The holiday season is filled with all manner of traditions. One of the most universal are the holiday flicks that people watch year after year. Movies may come in all shapes and sizes, but during the final month of the year, there is a uniformity to them. Here is a list of Christmas classic friendly genres.
Horror
A man wearing red who is an expert at home invasion keeps a list of who he feels is naughty and nice. Those on his list get what they deserve. It does not take much imagination to see the creepy implications in Christmas. These movies also are a fun take on what is supposed to be the happiest time of year.
Recent example: Krampus
Romantic Comedy
An argument can be made rom-coms are more popular around Christmas than they are during Valentine’s Day. Hallmark even has an entire channel devoted to these types of movies. People love to watch starstruck lovers coming together around Christmas. These movies have been around since the earliest days of film and won’t be going away anytime soon.
Favorite example Love, Actually
Family comedy
The holidays are a time for many people to come together with their families and laugh. Family comedies take this premise and push it to the extreme. They also give people the chance to sit around and watch a movie together and say, “Hey! That is just like Uncle Jack!” or “I’m sure glad we’re not that family!”
Obvious example: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Returning home
This is something of a cheat since this is not so much a genre as an idea. Plus, this idea can fit into a number of genres. The point is, no matter the type of film, there are common plot points. Person goes to see odd/estranged family for the holidays. Secrets are revealed, confessions are made, and a lesson is learned. Most importantly, the audience should be taught a lesson about Christmas and family.
Obvious example: Home for the Holidays
Action
Die Hard may be the one that is the subject of debates, but there are plenty of action movies that are set around Christmas. Just ask Shane Black. Lethal Weapon, The Long Kiss Goodnight and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang are all set during the holidays. Even the Caped Crusader got in on the holiday fun with 1992’s Batman Returns.
Non Die Hard Example: Die Hard 2
Not a Christmas movie, but lots of the genres
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