More Category 4 movies: The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Sister Act. Something about that expanse of old musical movies really sells the Christmas vibe without being about Christmas
Every time I read the word ‘Christmas’ (which is a lot, I’m a primary school teacher) I hear Camila Cabello saying quizmois and I find that is the real spirit of the season that all ‘Christmas’ movies are lacking
1. A Charlie Brown Christmas - top tier epitome of Christmas 2. Serendipity -00s cheesy cosiness 3. You’ve Got Mail - allll the festive vibes 4. Groundhog Day - all the snow and fuzzy 90s veneer makes it all cosy and Christmassy
I always watch The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe - it has The Vibes, and Father Christmas is literally in it in one scene. Yeah, he’s giving unaccompanied children weapons and telling them to go fight an evil snow queen, but still. It’s snowy, it’s cosy, it’s incredibly underrated and has a happy ending with a hint of mystery and magic to it - I love it.
I would like to petition that categories 3 and 4 gets a subtitle of “boxing day films”. I think both (but especially 4) are the perfect films to watch on the sofa surrounded by leftovers in that post christmas haze.
Fun fact about christmas movies in other countries: In Germany, most people watch an old christmas comedy movie by the comedian Loriot, which is "Christmas at the Hoppenstedts". It's kind of a parody of a cozy family christmas. The mother gets horribly drunk with door-to-door-salesmen who try to sell her wine and also a vacuum/hairdryer: "The Heinzelmann sucks and blows where mother can only suck." The grandfather complains that the christmas tree used to have more tinsel, and now every German will quote "Früher war mehr Lametta" (there used to be more Tinsel) when we talk about christmas tree decoration. Also the grandfather gifts his grandchild a playset of an atomic power plant, which blows up and then the little trees fall over and the cow falls over. It is very silly!
Yes! My family always watches Loriot on christmas. But most of my friends watch '3 Haselnüsse für Aschenbrödel' (loosely based on Cinderella but also very different to the Disney version) and don't even know Christmas with the Hoppenstedts
@@DanLayton May I add another common/traditional Christmas film in Germany which has nothing to with Christmas whatsoever - Drei Haselnüsse für Aschenbrödel (Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella). It's not even a German film, it's Czeckoslovakian originally. For me it truly is *the* one and only winter/Christmas film out there
@@nap5tablookNorway watches it too, it's Tre Nøtter til Askepott here (literally 'Three Nuts for Cinderella' but I usually see it called 'three wishes' in English). The version here has the original audio with a Norwegian narrator dubbed over top of it, like he's reading an audiobook 😂 It's SO chaotic! But Norway loves it so much they made their own version a couple of years ago.
The original Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory epitomises the fourth category for me. Feel like it was always on British telly around that time, and engulfs itself with Christmas spirit despite it not being part of the film at all.
you're so right about the philosophers stone being the christmas hp film!! i think it's how warm most of the shots are, compared to the grunge or darkness of the later films, and the sense of awe from harry experiencing all the magic for the first time. Also it's the only one where Harry doesn't seem to be in direct mortal danger for the whole runtime lol
a muppets' christmas carol is both a proper christmas film and a cinematic masterpiece, thank you michael caine. and both paddington and paddington 2 are the absolute most not-at-all-about-christmas christmas films
1. A Charlie Brown Christmas, one of my go to movies for Christmas day 2. Gremlins, a delightful little romp 3. When Harry met Sally, I know it feels like a fall movie but we see them getting their trees 4. Monty Python and the Holy grail, my family will watch this movie at any time for any reason. It is so comforting to me and feels incredibly festive.
You sir are, in fact, a genius. These categories make so much sense I can't explain it. I think the 4th category is mostly occupied by older classic comfort movies and they scream Christmas to me, so having someone agree and make a video about it makes me feel validated, so thankyou Dan. Merry Christmas to you
okay doing one for each category: the nightmare before christmas (yes it's great for the halloween aesthetic but it is certainly about christmas), rent (set between christmases really but feels mostly set at christmas), the first toy story (ends at christmas and is all sort of about found family which definitely passes the christmas vibe check), and the sound of music (nothing to do with christmas it just has those cosy family vibes)
May I add to tier 3/4 - mean girls. It has the one jingle bell rock scene and so therefore has become my go to Christmas movie to watch while decorating
I tend not to like most holiday movies but Muppet's Christmas Carol is a masterpiece, I watch it every year (also I watched the Holdovers last week and am re-watching it tomorrow, it's a wonderful film, I love it a lot)
Ok, I don't have one for every category but here we go... 1. Arthur Christmas 3. The lion the witch and the wardrobe 4. The sound of music I appreciate you've probably seen all these but they are my top ones 😊
1. Muppets Family Christmas- you can find the whole thing on UA-cam, super festive, lots of carols 2. The Preacher’s Wife - my literal favorite movie, not about Christmas but Christmas is all around and obviously they’re in a church but the film is about the relationship and Christmas/Denzel Washington is the vehicle 3. Stepmom - really a lovely film, heavily features Christmas at the end 4. You nailed it w Wizard of Oz!
Cant pick one for each catagory but just a list of some of my favourite Christmas films that weren't mentioned; 1. Rise of the Guardians (2012) - I always watch this when I start wrapping even though its set at easter 2. Nativity (2009) - Such a dumb little movie that I love with all my heart 3. Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas (1999) - I used to watch this in the back of the car whilst my mum drove my dad to work 4. Arthur Christmas (2011) - One of the best Christmas films ever 5. Krampus (2015) - At exactly midnight on Christmas Eve I watch this film and bake brownies for Christmas morning and I love it.
On one hand I do agree with placing The Holiday in the second category, but on the other, as someone living in the Southern Hemisphere, I will never get over the joy and thrill of having a movie for the festive season that features a non-snowy Christmas. I would also add While You Were Sleeping to the second category, and You've Got Mail to the third, both of which were on rotation during December when I was a kid and feel very Christmasy to me!
I once watched a Donna Hay Christmas special where she explained that Christmas to her meant friends over in the garden and seafood and I was like “WAIT WHAT”
Breaking Dawn Part 2 has always been a Christmas film for me. There's literally only one scene that features Christmas but the whole end scene in the snow gives me huge festive vibes
My brothers and me always watched the Grinch on VHS in my parents bedroom in the afternoon of Christmas Eve while my parents were preparing everything for the evening (we celebrate on 24th in Germany). When the film was over we were allowed to go downstairs into the main living area and there was the decorated tree and food ready and the presents and everything felt so much more meaningful and magical after having just seen Cindy Loo Who convince the Grinch that he deserves love and the people of Whoville that the most important thing is being with each other. We can still say every line of that movie with the actors when we watch it now. I think it is Jim Carry’s best performance (together with the Truman show of cause).
