Around the holiday season, Americans frequently find themselves debating the superiority of Halloween or Christmas movies. Critics may argue the repetitive nature of Christmas films or the poor graphics of Halloween films. This year, instead of battling the two holidays, viewers can watch Halloween films and their Christmas equivalent. 

“Hocus Pocus” and “Elf”

While “Elf” and “Hocus Pocus” may seem repellent to one another, the films do not differ as much as viewers may think. The movies, while made ten years apart, share similar themes and ideas throughout. “Hocus Pocus” follows young kids in Salem Massachusetts that must undo the summoning of the evil Sanderson sisters. Upon the witches’ arrival, they enter a new and unfamiliar world. They visibly feel ostracized and alienated in the town they once called home.  

“Elf”, starring Will Ferrell, tells the story of a human raised as one of Santa’s elves after accidentally arriving at the North Pole as a baby. Unable to rid himself of an uneasy feeling, Buddy makes his way to New York City to look for his biological father. The feeling of not belonging fills both films and serves as an overarching theme in both. These films can also fit the theme of “you’re never too old to believe”.

“Grinch” and ”Edward Scissorhands”  

The Grinch and Edward Scissorhands represent infamous characters in pop culture. The two social outcasts share similar experiences throughout their films. After feeling isolated throughout his entire childhood, The Grinch decides to “steal” Christmas from the whos of Whoville. After bonding with Cindy Lou Who, she convinces everyone in the town of The Grinch’s kindness and that he belongs in Whoville. 

Edward Scissorhands, the result of a scientist’s unfinished work, must go through society and try to function as a human. Despite his kindness and artistic talent, Edward’s frightening appearance and lack of social cues make him an outcast. Both films follow the themes of loneliness and judging a book by its cover. 

“Halloweentown” and “Santa Clause”

The “Halloweentown” and “Santa Claus” franchises show the light and fun side to the holiday season. “Halloweentown” follows Marnie Piper, played by Kimberly J. Brown, and her family of magical witches. Throughout each film, the family must come together and defeat their common enemy. From beginning to end, Marnie grows and learns to manage her powers. She must now carry on the Cromwell legacy and protect Halloweentown. 

In “The Santa Clause”, Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) must take over the role of Santa Clause after stumbling across reindeer on the roof with his son Charlie. The next day, Scott begins gaining weight, growing facial hair, and his hair becomes white. As the Santa Clause appearance comes, so do the responsibilities. The new Santa must deliver gifts by the time Christmas comes around. Both “Halloweentown” and “The Santa Clause” follow characters that must take on new responsibilities and help others. 

“Nightmare before Christmas” and “Christmas Carol”

These two films follow deep and dark themes followed by intense animation. In Tim Burton’s “Nightmare Before Christmas”, Burton and his team used stop-motion animation to make the characters come to life. The figures made of metal, silicone, fabric, and foam set this film apart from other animated films. The dark and eerie themes make this movie instantly recognizable to viewers. 

“A Christmas Carol” tells the story of a grumpy old man named Ebenezer Scrooge. He receives visits from the Christmas ghost of the past, present and future. As the film progresses, the ghosts hope to help Scrooge erase his bitterness. The filmmakers used a hyper-realistic animation style to tell this story. They accomplished this by using the most cutting-edge CGI technologies.

“Coraline” and “Polar Express”

Similar to “A Christmas Carol”, “The Polar Express” utilizes hyper-realism. While this film does not follow such dark and scary storytelling, viewers can almost feel the experiences of the characters through the animation. In “The Polar Express” and “Coraline”, the films involve children who leave their families and go on life-changing adventures. 

Coraline travels to a parallel universe, but when faced with trouble, she must find her way back home. In “The Polar Express”, the hero boy, played by Josh Hutcherson, wakes up on Christmas eve and decides to ride a train going to the North Pole. After meeting new friends, the kids must make it to the North Pole if they want to go back home. Children left to their own devices must survive and save themselves from trouble. 

“Home alone” and “Monster House”

The characters in “Home Alone” and “Monster” fit the latchkey kids theme perfectly. In “Home Alone,” Macaulay Culkin’s character, Kevin Mcallister, defended himself in the home his parents left him in. Meanwhile the main characters in“Monster House” found themselves in a house that they needed to defend themselves from. 

The films share similar themes and perfectly placed comedic relief. All of the adults involved with the children do nothing but cause harm to them. As a result, those children must survive and fend for themselves.

“I usually watch Halloween movies instead of Christmas movies, but there’s definitely a few Christmas movies that I have to watch during the holidays. When I think of Christmas, I think of Hallmark movies that have the same ending,” senior Ansley Jones said. 

While these movies may not equate perfectly, they do equal in overarching themes and plots. The animation styles and storytelling also plays a large role in the juxtaposition of these films. With the comparisons of these films, hopefully, this will bring the Halloween vs Christmas debate to an end.