’Tis a night in December when outside your house, the blustery wind is too cold for even a mouse. You think of going out to shovel some snow, but instead sit on your couch to watch a television show. Scrolling through Netflix and Hulu with hot chocolate in hand, you take off your fluffy blanket and begin to stand. As you search your home for an old Christmas DVD, you wonder, “Why do classic holiday films bring people so much glee?”
According to Entertainment Weekly, 110 new Christmas movies were released during 2024, yet on their list of the top 20 best holiday movies, only 2 films younger than 20 years old were included. The oldest film included on the list, It’s A Wonderful Life, was released in 1946 and received first place. Clearly, there is something to be said about the cinematography and nostalgic feel of older generations and the way they celebrate Christmas.
But why are viewers of all ages drawn to holiday stories from decades before their time? Even films embedded with outdated, obscure references continue to be viewed and enjoyed by younger audiences. Despite appearing as a seemingly abstract phenomenon, the common connections across many classic films make the reasoning behind their popularity all the more understandable.
All classic Christmas movies, without a doubt, have a heartfelt plotline that keeps viewers, of all ages, engaged in its family-oriented moments. It’s A Wonderful Life, for example, tells the story of a depressed family man who learns how the world would have changed without his presence, leaving audiences with a feeling of gratitude for the family members who may frequently be taken for granted in their everyday lives.
Even the 1965 version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which was ranked fifth by Entertainment Weekly, provides an indescribably bittersweet feeling that is often masked by the strange concept of a green gift thief. Through the realizations of the Grinch and Whoville’s recovery from the loss of their holiday decorations, viewers are encouraged to consider their materialistic tendencies and question why they ever wanted presents in the first place.
Audiences not only enjoy a heartwarming storyline that is easy to root for, but also relatable characters who develop into profound, reflective individuals by the end of the film. In addition to the Grinch, Walter Hobbs from Elf and Scott Calvin from The Santa Clause are also Scrooge-like protagonists who are originally unwilling to embrace the spirit of Christmas, but have a change of heart after learning from their clever children during the holiday season. Although most holiday film enthusiasts aren’t pessimists down on their luck, they are still able to see themselves in characters enlightened by the spirits of those surrounding them. Films like Elf, or even Home Alone, may feature more comically fantastical plotlines, but still resonate with viewers through their depictions of characters capable of redeeming themselves during the holidays.
The qualities shared by numerous classic holiday films not only justify their popularity, but also shed light on timeless values held by generations. So maybe viewers don’t actually want lavish gifts wrapped in bows beneath a Christmas tree, but instead yearn for personal growth and heartfelt moments during the most wonderful time of the year.