Christmas is near once again, and with it comes an avalanche of festive titles, usually introducing a couple finding the romance of their lives.
If you’re one of those people who settles in at night with a cup of hot chocolate and marshmallows to watch a film of this genre, you’re not alone. In fact, market research reveals that more and more of us are watching just about any holiday film we stumble upon.
Over the past few years, December’s heartwarming programming – full of snow, sleigh rides, chaste love, and a touch of magic – has become firmly integrated into family celebrations. It’s fair to say that watching Christmas movies has become something of a tradition or ritual, and as a result, production companies have upped the ante on content related to Santa Claus and the allure of the season.
In this sense, the success of Hallmark Channel’s “Countdown to Christmas” films has spurred a fierce battle between TV networks and streaming services. Right now, Lifetime, Netflix, Disney Plus and Hulu are competing directly for the attention of Christmas lovers, both with new releases and reruns of classics.
Despite the poor reception by critics and their cheesy and repetitive nature, Christmas movies have become a must-see at this time of the year. But why are they so popular, and why do we find Christmas stories so enjoyable?
Here are 5 reasons why Christmas movies make us feel good, according to science.
1. They soothe our mood
In general, Christmas movies make us feel good because they allow us a brief escape from the worries and demands of the real world.
Before getting into the details, a sensitive clarification for some: yes, it’s true, Christmas TV movies are predictable, formulaic, cliché and often extremely cheesy. We cannot deny the obvious.
But it is also true that they compensate for the stress of the holidays, the strain of some social commitments and the financial and time pressures that are generated each December. In a way, watching a cheerful holiday movie is an accessible, inexpensive and rewarding form of self-care.
Hopeful, optimistic stories are specifically designed to make us feel good. In this genre, the good guy always wins, families resolve their differences, there is enough money for presents, and people find a simpler, more fulfilling life. In other words, our protagonists end up “living happily ever after” and, for a moment, we as viewers can feel that all is right with the world.
Scientists say this type of film helps manipulate our brain chemistry, causing the release of neurotransmitters associated with happiness and pleasure. For example, when we watch heartwarming scenes or see characters succeed in challenging situations, our brain responds by releasing dopamine, known as the neurotransmitter of well-being.
Even when we are not in the middle of the season, a good Christmas movie is all we need to get out of a bad mood.
2. They evoke memories and sensations
Let’s not forget that Christmas movies usually evoke important doses of nostalgia.
Nostalgia is a universal feeling that can be loosely defined as “longing for the past”. It is an emotion that everyone experiences at some point in time. For example, we feel it when we visit childhood places or listen to an old song; we also feel it when we watch a movie with which we have “positive and happy” personal ties.
The fact is that annual reruns of classics like It’s a Wonderful Life (1946), Elf (2003), Miracle on 34th Street (1947), Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964), Home Alone (1990), and A Christmas Carol (2009), among many others, transport us to other days and situations.
By watching them again, we go back in time and can relive old emotions and memories. Without realizing it, we take a mental journey that allows us to connect with a carefree childhood or a simpler, more joyful time in our lives.
As can be seen, it is not about the story itself, but what it symbolizes for us (an interaction of memory, emotion, affection, cognition). This kind of cinema brings us back to moments of family, friendship or love that we truly treasure, and that feeling, in a fair measure, is good for us.
In many ways, watching Christmas movies, rejoicing in the past and reminiscing about the good times can bring us important emotional benefits. And the fact is, nostalgic memories not only reinforce our sense of self, but also help us alleviate feelings of loneliness.
3. They encourage social connections
In case we feel disconnection from family or loved ones, whether it’s a significant other, best friend, child, or even grandchild, watching Christmas movies together can be the perfect solution to rekindle the relationship.
Sharing movies with loved ones is not only an enjoyable and entertaining activity, but it also fosters intimacy and camaraderie. Research shows that so-called “co-watching” strengthens social connections, encourages communication, fosters empathy, and helps build traditions.
4. They offer a sense of predictability and control
Christmas TV movies are characterized by following a fixed and predictable formula. The reliable plot includes happy endings, elements of humor, familiar tropes, Christmas spirit, dreamy sets and recurring characters.
In this genre, the stories are as predictable as the seasons. Just as we know that leaves eventually change their color, we also know that most Christmas productions will have a happy ending, or, at least, give us a sufficiently “benevolent” conclusion. From the start, we are certain that the boy will get the girl, the idyllic town will be able to recover from ruin, and all eventualities will be resolved in time for a beautiful dinner.
Yes, all this is hardly believable in the real world. But in the month of December we experience a deep weakness for clichéd stories that reaffirm the beauty of romantic love, family togetherness and human kindness.
We may be hard-to-please moviegoers during most months of the year, but things change at Christmas. At this time of year, all we look for are uplifting and predictable storylines that make us feel comfortable and in control.
Psychologists and researchers explain that the brain processes familiar things and predictable patterns more easily. So these “no surprises” productions give us a temporary sense of control and optimism.
Because we know the premise and themes, the rhythms, and we know the positive tone of the outcome, we feel we can let our guard down, immerse ourselves in the plot and simply enjoy.
5. They help us to manage our emotions
As we are empathic beings by nature, when we watch a story, we will most likely identify with the characters. Even if we are not directly living the situations of the film, we will try to put ourselves in the place of the characters, understand who they are, support them and learn from them.
It happens that as we identify with a figure on the screen, we can explore parts of our own identity in a safe space. In general, we can all learn from the characters, their successes, their mistakes and relate them to our own lives.
Here are some of the positive effects of watching uplifting feature films:
- They can help us better understand our own lives and those of others
- They can teach us lessons and skills from how the protagonists face their challenges
- They can provide us with inspiration, reaffirmation and even comfort
As the characters make their own way, conquer their fears and achieve their aspirations, we viewers can also discover how to manage our emotional baggage; another significant fact is that positive films help boost morale during difficult times.
It’s time for a Christmas marathon!
There’s no question that Christmas movies work. Television networks and streaming sites tell these types of stories because there is a captive audience and because that audience continues to grow exponentially.
Although the plots are predictable, cheesy and traditional, that’s all part of the charm. With so much heavy and alarming content on television services and on the Internet, the idea of immersing ourselves in a warm story is a comforting and reasonable choice.
Readers, believe me when I tell you that being in favor of romance, hope, family togetherness and holiday cheer can be beneficial to your mental health. Even if it’s only for a couple of hours, it’s worth suspending disbelief and taking refuge in movies with hopeful or inspirational messages.
Now that we know some reasons why Christmas movies make us feel good, we can enjoy ourselves without feeling guilty, or extremely corny. After all, there’s nothing wrong with having a healthy, time-limited emotional escape in a world as demanding as ours. So why not start with these?
Image: Ketut Subiyanto