As a long-time Potterhead and someone who cherishes the holiday season, I must say that these movies have a special place in my heart during Christmas time. The way they capture the essence of love, hope, and togetherness is simply magical!
Here comes the time of year for generosity again. The days are growing shorter, and twinkling lights are appearing everywhere, while the joy seems to be overflowing, even if it can’t quite heal the pinch in our wallets.
Indeed, as we approach this magical time of year, even the most imaginative concepts might appear feasible with a little hope and wishing. As we adorn our homes with festive decorations like evergreen trees and twinkling lights, one delightful method to immerse ourselves in the holiday mood is by embarking on a cinematic journey through the world of Harry Potter – yes, all eight films are now available for streaming on Peacock!
What makes a good Christmas movie?
To kick things off, let’s clarify a few points. For a movie to be considered a good Christmas film, it should have distinct Christmas themes, such as: the rest of the year might be tough and confusing, but on Christmas, with the magic of love, kindness, and a touch of snow, miracles can happen. In other words, an ideal Christmas film will incorporate (either literally or symbolically) at least two out of these three elements highlighted in the timeless classic “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”: snow, mistletoe, and gifts under the tree. To settle a common debate, Die Hard does not fall into this category. And, to open up a new discussion: Not every movie from the Harry Potter series fits the bill.
Although some Harry Potter enthusiasts (of which I must admit, I am one) might argue otherwise, every visit to Hogwarts doesn’t necessarily evoke the same holiday cheer. For instance, “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1” barely hint at the winter season with no references to Santa or presents, while these films also contain dark and disturbing events like the death of an elf in the latter. If you’re planning a Harry Potter Christmas movie marathon, it’s essential to acknowledge that some of these films might not be traditionally festive. Surprisingly, only three out of the eight Harry Potter movies can be considered suitable for a Christmas viewing, according to established holiday standards. This may come as a shock to fans of the boy wizard and his school days.
The three most Christmassy Harry Potter movies
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
This one almost goes without saying.
As an orphaned young wizard named Harry Potter enters the prestigious wizarding school in the UK, he believes his troubled childhood has ended. However, his initial term is far from ordinary, as he navigates through a menacing ex-wizard who murdered his parents, a Halloween troll attack, and an unpredictable adult potions teacher. Despite these challenges, Harry embraces his new experiences wholeheartedly: flying on a broom for the first time, performing his initial spell, and most significantly, celebrating his first festive holiday season.
As an orphan on Christmas, I didn’t have the warmest memories with my family. But the adults who cared for me went all out to make my first real holiday unforgettable. Rounding the corner of my dormitory, I was stunned to find a towering tree, heavy with presents. Ron assured me that most of those gifts were for me! “I’ve got presents?” It was like a dream come true, with snow and gifts under the tree. And to top it off, one of those presents turned out to be a sentimental item from my late father, which I ended up needing to defeat Lord Voldemort in the end – talk about a Christmas adventure!
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Years after his joyous first Christmas (and a host of other traumas and plot points), we meet a far angstier Harry in a moment of grief. The return of He Who Must Not be Moisturized at the end of Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire is bummer enough without the entire government spending tax galleons on a smear campaign so salacious it could’ve been used as promo for a diss track. Lucky, though, that the love of his friends and a healthy dose of hope are all he needs to bring joy back to the world, especially if the famous Room of Requirement has anything to offer.
Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix beautifully encapsulates the spirit of a heartwarming Christmas film, despite not being traditionally set during the holiday season. It satisfies our criteria with images of snow, mistletoe, and gifts, but it’s the intangible essence of Christmas that truly stands out. Santa would be proud to see Harry sharing his first kiss beneath a magical sprig of mistletoe! Not to mention, the film features significant moments like Harry’s premonition of Mr. Weasley being attacked by Nagini the snake around Christmas time and his father returning home from the hospital on Christmas Day for family celebrations. Despite the sorrow and complexities in the movie, Harry Potter and the Order of The Phoenix embodies the hope and enchantment essential to turning a typical Christmas film into a timeless classic.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
In our concluding point, we find Harry in a setting distinctly unfamiliar to us. Following the temporary halt of a potential date due to Dumbledore using Harry as bait to lure the arrogant Horace Slughorn back to Hogwarts, Harry is thrust into an undercover operation to recover fragments of Voldemort’s past. An endeavor that will demand every last bit he has.
In a surprising turn of events, I’ll confess that this film initially seemed unlikely to make my favorites list. The unusual green filter gives off a vibe more reminiscent of a Slytherin lair than Santa’s cozy workshop. And while Dumbledore’s demise (apologies for the potential spoiler after all these years) isn’t exactly joyous, it does set the stage for an intriguing narrative. However, before things turn grim, the movie is predominantly set in the winter season, complete with abundant snowfall. Horace Slughorn’s Christmas party provides a fitting setting for a group of troubled teenagers to express their emotional turmoil through dance. The invitations are scarce, the weather is harsh, and the butterbeer keeps flowing, creating an atmosphere filled with warmth and merriment. As for Christmas itself, Harry finds himself back at the Weasley residence, where he and Ginny share some sweet moments, along with a few suggestive glances. In true Weasley fashion, they face adversity when dark forces attack their home (one might wonder if they lack holiday spirit?). However, they rally together, using love as their magic shield to drive away the darkness for the season. Incidentally, the house ends up catching fire in the process, but who wouldn’t agree that a fire is just another form of sparkling holiday decoration (stay safe during this festive season)?
Regrettably, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” is indeed a must-mention, boasting a light dusting of snow, a dash of romance, and a Christmas gathering so uncomfortable it outdoes every workplace holiday event combined. It barely squeezes into the list.
In essence, regardless if you’re deeply engrossed in the world of Harry Potter, a regular holiday observer, or completely unfamiliar with them, we can all concur that a genuine Christmas movie captures the essence of what this season embodies: a chance to nurture the love that has endured throughout the year. As Dumbledore would put it, “there is one thing Voldemort cannot comprehend – love.
All the Harry Potter movies are currently streaming on Peacock.
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2024-12-24 00:16