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Christmas exudes a timeless atmosphere that transcends geographical boundaries. During this season, there’s a palpable sense of something special in the christmas movies watch list. It could be the collective joy of bidding farewell to another year or the rekindling of our inner child, wrapped in the warm nostalgia of Christmases gone by. Families often come together during this festive period, finding solace in watching a heartwarming christmas movies by the fireplace, surrounded by the glow of a majestic Christmas tree.
The genre of Christmas movies is a unique one, capturing the essence of the season. However, as times change, so do opinions and preferences. What resonated with audiences seven decades ago may not necessarily have the same charm today. Christmas films have seen their fair share of attempts that fell short of becoming classics—some barely scraping by for contemporary viewers but ultimately fading into obscurity. On the other hand, certain movies, while hailed as classics, may be closely tied to the era they were created in, perhaps not aging as gracefully as their reputation suggests. Here, we explore 12 Christmas movies that, upon closer inspection, fail to stand the test of time.
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12 Classic Christmas Movies That Have Aged Poorly
Four Christmases (2008)
In the holiday film “Four Christmases,” Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon play a happily unmarried couple named Brad and Kate. Their plans for an exotic vacation fall apart, forcing them to visit each of their divorced parents for Christmas. Brad, somewhat indifferent to the holiday, goes through the motions, while Kate begins to question her life and family dynamics.
The movie earns a spot on the list for a single viewing, primarily due to the comedic chemistry between Witherspoon and Vaughn. Supporting roles by Jon Favreau, Tim McGraw, Dwight Yokam, and Katy Mixon also contribute to the laughter. While the film raises a realistic question about a couple at a crossroads, it opts for a somewhat safe approach. In the end, Brad and Kate decide to start their own family, welcoming a child a year later. While “Four Christmases” isn’t a terrible movie, it tends to be forgettable when compared to holiday classics.
Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever (2014)
Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever, a Lifetime original movie, capitalizes on the viral internet meme featuring the famously grumpy-looking cat, Tardar Sauce. Aubrey Plaza provides the voice for Grumpy Cat, who assists a young girl in discovering the true meaning of Christmas.
The film is included here because it pays homage to Grumpy Cat, who has since passed away. Plaza’s fitting portrayal captures the essence of the perpetually displeased feline. However, the movie appears to follow a familiar Hollywood formula of leveraging popular internet trends for financial gain. Given the saturation of holiday films each year, Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever tends to get overshadowed in the abundant Christmas content. Additionally, it seems unlikely that the film was intended to be a timeless classic from the outset.
Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer (2000)
Based on the humorous Christmas tune “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” there exists an animated movie featuring a young man named Jake Spakenheimer, who embarks on a quest to find his missing grandma. Along the way, Jake not only tackles the mystery of her disappearance but also faces the challenge of convincing his family that Santa Claus is real.
The made-for-television animated film, lasting one hour, is a somewhat distant recollection for millennials. It expands upon the narrative of the iconic song and transforms it into a full-length movie. Despite its initial release on home video in October 2000, the film gained wider attention with a television premiere on December 21st, 2000, on The CW network, formerly known as The WB. Geared towards a young audience, the movie playfully assures viewers with a spoiler alert: Grandma survives the adventure.
Santa Claus: The Movie (1985)
In “Santa Claus: The Movie,” the beloved legend of Santa Claus faces a threat when one of his loyal elves, Patch (played by Dudley Moore), leaves the North Pole for New York City. In the city, Patch becomes entangled with a toy tycoon and discovers the greed-driven attempts to take over Christmas. The only savior for Patch and Christmas is none other than Santa Claus himself.
The movie explores an intriguing origin story for Santa, where he and his wife initially freeze to death but later thaw out and find their way to the elf’s toy shop. Despite the title, the film shifts its focus away from Santa as the central character and centers on Dudley Moore and John Lithgow’s portrayal of a greedy businessman villain.
Surviving Christmas (2004)
The film “Surviving Christmas” featuring Ben Affleck portrays a wealthy executive named Drew Latham who, lacking close family ties, nostalgically returns to his childhood home during the holidays. Finding a new family living there, he pays them to pretend to be his family, testing their patience throughout the season.
However, the movie fails to resonate today due to its unrealistic and unfunny depiction of Christmas, deviating from relatable experiences. The humor in the film doesn’t align with the everyday challenges of the holiday season, making it less appealing over the years. Despite the presence of James Gandolfini, the film’s core message of avoiding past issues by throwing money at them comes off as cringeworthy, especially given the financial struggles many face today.
Christmas With the Kranks (2004)
“Christmas with the Kranks features Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis as Luther and Nora Krank, empty-nesters who decide to skip the traditional Christmas celebrations for a cruise, sparking disapproval from their neighbors who engage in a competitive holiday decorating frenzy. However, the film falls short of becoming a classic.