1. Falling for Christmas - Linsday Lohan and cheese, what's not to love 2. Carol - So. Festive. 3. Edward Scissorhands - My memory always tells me more of this is set at Christmas than it is 4. Wallace and Gromit: A Grand Day Out - I think this only feels festive to me because my Dad would always watch it while making breakfast and listening to Carols from Kings Also love this taxonomy of Christmas films!!
This video has perfect timing for me. Yesterday I was thinking about how 1991's All I Want for Christmas has been completely forgotten about among Christmas movies.
I find Bridget Jones to be more of a new years film for sure, BUT an honorary mention for your list is The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe! Santa’s even in it👀
1. Santa Buddies - fond memories of watching this in primary school in the scorching heat (🇦🇺) 2. Die Hard. I cannot think of a movie for this one 3. The perks of being a wallflower - has some Christmas scenes but is more about coming of age and heartbreak, though the Christmas parts are integral to the plot from memory. 4. Beethoven/Tinkerbell - both are just Christmas energy and have been watched endlessly at Christmas time
I believe it would be in category 4, but for me one of my favorite movies of all time that I always want to watch around Christmas is Once. It’s a musical set in Ireland about two musicians who happen to meet and spend a weekend recording an album that explores each of their histories with their former partners. Absolutely beautiful film.
I really thought we were going to be getting a Paddington 2 mention in the final category! That film is not only perfection, but just screams cosy, wholesome christmas vibes to me. Though it’s not very old, like you said it felt like a classic from the movement I saw it!
Note, I'm typing this before I watch the video. Why Die Hard is a Christmas film: 1. Christmas and family are central themes in the film 2. The plot is driven by the Christmas season 3. There's several Christmas themed musical motifs. That's what I'm saying on the matter
Now having watched the video, I repeat the above points. Personally, to me the recent Paddington films (specifically 2) have Christmas vibes while not having a whole lot to do with the season. Anna and the apocalypse (a Christmas-zombie-coming of age-musical) is set at Christmas, but doesn't have much to do with the season. Tokyo godfathers is a Christmas film through and through, tho the ending doesn't work for me. They're my personal recommendations
1. This is Christmas! I think it only came out last year but it’s so very British and I really love it 2. Struggling to think of one for this, I will maybe edit and come back to it 😂 3. Rise of the guardians! Very underrated gorgeous film where Santa is a character but it’s actually set at Easter …. 4. Any of the Narnia films always feel very Christmassy to me
About Time? I cannot remember at all if this features Christmas but it definitely embodies the bringing family together and being grateful for what you have vibes
i havent watched that many christmas movies so this vid will come in handy. what i do watch a lot is doctor who and doctor who's christmas specials are usually exceptional. fun stories, the comfort of domesticity, the fun of sci-fi and adventures, beautiful beautiful scenes that get to the core of the meaning of christmas. merry christmas and thank for the movies
I FEEL VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS: Most underrated Christmas movie- “I’ll be home for Christmas” starring Jessica biel and Johnathon Taylor Thomas. It’s everything you would want in a Christmas film!!
Set at Christmas, about Christmas - Muppets Christmas Carol Set at Christmas, not about Christmas - Nightmare before Christmas Not set at Christmas but heavily featuring a Christmas Scene- About a boy (one of my faves pls watch) Heavy Christmas energy- Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion, the Witch & the wardrobe- I think it’s the snow
Firstly, thank you for timing your uploads to coincide with my mental breakdowns, it's very considerate. Secondly, as someone who is doing a million christmas lessons over these two weeks and has been putting off finding movie trailers thank you for giving me a good list!
for some reason, shaun of the dead is a christmas film to me! something about a group of people coming together to help eachother in a time of need. you remove zombies and add one snowflake and its s christmas film
The Sound of Music definitely fits the 4th category. In my memories it's always on tv around Christmas time but it doesn't feature a Christmas scene I don't think. The same can be said for Sissi (but don't quote me on that) A Christmas film that features Christmas is the animated film Klaus. This one made me cry, adore it so much
As someone who doesn't like Christmas (it's complicated) I don't really watch many Christmas movies. But the two I have are one that reminds me of a time before I didn't like the festive season and one that made me recontextualise and reconsider my stance towards it. Those are The Santa Clause (Tim Allen, 90's) which is surprisingly dark when you look at the themes. And Spirited with Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell. That movie made me realise that I can find some enjoyment whilst looking at A Christmas Carol in a new light. But I've started a new tradition of Christmas specials from TV shows I love to help me through the season so Doctor Who, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Vicar of Dibley, Blackadder and of course Goes Wrong Show (if you don't know what it is check it out, you won't regret it) 🙂
some how missed the notification for this video...only like 5 seconds in, and it's already a WHOLE VIBE. my husband and i also only decorated the front of our tree under the assumption that no one would see it. luckily our tree is placed in the corner.
Can’t believe ‘Chicken Run’ didn’t make the Big Christmas Energy list! It’s been on telly at Christmas time every year for at least the last ten years, and this year the sequel has been released on Netflix at Christmas! ETA my list: 1. Miracle on 34th Street (the 1994 one) 2. A Muppet Christmas Carol (or would that be category 1?) 3. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 4. Chicken Run (obviously)
the absolute best christmas movie to me is a dutch classic called "Abeltje", it's about a kid who goes on a whole bunch of adventures in a flying elevator, it has christmas in new york and a lavishly decorated warehouse, it's cosy and comforting and absolutely hogwild insane
love this! 1. arthur christmas 2. die hard (can’t believe there’s not more discourse on which category this is in) 2. Emma (2020 version) or the lion the witch and the wardrobe 4. the 2003 live action peter pan is so christmassy for me, and like harry potter it’s usually on itv around christmas
Ooh a personal one to add to tier 4 is mamma Mia. We bought it one year for mum at Christmas and made the whole extended family watch it. Christmas is the main memory I attach to that movie and I think the Greek beach vibes work festively for me because Australian Christmas is hot and spent at the beach
Genuinely love watching your videos. It's like listening to a friend. Tried to not pick any you mentioned. Klaus for Christmas film about Christmas that's based at Christmas. Set at Christmas but not about Christmas. Die hard Not set at Christmas heavily featuring Christmas: the lion the witch and wardrobe. Has father Christmas in but technically set in summer. Hmm willy wonka for Christmas film that's not Christmas related but feels Christmas can't quite remember if Charlie gets the chocolate bar for Christmas. If that don't work Mary Poppins.
