official Chirstmas movie. Super official, it's bolded.

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