Films Set at Christmas

Whoever said you need to watch a movie about Santa to get into the Christmas cheer? There are plenty of great films set at Christmas which are far less cliché and cringe (at times) to kick off your festivities, and we’ve listed some of our favourites below. 

Now, before we get started, let’s quickly clear up what defines a Christmas movie in our eyes. Films that capture the pure meaning of Christmas, you know, togetherness, family, selflessness and generosity, but also has a key focus on the holiday season and shows how the main characters overcome certain issues related to the holiday season and how they will save Christmas – something light-hearted, cheerful and fun or sometimes sad and slightly comforting. This does not include films with an insane amount of deaths and gore but zero holiday cheer, no matter how awesome they might be.

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Die Hard

Image by 20th Century Fox

Starting the list strong with some controversy, Die Hard. Many believe this to be a Christmas movie but when you break down what happens, it is completely the opposite from your typical Christmas movies, it just so happens to be set at Christmas – it could have been set at any other time of the year and not lose any of its essence.

I can admit, Die Hard does tick a few of the criteria to being a Christmas movie, but I simply cannot call a film about terrorists taking over a high-rise and keeping hostages, a film with a total count of 23 deaths, a Christmas movie – I am sorry ok, I know so many of you will disagree with me about this, but it just does not count (even Bruce Willis said it).

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Batman Returns

Image by Warner Bros.

This one is always my argument to the first entry, except Batman Returns actually has much more Christmas cheer about it than die hard – there is even a scene where hooligans interrupt the Christmas light switch on forcing Batman to make an appearance and essentially save Christmas.

This is one of my top ten movies of all time, and just like Die Hard does tick a lot of boxes, but it’s far too violent and in no way has Christmas as the main plot point to be considered a Christmas movie. If Batman is what you need for Christmas, there are many Batman Christmas specials, including of course Merry Little Batman.

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Iron Man 3

Image by Marvel Studios

Another superhero entry on the list and a more modern one at that, Iron Man 3. Did you even pick up on the fact this was set at Christmas? Aside from a few Christmas decorations and trees seen throughout the movie, it really is not too in your face obvious – the final battle takes place on Christmas Eve and in the incredible scene where Tony Stark calls for ‘backup’, summoning all his suits, he says to James Rhodes ‘Merry Christmas buddy’.

Iron Man 3 director, Shane Black, has a habit of setting films at Christmas time without making them actually Christmas movies, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is just another example of this.

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Bridget Jones’s Diary

Image by Miramax Films

Though it’s not a Christmas film, Bridget Jones’s Diary is definitely the most festive on the list. Since it starts at a New Year party and ends on Christmas, it includes such awkwardly amusing scenes such as where Bridget accidentally insults Mark Darcy’s (one of her love interests) ugly Christmas sweater.

For fans of romantic comedy, Bridget Jones’s Diary is a great option and has a very festive aesthetic, with lots of snow and gatherings. However, we follow her throughout the year, rather than only during the holiday season – I guess we’re all Bridget’s diary when watching this film.

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Gremlins

Image by Warner Bros.

Gremlins has worked itself into a large amount of families’ holiday traditions, but is it really a Christmas film? Sure there is gift giving and festive parties (which includes an absolutely terrifying scene where one of the gremlins starts singing ‘New York New York’ dressed in a suit) but all in all, its just a comedy horror set at Christmas time.

Gremlins being on this list does not by any means imply that you should take it off your annual watch list. For many years, my family would sit down and watch this together with snacks and hot chocolate, and what a vibe that was – watch it this year and thank me when it becomes part of your Christmas film rotation.

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The Nightmare Before Christmas

Image by Touchstone Pictures

Last but not least, The Nightmare Before Christmas. Despite having Christmas in the title and being focused around Jack Skellington’s obsession with Christmas, The Nightmare Before Christmas is a Halloween film with Christmas themes. However, its unique mix of both holidays does mean that it can be enjoyed at Christmas and Halloween.

It is unclear whether or not this was supposed to be interpreted as a Christmas or Halloween movie, but judging by the movies original release date of October 29th, it is safe to assume Halloween enthusiasts to be the target audience – it is very clever how this movie draws focal points from both holidays though, since that means it can be enjoyed more than just once a year and still feel festive.

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Conclusion

There are many great films set at Christmas which can be enjoyed this holiday season without the cliché Christmas narrative, but to call them a Christmas movie based on the time they are set is just does not sit right with us. Where do you stand on the Die Hard argument? Is it a Christmas movie? Are any of these Christmas movies? Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts!

See also: Greatest Christmas Movies of all-time

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