Challenge accepted. My four for this year Set & about: Muppets Christmas Carol Set & not about: Edward Scissorhands Not set, but feature: Klaus (might be cheating, but like BJD it’s set over the year) Just Vibes: Groundhog Day
Oh the new Wonka movie definitley fits in the last category for me. I've just watched it in the cinema last week and it felt like an instant christmas classic. Something about it just felt very cosy.
My parents and I have a tradition of going to the cinema on Christmas Eve. I'm 25 and live in a different city, but it's still going strong! Doesn't feel like Christmas without it
Loved this!! Little Women firmly sits where you placed it, but I think has always felt extra Christmassy to me because the first word of the book is literally Christmas and that opening scene (placed later in Gerwig's version) was so iconic in my childhood.
All extremely correct opinions. HOWEVER, if memory serves, all the films in the Harry Potter franchise were Christmassy releases in Australia, (we were very behind) so they transport me to the festive season too. None more than Philosopher's Stone though, I'll give you that.
I have watched Nightmare Before Christmas every year right before the Christmas festivities really kick in. This year, my local cinema (where I also used to work) was showing it in 3D a few weeks ago. I went by myself, bought myself a nice festive drink to go with the film, and loved every second of it! Something about seeing a well-loved film (stop-motion at that) in 3D really made it come to life in such a new way! Was so much fun! Next week I'm going to see The Boy And The Heron, which will likely always remind me of Christmas given both the time of year and the general Ghibli vibe, so can totally understand your category! Also definitely going to try and catch Elf in the cinema before Christmas Hope you have a lovely festive time!x
my mom allllways made Meet Me in St. Louis our Christmas movie, absoLUTely fits the bill of "not about christmas, but heavily features a scene." i believe there's sort of seasonal vignettes throughout? and there's a whoooole big christmas to-do + have yourself a merry little christmas :')
1. the santa clause - my absolute most favourite christmas movie and imo is one of the most christmassy movies out there 2. single all the way - a recent addition to my christmas movie rotation but i absolutely adore it and its filled with tropes, romance and all that good stuff 3. i can't actually think of one for this category so i'll join you in saying harry potter 4. rise of the guardians - this has all the makings of a christmas film and despite santa being in it it's got nothing to do with christmas. its one of my all time favourite movies but i only watch it at christmas bc the vibes are too strong
Not in any way related to Christmas but have Christmas energy: Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I don't know how to explain it, it might just be the toymakers and toys and sweets and magic and family-vibe/childhoodness and songs? But we will always watch those to wrap Christmas presents with :)
1. Home Alone (No need to explain why) 2. Die Hard (Having seen it recently, it really isn't about Christmas. But it happens on Christmas so I can understand why people watch it around this time. 3. Toy Story (the final scene takes place on Christmas.) 4. Any Aardman Project (I feel like you could put any animated movie in this section but Aardman for me just remind me of Christmas the most.)
Making a comment just based off the thumbnail, because I'm that person apparently - I think, at this point, people are so desperate to find a good Christmas film that everything set in winter will do Okay, gonna watch the rest now 😅
Lovely speech at the end Dan 😊 Definitely agree with Wizard of Oz! Set at Christmas but not about Christmas would be "In Bruges" for me. And "Christmas feeling" I spose is one we watch every year "Chalet Girl" with Felicity Jones. Set at a ski resort so all snowy. Cheesy, feel good, cringey at times. Definitely Christmasy
1: "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" with Jim Carrey is def a fav in this category for me (I quite liked Benedict Cumberbatch's as well) 2: "Just Friends" is the #1 favorite for my husband and i-it is obviously very christmasy and takes place prominately AT christmas, but for me, i think the story very easily could have been written for any time of year 3: "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" 100% has the most christmas vibes and is just peak "christmas, but not really" 4: i really struggled to figure this one out, but i think "The Lego Batman Movie" fits into this category for me. i haven't seen it in AGES but remember it fondly. my family has several compounding inside jokes that made this movie so perfect the first time we watched it, it just gives off "chilling with the family" vibes, and with all of us living so far apart nowadays the christmas season is really the only time of the year for those vibes. i might just have to convince everyone to watch it when we get together this year...
Dan you are well and truly earing your "truth" moniker with this one. For me nothing beats those old old Rankin / Bass films. I could happily watch those every year no complaints just genuine excitement.
I have been thinking about this for two days straight and I have come to the conclusion that my perfect example of category four is Mary Poppins - I don't even think it's set in winter but it just feels so christmassy
My unhinged Christmas movie series not at all related to Christmas is the Fast and Furious franchise. I don’t even mean that it has Christmas vibes-it’s just that it’s about family and me, my dad, and my sister have loved binging them together at Christmas bc we were together
This is my first Christmas that I'll most likely be spending alone. I moved to another country at the beginning of this year and idk when/if I'll be going home (England is too bloody expensive). I've never been that big on Christmas but there is something to be said for the comfort it adds to an imo truly miserable portion of the year. Hopefully whacking on a couple of these films this weekend might bring some of that comforting feeling back. Also Little Women is definitely a Christmas film for me!
You're pretty much hit all my go to Christmas movies. One that's dear to my heart is Anna and the apocalypse. It's an acquired taste but zombie Christmas musical. For the last category in Australia while I was growing up they always showed Cheaper by the dozen and the national lampoon's vacation movies leading up to Christmas and over the summer holidays so now I associated them with Christmas time and the family still watched them to this day in the lead up to Christmas. Plus they're all about family and getting together
Think you're missing a step between Christmas and Christmas-adjacent. The first two categories are Christmas Films™️ and watching them at any other time of year can only be a cry for help. The second two are big vibes✨ when watched at Christmas but are also granted autonomy in the other 11 months of the year
1. Home Alone 1 and 2, and I think I agree with you that 2 is better if for no other reason than I love the pigeon lady 2. Die Hard, which I still can probably argue could go in category 1 but I digress 3. Philosophers Stone, definitely the only Potter film that strictly fits in this category - helped by the fact that it is the most family friendly of them all Being from Australia and therefore associate Christmas with having a little less snow, I do mostly have faves that fit in category 4 4. Bugsy Malone, a favourite movie of my family that was always special as a kid because of the awe of watching a movie with only kids in it - and also desperately wanting a fancy pedal car for Christmas 4. Red Dog, a classic Australian film based on a true story that is very much a tearjerker 4. The Blues Brothers, probably the only thing Christmassy about it is the nun - I think mostly a Christmas film for me because I like to watch it with all my family and the easiest time to do that is at Christmas Thanks for the video! The categories make it a lot easier trying to explain my odd not-really Christmas movies❤ The one film from your list I've gotta watch is Singing in the Rain - which if I have watched before I do not remember it but it does seem like something I would love!
