You're in good company if you spend Christmas at the movies

Certain American holidays are indelibly linked to specific customs. The Fourth of July is synonymous with fireworks displays. Thanksgiving heralds the frenzy of Black Friday shopping. And then there's Christmas, inextricably linked to the allure of the silver screen.

The thought of moviegoing might not immediately spring to mind when contemplating the Christmas season. One typically envisions festive trees, melodious carols, and intricately decorated cookies. Yet, venturing to the cinema on Christmas Day or in the days around it has evolved into a beloved tradition for numerous families.

"It's akin to a midnight mass," remarked Matthew Germenis, 33, who has frequented the movies on Christmas since his teenage years. "It holds an extraordinary, almost sacred, significance."

Germenis is not an anomaly. The festive season is a booming period for cinemas and film studios alike. Historically, holiday release dates have transformed film franchises like "Harry Potter" and "The Lord of the Rings" into seasonal classics. In 2001, the inaugural Harry Potter film, released just before Thanksgiving, dominated the holiday box office, with "The Fellowship of the Ring" not far behind at third place. The former emerged as the year's highest-grossing film.

In essence, the holiday period, particularly the week from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day, draws throngs to theaters, many motivated by tradition. The intertwining of Christmas with moviegoing is indeed a kind of yuletide marvel.

Christmas, and indeed the entire week, is especially conducive to cinema outings, noted Alicia Kozma, director of the cinema department at Indiana University. Schools are closed, providing an outlet for children; people have leisure time and might seek a respite from familial obligations; and there's a fresh slate of films generating buzz.

The fact that cinemas are among the few establishments reliably open on Christmas enhances their appeal, both to those celebrating the holiday and those seeking activity.

"It's a perfect confluence of factors," Kozma observed.

This wasn't always the scenario. Christmas was once regarded as a sacred day, reserved for familial gatherings at home. However, in the late 1940s and 1950s, as television sets became ubiquitous, studios sought to lure audiences back to theaters.

Paramount Pictures took a bold step in 1947 by releasing "Road to Rio," featuring Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, on Christmas Day. Unexpectedly, the film was a smash hit, and the association between Christmas and the movies began.

Today, the films released around Christmas aren't always holiday-themed. Such films often debut earlier or skip theaters altogether. This year, "Red One" premiered in November, as did streaming titles like "Nutcrackers" on Hulu and "Hot Frosty" on Netflix.

Instead, the Christmas period launches films with broad appeal or builds momentum for potential award contenders. The Bob Dylan biopic "A Complete Unknown," starring Timothée Chalamet, is a case in point. Its Christmas release aims to generate buzz that could carry through the awards season.

"Christmas releases signal that a studio sees awards potential in these films," Kozma explained.

Whether Chalamet secures an Oscar nomination remains uncertain, but a Christmas release keeps him prominent in public consciousness.

Even lesser-known films benefit from the holiday spotlight, gaining visibility during the bustling moviegoing season. Launching major film franchises during the holidays also helps establish traditions that studios can rely on. The "Lord of the Rings" trilogy released its films leading up to Christmas, fostering a family tradition of holiday movie outings.

"You develop a habit," Kozma noted. "And when a series concludes, you simply substitute it with whatever new release is available."

Germenis acknowledges that Christmas movie releases often feature A-list stars or are "must-see" films. The tradition of holiday moviegoing seems almost assigned, he mused.

Andrew Mohrman, 20, can't pinpoint when his family's Christmas tradition of cinema visits began. Yet, for as long as he remembers, they would open gifts early and head to the local theater for the first showing.

Now, he eagerly anticipates it each year, planning what to watch as soon as release dates are announced. This year, his family plans to see "A Complete Unknown."

On Christmas, the theater exudes warmth, Mohrman observed. "Everyone's a bit friendlier and more festive, even if they're not celebrating Christmas."

And the theater is always bustling, Germenis added. While his tradition is often a solitary one, he never feels lonely at the movies. Even the characters on screen become part of his holiday memories.

"I've spent as many Christmases with Leonardo DiCaprio as with my family," he quipped.

Those holidays become entwined with that year’s movie. He fondly recalls watching "The Shape of Water" in 2017 with his parents, or "The Wolf of Wall Street" in 2013, alongside two elderly women who endured the entire film despite its risqué opening scenes. The Christmases remain distinct, never blending into each other.

Despite the theater's Christmas allure, with its big-name actors and blockbuster films, some remain hesitant to spend the holiday outside their homes. Yet for Germenis, it's about community: a room full of strangers choosing the same film on this special day.

"That's the essence of the Christmas spirit," he concluded. "It's what unites us all."

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