I finally settled the debate: Is Narnia a Christmas movie?

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It's a question that's hotly debated among many Hollywood movies, including Die Hard, Gremlins and It's a Wonderful Life: Is The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe a Christmas movie? Today, we settle the debate.

[@DuelKingYami]

My pastor once told me that we don’t get Easter without Christmas and we don’t deserve Christmas without Easter, and to me, LWW is a perfect blend of both. Thank you for this my Narnian friend

[@misseli1]

LWW is both a Christmas movie AND an Easter movie. It has Christmas themes and tropes and it features a death and resurrection.

[@brucewayne0219]

Agreed. 100%. Two things can be true.

[@lucasfinrod3428]

​@@brucewayne0219same

[@CoolG97]

I was introduced to Narina with this film in the theater. You also could've included the Nutcracker in the Christmas tropes. That features a young girl being taken to land of magic on Christmas Eve.

[@IntotheWardrobe]

Yes, that's probably an even better reference!

[@captaindemobeard9560]

@@IntotheWardrobe Hehe, good point. I wonder if Reepicheep is based on The Mouse King.

[@katherinec2759]

Yes, the dancer in me is somewhat insulted by the snub to my favorite ballet... :)

[@InvadIRK]

Also, don’t forget the whimsical Narnia soundtrack! It’s just so magical and easily makes me think of Christmas season

[@MissingTrails]

One could go even further and say that the entire Liturgical Calendar is in this movie! Advent? That's the first half of the story, anticipating the coming of the King. Christmas, the King arrives; Epiphany, we meet the King. Lent, there is repentance and preparation. Holy Week, the King dies; Easter, the King resurrects. Pentecost, the King is victorious, and His Kingdom is lived out. It's all there!

[@AndrewCarlisle11B]

Great video, Stuart! When I got back into Narnia last year it was at Christmas time, and I remember seeing LW&W in theaters right before Christmas break. So for me, it definitely meets the criteria for a Christmas movie.

[@IntotheWardrobe]

Bingo! Thanks for chatting it up last night as I finished this!

[@InvadIRK]

I personally consider it a Christmas movie, especially since it released in December 05 and I have a vivid memory of coming home from watching this movie completely amazed of how great the movie was and seeing my Christmas tree all lit up along with chilly weather

[@AndrewCarlisle11B]

Always a good day when ItW releases a new video 👊

[@leonheart27adamwright67]

I remember seeing this film back in 2005, I was 13 and was so hyped for it! And I can totally see this as a Christmas move! ^^

[@NarnianTerabithian]

Awesome video again, fellow Narnian! ❤😊 And I agree, this movie is definitely a Christmas movie♡🎄This made me shed a tear... 🥹

[@ElykRindon07]

Fun fact: we don't have winter in the Philippines, it's just either wet or dry season. So when I watched the local production of the Narnia Musical by Trumpets Inc, Lucy entering a snowy wood was Christmas Magic to me. And the Father Christmas song number had numerous colorful lanterns carried by Narnians, because it was a Filipino tradition to hang parols or Christmas Lanterns and lights whenever Christmas season arrives (which in the Philippines is September to January).

[@pendragon2012]

I've always associated Narnia with Christmas because I received my first box set as a Christmas present and read the whole series in the few weeks following.

[@trenae77]

Busted out laughing at the Pentatonix comment, but I will say they made a beautiful cover of Mary Did You Know.

[@Esmeralda.Pendragon]

The first and third Narnia films: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader were produced in cinemas in December during the Christmas period (the first in 2005 and the third in 2010). Prince Caspian, however, in July 2008, (and is the second in the film series). In a certain sense they recall both Christmas and Easter, because they represent the birth of hope with the arrival of Aslan and his death and resurrection on the stone table (that of Jesus Christ). They are all spiritual symbolisms, which recall hope and peace both in Narnia and in the world. Excellent work, as always, and see you next time. 😍

[@ricardomadrid7581]

I believe it's a Christmas movie. When I was a kid, during a Christmas vacation I happened to see the BBC TV series The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. That's where I entered the world of Narnia and fell in love with it ever since.

[@ravenlord4]

It's certainly a more true "Christmas thing" than many other things claim to be. I particularly enjoyed Lewis' depiction (and the movie's adaptation) of Father Christmas, rather than the stereotypical secular Santa Claus. That always sealed the deal for me, making TLWW part of my authentic Christmas canon.

