Why This Is The Perfect Movie To Kick Off The Christmas Season

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With the holidays here, Miracle on 34th Street is a wonderful classic film to enjoy. Created by George Seaton, it’s remained a beloved American tradition for almost a century. While it’s been remade a couple of times, those versions haven’t quite captured the magic of the original.

As a total film buff, I always find myself coming back to Miracle on 34th Street every year. It really feels like the movie that perfectly bridges the gap between fall and the full swing of the holidays. It’s definitely a product of its time, but it has this amazing way of feeling relevant even now, thanks to its smart take on society. If you’re after a genuinely classic holiday film, you can’t go wrong revisiting this Academy Award winner – it’s a true piece of American cinema.

Why You Need To Watch Miracle On 34th Street

Miracle on 34th Street is a charming film that stands out from most Christmas movies because it avoids heavy sentimentality. It has a surprisingly fresh and funny feel that still holds up today. Unlike many holiday films that rely on strong emotional moments, Miracle on 34th Street is smartly written and fast-paced, always staying grounded in reality.

The movie begins during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, setting the scene right between the end of autumn and the start of Christmas. Although Christmas themes are present, the film deliberately avoids any religious or spiritual aspects of the holiday.

The movie centers on the spirit of Santa Claus and what he represents. It primarily follows Kris Kringle, a sweet, older man who is both joyfully enthusiastic and genuinely principled. After being unexpectedly hired as Santa for a parade, he’s soon made Macy’s official Santa Claus.

Okay, so here’s the thing – this movie hinges on a department store Santa who really thinks he is the one and only. It’s brilliant, honestly. As everyone figures this out, it’s not a bug, it’s a feature! When people start questioning his mental state, a lawyer named Fred Gailey steps in to defend him in court. And the script? Absolutely sparkling. It won George Seaton an Oscar, and deservedly so – it’s snappy, clever, and just flies by. A genuinely witty and charming piece of writing.

The film interestingly avoids fully exploring the supernatural aspects of Kris, instead portraying him as a kind, elderly man whose mysterious nature slowly convinces those around him (and the viewers) of something special. Alongside John Payne as Gailey, Maureen O’Hara plays Doris, a manager at Macy’s.

Doris, a single mother raising her daughter Susan with a focus on reason rather than beliefs, and her own developing faith – both in a man named Kris and the possibility of a lasting relationship with Fred – create a back-and-forth tension similar to classic films of the time, such as Arsenic and Old Lace.

A Witty Core Makes Miracle On 34th Street Endlessly Entertaining

The real heart of Miracle on 34th Street – and what keeps it relevant even now – is its clever and playful humor. The movie understands how much influence shopping has on people, and it playfully mocks that influence. Kris Kringle gains popularity because he happily directs customers to other stores where they can find better prices.

This sparked a friendly competition among New York City’s department stores to be the most generous. It proved worthwhile when a businessman thought about the consequences of publicly accusing Kris Kringle of being a fraud – and how much joy he brought to children. The film points out how commercial the holiday season has become today, but it does so with warmth, humor, and a lot of heart.

What really struck me about this film was how thoughtfully it handled mental health. It wasn’t just a simple portrayal; it felt really complex and understanding. I found it fascinating how the character of Granville Sawyer, the Macy’s psychologist, almost served as the ‘bad guy’ – not because he was evil, but because he saw Kris’s unique way of looking at the world as a problem, even a danger. The film really highlighted how damaging it can be to judge people quickly and not try to understand what’s beneath the surface.

Even though we talk more openly about mental health now, the heartwarming themes of kindness, generosity, and friendship in Miracle on 34th Street still resonate. The film isn’t simply overly sentimental, though. It has a surprising amount of realism, focusing more on people’s jobs and everyday lives than just the magic of Christmas.

The movie doesn’t explore why people act the way they do, focusing instead on surface-level events. The legal system depicted prioritizes politics over justice, and even the positive outcome of the trial relies on the unpredictable actions of two outsiders who intentionally disrupt the proceedings.

The movie is full of funny moments, smart writing, and surprisingly touching scenes that truly resonate with viewers. It’s charming, humorous, and offers a refreshingly modern take on society. Even after nearly eighty years, Miracle on 34th Street remains a wonderfully witty, heartwarming, and ideal way to kick off the holiday season.

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2025-12-04 03:39