By Sabrina Novacov, Programming & Development Manager
There’s something special about the beginning of a Christmas movie.
Before we know the characters, before we understand their story, and before we know how everything will turn out, those first few minutes invite us into a world that feels a little more hopeful and, most importantly, a little more like Christmas.
A great Christmas movie doesn’t need long to make us feel at home. In fact, the opening five minutes can tell us so much about the story we’re about to see. From the first notes of Christmas music to the snowy setting, the characters we meet and the story that begins to unfold, every detail helps set the tone.
Here are a few of the elements that can make those opening minutes unforgettable.
Christmas Music
Sometimes, all it takes is the first few notes of a familiar Christmas song.
Music has a remarkable way of bringing back memories and creating an immediate emotional connection. A joyful Christmas melody can instantly make a scene feel festive.
The right music tells us: Christmas is here.
A Winter Wonderland
Snow-covered streets. Twinkling lights. A charming small town. A beautifully decorated Christmas tree. A cozy home with a fire in the fireplace. Maybe even a Christmas market or a town preparing for its annual celebration.
Those first establishing shots gives us a beautiful winter setting that makes the story feel like a Christmas story from the very beginning.
Christmas
The best Christmas movies don’t simply take place in December. Christmas matters to the story.
Maybe a character is returning home for Christmas. Maybe a family tradition is in danger of disappearing. Maybe a community is coming together to help someone in need. Maybe a character is learning to slow down and remember what truly matters.
Christmas reminds us of the importance of family, generosity, forgiveness, faith, community and making time for the people we love. From the opening scene, viewers should have a sense that Christmas isn’t just the season surrounding the characters, it’s helping shape their story.
The Opening Scene
The opening scene doesn’t have to explain everything. In fact, sometimes the most effective openings leave us with just enough questions to keep watching.
Who is this person? Why are they here? What happened in their past? What are they hoping to find? What will happen when these two characters meet?
That’s why casting matters so much. The right actors can make us immediately connect with a character. We want to root for their happiness and feel invested in the relationships that develop throughout the movie.
As You Enter the Christmas Challenge
As you enter the Great American Christmas Challenge, keep these little details in mind. What makes a Christmas movie stand out? Is it the moment the opening music begins? The beauty of a snowy setting? The first glimpse of a charming Christmas town? The chemistry between the leads?
So as you watch, take a closer look, listen a little more closely and think about what makes each movie memorable to you. Because when it comes time to make your Christmas Challenge picks, every little detail might just make a difference!
Enter the Christmas Challenge today and rank all 18 Great American Christmas movie premieres based on the order you think America will watch them! Then, follow along all season on Great American Journal to see how your predictions stack up. Think you can win the Christmas Challenge? Make your picks for a chance to win the $100,000 Grand Prize! Let The Christmas Challenge begin!
Great American Christmas can be part of your Christmas traditions! Sign up for Great American Pure Flix and enjoy new Christmas movie premieres every week, filled with faith, family, romance, and plenty of Christmas cheer. Gather the family for a movie night and celebrate Christmas as it’s meant to be with us!
Let us know in the comment section below what you think matters most in a Christmas movie - we’d love to hear from you!