[@paulwagner688]

You've just proved Die Hard is a Christmas movie. The Change of Heart trope. John and Holly are estranged because of John's words and deeds. Through his ordeal, his heart changes and his love and support for her return. Yeah. That's Christmas.

[@lancethefilmguy9392]

I used to believe that Die Hard wasn't a Christmas film. But when I saw that it takes place around the Christmas holiday, I began to change my mind. Granted, it isn't an ideal Christmas film but it still counts in some ways.

[@SaltedMeats]

And Die Hard is filled with Christmas references, Christmas songs, the importance of family, and the celebration of the season. What isn't a Christmas movie is A Wonderful Life.

[@FrancJ5793]

It isn't a Christmas movie per se but the theme is present throughout. The Father Christmas scene is pretty wholesome !

[@firstephraim4912]

Hi Mateo again since i was, three years old, and now I'v always loved Narnia. It's always been a big part of my life, and I'v always wanted to see more Narnia content, so finding your channel was defenetlly a gift from God! So keep up the good work!

[@Quinn_Pennfeather]

I love all three movies and read all seven books 📚 in order. ❤ I’m a huge fan of Narnia and I plan to read them again as well as the Hobbit/Lord of the Rings series and the Space Trilogy series in the future. I have a question for you guys: would you consider Harry Potter as a Christmas movie or not? I’ll leave it up to you to decide.

[@lancethefilmguy9392]

I say no because it only last less than 5 minutes while LW&W has a Christmas feel for at least half of the movie.

[@Quinn_Pennfeather]

@@lancethefilmguy9392 thanks for clarifying that. I appreciate it very much

[@rickloftus9330]

Buddhist Reclaiming Witch here. Love your channel, keep up the great work, Narnia rocks, TLTWATW is a Christmas movie… AND SO IS DIE HARD! I have an Advent calendar tracking Hans Gruber’s fall from Nakatomi Tower to prove it. ❤️❤️❤️

[@raynitaylor1912]

Surprised that KZbin told me this as soon as posted.

[@IntotheWardrobe]

It's a Christmas miracle!

[@jonathanbrewer7072]

Let me start by saying Stuart is the leading authority on Narnia, dwarfing the likes of Paul F. Ford,and the late great Walter Hooper, however I thought there is reaching for Christmas movie parallels. The closing line was beautiful. May I recommend The Holly and the Ivy ( movie ) starring Denholm Elliott ? Thank you to Stuart and the team.

[@IntotheWardrobe]

Sometimes we all need a good stretch, don't we? ;-). Thanks for the recommendation! Can't wait to check it out!

[@jonathanbrewer7072]

@@IntotheWardrobe Indeed we do. The movie is a classic.

[@Esmeralda-2003]

I'm glad you also put in the fact that Christmas is more than getting presents and Father Christmas. It's about the true King's birth. "It is his birthday we are celebrating" Dudley (The Bishop's Wife).

[@IntotheWardrobe]

I love that movie!

[@lauraa1345]

Me and my dad have been watching LWW every winter season as a tradition and it's even more special to know that it's actually a christmas movie and what big part Christmas itself has in the film🎅🎁

[@firstephraim4912]

Wrong will be made right, when Aslan is in sight. At the sound of his roar, sorrow will be no more. When he bares his teeth, winter meets it's death. When he shake's his mane, we shall have spring again. Thank you again for your great content, and keep up the good work! Your friend of Narnia, Mateo.

[@DaltonLPyron]

I just shared this movie with my mother. Told her it was my FAVORITE Christmas movie.

[@az694]

We Dutch people have Christmas (and Saint Nickolas - Sinterklaas) decorations from the 1st of September when bad weather hits us! Immediately we start! Nobody beats us!

[@darktenor4967]

For me, the bbc Narnia miniseries is always associated with Christmas, just like their adaptation of Box of Delights. I still remember eating funsized chocolates in 1987 at the age of five, watching the Blue peter special on the making of the series, then the year after, watching the latest episode of Voyage of the Dawn treader on Christmas eave, just before the songs of praise Christmas special. I know this is purely anecdotal, and has little to do with Lewis ideas in the book, but it is always something I think of this time of year nevertheless, especially with things in the world being so grim, and the true meaning of Christmas, both as it relates to the birth of Jesus Christ and as it relates to family and fellowship being pretty much eclipsed by greed, division, censorship and commercialism!

