Let’s be real—holiday movies are more than just seasonal entertainment. They’re comfort food for the soul, as much a part of the holidays as hot cocoa and arguing over whether Die Hard counts as a Christmas movie (it does). From the cozy feels of It’s a Wonderful Life to the slapstick chaos of Home Alone, classic holiday films have defined how we celebrate this time of year. But they’ve also done something bigger—they’ve influenced everything from your favorite rom-coms to the latest Netflix holiday rom-dramedy.
Nostalgia: The Secret Sauce in Modern Holiday Movies
If you’ve ever watched a modern holiday movie and thought, “Hey, this feels familiar,” it’s because most of them are riding the coattails of the classics. Take Elf (2003). Will Ferrell in yellow tights maybe a fever dream, but the story’s heart—the belief in magic and goodness—feels like it was ripped straight out of Miracle on 34th Street (1947).
Then there’s The Polar Express (2004). Sure, Tom Hanks voicing everybody was a choice, but at its core, the movie is basically It’s a Wonderful Life on a train: Believe in yourself, appreciate the little things, yada yada. And let’s not forget Love Actually (2003), which took the interconnected storylines of hope and heartbreak from It’s a Wonderful Life and added awkward dance moves and British charm.
Remakes: Holiday Hits or Misses?
Remakes are like Secret Santa gifts—you either get something amazing or something that makes you question your friendships. Take the 1994 remake of Miracle on 34th Street. It nailed the holiday vibes and swapped the mailroom drama for corporate shenanigans, making it both nostalgic and relatable.
But not all remakes hit the mark. The Grinch has been rebooted more times than your Wi-Fi, and it’s… complicated. Jim Carrey’s live-action take in 2000 is over-the-top and kind of amazing in a “Can I unsee this?” way. The 2018 animated version? Cute, sure, but it left many fans longing for the OG 1966 TV special.
And let’s talk about Disney’s 2009 A Christmas Carol. It’s visually stunning but also, like, why so serious? The motion-capture animation is more unsettling than festive, and the heartwarming magic of earlier versions gets buried under all the spooky effects.
Why Classic Holiday Movies Still Rule
Beyond inspiring new films, the classics have shaped how we see the holidays. Ever notice how your mental image of Christmas includes snowy streets, twinkling lights, and big family dinners? Thank classics like White Christmas (1954) and A Christmas Story (1983) for that.
But, yeah, not every classic has aged well. Holiday Inn (1942), for example, includes a cringe-worthy blackface scene that feels wildly out of place in what’s supposed to be a feel-good movie. That said, today’s holiday films are stepping up to tell stories that are more diverse and inclusive. Netflix’s Let It Snow (2019), with its multicultural cast and queer love story, is proof that holiday magic can—and should—reflect everyone’s experiences.
The Future of Holiday Movies: Keeping the Magic Alive
Even as the classics remain a staple, new holiday films are finding fresh ways to keep the spirit alive. Klaus (2019) gives us an entirely original Santa origin story, while Spirited (2022) pokes fun at how many times A Christmas Carol has been remade—while still pulling off a surprisingly heartfelt holiday message.
So, the next time you sit down with a bowl of popcorn and a questionable amount of eggnog to watch a holiday movie, take a closer look. Whether it’s a modern rom-com or a Netflix original, chances are it owes a little something to the classics that came before. Because while holiday movies might change with the times, the magic they bring will always stay the same.
Written by Chloe Kaleah Stewart
Photography by Mark Bluemle @markbluemle
Director, MUA: Marlie Capuano @marlie_kaye
Styling by KateLynn Herrera @katelynn.herrera
Talent: Cecil Atkins @its._cecil , Sargam Chaturvedi @sargammchaturvedii , KateLynn Herrera @katelynn.herrera, Jai LePrince @jai.leprince