OK, Let's Settle This: Are These 12 Films Actually Christmas Movies?

We have the same debate every year, so let's put an end to it.

1. Die Hard

20th Century Fox

Reasons for: It's set on Christmas Eve and Bruce Willis' character festively decorates a terrorist he kills.

Reasons against: Dozens of people die and the movie's redemption arc comes from a policeman getting over his fear of guns by shooting someone.

2. Home Alone

20th Century Fox

Reasons for: It's set over the holidays and some of Kevin's improvised weapons are Christmas themed.

Reasons against: Two home invaders terrorising a small child and almost getting killed in the process doesn't exactly scream Christmas.

3. The Apartment

United Artists

Reasons for: Like a lot of the films on this list, it's simply set over Christmas.

Reasons against: It's the eternal debate over whether there's a difference between a "Christmas movie" and "a movie set over Christmas".

4. Gremlins

Warner Bros.

Reasons for: Gizmo, the animal that the gremlins originate from, is introduced as a Christmas present.

Reasons against: Christmas presents shouldn't spawn evil creatures capable of mutilating innocent people.

5. Frozen

Walt Disney

Reasons for: It's a very snow heavy movie and even has a reindeer in it.

Reasons against: It has ZERO actual references to Christmas. ZERO.

6. Brazil

20th Century Fox

Reasons for: The opening scene features a family watching Tiny Tim's monologue from A Christmas Carol.

Reasons against: If you were to list all of the things associated with Christmas I'm pretty sure Kafkaesque bureaucracy, totalitarian governments, and unchecked industrialization would probably place somewhere near the bottom.

7. Lethal Weapon

Warner Bros.

Reasons for: If Die Hard can be considered a Christmas movie then so can Lethal Weapon.

Reasons against: If they're not trying to save Christmas or something can what is essentially a buddy cop movie really be considered festive?

8. The Nightmare Before Christmas

Universal Studios

Reasons for: It's 100% a Christmas movie, no question about it.

Reasons against: It's 100% a Halloween movie, no question about it.

9. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang

Warner Bros.

Reasons for: It's another movie from Lethal Weapon director Shane Black that takes place around Christmas.

Reasons against: Call me old fashioned, but a neo-noir comedy movie set in a non-snowy Los Angeles just doesn't feel very Christmassy.

10. Edward Scissorhands

20th Century Fox

Reasons for: The film was released at Christmas time and Mr. Scissorhands even carves a couple of festive ice sculptures.

Reasons against: Surely he could have used his scissors to cut wrapping paper at least once, right?

11. Batman Returns

Warner Bros.

Reasons for: The action all takes place around Christmas, and Christopher Walken's character delivers a nice Christmas speech.

Reasons against: It was a wasted opportunity to not have Batman wear a Santa hat throughout the entire movie.

12. Eyes Wide Shut

Warner Bros.

Reasons for: Not only does the movie take place over Christmas, it also features a bizarrely high number of Christmas trees.

Reasons against: Christmas is the time for family, festivities, and joy, not the time for masked orgies held by secret societies – but to each their own.