i'm scared of the cinema and never understand how people enjoy it,, yet DJL somehow makes it seem so magical,, i wish i could enjoy it anyways,, for me christmas is always the snowman films
In the US, one of the most popular in category of “takes place at Christmas but is not about Christmas” (and yet people watch it at Christmas and debate online if it counts as a Christmas film) is definitely ‘Die Hard’ 😂
Todd Haynes' Carol has become a Christmas staple for me. It's not the holiday's until I've seen it once. Warm, romantic, cozy and sensual. Not just New York at Christmas, 1950s New York at Christmas! It's also one you don't (or at least I didn't) clock that it's Christmas film until halfway through and realize "Oh! The title's a pun!" But yeah, a must watch every year.
meet me in st. louis is a christmas day film for me! we always stick it on just after we open presents. judy garland is talking about an easter fair for the entire duration of the film but that doesn’t make it any less festive… if you haven’t seen it i highly recommend you do, the grandfather in it wears a fez all the time and is absolutely adorable
can’t believe i’ve been subscribed to you for this long and still haven’t watched the sex and the city movie. feel free to block if this is triggering information
not set at christmas but has a christmas scene :D love the 90s classic "while you were sleeping" it's got a christmas scene where sandra bullock is just sat around her fiancés family, happy and soaking it all in. makes me feel so festive!
I reread Little Women every year around Christmas because I associate it with the season. I’ve done this since I was a child, even though it’s not a Christmas book 😂
Now Dan, me and my Uncle have this conversation every year, and we have our own catergories that line up with yours. We have: Christmas films that DON'T MAKE SENSE without Christmas and are just about Christmas in general (eg: Elf, the Santa Clauses, The Grinch, Arthur Christmas, Nativity) Christmas films that are undeniably Christmassy, but could be replaced with a different celebration, or have the holiday taken out completely eg: (and people will argue) Die Hard could be an office birthday party or New Years or Halloween etc Christmas Films that feature a great christmas scene (eg: Harry Potter and the Philospher's stone, Bridget Jones...) And then, Movies that you watch at Christmas because of personal association or cinema release (eg: the new Star Wars Trilogy, and for me personally Ferris Bueller)
watched this video literally when it came out and then a has-nothing-to-do-with-christmas-but-has-the-christmas-vibe submission came to me in a dream today: fantastic mr fox. it doesn’t SCREAM christmas but there’s just SOMETHING about the hopeful, family and family in community vibes that whispers christmas tenderly in my ear and i adore it
I keep forgetting about The Holdovers, which is surpising because it stars Paul Giamatti, and I'd watch a movie of him literally reading the phone book. And I have to VEHMENTLY disagree about It's A Wonderful Life not being a Christmas movie. The main plot point of the movie (George Bailey wanting to unalive himself) takes place ON Christmas Eve, and the part about misplacing the money is during Christmas week (like two days before Christmas day)!
There are two brilliant Swedish Christmas movies I’d like to recommend. The first one is only 20 minutes, hand drawn and all about heart-warming Christmas values. It’s called “Sagan om Karl-Bertil Jonssons julafton” (translates to “The tale of Karl-Bertil Jonssons Christmas Eve”) and it’s shown on TV every Christmas eve, which is when we celebrate. The second one is called “Tomten är far till alla barnen” (translates to “Santa is the father of all children”). Live action, chaotic and funny. Both films sit firmly in the first category and are fun, festive and quintessentially Swedish Christmas. Highly recommend a watch (as long as you don’t mind subtitles)!
I don’t have a recommendation for any category except the first. Any of the stop motion Christmas movies, but Santa Claus is Comin to Town is my favorite. They’re so cozy and wholesome and must have taken so much love and care, I just think they’re so amazing to watch.
I don't know why I struggle to find a favourite Christmas movie, let alone a Christmas movie that I remember liking. Christmas themed TV shows or episodes though? Easy. I could think of a few immediately. Not related to Christmas, but has Big Christmas Energy: Living (2022) or Ikiru (1952) (both inspired by Tolstoy's novella The Death of Ivan Ilyich) has that sort of energy or at least inklings of that sort of Christmas vibe.
My favourite movie that fits category 1 is one I rarely see on anyone’s lists, but Arthur Christmas is a yearly go-to for me! Usually put on while I’m making a huge batch of gingerbread :)
I don't know why it started, but I have developed this tradition where I watch a load of war films every December. The old stuffy, black and white ones in particular now just scream Christmas at me. As to what category they fit in, it depends. A film like Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence fits neatly into category 2, but something like Ill Met By Moonlight is a perfect category four. This year I intend to tackle the four hour War And Peace from the fifties, which does involve snow, so it's already part way to category 3.
More Category 4 movies: The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Sister Act. Something about that expanse of old musical movies really sells the Christmas vibe without being about Christmas
I think Paddington! It ends with a snowball fight, but isn't set at Christmas and has such warm, cosy energy that we watch every December!
YES, an excellent suggestion!!
Every time I read the word ‘Christmas’ (which is a lot, I’m a primary school teacher) I hear Camila Cabello saying quizmois and I find that is the real spirit of the season that all ‘Christmas’ movies are lacking
Oh that is SO unfortunate for you!
1. A Charlie Brown Christmas - top tier epitome of Christmas
2. Serendipity -00s cheesy cosiness
3. You’ve Got Mail - allll the festive vibes
4. Groundhog Day - all the snow and fuzzy 90s veneer makes it all cosy and Christmassy
I always watch The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe - it has The Vibes, and Father Christmas is literally in it in one scene. Yeah, he’s giving unaccompanied children weapons and telling them to go fight an evil snow queen, but still. It’s snowy, it’s cosy, it’s incredibly underrated and has a happy ending with a hint of mystery and magic to it - I love it.
I would like to petition that categories 3 and 4 gets a subtitle of “boxing day films”. I think both (but especially 4) are the perfect films to watch on the sofa surrounded by leftovers in that post christmas haze.
Fun fact about christmas movies in other countries:
In Germany, most people watch an old christmas comedy movie by the comedian Loriot, which is "Christmas at the Hoppenstedts". It's kind of a parody of a cozy family christmas. The mother gets horribly drunk with door-to-door-salesmen who try to sell her wine and also a vacuum/hairdryer: "The Heinzelmann sucks and blows where mother can only suck." The grandfather complains that the christmas tree used to have more tinsel, and now every German will quote "Früher war mehr Lametta" (there used to be more Tinsel) when we talk about christmas tree decoration. Also the grandfather gifts his grandchild a playset of an atomic power plant, which blows up and then the little trees fall over and the cow falls over. It is very silly!
This is the kind of fun fact that I absolutely love
Yes! My family always watches Loriot on christmas.
