Audiences Argue Modern Christmas Films Have Lost Their Charm
Fans are expressing disappointment with modern Christmas movies, asserting that recent festive flicks fail to meet their expectations
What qualities define a great Christmas movie? According to social media users, the holiday films made in the past 20 years have fallen short of meeting expectations.
It's no secret that when it's time to watch a Christmas movie, there's a specific lineup that many of us always go back to. From Home Alone to The Muppets Christmas Carol, beloved holiday classics are often on repeat.
Are any of the new Christmas movies truly worthy of reaching the same level of greatness? That's the debate sparked by some social media users who claim that none of them are "good enough." Despite the abundance of choices in the past two decades, do any of these festive films truly measure up?
Fans claim modern Christmas movies “aren’t good enough” anymore
An X/Twitter debate has sparked controversy after claiming that no Christmas movies made in the last 20 years are “good enough” for the holiday season.
there hasn't been a new christmas movie good enough to watch every holiday season in over 20 years.
— Ally Maynard (@missmayn) December 11, 2023
"The last standout Christmas movie that's become a holiday tradition was released over 20 years ago," the tweet opens. "I enjoy watching Elf and Home Alone repeatedly, but nothing new has earned a spot in the yearly lineup."
"Some might disagree if they consider Die Hard a fresh Christmas classic every time they watch it," countered another user, to which the original poster replied: "That definitely counts, but it's been out for decades."
"It barely made the cut time-wise, but still... The Family Stone," another added. "The early 2000s marked the end of classic Christmas movies," they responded.
Yet, some users were quick to debunk the theory about Christmas movies.
"I understand where you’re coming from. I’m also very particular about my Christmas movies and they have to be just right. You really have to watch Klaus. It won me over the first time I saw it. It’s a modern classic. Please, give it a chance," one user recommended.
"Movies don’t have to be 'good' to become a yearly tradition!!!" another user commented about Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square, a Netflix movie.
The Holdovers, Last Christmas, and The Christmas Chronicles were also recommended as must-watch holiday movies. According to one user, there seems to be a lack of quality in current holiday films, with few living up to the standards set by classics like A Christmas Story, Home Alone, Die Hard, and The Santa Clause.
"Spirited really impressed me last year with its bold approach, making it a must-watch for me now. I've even watched Christmas Chronicles twice, appreciating its innovative take on the genre. Want more holiday movie recommendations? See our top 25 Christmas movies of all time here. And don't miss our other upcoming movie and TV hubs below!"
Fantastic Four, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Avengers: Secret Wars, Marvel Zombies, The Marvels, Agatha: Coven of Chaos, Blade MCU, Captain America 4, The Boys Season 4, Avatar 3, Batman: The Brave And The Bold, Beetlejuice 2, Blade, Deadpool 3, Dune 2, Gladiator 2, Mission: Impossible 8, Mortal Kombat 2, Beyond the Spider-Verse, Superman: Legacy, Thunderbolts, Venom 3, Wicked, 1923 Season 2, Citadel Season 2, Daredevil: Born Again, Euphoria Season 3, Severance Season 2, Stranger Things Season 5, The Last of Us Season 2, The Mandalorian Season 4, The Penguin, The Sandman Season 2, The White Lotus Season 3, Wednesday Season 2, Yellowjackets Season 3.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I can relate to the sentiments expressed in the article. While I grew up watching and loving classic Christmas movies like "Home Alone" and "Elf," I find that many modern Christmas films lack the same charm and nostalgia. They often feel formulaic and unoriginal, relying on tired tropes and predictable storylines. I miss the creativity and heart that made the older Christmas movies so special.
However, I also believe that there are some hidden gems among the recent Christmas movie releases. Films like "Klaus" and "Spirited" have managed to capture the magic of the holiday season while still offering something fresh and unique. I appreciate that these movies take risks and try to subvert expectations, rather than simply recycling the same old stories. While they may not become instant classics like the older movies, I think they deserve recognition for their efforts to keep the Christmas movie genre alive and interesting.
