There is often debate over if Die Hard is a Christmas movie or not. Those who like the idea will say yes because it takes place on Christmas and Christmas parties play a role. Others feel it really has nothing to do with the holiday at all. Personally, I like to think of it as a Christmas set movie, as more of a compromise. That being said, there is another movie we all need to acknowledge as a Christmas title in the holiday movie debate.
Batman Returns was the follow-up to Tim Burton’s Batman and went in an experimental direction. Catwoman and the Penguin were the villains, and it is my favorite of the original 4 films ( not counting the 60’s film in this). However, most people do not seem to realize that Batman Returns is in fact a Christmas movie, an I would say its an excellent one. Christmas is not just the setting here, but plays a key role throughout the film’s run. The movie is even set around numerous Christmas holidays over the years, which is also something I need to mention.
Holiday Integration Is Key
Batman Returns uses Christmas as a key point several times in the plot. Villains attack during Christmas celebrations and tree lightings, and I will point out that one of the villains is a clear Scrooge stand-in. Mistletoe is used as a plot point in terms of discussion as well, and holiday trauma is brought up also. I feel that most tend to leave Batman Returns out of the holiday film debate because it is a superhero movie. I dislike this because it ignores the fact that a superhero movie is still a movie.
Spawn is a movie I have seen mentioned as a Halloween film often, but has no connection with the holiday. Batman Returns on the other hand, tells a story that explicitly works in Christmas to its plot. I feel this bias also means people are less willing to really look at the film. Die Hard can work without Christmas, so can Home Alone. Batman Returns on the other hand, need Christmas.
Dark Knight Holiday
I can even argue that many holiday stories are told in Batman Returns. I see tales of high society Christmas, working class Christmas, holiday scrooges and good deeds all in one. To be honest, not only is Batman Returns a Christmas movie, I feel it is one of the better Christmas movies. In Batman Returns you see the downtrodden get a savior and good triumph over evil in a Christmas setting. I have always loved Batman Returns, and now I see it as one of the holiday movies to watch yearly.
In the end, It is up to you, what you see as a Christmas movie. I will always see Batman Returns as a Christmas story and hope for more superhero Christmas movies in the future. We need more of these types of films and I want to see them made in the future.
Happy holidays to all whatever You celebrate.