The Evolution of Christmas Movies
The day after Thanksgiving marks the beginning of Christmas and Holiday movie marathons. Holiday films are an integral part of Christmas; they help set the tone for the holidays, foster community, and provide humor, warmth, and comfort during these cold winter months. Over the years, we have seen quite a transformation in holiday films, from the first-holiday film, a silent British film titled Santa Claus (1898), directed by George Albert Smith, to the action-packed Violent Night (2022) that reimagines Santa Claus as a gritty, action-hero protector, holiday films are ever-evolving. Over the years, Christmas movies have seen significant changes, so let’s take a moment to explore how the genre has evolved.
The wholesome, timeless classics like the 1951 version of A Christmas Carol, known as Scrooge, and 1994’s Miracle on 34th Street, reinforced belief in the spirit of Christmas, Santa, and magic, the importance of kindness and community. These films have become cherished traditions for families across generations.
The 1980s was an experimental time for Christmas movies. We got A Christmas Story (1983), where the main character Ralphie’s desperate wish for a Red Ryder BB gun and all the hilarious chaos that comes with it, feels like a more contemporary depiction of family holidays. Also, In the 1980s, studios realized that Christmas movies weren’t just for kids; adults loved them too. This sparked a wave of films across different genres incorporating Christmas themes or using the holiday as a backdrop to add a festive energy. Action-packed hits like Die Hard and Lethal Weapon, spooky favorites like Gremlins, and edgy comedies like Scrooged all emerged during this period.
By the late 20th century, holiday films began to embrace humor and chaos, appealing to audiences of all ages. We got Home Alone (1990), where an 8-year-old outsmarts two burglars with a house full of traps. As years passed, they incorporated humor, romance, and even cynicism. Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001) offered a cozy, relatable glimpse into single life during the holidays, while Love Actually (2003) weaved together multiple love stories, each exploring connection and vulnerability during winter. But if sweet and sentimental isn’t your thing, Bad Santa (2003) flipped the genre on its head. It’s crude, it’s messy, and it’s hilarious. In this dark comedy, the crotchety Willie T. Stokes (Billy Bob Thornton) and his partner (Tony Cox) reunite once a year for a holiday con. Posing as a mall Santa and his elf, they rip off shopping outlets on Christmas Eve.
By the 2010s, Christmas movies had taken an interesting turn, skyrocketing their popularity. When talking about Christmas movies, we must mention the iconic “Hallmark Christmas Movie.” Hallmark Christmas films became a massive cultural phenomenon. Viewers craving Christmas movies embraced them despite their low budgets and often over-the-top or predictable storylines. These films have a unique charm. Their cheesiness and simplicity are part of what makes them so great.
More recently, holiday films have pushed boundaries, blending traditional themes with unexpected genres. Krampus (2015) brought the horror of European folklore to the big screen, offering a darkly humorous take on the season. Violent Night (2022), a group of criminals storms a wealthy family's compound on Christmas Eve, taking everyone hostage. But things take an unexpected turn when Santa Claus, who's in the middle of delivering presents, ends up at the house. When the family’s young child calls out for help, Santa shifts gears, going from jolly to vengeful.
Lastly, we have the movie Nutcrackers, starring Ben Stiller. Although this isn’t a rambunctious, violent comedy or a horror movie, this modern Christmas film follows four siblings who find a loving shelter in unexpected circumstances. This movie mixes comedy and drama, melting together the serious and sobering aspects of life with the chaotic and humorous aspects of the holiday season.
Of course, holiday movies aren’t complete without a touch of Christmas music, as seen in Unlikely Angel (1996), streaming on TheArchive. This film stars the lovely Dolly Parton and follows a lounge singer, Ruby Diamond, who is killed in a car crash, St. Peter denies her entrance into Heaven because of the selfish way in which she had lived her life. For penance, she must reunite a family by finding a mother for two children and their widowed father. This leads to hilarious misunderstandings as the sassy Ruby struggles to complete her task before the Christmas deadline. the film delivers a cozy, uplifting mix of humor, charm, and holiday magic as warm as a cup of hot chocolate.
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TheArchive channel is dedicated to aficionados and lovers of story, craft, and silver screen fun – streaming rare, retro, and restored films and classic TV. From indies and series, to Oscar winning documentaries, unearthed MOWs, and a killer horror library, TheArchive delivers forgotten, never-before-seen gems for free and many in 4K. Marilyn, Karloff, and Orson Welles stream alongside Reese, Keanu, and Samuel L. Jackson. Find true stories of Queen, Hendrix, and Sinatra, an LGBTQ library, MLK bios, and world history docs. TheArchive has the movies and shows you either saw, should’ve seen, or should be watching now!
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