15 Movies People Still Argue About Being Christmas Films Or Not
Ever found yourself in a heated debate about whether a particular movie counts as a Christmas film?
You’re not alone!
Some movies happen to take place during the holidays but don’t exactly scream “ho ho ho” in the traditional sense.
1. Lethal Weapon
Buddy cop movies and Christmas don’t usually mix, but here we are!
Riggs and Murtaugh team up during the holidays to take down a drug smuggling operation while dealing with personal demons.
Christmas decorations appear throughout the film, and the holiday season emphasizes themes of family, friendship, and finding hope.
Murtaugh’s family celebrations contrast sharply with Riggs’ loneliness, making the season matter to the story.
2. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Los Angeles gets dressed up for Christmas while a thief-turned-actor stumbles into a murder mystery with unexpected twists.
Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer navigate Hollywood’s dark underbelly surrounded by holiday parties and decorations.
The noir-style detective story unfolds during the season, with Christmas serving as ironic backdrop to violence and deception.
Witty dialogue and festive settings clash perfectly, creating a uniquely entertaining holiday experience for genre fans.
3. Gremlins
What starts as an adorable Christmas gift quickly turns into a nightmare when Mogwai rules get broken!
Billy receives Gizmo as a present, but feeding him after midnight spawns destructive gremlins who terrorize the town.
Christmas trees, carolers, and holiday decorations fill every scene while chaos unfolds in delightfully dark ways.
The entire plot hinges on a Christmas present gone wrong, making the holiday absolutely essential to the story.
4. The Long Kiss Goodnight
Amnesia meets espionage when a suburban mom discovers she’s actually a deadly government assassin during the holidays.
Geena Davis kicks serious butt while Christmas decorations and snowy landscapes surround the explosive action sequences.
Her daughter’s Christmas pageant and family moments contrast sharply with the violent world she’s rediscovering.
The mission to stop terrorists happens during Christmas, making the season integral to the emotional stakes.
5. Batman Returns
Gotham City transforms into a winter wonderland, but instead of Santa, we get Penguin and Catwoman causing mayhem.
Tim Burton’s gothic vision includes Christmas trees, holiday parties, and snow-covered streets throughout the dark tale.
Batman must save the city during the holiday season while dealing with villains who have their own twisted plans.
Mistletoe moments and festive lighting create an eerie contrast to the violence and darkness unfolding.
6. Little Women
Multiple adaptations of this beloved novel feature memorable Christmas scenes with the March sisters celebrating despite hardships.
Opening chapters traditionally show Christmas morning when the girls sacrifice their breakfast for a poor family nearby.
However, the story spans years beyond the holidays, making people question if it truly qualifies as Christmas viewing.
Cozy winter scenes and family warmth during the season create nostalgic feelings perfect for holiday rewatches.
7. Edward Scissorhands
Tim Burton strikes again with this bittersweet fairy tale set during the most wonderful time of year.
Edward’s magical ability to create ice sculptures becomes tied directly to why it snows during Christmas.
Suburban families decorate their homes while Edward struggles to fit into their perfect world despite his differences.
The story’s emotional climax happens during the holidays, making Christmas central to understanding Edward’s tragic romance.
8. Rocky IV
Rocky travels to Russia during Christmas to avenge Apollo Creed and fight the seemingly unstoppable Ivan Drago.
Holiday scenes appear throughout, including family moments before Rocky leaves for his dangerous mission abroad.
The training montages in frozen Siberian landscapes happen during the Christmas season, adding emotional weight.
Paulie’s robot even celebrates the holidays, making this Cold War boxing drama unexpectedly festive in places.
9. Iron Man 3
Tony Stark battles anxiety, terrorists, and explosive threats while Christmas approaches in this Marvel adventure.
Holiday decorations appear throughout, and the climactic showdown happens around Christmas time with festive imagery present.
Characters exchange gifts and reference the season, though saving the world takes priority over opening presents.
The Mandarin’s attacks create chaos during what should be a peaceful holiday, testing Tony’s resolve.
10. The Apartment
Billy Wilder’s Oscar-winning classic unfolds during the Christmas season in 1960s Manhattan corporate America.
Office Christmas parties and holiday loneliness drive the emotional core of this romantic dramedy about integrity and love.
The protagonist lends his apartment to executives for affairs while falling for an elevator operator with secrets.
Christmas and New Year’s Eve become pivotal moments where characters make life-changing decisions about happiness and self-respect.
11. The Nightmare Before Christmas
Jack Skellington discovers Christmas Town and becomes obsessed with bringing the holiday to his spooky home.
This stop-motion masterpiece literally has Christmas in the title, yet some argue it belongs to Halloween instead.
The entire plot revolves around understanding and celebrating Christmas, making it impossible to separate from the holiday.
Jack’s misguided attempts to recreate Christmas create both heartwarming moments and delightfully dark comedy throughout.
12. While You Were Sleeping
Sandra Bullock plays a lonely transit worker who saves her crush on Christmas Day, leading to mistaken identity chaos.
The entire romance blooms during the holiday season, with family gatherings and Christmas celebrations driving the plot.
Warm, fuzzy feelings multiply as she falls for her comatose crush’s brother amid festive decorations everywhere.
Christmas serves as the perfect backdrop for themes of family, belonging, and finding love in unexpected places.
13. Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone
Harry experiences his first real Christmas at Hogwarts, receiving presents and feeling true belonging for the first time.
The Great Hall transforms with magical decorations while Harry gets his father’s invisibility cloak as a gift.
Christmas scenes take up only a portion of the film, but they represent pivotal emotional moments in Harry’s journey.
Feasts, snow-covered grounds, and festive magic create unforgettable holiday atmosphere that fans treasure.
14. Eyes Wide Shut
Stanley Kubrick’s final film follows a doctor through a surreal night of temptation and danger during Christmas in New York.
Christmas lights illuminate every scene, creating dreamlike atmosphere as the protagonist explores Manhattan’s hidden world.
Holiday parties and decorations contrast with the dark psychological journey unfolding throughout the mysterious narrative.
The festive season’s promise of joy clashes with themes of jealousy, desire, and secrets lurking beneath surfaces.
15. Carol
Two women fall in love during the 1952 Christmas shopping season in this beautiful period romance.
Department store Christmas displays and holiday preparations create the backdrop for their forbidden relationship to develop.
The festive season emphasizes the contrast between societal expectations and genuine human connection they discover.
Gorgeous cinematography captures both the warmth of Christmas and the cold reality of 1950s attitudes.