But most of my friends watch '3 Haselnüsse für Aschenbrödel' (loosely based on Cinderella but also very different to the Disney version) and don't even know Christmas with the Hoppenstedts
@@DanLayton May I add another common/traditional Christmas film in Germany which has nothing to with Christmas whatsoever - Drei Haselnüsse für Aschenbrödel (Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella). It's not even a German film, it's Czeckoslovakian originally. For me it truly is *the* one and only winter/Christmas film out there
@@nap5tablookNorway watches it too, it's Tre Nøtter til Askepott here (literally 'Three Nuts for Cinderella' but I usually see it called 'three wishes' in English). The version here has the original audio with a Norwegian narrator dubbed over top of it, like he's reading an audiobook 😂 It's SO chaotic! But Norway loves it so much they made their own version a couple of years ago.
Meet me in St Louis. Not set at Christmas but has the best Christmas scene - Judy Garland singing Have yourself a merry little Christmas ❤
The original Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory epitomises the fourth category for me. Feel like it was always on British telly around that time, and engulfs itself with Christmas spirit despite it not being part of the film at all.
Yep, that absolutely counts
you're so right about the philosophers stone being the christmas hp film!! i think it's how warm most of the shots are, compared to the grunge or darkness of the later films, and the sense of awe from harry experiencing all the magic for the first time. Also it's the only one where Harry doesn't seem to be in direct mortal danger for the whole runtime lol
a muppets' christmas carol is both a proper christmas film and a cinematic masterpiece, thank you michael caine.
and both paddington and paddington 2 are the absolute most not-at-all-about-christmas christmas films
1. A Charlie Brown Christmas, one of my go to movies for Christmas day
2. Gremlins, a delightful little romp
3. When Harry met Sally, I know it feels like a fall movie but we see them getting their trees
4. Monty Python and the Holy grail, my family will watch this movie at any time for any reason. It is so comforting to me and feels incredibly festive.
When Harry Met Sally is a New Year film for me, which both allows and disqualifies it from this categorisation
You sir are, in fact, a genius. These categories make so much sense I can't explain it. I think the 4th category is mostly occupied by older classic comfort movies and they scream Christmas to me, so having someone agree and make a video about it makes me feel validated, so thankyou Dan. Merry Christmas to you
okay doing one for each category: the nightmare before christmas (yes it's great for the halloween aesthetic but it is certainly about christmas), rent (set between christmases really but feels mostly set at christmas), the first toy story (ends at christmas and is all sort of about found family which definitely passes the christmas vibe check), and the sound of music (nothing to do with christmas it just has those cosy family vibes)
May I add to tier 3/4 - mean girls. It has the one jingle bell rock scene and so therefore has become my go to Christmas movie to watch while decorating
I tend not to like most holiday movies but Muppet's Christmas Carol is a masterpiece, I watch it every year
(also I watched the Holdovers last week and am re-watching it tomorrow, it's a wonderful film, I love it a lot)
Ok, I don't have one for every category but here we go...
1. Arthur Christmas
3. The lion the witch and the wardrobe
4. The sound of music
I appreciate you've probably seen all these but they are my top ones 😊
1. Muppets Family Christmas- you can find the whole thing on UA-cam, super festive, lots of carols
2. The Preacher’s Wife - my literal favorite movie, not about Christmas but Christmas is all around and obviously they’re in a church but the film is about the relationship and Christmas/Denzel Washington is the vehicle
3. Stepmom - really a lovely film, heavily features Christmas at the end
4. You nailed it w Wizard of Oz!
Cant pick one for each catagory but just a list of some of my favourite Christmas films that weren't mentioned;
1. Rise of the Guardians (2012) - I always watch this when I start wrapping even though its set at easter
2. Nativity (2009) - Such a dumb little movie that I love with all my heart
3. Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas (1999) - I used to watch this in the back of the car whilst my mum drove my dad to work
4. Arthur Christmas (2011) - One of the best Christmas films ever
5. Krampus (2015) - At exactly midnight on Christmas Eve I watch this film and bake brownies for Christmas morning and I love it.
Arthur Christmas!!! Best Christmas movie and it doesn't get enough recognition
@@EveLaight Literally, I love that film so much
Nativity is my absolute favourite christmas film, it's SO silly and stupid
On one hand I do agree with placing The Holiday in the second category, but on the other, as someone living in the Southern Hemisphere, I will never get over the joy and thrill of having a movie for the festive season that features a non-snowy Christmas.
I would also add While You Were Sleeping to the second category, and You've Got Mail to the third, both of which were on rotation during December when I was a kid and feel very Christmasy to me!
I once watched a Donna Hay Christmas special where she explained that Christmas to her meant friends over in the garden and seafood and I was like “WAIT WHAT”
Breaking Dawn Part 2 has always been a Christmas film for me. There's literally only one scene that features Christmas but the whole end scene in the snow gives me huge festive vibes
My brothers and me always watched the Grinch on VHS in my parents bedroom in the afternoon of Christmas Eve while my parents were preparing everything for the evening (we celebrate on 24th in Germany). When the film was over we were allowed to go downstairs into the main living area and there was the decorated tree and food ready and the presents and everything felt so much more meaningful and magical after having just seen Cindy Loo Who convince the Grinch that he deserves love and the people of Whoville that the most important thing is being with each other.
We can still say every line of that movie with the actors when we watch it now. I think it is Jim Carry’s best performance (together with the Truman show of cause).
Oh that’s a LOVELY story!!!
1. Falling for Christmas - Linsday Lohan and cheese, what's not to love
2. Carol - So. Festive.
3. Edward Scissorhands - My memory always tells me more of this is set at Christmas than it is
4. Wallace and Gromit: A Grand Day Out - I think this only feels festive to me because my Dad would always watch it while making breakfast and listening to Carols from Kings
Also love this taxonomy of Christmas films!!
This video has perfect timing for me. Yesterday I was thinking about how 1991's All I Want for Christmas has been completely forgotten about among Christmas movies.
I find Bridget Jones to be more of a new years film for sure, BUT an honorary mention for your list is The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe! Santa’s even in it👀
1. Santa Buddies - fond memories of watching this in primary school in the scorching heat (🇦🇺)
2. Die Hard. I cannot think of a movie for this one
3. The perks of being a wallflower - has some Christmas scenes but is more about coming of age and heartbreak, though the Christmas parts are integral to the plot from memory.
4. Beethoven/Tinkerbell - both are just Christmas energy and have been watched endlessly at Christmas time
I believe it would be in category 4, but for me one of my favorite movies of all time that I always want to watch around Christmas is Once. It’s a musical set in Ireland about two musicians who happen to meet and spend a weekend recording an album that explores each of their histories with their former partners. Absolutely beautiful film.
