By: Sophia Kibler

Christmas lights hang on barren trees and festive decor set up on snowed down yards. A walk down any neighborhood street proves evident of the holiday season’s approach. In order to indulge in the Christmas spirit, Christmas movies are watched and re-watched by many during the month of December. From cable running Christmas movie marathons, to streaming algorithms pushing Christmas classics, it seems every facet of entertainment during winter revolves around Christmas. Though, it seems classics get the most attention. New Christmas movies don’t get the same traction as older ones. 

   The attention that older Christmas movies garner compared to newer ones could be due to a multitude of factors. Whether it’s oversaturation or a commercialized feeling, many people

would rather rewatch older Christmas movies than to go out and watch the new releases.

   “I think Christmas movies today are over-produced. That’s not really a bad thing, but I think what makes the older movies so rewatchable and special is their nostalgic and authentic feeling,” junior Sophia Shaw shared.

   As some students have expressed, the sheer amount of Christmas movies produced per year far outweighs the amount that used to be produced. With an overwhelming amount of options, some may find it easier to stick to the classics. The wide variety of options for Christmas movies can present a daunting task. 

   Since Christmas time is typically associated with nostalgia and warm memories, rewatching older movies like It’s a Wonderful Life and The Polar Express can fit into some people’s viewing needs for the season. This over-production may be attributed to more independent companies having the chance to release movies on streaming. Though, the oversaturation of Christmas movies could also be due to major Christmas movie production companies.

   “I think a lot of newer Christmas movies rely too much on comedy or try to copy older ones. Hallmark movies border on cheesy and all follow the same plot. They don’t try anything different,” junior Tyler Curtis expressed.

   Hallmark is the epitome of the modern Christmas movie. Many, including Curtis, hold the sentiment that major Christmas movie producers, such as Hallmark, follow a formulaic plot structure. This can work in Hallmark’s favor or work against it. A lot of America seems to enjoy a cheesy, classic Christmas movie. Something to turn on in the background while cooking. On the contrary, there is a large audience of people who find newer Christmas movies boring and corny for the same reasons. Though, in today’s cinema, it seems Christmas isn’t as prevalent as it

was in earlier decades.

   “Older Christmas movies are more centered around kids and the whole Santa experience, and now they tend to lean away from the fantasy aspect and more towards adult stories,” junior Haewan Kibret said.

   Over the years, the plots of Christmas movies have changed as well. Classics like Home Alone and The Santa Clause revolve around a sense of childlike wonder and family lessons. As Kibret stated, many newer Christmas movies stray away from this core aspect of the Christmas Spirit and opt out for a more adult centered storyline. 

   For example, Hallmark’s The Christmas Train, revolves around a man’s holiday trip on a train, surrounded by fellow adults. With Christmas on its way and so many film choices readily available, it’s best for people to choose what best gets them into the Christmas mood. Whether it’s older nostalgic movies or newer fresh movies, the holiday season can still be spent making memories with loved ones around a TV.