Unlike the timeless humor found in movies with actors like Chevy Chase, Christmas with the Kranks relies on uninspiring slapstick comedy, leaving audiences without a reason to laugh. The plot, centered around competitive Christmas decorating, comes across as odd and confusing. The film’s emphasis on conformity may not resonate well with viewers, contributing to the movie’s lackluster reception. After such projects, Jamie Lee Curtis took a break from acting in movies, indicating that she is capable of more than what this film offers.”
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Jingle All the Way (1996)
In “Jingle All the Way,” Arnold Schwarzenegger portrays Howard Langston, a dedicated father striving to make up for lost time with his son by embarking on a quest to secure the year’s most coveted toy, Turbo Man, on Christmas Eve. However, what he anticipates as a straightforward mission turns into pandemonium as he contends with other frantic, last-minute shoppers, including the desperate father Myron Larabee, played by Sinbad.
The enduring appeal of “Jingle All the Way” is acknowledged, but upon closer examination, some elements of the plot may raise doubts. The movie incorporates satire about consumerism, coinciding with the Tickle Me Elmo doll craze of the time. Nevertheless, the film’s humor is inconsistent. While Schwarzenegger is known for his comedic prowess, his portrayal of a mattress salesman feels implausible, with jokes that fail to resonate. Additionally, the use of a bomb threat for comedic effect adds an awkward dimension to the overall tone.
The Polar Express (2004)
The Polar Express recounts the tale of a young boy losing his belief in Santa Claus and subsequently receiving an invitation to board a train bound for Santa’s workshop at the North Pole. Adapted from Chris Van Allsburg’s beloved children’s book, the film, directed by Robert Zemeckis, has become a December tradition on both television and streaming platforms.
Despite the enduring appeal of the movie, some criticism may arise. One aspect that draws scrutiny is the animation, which has not aged well nearly two decades after its release. The characters now appear somewhat eerie, with lifeless eyes, resembling creepy wax figures brought to life through digital motion capture animation. The film’s use of motion capture technology reflects the state of the art in 2004, but advancements in the field since then have highlighted its shortcomings in comparison.
Love, Actually (2003)
Love Actually, a romantic comedy set during Christmas, revolves around nine interconnected stories, all united by the central theme of love. While some stories may not explicitly incorporate the holiday season, the film has become a Christmas favorite for its portrayal of universal themes of love and connection.
However, Love Actually has recently faced criticism for its lack of diversity on screen. Two storylines, one featuring lesbian love and the other focused on a black family, were cut from the movie. Additionally, there are fat jokes directed at the character Natalie, played by Martine McCutcheon. Moreover, a once-admired scene involving Andrew Lincoln, known as ‘Rick’ from The Walking Dead, and Keira Knightley with giant note cards has now been criticized as more creepy than romantic.
Bad Santa (2003)
Bad Santa, featuring Billy Bob Thornton as Willie T. Stokes, portrays a gruff and discontented character who, alongside his partner Marcus (played by Tony Cox), assumes the roles of a mall Santa and his elf to plan Christmas Eve robberies. Despite its initial success, a reevaluation reveals that the film, while attempting to provide a counterpoint to traditional Christmas movies with its vulgarity, struggles to resonate with modern audiences.
The shock value of its crude humor has diminished over time, and Thornton’s character is criticized for spouting homophobic and misogynistic comments, with rumors suggesting that much of this content was left on the cutting room floor. The forgettable 2016 sequel further highlights the challenges of maintaining the appeal of this dark comedy in a changing cultural landscape.
White Christmas (1954)
White Christmas, a beloved holiday musical, revolves around two friends who discover that their former wartime commanding officer is facing financial troubles with his Vermont hotel after World War II. The plot centers around their efforts to save the hotel and create a Christmas miracle.
However, as we examine classic films through a modern lens, White Christmas faces criticism for some problematic elements. Notably, the movie includes a minstrel show number called “Abraham,” a scene often omitted from present-day screenings due to its insensitive nature. It’s important to note that Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney do not perform the scene in blackface, providing a small consolation amid the dating issues associated with this particular sequence.
Holiday Inn (1942)
Holiday Inn and White Christmas share similarities, with the latter considered a loose remake of the former. Both films feature Bing Crosby and involve a hotel open only during the holidays, where two men compete for the affection of a rising entertainer, played by a beautiful actress.
However, Holiday Inn faces criticism today for its inclusion of blackface performances, particularly in the infamous Abraham dance number. Unlike White Christmas, which modified such elements, Holiday Inn has become less popular and is rarely shown in its original form. The use of blackface in Holiday Inn doesn’t appear to serve a historical purpose but seems to be included for entertainment. While it might not have been intended to cause harm at the time, modern audiences reject such content, making the film less appealing in today’s cultural context.
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