Metro Voice News Celebrating Faith, Family & Community
Not that long ago, Christmas Day theater offerings meant family-oriented storylines that everyone could enjoy. As CNN notes, “going to the movie theater either on Christmas or in the days surrounding it, has become a cherished holiday tradition for many families.” That decision led to families making the trek to their local theater for a different kind of family togetherness, complete with reclining seats and popcorn.
This year, Hollywood is serving up a dark and sinister, or erotic, lineup that ignores recent polls of what moviegoers actually prefer.
For 2024, the heavily promoted “Nosferatu” leads a surprising Christmas horror tradition. Vampires are replacing other, more kid-friendly fare. Even the film’s director Robert Eggers considers it a Christmas movie, though plenty of parents might beg to differ.
The shift away from feel-good holiday fare isn’t exactly new, but this year feels different. According to the Parents Television and Media Council, most original content on streaming platforms is now rated for mature audiences, leaving families with fewer options.
While families can still catch “Mufasa: The Lion King” on December 25, they’ll have to compete with a surge of adult-oriented films. “A Complete Unknown,” the Bob Dylan biopic, arrives on Christmas Day, which at least won’t give anyone nightmares, but it’s hardly “Home Alone.”
The trend toward mature content is clear. The Parents Television Council has previously reported a dramatic increase in strong language on television, with PTC president Tim Winter noting that the words are now “far harsher” than before.
Why the dark turn? Simple economics. Theater owners are struggling with the specialty box office, pushing them toward edgier content that might draw adult audiences back to theaters. The result? Christmas Day at the movies is starting to look more like Halloween.
For parents hoping to keep things merry and bright, the pickings are getting slim. TVLine reports over 100 original Christmas movies this season, but many aren’t exactly family fare. Sure, streaming services offer plenty of traditional options, but there’s something special about bundling up the family for a Christmas Day movie that doesn’t involve blood-sucking creatures of the night.
There is some pushback. As The Guardian reports, recent attempts at spectacular festive action films have struggled at the box office, suggesting audiences might still prefer traditional holiday fare. After all, Christmas movies used to be a license to print money. Now? They’re trading sugar plums for gothic horror, and not everyone’s convinced it’s a fair trade.
One good outcome is the growing popularity of faith-based films but they, too are not without critics for poor acting, struggling story lines and low production values.
–Dwight Widaman
