A Christmas movie doesn’t have to be a Christmas movie to be a Christmas movie. Confused yet? The point we’re trying to get across is that the plot of a film doesn’t have to be directly related to Christmas for it to be the perfect holiday season watch. After all, some of our favorite Christmas movies don’t take place at the North Pole, have nothing to do with Santa Claus and don’t feature a single elf as a main character. In our eyes, for a film to be considered a Christmas film, all it really needs is to be holiday adjacent. Here, take a look at our favorite Christmas movies that aren’t technically Christmas movies, and read on as we settle the age-old debate: Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?
You’ve Got Mail (1998)
The Nora Ephron romance starring leading lady Meg Ryan opposite Hollywood heartthrob Tom Hanks tells the story of Kathleen, the owner of a boutique bookstore and Joe, who runs a major, corporate bookselling chain that opens across the street. While the duo are rivals in the real world, unbeknownst to them, they’re involved in an anonymous romance online with one another, exchanging messages without any knowledge of who they’re really speaking to. While not exactly a Christmas movie, the holiday touches thrown in make this a cozy flick to throw on during the season.
You’ve Got Mail is available to rent on Prime Video.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
Robert Downey Jr. takes the lead in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang as a thief who stumbles his way into a film audition and soon becomes swept up in Hollywood. Studying for his role under a private investigator, they soon become involved in a murder mystery, also alongside a childhood friend-turned-aspiring actress.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is available to rent on Prime Video.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
We know, we know… the plot of this movie has absolutely nothing to do with the holiday season. However, the Christmas scenes that do occur within this film make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Whether it be the warm lighting, the homemade sweater Ron opens up on Christmas morning or the whimsy of Hogwarts, there’s something about this film that we love during the holiday season (could it be because it was originally released around the holidays?). Plus, there will always be a part of us that hopes to open up an invisibility cloak on Christmas morning as well.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is available to stream on Max and Peacock.
Little Women (2019)
Again, this one isn’t much of a Christmas movie, but the scenes that take place around Christmas put us in the holiday spirit. That feast the March girls return home to on Christmas morning sent over by Mr. Laurence? Iconic! Plus, the wintery ambiance of the film makes it the perfect watch while you sit by the fireplace sipping on hot cocoa.
Little Women is available to stream on Hulu.
Gremlins (1984)
An enormous group of monstrous little creatures that multiply and wreak havoc across a town on Christmas Eve? Sign us up! While the film itself is more about the adventure of getting this night of chaos under control, the setting makes this a favorite holiday flick!
Gremlins is available to stream on Max.
Die Hard (1988)
Is it possible to curate a list like this and not include Die Hard? The 1988 action film, though of the action genre, in our eyes, is a Christmas movie. Leading man Bruce Willis saving his wife and her colleagues from a group of terrorists on the night of their company Christmas party will never not make for a satisfying watch, and it’s one we return to every holiday season.
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