There are many debates about which films are or aren’t Christmas movies. Are they just set at Christmas or do they actually engage with the holiday spirit, and does that even matter? “Die Hard” always manages to be at the center of the conversation, but plenty of other films also fall into this category.
As mentioned, “Die Hard” is always at the center of the debate, but after years of discussion, there seems to be consensus that “Die Hard” is indeed a Christmas movie. It takes place in Los Angeles on Christmas Eve where tough cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) has flown in to see his family. At his wife’s office Christmas party, he encounters a “hostile takeover,” literally, in the form of a group of terrorists led by Alan Rickman; bloody holiday violence ensues. Watch it on HBO Max.
Tim Burton’s “Batman Returns” is arguably the best Batman movie, featuring Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman, opposite villains played by Danny DeVito (Penguin), Christopher Walken and an unforgettable Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman. The Christmas backdrop and events set around the holiday lend extra pizzazz to the city of Gotham in Burton’s signature whimsically dark aesthetic. Watch it on HBO Max.
“Hustlers,” Lorene Scafaria’s tribute to hustlers with hearts of (14k) gold, features a pivotal Christmas-set scene that represents not only the peak of success for the stripper scammers, but also the warm chosen family they become for each other. Also! J-Lo in a Santa hat. Watch it on Showtime or rent it for $1.99 on Fandango Now.
