The holidays come with so many traditions—cookies in the oven, stockings above the fireplace, and that same Christmas movie on repeat. From the iconic and always chaotic story of Kevin in Home Alone to the journey of Buddy in Elf, there are dozens of options when looking for a festive film. Whether it’s a holiday classic that you memorized years ago, or the argument of whether or not Die Hard is a Christmas movie, the Dubs have endless opinions. The question that arises every December, and a debate lasting decades, is which Christmas movie truly deserves the crown?
A frontrunner every year is Home Alone. Whether stuck in Chicago or New York, Kevin McCallister doesn’t disappoint. There is something endlessly satisfying about watching an eight-year-old masterfully booby trap his house with just household objects, creativity, and sheer determination. Kids around the world will always be at least a little jealous of Kevin’s innovation. Sophomore Marianne Tuten is a huge fan and personally nominates Home Alone 2 for the title of best Christmas movie. “It really embodies family, which is a huge part of the holidays for me,” she said, “even if they forget him sometimes.”
Another consistent frontrunner is the iconic Elf. Buddy the Elf’s journey from the North Pole to New York City is an iconic adventure that begs to be watched every year. His childlike excitement over the simplest things, from revolving doors to spaghetti with copious amounts of syrup, never gets old, and the storyline is perfectly touching. Behind the humor, the film embodies Christmas spirit, promoting kindness, family, and believing in yourself, a combination sure to keep it at the top of Dubs’ rankings. At least, that’s what junior Emory Clay believes. “Elf never fails to make me laugh,” she said, “I’m pretty sure I could recite the script in my sleep.”
At this point, the debate of whether or not Die Hard is a Christmas movie has become its own holiday tradition. While John McClane crawling through air vents and fighting terrorists may not exactly be considered holiday material, the movie is packed with holiday references. Sophomore Cal Williamson’s question is, what more could you ask for? It’s not your typical holiday vibe, but everyone needs a break from the hot cocoa at some point—maybe it’s time for a candy cane. Williamson believes that Die Hard isn’t just an action movie that takes place in December, it’s a Christmas movie that refuses to be left out. “It literally takes place on Christmas,” he said, “how is that not a Christmas movie?”
The holidays mean something different to everyone, and whether you prefer sugar, spice, or everything nice, there’s a movie to be seen. The true magic comes from the friendly debates, the inside jokes, and the unforgettable traditions. No matter which film is crowned as the winner, each brings its own cheer year after year, making the season a little brighter every time.
