If Die Hard is a Christmas Movie then is Gremlins?!




Does timing of a movie make it a Christmas movie or does the spirit of the movie make it a Christmas movie?


People say all the time that Die Hard is a Christmas movie. They list reasons like:

  • Takes place at Christmas
  • Has Christmas Music
  • Christmas References
  • There are presents
  • Santa Claus makes an appearance
  • Snow
  • Goodwill toward men

All argument I have seen for Die Hard. Look I even gave in last year and watched it and you know what I get it. I can see some of the arguments.

So, now let’s take the same set of logic and apply it to Gremlins. Which I sat down and tonight (Thursday December 9, 2021), I mean after the football game was terrible tonight.

Takes Place at Christmas:

That’s a big 10-4, it takes place during the Christmas season. Most of the action taking place much like Die Hard on Christmas Eve.

Has Christmas Music:

Lots and lots of Christmas music. Hell there are even Gremlins who go Christmas Caroling at that old bat Mrs Deagles right before they send her for a joy ride in her stair lift out the window. Hilarious!!

Christmas References:

I don’t know about this one. I don’t recall any mention of Christmas Miracles or to the birth of the Man Jesus. However the is a Gremlin who things he is a flasher and that shit is funny. Another Gremlin break dancing which was pretty good.

There are presents:

Gizmo is a present. The dad is searching for a present for his son. There are stockings full of toys and gifts. So, check. We are at 3 of 4 for those who are counting.

Santa Claus makes an appearance:

Well, there is the story of Kate’s dad who climbed down the chimney broke his neck and died which is pretty damn sad. It is also one of the only things I remember about the movie. Other than Stripe and Gizmo and how it ultimately ends.

However, there is an actual Santa in the movie who is getting his ass kicked by about six Gremlins but Santa we have!

Snow:

There is snow every where. Next

Goodwill towards men :

Billy and Kate fall in love. Billy, Gizmo, and Kate save the town. Then Billy has to makes a big sacrifice at the end. Not that he is much choice.


So we have 6/7. So based on the Die Hard test it seems we’d have a Christmas movie on our hands. While I don’t know that I’ll ever truly think of Gremlins as a Christmas movie I sure did enjoy watching it again after 30+ years. I can’t say it will be in the annual rotation but it will be enjoyed at another Christmas movie marathon in the future.

While I don’t think it’s true spirit is a holiday movie. More like a black comedy / horror film. I’m voting Gremlins is Holiday Movie. The Die Hard test doesn’t lie does it? I mean we could apply this test to Lethal Weapon, Batman Returns, Bender’s Big Score and I’m sure a host of other movies that take place in December and see if they all pass or not. Those are arguments to be made at some other time. I have a dog to spoil right now.

So, what do you think is Gremlins a Holiday Movie or not?

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