I really thought we were going to be getting a Paddington 2 mention in the final category! That film is not only perfection, but just screams cosy, wholesome christmas vibes to me. Though it’s not very old, like you said it felt like a classic from the movement I saw it!
Note, I'm typing this before I watch the video.
Why Die Hard is a Christmas film:
1. Christmas and family are central themes in the film
2. The plot is driven by the Christmas season
3. There's several Christmas themed musical motifs.
That's what I'm saying on the matter
Now having watched the video, I repeat the above points. Personally, to me the recent Paddington films (specifically 2) have Christmas vibes while not having a whole lot to do with the season. Anna and the apocalypse (a Christmas-zombie-coming of age-musical) is set at Christmas, but doesn't have much to do with the season. Tokyo godfathers is a Christmas film through and through, tho the ending doesn't work for me. They're my personal recommendations
1. This is Christmas! I think it only came out last year but it’s so very British and I really love it
2. Struggling to think of one for this, I will maybe edit and come back to it 😂
3. Rise of the guardians! Very underrated gorgeous film where Santa is a character but it’s actually set at Easter ….
4. Any of the Narnia films always feel very Christmassy to me
About Time? I cannot remember at all if this features Christmas but it definitely embodies the bringing family together and being grateful for what you have vibes
i havent watched that many christmas movies so this vid will come in handy. what i do watch a lot is doctor who and doctor who's christmas specials are usually exceptional. fun stories, the comfort of domesticity, the fun of sci-fi and adventures, beautiful beautiful scenes that get to the core of the meaning of christmas. merry christmas and thank for the movies
I don’t even watch Doctor Who on the regular but I absolutely sit down for the specials!!
1. Nativity
2. Last Christmas
3. Rise of the Guardians
4. Paddington
I FEEL VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS:
Most underrated Christmas movie- “I’ll be home for Christmas” starring Jessica biel and Johnathon Taylor Thomas.
It’s everything you would want in a Christmas film!!
Set at Christmas, about Christmas - Muppets Christmas Carol
Set at Christmas, not about Christmas - Nightmare before Christmas
Not set at Christmas but heavily featuring a Christmas Scene- About a boy (one of my faves pls watch)
Heavy Christmas energy- Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion, the Witch & the wardrobe- I think it’s the snow
Firstly, thank you for timing your uploads to coincide with my mental breakdowns, it's very considerate. Secondly, as someone who is doing a million christmas lessons over these two weeks and has been putting off finding movie trailers thank you for giving me a good list!
also WAIT SINCE WHEN HAS THE END CARD CHANGED
for some reason, shaun of the dead is a christmas film to me! something about a group of people coming together to help eachother in a time of need. you remove zombies and add one snowflake and its s christmas film
The Sound of Music definitely fits the 4th category. In my memories it's always on tv around Christmas time but it doesn't feature a Christmas scene I don't think. The same can be said for Sissi (but don't quote me on that)
A Christmas film that features Christmas is the animated film Klaus. This one made me cry, adore it so much
As someone who doesn't like Christmas (it's complicated) I don't really watch many Christmas movies.
But the two I have are one that reminds me of a time before I didn't like the festive season and one that made me recontextualise and reconsider my stance towards it.
Those are The Santa Clause (Tim Allen, 90's) which is surprisingly dark when you look at the themes.
And Spirited with Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell. That movie made me realise that I can find some enjoyment whilst looking at A Christmas Carol in a new light.
But I've started a new tradition of Christmas specials from TV shows I love to help me through the season so Doctor Who, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Vicar of Dibley, Blackadder and of course Goes Wrong Show (if you don't know what it is check it out, you won't regret it) 🙂
The Vicar of Dibley special is an absolute masterpiece. Both the lunch incident and the nativity they do. What a god tier show
some how missed the notification for this video...only like 5 seconds in, and it's already a WHOLE VIBE. my husband and i also only decorated the front of our tree under the assumption that no one would see it. luckily our tree is placed in the corner.
Can’t believe ‘Chicken Run’ didn’t make the Big Christmas Energy list! It’s been on telly at Christmas time every year for at least the last ten years, and this year the sequel has been released on Netflix at Christmas!
ETA my list:
1. Miracle on 34th Street (the 1994 one)
2. A Muppet Christmas Carol (or would that be category 1?)
3. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
4. Chicken Run (obviously)
the absolute best christmas movie to me is a dutch classic called "Abeltje", it's about a kid who goes on a whole bunch of adventures in a flying elevator, it has christmas in new york and a lavishly decorated warehouse, it's cosy and comforting and absolutely hogwild insane
love this!
1. arthur christmas
2. die hard (can’t believe there’s not more discourse on which category this is in)
2. Emma (2020 version) or the lion the witch and the wardrobe
4. the 2003 live action peter pan is so christmassy for me, and like harry potter it’s usually on itv around christmas
'there's the bird lady...that's friends with all the birds'
Tell me when I’m telling lies
We just came out of Cineworld watching Wonka! Felt Christmassy with the snowy winter weather. Loved it. Cinema at this time of year is the best. ❤
Also totally agree on Home Alone 2 being better!!!
Wonka has SERIOUS Category Four potential! I think we’re gonna try and catch it tomorrow evening so I’ll let you know what I think!!
Dan making regular content? I am SO here for it!
Ooh a personal one to add to tier 4 is mamma Mia. We bought it one year for mum at Christmas and made the whole extended family watch it. Christmas is the main memory I attach to that movie and I think the Greek beach vibes work festively for me because Australian Christmas is hot and spent at the beach
I was about to recoil in horror at the idea of Mamma Mia as festive until you pointed out your antipodean persuasion 😅
Genuinely love watching your videos. It's like listening to a friend. Tried to not pick any you mentioned.
Klaus for Christmas film about Christmas that's based at Christmas.
Set at Christmas but not about Christmas. Die hard
Not set at Christmas heavily featuring Christmas: the lion the witch and wardrobe. Has father Christmas in but technically set in summer.
Hmm willy wonka for Christmas film that's not Christmas related but feels Christmas can't quite remember if Charlie gets the chocolate bar for Christmas. If that don't work Mary Poppins.
Challenge accepted. My four for this year
Set & about: Muppets Christmas Carol
Set & not about: Edward Scissorhands
Not set, but feature: Klaus (might be cheating, but like BJD it’s set over the year)
Just Vibes: Groundhog Day
Oh the new Wonka movie definitley fits in the last category for me. I've just watched it in the cinema last week and it felt like an instant christmas classic. Something about it just felt very cosy.
