As families wind down this holiday season, the same warm feeling swarms the air as they bundle up and watch their favorite holiday movie. Snow falling and tree lights flickering, the cinematic masterpieces that shaped everyone’s childhoods begin the season once again.
These seasonal films do more than just fill the room with background noise; they can lock in the holiday spirit everyone yearns for. They set the tone for the season of gift-giving, unconditional joy, and bringing people together.
While this season approaches, most families run to the same classic movies; however, some feel like other underrated movies do just the same magic. Kinnelon High School sophomore Emanuel Zapata says, “It’s a Wonderful Life is one of my family’s favorite holiday movies, and I feel like it does not get enough attention as it deserves.”
Even though some of these movies are not watched as consistently, they can still hold as a long-lasting tradition for some families. Senior Jacaline Lally says, “My family always gets together to watch A Charlie Brown Christmas, which is not a very popular movie anymore, but it brings our family together around the holidays.” For some households, these quieter classics help create a unique, meaningful way to celebrate Christmas.
Beyond simple entertainment, holiday movies help set traditions, create nostalgia, and create many shared moments between friends and family. Many of these familiar movies can also bring a sense of togetherness around the holidays. Whether it is a classic animated remake or a modern favorite, these films anchor the season with a sense of happiness that returns every year.
Holiday movies also influence the way audiences think and feel about the season. Junior Alex DeAngelo says, “Christmas movies make me feel like the holiday spirit is ten times more present, especially while we have school before break or when we have the occasional snow day.” They can define the cultural expectations and create a snowy and magical visual for all ages to enjoy.
Kinnelon High School teacher Anthony Colabella says, “I think the newer holiday movies are cheesy, and they don’t make it realistic in the way they used to. It’s almost like a fairytale, and it does not bring the same holiday magic it used to.” The newer movies tend to reflect how people see holidays today, focusing on more relatable challenges and blending the chaos and celebration in a very different way than the old movies.
Christmas movies have been in the making for dozens of years and have held a high standard of how people should feel around the holidays. Over time, their themes and plotlines have shifted along with the audiences watching them. Older movies often center on the family magic and the overall theme of Christmas; however, some of the newer films don’t capture that magic and focus more on modern dynamics.
