[avar]

This is only an argument because of different ways of defining what a "Christmas movie" is, which aren't mutually exclusive:

a) Whether the movie is unambiguously set during Christmas, and if so whether that's clearly an artistic choice, or as much of a coincidence as a movie that has nothing to do with the weather being set in the summer or winter.

b) Whether the movie is aimed at the "Christmas movie market". I.e. released around Christmas, this'll usually coincide with a movie being more Christmas themed.

The article weaves between criteria that'll fall under one or the other, without ever really acknowledging the difference between the two.

Die Hard meets a) but not b), but the article doesn't mention whether or not skipping b) was intended.

The studio had a hard time casting the protagonist. Was it initially meant for a Christmas release, but ended up slipping into July without the script being changed to de-Christmas theme it?

More importantly, is there a reason to avoid b) without a)? Do mildly Christmas-themed movies such as Die Hard (it's not integral to the plot) get penalized in the market as a result? Why don't we see more of them?

[cptaj]

Also C: Its a christmas movie if we all decide it is.

If it becomes one more of the christmas-centric traditions, then it becomes a christmas movie.

[toyg]

This is the correct answer. It's why people look for chocolate eggs left by a rabbit when they are supposedly celebrating the death and resurrection of the son of god, or why kids get gifts from a old obese man when they are supposedly celebrating the birth of that same godly spawn - rationalisations were innested on activities that people already enjoyed for one reason or another.

People turn things into traditions simply because they like doing them with some fixed cadence. The rationalisations tend to flow in later.

[reaperducer]

Exactly. As the author noted, "Jingle Bells" was originally a Thanksgiving song before popular culture started associating it with Christmas.

If "Die Hard" becomes a Christmas movie over time, it's a thing that happens. People are messy. Societies of people, exponentially so.

[TeMPOraL]

Yup.

In Poland, this makes Home Alone and Die Hard both Christmas movies. Ever since I was a kid, I remember both being on TV during Christmas days. Hell, people actually made quite a large uproar couple years ago, when the TV station showing Home Alone decided not to show it on Christmas, and AFAIR they eventually changed the programming to keep it.

[isostatic]

Great Escape is a Christmas movie to me, it was always on around Christmas or new year as a kid.

[rzzzt]

Italia 1 shows "Trading Places" each year in Italy: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086465/trivia?item=tr2330606

[dylan604]

C) Christmas movies can also be a theme where some moral achievement occurs that is in the spirit of Christmas. Scrooge realizes being an asshat is not a good way to live his life, or realizing that your presence in the world has definite impact on the lives of other people a la Miracle on 34th St, etc. Kids movies usually involve being good so Santa will bring presents. There's also the family coming together (whether that's good or bad, but still overcomes to good).

The conversations I've had about this with people that do not think Die Hard movies are usually based on this more than a release date or a winter time setting using Xmas deco in the movie. They don't know that's what they are getting at, but it's what I've come up with to explain it.

[cnasc]

> Do mildly Christmas-themed movies such as Die Hard (it's not integral to the plot)

The plot of the movie would have to be changed substantially if it didn't take place at Christmas, so I think it is integral to the plot.

[toast0]

The plot would have to change, but very little of importance. Instead of an evening Christmas party, it could have been an evening party celebrating the opening of the building. And don't write ho ho ho on the terrorist you put in the elevator. Done.

[cnasc]

It stains my credulity to think he would fly cross-country just for an office opening party

[porpoisely]

Those are excellent points, but keep in mind that a lot of people define christmas movie as something that both adults and children can watch together. So that makes die hard a hard sell for a lot of families.

For me, any movie set in or around christmas qualifies as a christmas movie and my favorite christmas movies are "die hard", "home alone 1 and 2" and "scrooged". They all represent the redeeming christmas spirit in their own unique way.

[klyrs]

> Those are excellent points, but keep in mind that a lot of people define christmas movie as something that both adults and children can watch together

Rare Exports is undeniably a Christmas movie. One that you should definitely watch, but only after the little ones have gone to bed.

[naasking]

Good example. Also, Bad Santa.

[klyrs]

Okay okay, I saw that name in another comment... but now I'll seek it out 'cause I know you've seen Rare Exports and that's still your favorite.

[naasking]

I think you confused me for another poster, but it is a good movie if you enjoy dark humour.