My parents and I have a tradition of going to the cinema on Christmas Eve. I'm 25 and live in a different city, but it's still going strong! Doesn't feel like Christmas without it
Loved this!! Little Women firmly sits where you placed it, but I think has always felt extra Christmassy to me because the first word of the book is literally Christmas and that opening scene (placed later in Gerwig's version) was so iconic in my childhood.
All extremely correct opinions. HOWEVER, if memory serves, all the films in the Harry Potter franchise were Christmassy releases in Australia, (we were very behind) so they transport me to the festive season too. None more than Philosopher's Stone though, I'll give you that.
Well, they all came out in the summer here, so that absolutely does scan! They WOULD have been Winter releases for you!!
Philosophers stone is TOTALLY a christmas movie!! I'm so glad to have that acknowledged here, haha 😂
The fact that The Nativity (2009) wasn’t in this video is the only thing I disagree with buuuuut fuckin awesome video Dan. Love it. ❤
I have watched Nightmare Before Christmas every year right before the Christmas festivities really kick in. This year, my local cinema (where I also used to work) was showing it in 3D a few weeks ago. I went by myself, bought myself a nice festive drink to go with the film, and loved every second of it! Something about seeing a well-loved film (stop-motion at that) in 3D really made it come to life in such a new way! Was so much fun!
Next week I'm going to see The Boy And The Heron, which will likely always remind me of Christmas given both the time of year and the general Ghibli vibe, so can totally understand your category!
Also definitely going to try and catch Elf in the cinema before Christmas
Hope you have a lovely festive time!x
my mom allllways made Meet Me in St. Louis our Christmas movie, absoLUTely fits the bill of "not about christmas, but heavily features a scene." i believe there's sort of seasonal vignettes throughout? and there's a whoooole big christmas to-do + have yourself a merry little christmas :')
1. the santa clause - my absolute most favourite christmas movie and imo is one of the most christmassy movies out there
2. single all the way - a recent addition to my christmas movie rotation but i absolutely adore it and its filled with tropes, romance and all that good stuff
3. i can't actually think of one for this category so i'll join you in saying harry potter
4. rise of the guardians - this has all the makings of a christmas film and despite santa being in it it's got nothing to do with christmas. its one of my all time favourite movies but i only watch it at christmas bc the vibes are too strong
Not in any way related to Christmas but have Christmas energy: Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I don't know how to explain it, it might just be the toymakers and toys and sweets and magic and family-vibe/childhoodness and songs? But we will always watch those to wrap Christmas presents with :)
1. Home Alone (No need to explain why)
2. Die Hard (Having seen it recently, it really isn't about Christmas. But it happens on Christmas so I can understand why people watch it around this time.
3. Toy Story (the final scene takes place on Christmas.)
4. Any Aardman Project (I feel like you could put any animated movie in this section but Aardman for me just remind me of Christmas the most.)
Making a comment just based off the thumbnail, because I'm that person apparently - I think, at this point, people are so desperate to find a good Christmas film that everything set in winter will do
Okay, gonna watch the rest now 😅
You’ll be surprised to learn that is PRECISELY my theory of the case!
Lovely speech at the end Dan 😊
Definitely agree with Wizard of Oz!
Set at Christmas but not about Christmas would be "In Bruges" for me.
And "Christmas feeling" I spose is one we watch every year "Chalet Girl" with Felicity Jones. Set at a ski resort so all snowy. Cheesy, feel good, cringey at times. Definitely Christmasy
It's wild hearing Dan's classic Christmas vibes of snow and fire and warm when Aussie Christmases usually involve swimming and sweating like mad
1: "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" with Jim Carrey is def a fav in this category for me (I quite liked Benedict Cumberbatch's as well)
2: "Just Friends" is the #1 favorite for my husband and i-it is obviously very christmasy and takes place prominately AT christmas, but for me, i think the story very easily could have been written for any time of year
3: "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" 100% has the most christmas vibes and is just peak "christmas, but not really"
4: i really struggled to figure this one out, but i think "The Lego Batman Movie" fits into this category for me. i haven't seen it in AGES but remember it fondly. my family has several compounding inside jokes that made this movie so perfect the first time we watched it, it just gives off "chilling with the family" vibes, and with all of us living so far apart nowadays the christmas season is really the only time of the year for those vibes. i might just have to convince everyone to watch it when we get together this year...
Dan you are well and truly earing your "truth" moniker with this one.
For me nothing beats those old old Rankin / Bass films. I could happily watch those every year no complaints just genuine excitement.
I have been thinking about this for two days straight and I have come to the conclusion that my perfect example of category four is Mary Poppins - I don't even think it's set in winter but it just feels so christmassy
Category 4: chitty chitty bang bang. I dont remember any christmas scene at all but without fail we watch it every year during the festive period
Oliver Twist and the sound of music do it for me. I also love the gruffalo adaptations etc- nostalgic (therefore, festive) x
(In your order) March Of The Wooden Soldiers, The Lion In Winter, Holiday Inn, Edward Scissorhands
My unhinged Christmas movie series not at all related to Christmas is the Fast and Furious franchise. I don’t even mean that it has Christmas vibes-it’s just that it’s about family and me, my dad, and my sister have loved binging them together at Christmas bc we were together
This is my first Christmas that I'll most likely be spending alone. I moved to another country at the beginning of this year and idk when/if I'll be going home (England is too bloody expensive). I've never been that big on Christmas but there is something to be said for the comfort it adds to an imo truly miserable portion of the year. Hopefully whacking on a couple of these films this weekend might bring some of that comforting feeling back. Also Little Women is definitely a Christmas film for me!
You're pretty much hit all my go to Christmas movies.
One that's dear to my heart is Anna and the apocalypse. It's an acquired taste but zombie Christmas musical.
