You may have seen holiday movies that make you question what truly defines a holiday film. Notable titles like Die Hard, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Meet Me in St. Louis often spark debate. Are these really holiday movies? Here are some questions to consider when determining whether a film falls into the holiday category.
Do movies that depict multiple holidays count?
One heavily debated title in the December holiday lineup is The Nightmare Before Christmas. Some view it as a Halloween movie, while others see it as a Christmas classic. Similarly, Miracle on 34th Street starts on Thanksgiving—does that make it a December holiday movie? Meet Me in St. Louis spans an entire year, yet some argue it’s a holiday film. So, is a holiday movie defined by the presence of one particular holiday, or something more?
What if a movie does not feel cozy?
For some, genre plays a big role in judging holiday movies. Die Hard and Lethal Weapon are action-packed thrillers—can they still be considered holiday films? What about horror movies like Krampus or Violent Night? Are holiday movies defined by warm, fuzzy feelings, or by their holiday themes?
On the other hand, cozy movies that barely mention the holidays are sometimes viewed as holiday staples. For example, The Sound of Music is often included in holiday watchlists, despite not being holiday-centric. Would you consider it a holiday movie?
If a movie has a notable holiday scene, does it count?
Some movies lack overarching holiday themes but feature memorable holiday scenes. For instance, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone includes a magical Christmas scene but spans an entire school year. Mean Girls has a well-known holiday musical number. Rent begins and ends on Christmas Eve but delves into much broader themes. Do these qualify as holiday films in your book?
What about movies set during the winter?
Then, there are winter-themed movies without direct holiday ties. Are they holiday movies? Titles like Frozen, Eight Below, and The Shining offer snowy settings but no festive themes. Do these make it onto your must-watch holiday list?
How does PDL choose holiday movies?
At Plymouth District Library, we believe everyone should define what makes a holiday movie for themselves. Many of the films mentioned above can be found in our holiday display—because if it’s there, someone, somewhere, considers it a holiday movie. We encourage you to explore and find the holiday films (and all the films) that resonate most with you.
Want to discover more movies with debatable holiday status? Check out our
Written by Kathryn Bergeron Adult Services Librarian
Plymouth District Library