By Celia Papavasileiou,
Friends to lovers, second-chance romances, fake dating, kisses under the mistletoe, small-town dating, love triangles. So many different tropes, but behind all of them is the same formula: the “Hallmark Christmas movie” special. Every holiday season, no matter the circumstances, there’s always a given comfort for all of us: the comfort of a cheesy holiday-themed romantic comedy, guaranteed to uplift our spirits and leave us wanting more. However, what’s the meaning behind these narratives, and how did they become a staple of every Christmas season?
The beginning of holiday romance films dates to the early 2000s. The development of the American cable TV network called the “Hallmark Channel” in 2001 proved crucial in the rise in popularity of the genre. Its first success was the movie The Christmas Card, a love story between a soldier and a woman from a small town, which aired in December 2006. Since then, Hallmark has become the place where it’s always Christmas, with 1–4 new holiday romances being released every year.
Most Hallmark Christmas films tend to follow the same philosophy. A small town, a traditional close-knit community, and a hero in a time of crisis are usually the focus. They typically narrate a somewhat conservative chain of events. A classic example is the uptight and stressed female protagonist relaxing with the help of the laid-back male protagonist. Even though these films are often characterized as “traditional,” “cheesy,” and “ridiculous,” their popularity never seems to wane.
In addition to Hallmark movies, the idolization of holiday romantic comedies is encouraged by streaming platforms, especially Netflix. In 2011, Netflix started producing its own original pieces, including, of course, unhinged Christmas films. For example, consider the new release titled Hot Frosty, about the love story between a snowman that came to life and a kindhearted widow named Lacey Chabert. The film has been called “Netflix’s best new Christmas movie.” Inevitably, this phenomenon leads us to wonder: could there be anything of substance behind these “silly” films?
Undeniably, there are reasons to justify the popularity of holiday rom-coms. Looking at the past, we realize that romance and Christmas films have always gone hand in hand. The first movie dedicated to the holiday season was Santa Claus. Released in 1898 in the United Kingdom and produced and directed by George Albert Smith, this short film, lasting only 1 minute and 16 seconds, marked the beginning of a new genre in the film industry. The story begins with two children going to bed, anticipating the arrival of Santa Claus. Indeed, the final scene shows Santa Claus making his way down the chimney while holding a decorated Christmas tree.
While not obvious at first sight, romance is a part of this short film —just not the kind we usually expect. Merriam-Webster defines romance as “a prose narrative treating imaginary characters involved in events remote in time or place and usually heroic, adventurous, or mysterious”. Isn’t it romantic to watch two children anticipate the arrival of Santa Claus and later experience that dream come true?
There are many reasons we can’t stop watching these Christmas rom-coms. Firstly, this type of film is comforting. Many of us experience different emotions during the Christmas holidays. Some of us feel nostalgia, loneliness, or grief, while others are filled with excitement, gratitude, and joy. However, all these emotions tend to lead to the same result: every one of us seeks comfort during the holidays. And what offers such comfort better than a classic holiday rom-com?
Furthermore, they are fun to watch. The holidays are a chance for all of us to unwind and forget the endless list of responsibilities we usually deal with. With simple themes, cozy aesthetics, and entertaining dialogue, there’s nothing as relaxing as getting exactly what you expect from the predictable Hallmark formula.
Finally, the most important reason we are drawn to such movies is the magic of it all. The guaranteed happy ending leaves viewers with a sense of hope. By the end of the film, we feel warm and fuzzy inside, wrapped up in the magic that comes with the positivity of the “happily ever after”. We end up wondering: could our lives evolve like this as well?
In conclusion, cheesy holiday movies are a significant part of the holiday experience. Though they may be overly sentimental, we can’t deny that Christmas romance movies are a guilty pleasure for many of us. But isn’t that what Christmas is all about? Trying to find the magic in the world around us? As long as we are captivated by the magic, holiday rom-coms will always be adored by audiences.
References
- Hallmark Movies, a Retrospective, woof-mag.com, available here
- How Hallmark takes over your TV every Christmas, vox.com, available here
- ‘I couldn’t look away!’ The rapid, runaway rise of ridiculous Christmas romcoms, theguardian.com, available here
- Netflix’s Best New Christmas Movie, ‘Hot Frosty’ Has Perfect 100% Critic Scores, Somehow, forbes.com, available here
- The Oldest Christmas Film in History, historyhit.com, available here
- Why Do We Keep Watching Hallmark Movies?, thepostcalvin.com, available here
- Why We Love Rom-Coms and Christmas Movies, psychologytoday.com, available here