For the last category in Australia while I was growing up they always showed Cheaper by the dozen and the national lampoon's vacation movies leading up to Christmas and over the summer holidays so now I associated them with Christmas time and the family still watched them to this day in the lead up to Christmas. Plus they're all about family and getting together
Absolutely love the opinionated and passionate energy 😜🤩🤌 The tree in the background is just a delight btw 🎄
My addition to category 3 is Ballet Shoes - not really about Christmas but much Christmas energy and there is a scene from my memory
Think you're missing a step between Christmas and Christmas-adjacent. The first two categories are Christmas Films™️ and watching them at any other time of year can only be a cry for help. The second two are big vibes✨ when watched at Christmas but are also granted autonomy in the other 11 months of the year
1. Home Alone 1 and 2, and I think I agree with you that 2 is better if for no other reason than I love the pigeon lady
2. Die Hard, which I still can probably argue could go in category 1 but I digress
3. Philosophers Stone, definitely the only Potter film that strictly fits in this category - helped by the fact that it is the most family friendly of them all
Being from Australia and therefore associate Christmas with having a little less snow, I do mostly have faves that fit in category 4
4. Bugsy Malone, a favourite movie of my family that was always special as a kid because of the awe of watching a movie with only kids in it - and also desperately wanting a fancy pedal car for Christmas
4. Red Dog, a classic Australian film based on a true story that is very much a tearjerker
4. The Blues Brothers, probably the only thing Christmassy about it is the nun - I think mostly a Christmas film for me because I like to watch it with all my family and the easiest time to do that is at Christmas
Thanks for the video! The categories make it a lot easier trying to explain my odd not-really Christmas movies❤
The one film from your list I've gotta watch is Singing in the Rain - which if I have watched before I do not remember it but it does seem like something I would love!
i'm scared of the cinema and never understand how people enjoy it,, yet DJL somehow makes it seem so magical,, i wish i could enjoy it
anyways,, for me christmas is always the snowman films
In the US, one of the most popular in category of “takes place at Christmas but is not about Christmas” (and yet people watch it at Christmas and debate online if it counts as a Christmas film) is definitely ‘Die Hard’ 😂
Decided to read the Christmas edition of the Radio Times while watching this. A perfect combo!
Just realized I haven't watched a Christmas film yet this season. Going to watch home alone 2 immediately after this (the far superior home alone)
Todd Haynes' Carol has become a Christmas staple for me. It's not the holiday's until I've seen it once. Warm, romantic, cozy and sensual. Not just New York at Christmas, 1950s New York at Christmas!
It's also one you don't (or at least I didn't) clock that it's Christmas film until halfway through and realize "Oh! The title's a pun!"
But yeah, a must watch every year.
set at christmas about christmas -- white christmas
set at christams not about christmas -- die hard
big christmas energy -- cinderella man
Honestly, your argument for Singing in the Rain and Wizard of Oz is why I consider the 1968 Oliver a Christmas film, it's just a comforting film
meet me in st. louis is a christmas day film for me! we always stick it on just after we open presents. judy garland is talking about an easter fair for the entire duration of the film but that doesn’t make it any less festive…
if you haven’t seen it i highly recommend you do, the grandfather in it wears a fez all the time and is absolutely adorable
And it’s been given extra Christmas Film credence because it’s the gift Louise gives Carrie in the first Sex and the City movie 💚
can’t believe i’ve been subscribed to you for this long and still haven’t watched the sex and the city movie. feel free to block if this is triggering information
not set at christmas but has a christmas scene :D love the 90s classic "while you were sleeping" it's got a christmas scene where sandra bullock is just sat around her fiancés family, happy and soaking it all in. makes me feel so festive!
1. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
2. White Christmas
3. Meet Me in St Louis
4. Swing Time
I reread Little Women every year around Christmas because I associate it with the season. I’ve done this since I was a child, even though it’s not a Christmas book 😂
Now Dan, me and my Uncle have this conversation every year, and we have our own catergories that line up with yours.
We have:
Christmas films that DON'T MAKE SENSE without Christmas and are just about Christmas in general (eg: Elf, the Santa Clauses, The Grinch, Arthur Christmas, Nativity)
Christmas films that are undeniably Christmassy, but could be replaced with a different celebration, or have the holiday taken out completely
eg: (and people will argue) Die Hard could be an office birthday party or New Years or Halloween etc
Christmas Films that feature a great christmas scene (eg: Harry Potter and the Philospher's stone, Bridget Jones...)
And then, Movies that you watch at Christmas because of personal association or cinema release (eg: the new Star Wars Trilogy, and for me personally Ferris Bueller)
watched this video literally when it came out and then a has-nothing-to-do-with-christmas-but-has-the-christmas-vibe submission came to me in a dream today: fantastic mr fox. it doesn’t SCREAM christmas but there’s just SOMETHING about the hopeful, family and family in community vibes that whispers christmas tenderly in my ear and i adore it
I can’t believe we missed out Miracle on 34th Street (1994) and the Polar Express! Classic Christmas staples
Matilda is definitely a category 4 Christmas film to me (bc i cant remember any Christmas scenes but its been a while so i might be wrong)
Agree with everything, adding The Wrong trousers to the fourth category though
I keep forgetting about The Holdovers, which is surpising because it stars Paul Giamatti, and I'd watch a movie of him literally reading the phone book.
And I have to VEHMENTLY disagree about It's A Wonderful Life not being a Christmas movie. The main plot point of the movie (George Bailey wanting to unalive himself) takes place ON Christmas Eve, and the part about misplacing the money is during Christmas week (like two days before Christmas day)!
one for each category: A) Jingle all the way, B) Red, C) The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, D) Pitch Perfect.
There are two brilliant Swedish Christmas movies I’d like to recommend. The first one is only 20 minutes, hand drawn and all about heart-warming Christmas values. It’s called “Sagan om Karl-Bertil Jonssons julafton” (translates to “The tale of Karl-Bertil Jonssons Christmas Eve”) and it’s shown on TV every Christmas eve, which is when we celebrate. The second one is called “Tomten är far till alla barnen” (translates to “Santa is the father of all children”). Live action, chaotic and funny. Both films sit firmly in the first category and are fun, festive and quintessentially Swedish Christmas. Highly recommend a watch (as long as you don’t mind subtitles)!
My Christmas Energy films: Mary Poppins, Annie, Oliver, Sound of Music. My "have to watch every year to get in the Xmas spirit" film: The Holiday 😍
I don’t have a recommendation for any category except the first. Any of the stop motion Christmas movies, but Santa Claus is Comin to Town is my favorite. They’re so cozy and wholesome and must have taken so much love and care, I just think they’re so amazing to watch.
I don't know why I struggle to find a favourite Christmas movie, let alone a Christmas movie that I remember liking.
Christmas themed TV shows or episodes though? Easy. I could think of a few immediately.
Not related to Christmas, but has Big Christmas Energy: Living (2022) or Ikiru (1952) (both inspired by Tolstoy's novella The Death of Ivan Ilyich) has that sort of energy or at least inklings of that sort of Christmas vibe.
My favourite movie that fits category 1 is one I rarely see on anyone’s lists, but Arthur Christmas is a yearly go-to for me! Usually put on while I’m making a huge batch of gingerbread :)
I don't know why it started, but I have developed this tradition where I watch a load of war films every December. The old stuffy, black and white ones in particular now just scream Christmas at me. As to what category they fit in, it depends. A film like Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence fits neatly into category 2, but something like Ill Met By Moonlight is a perfect category four. This year I intend to tackle the four hour War And Peace from the fifties, which does involve snow, so it's already part way to category 3.