So, the election, COVID, and all things 2020 have you down. Is there anything our country can agree on anymore? Yes! Everybody loves Christmas movies. Here's a look at the top recommendations to fit each generation (there are spoilers).*
G.I. Generation
WINNER: White Christmas (1954, Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye): Two war veterans with super skills (if you count singing and dancing) team up with a pair of equally talented sisters and their old C.O. to save a failing ski lodge in this jukebox musical.
RUNNER UP: The Bishop's Wife (1947, Cary Grant, Loretta Young, David Niven): A workaholic neglects his wife until a new friend comes in and picks up the slack. The saving morality of secular humanism (collectivism, charity, tolerance) gets a light dusting of religion (the workaholic is a bishop, and the friend is an angel).
Silent Generation
WINNER: It's a Wonderful Life (1946, James Stewart, Donna Reed): George Bailey is depressed, but with some divine intervention, he remembers that he matters, his family loves him, and his whole community is connected together by love and devotion at his civic-helper job (savings & loan banker).
HONORABLE MENTION: A Christmas Story (1983, Peter Billingsley): Ralphie is obsessed with getting a Red Ryder B.B. gun for Christmas. Although it's the Depression, no one complains about money, war, or politics. Safe, warm, and loved by both parents, Ralphie's world centers around his friends, his imagination, and his favorite radio show.
Baby Boomer
WINNER: Die Hard (1988, Bruce Willis): A tough, working-class cop shows the bad guys, the rich guys, and his newly-separated "career woman" wife how much they need him by saving the day (while cursing, smoking, and taking ridiculous "American Cowboy" risks).
HONORABLE MENTION: Jingle All the Way (1996, Arnold Schwarzenegger): A workaholic dad tries to preserve his family reputation by buying the toy-of-the-moment for his son at the last minute. The notoriously unavailable toy leads him on a quest involving ridiculous "American Cowboy" risks.
Generation X
WINNER: Home Alone (1990, Macaulay Culkin): Kevin's family accidentally forgets him for Christmas. It's ok-- nobody seems to like him that much anyway. The eight-year-old proves his self-sufficiency in cookery, laundry, and fending off home intruders. When his family finally gets back, they hug him, kiss him, and promptly go do something else.
HONORABLE MENTION: Fred Claus (2007, Vince Vaughn): Fred's a schiester, his family and girlfriend hate him, and he's about to go to jail for impersonating Santa. But deep down, he's got a big heart and would stop at nothing to help the people he loves.
Millennial
WINNER: Elf (2003, Will Ferrell): Buddy the Elf (who's not actually an elf) sets off to find his real (human) father in New York. His child-like spirit both amuses and irritates those around him, but finally they all work together as a team to save Christmas and his new step-family.
HONORABLE MENTION: The Harry Potter Franchise (2001-2011, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint): Undoubtedly one of the most influential film franchises for Millennials, Harry Potter hits all the marks of specialness, teamwork, and militant behavior. The inclusion of Christmas celebrations in all but one of the eight films proves its worth to the generation, even in the absence of religion and presence of magic.
Homelander
WINNER: Shazam! (2019, Zachary Levi, Asher Angel): An imaginative boy named Billy obtains amazing superpowers, but learns that the best way to defeat evil is by sharing the power with his diverse group of friends and family.
RUNNER UP: The Christmas Chronicles (2018, Kurt Russell, Darby Kamp, Judah Lewis): In this Netflix-exclusive release, a curious Katie and her reluctant older brother Teddy ruin and subsequently save Christmas while their widowed mom works another overtime shift at the hospital. Family bonds are strengthened, and Santa stands in for the missing Dad figure to restore faith and a straight course for wandering Teddy.
So, what's your favorite Christmas movie? Does it make a generational connection for you? Let me know here. Best wishes of the season to you and yours!
*I am not advocating uncensored viewing of these films. Do your research on ratings and content to decide what you're comfortable watching.