A Christmas movie is any movie released near Christmas time with direct reference to the holiday throughout at least half of the film.

Christmas movies can also come in several different genres like comedy, horror and romance. These movies also often have a happy ending, and should also leave people feeling the spirit of the holiday.

Christmas movies also often revolve around Santa and Santa’s elves or at least children’s interactions with them. Christmas movies can also be about general themes of happiness, family togetherness, and hope.

“Christmas movies are movies that give you the feeling of Christmas time and have Christmas in them like movies about Santa or movies like ‘Die Hard’ because in the movie it’s Christmas,” said sophomore Blake Benoit.

Movies like “Elf” and “The Santa Clause” are great examples of classic holiday movies. They revolve completely around the idea of Christmas and Santa.

Main characters should also acknowledge Christmas by saying phrases like “Happy Holidays” or “Merry Christmas” or discussing the holiday in general. There should also be Christmas or holiday music in the movie.

Movies like “Spiderman: Far from Home” and “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” are not Christmas movies despite being released near Christmas, as they do not feature the holiday in any significant way.