Holiday movies have long been a staple of the entertainment landscape, providing audiences with warmth, love, and many holiday traditions. Over the years, our family friendly and loving movies that would bring nostalgia have all transformed significantly from classics to modern skits that now are reflections of societal changes. Hitting the mid 20th century cute animated series and Christmas specials were seen and took nice innocent forms for all children and family. A popular family favorite is “Charlie Brown Christmas” (1965). To this day, they are seen as a new family favorite to all across the world, simply using animation that still resonates and brings smiles to everyone’s faces.
There’s a change from the golden era (aka classic charm), to the 1990s (wit and style), to the 2000s (inclusivity and reruns).
Classic Charm is presented within the 1930s to the 1960s this is where cinema of animation was at its peak. Holiday cinema rooted here (the early 20th century) popular movies such as “Miracle on 34th Street” (1947) and “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946) created a tone for so-called “classic” holiday movies. Many and most of these movies were heartwarming and sentimental, capturing all the love and festivities Christmas spirit can bring to families and loved ones. This was particularly because this captures “post-war America.”
The 80s and 90s signified a shift in the movie making industry.
Red, White, and Blue (American) society came to an uproar, becoming more diverse and open to differences culturally and with self expression. There was more comedy and different tones seen in Christmas films which created a broader range to not only ideas for the future, but current emotions and experiences while watching the traditional Christmas movies.
The 2000s is where it gets snappy and spicier with the range of Christmas themes and topics related to the film industry.
Movies such as “The Polar Express” (2004) captured a new viewpoint, motion capture and new visuals brought into the film industry with a new technological breakthrough and many were in awe of this depiction of holiday spirit brought by this movie. Then, the movie “The Holiday” (2006) came out which blended christmas cheer and romance which explored love and friendship bringing a feel good sentimental tone.
A very familiar favorite, “Elf” (2003), came out starring Will Ferell bringing a new perspective of Christmas cheer a quirky and over the top humor providing a reshaping to the landscape of christmas movies and christmas joy where to this day the quote “He’s An Angry Elf” still resonates and is used on many occasions.
Needless to say, no matter what holiday movie you choose, the joy of togetherness and being brought together with your family will always have lasting imprints and memories.