Based on The Daily Gondor chart, our version switches setting with theme to make it clearer.

This chart categorizes Christmas movies into distinct sections based on two axes: Season and Theme. The Season axis assesses how closely the movie’s setting aligns with Christmas, ranging from Season Purist (set during Christ’s birth or directly tied to Christmas) to Season Radical (films enjoyed during the holidays but not explicitly tied to Christmas). The Theme axis evaluates the focus of the movie, from Theme Purist (about Jesus Christ) to Theme Neutral (general spiritual or redemptive themes) to Theme Radical (secular holiday elements like elves or Santa). Additional films have been added to broaden the categories.

Layout of the Chart (with more examples):

1. Upper Left (Season Purist, Theme Purist):

Movies set during the time of Christ’s birth and focusing on Him.

• Examples: The Nativity Story, The Star, The Little Drummer Boy
  These movies are deeply tied to biblical accounts of Jesus’ birth and fit both axes perfectly.

2. Upper Middle (Season Neutral, Theme Purist):

Movies about Jesus Christ, but not tied specifically to Christmas.

• Examples: The Greatest Story Ever Told
  The Greatest Story Ever Told depicts the life of Christ

3. Upper Right (Season Radical, Theme Purist):

Movies about Jesus that aren’t tied to the Christmas season.

• Examples: The Passion of the Christ, The Life of Jesus
  While focused on Christ, these movies depict events from His adult life, such as His crucifixion, and are unrelated to Christmas.

4. Left Middle (Season Purist, Theme Neutral):
Movies set during or tied directly to Christmas but focusing on spiritual transformation or moral redemption rather than overt religious themes.

• Examples: A Christmas Carol, The Man Who Invented Christmas
  Classics themed around moral and spiritual renewal and redemption set mainly during Christmastime.

5. Center (Season Neutral, Theme Neutral):

Movies about general spiritual transformation and redemption, often centered around Christmas but not solely about it.

• Examples: It’s a Wonderful Life,
  Classics themed around moral and spiritual renewal and redemption set mainly during Christmastime.

6. Right Middle (Season Radical, Theme Neutral):

Movies not explicitly about Christmas but featuring themes of redemption, transformation, or spiritual renewal that resonate with the holiday spirit.

• Examples: Ben-Hur, The Giver
  Ben-Hur includes elements of Christ’s life and spiritual redemption, and The Giver includes elements of redemption with a Christmas scene.

7. Bottom Left (Season Purist, Theme Radical):

Movies tied to Christmas but with secular, action-based, or humorous themes.

• Examples: Die Hard, Home Alone, Christmas Vacation, Polar Express
  Die Hard takes place during a Christmas party, Home Alone is set during the holidays, and Christmas Vacation features Christmas chaos. The Polar Express is a fantastical take on the holiday.

8. Bottom Middle (Season Neutral, Theme Radical):

Movies that include a mixture of fantasy or secular elements but aren’t necessarily tied to the Christmas season.

• Examples: Elf, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Miracle on 34th Street
  Elf has some scenes around Christmastime, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe captures themes of good vs. evil and spiritual allegory but isn’t explicitly a Christmas movie.

9. Bottom Right (Season Radical, Theme Radical):

Movies completely unrelated to Christmas but still associated with the holidays through traditions or culture.

• Examples: The Lord of the Rings, You’ve Got Mail, Serendipity
  Though not Christmas-themed, these are frequently enjoyed during the holiday season for their magical, family-friendly nature.

Here’s the updated table with the axes switched:

Note that these are at least somewhat good movies, so movies like Love Actually are omitted.

How the Movies Are Grouped:

This chart shows how movies are often enjoyed during Christmas for different reasons, ranging from deeply religious significance to lighthearted holiday fun. The additional films enrich the chart by offering a more comprehensive view of the different ways people define and categorize “Christmas movies.” It encourages fun debates and helps others think about the cultural and thematic elements that shape their holiday traditions.