Everyone has a favourite Christmas film, weather you’re into action thriller, fantasy or a warm family comedy there’s a film for everyone at Christmas.
Of course, the best Christmas film is a completely personal preference, you may love ‘Elf’ as that’s what you grew up watching or ‘It’s a wonderful life’ as it reminds you of Christmas with your grandparents.
Critics have said that the perfect Christmas film must include these few things for it to automatically be a Christmas hit:
- Nostalgia and Christmas traditions– This is a theme which is fundamental for a family Christmas film, if done correctly it evokes a sense of emotional connection to the holiday season that can only be felt from the innocence childhood. A perfect example of this is in the movie ‘Home Alone’(1990), the tacky 1990s culture in the pre-digital age warms people’s hearts every year. We see Kevin McCallister left alone in his family home just before Christmas. We watch as Kevin left to his own devices, bounce on his parent’s bed, eating junk food and play around house. Audiences love this as it is exactly what most children would do when left home alone and its uplifting to watch.
- Iconic Christmas moments- This includes Christmas tree’s decorations and well-loved Christmas songs to create the visuals of the film, depending on the plot/genre if the film this is either amplified or toned down to fit the style. Family moments throughout the film are relatable to audiences as that is what Christmas is all about. Funny family sequences in a film can help make the film memorable to audiences which keeps viewers coming back every year!
- A heart-warming message- Christmas is considered a time to be joyous and merry to everyone we meet. A heart-warming message would draw in the audiences. The perfect Christmas film would include goodwill and kindness, “It’s a Wonderful life” (1946) has a gorgeous message of not comparing yourself to others and to realise your blessings. This would remind audiences to look around their own lives and realise how lucky they are, and to sympathise with those who have less around the holidays.
In the final analysis, the best Christmas film will simply be the film the incorporates elements that resonate with your personal Christmas experiences.