[@IntotheWardrobe]

What a magical memory! Thanks for sharing.

[@Roma_eterna]

There’s a miniseries? I gotta check this out!!!

[@darktenor4967]

@@Roma_eterna Heck yes! They did Lion witch and the wardrobe, prince Caspian, Voyage of the dawn treader and the silver chair. The cast included great English actors like Warwick Davis as reepicheep (and glimfeather the owl), and Tom baker as puddleglum. The series is live action and They used a combination of costumes, and animated graphics for the animals, which could look pretty freaky by today's standards. What stands out however is the acting, including on the children; lucy and Susan's reactions to Aslan's sacrifice are heartbreaking, and the white witch is amazing! Also, they are word for word taken from the books, and though a few things had to be cut for practicality reasons, so much is preserved. It very much has the feeling of old style doctor who, what couldn't be done with effects was done with great acting. Heck the dark island is much more! scary imho than in the later film, because the viewer doesn't actually see anything, it's all down to the way the characters react to things only they can see. either way, in case you haven't guessed, I love this series, and would highly recommend!

[@Roma_eterna]

@@darktenor4967 oh damn! Thanks man! I’ma look that up!

[@darktenor4967]

@@Roma_eterna They're available on DVD, and you can even find episodes on KZbin. As I said, practical costumes and effects will look janky by today's standards (this was the bbc in the late eighties after all), but very much made up for by great acting, and much more faithfulness to the books than the Hollywood films.

[@fredreindljr1996]

God bless! Ya know, I'm trying to think of a winter holiday for my fantasy world.

[@jamesgravil9162]

Well, Father Christmas appears in it, and the story is basically an allegory for Christ's sacrifice and resurrection. So by those criteria, it is a Christmas movie.

[@gustyko8668]

Merry Christmas man, may God bless you and your family 🙏✝️🎄

[@IntotheWardrobe]

Same to you! Blessings in this wonderful season!

[@Epic_Kingdom]

I wish they could've made the rest of the films. This was such a great movie!

[@apebblemaster4570]

Yes! Finally somebody agrees that that hallelujah song isn't a Christmas song! In fact, it's not even a Christian song! (Great video, btw!)

[@Book_Nerd14]

Love your videos! Thank you so much for a wonderful Narnia channel! Also, could you do a KZbin livestream sometime soon?

[@elf1384]

LWW is both a Christmas and Easter story combined together well. The first half has a wonderful scenes of Christmas time and coldness of winter (which is caused by Jadis's evil spell) and the second half is springtime, where warmth and sacrificial love lead to the death of winter (where Lucy, Edmund, Susan, and Peter entered Narnia, meeting Father Christmas and handing out gifts, Aslan's death and resurrection, and the death of Jadis, the White Witch and her evil enchantment). I do watch LWW around Christmas time and Easter time because of the themes and tropes. Yes, LWW is definitely a Christmas story (and an Easter story, too)! 🦁🎅🏻❄️🌳🏵

[@13alexthelion13]

I love you videos so much! Especially your video on the character. Are you going to do the life of Susan Penvensie? I loved you in defence of her too as you really articulated what I have felt about the character!

[@GarretGarlinger]

We always Watch it at Christmas and many other times too. I love narina! Love the channel Keep it up!

[@yourturn5059]

The one Christmas movie I'd happily watch any time of the year!😊

[@gromtex5462]

I would say its a very good movie for christmas but you can watch it all year around and dont feel out of season, because its a very good movie for every day in the year.

[@joshuavincent3515]

Love the video man.

[@grantpatillo]

Yes, it’s a Christmas movie. But it’s so much more than that. It can be enjoyed at any time of the year.

[@JWS1313]

Not only is it a Christmas movie by those facts; but due to the fact Aslan is resurrected and about spring returning then it is also an Easter movie :P

[@IntotheWardrobe]

100%

[@DneilB007]

2:34 “Hallelujah” the song carries some interesting context. The song references the David & Bathsheba story (which can be seen as just about adultery, but also carries implications of abuse of power, r*pe, and possibly even idolatry) but clearly positions the story as being in the past. After his affair with Bathsheba, the next time that David is stated to have praised the Lord in song was after the death of his son via Bathsheba. That broken, dark place of ultimate loss is where the singer in Cohen’s song finds the inspiration to sing Hallelujah.

[@LycorisRadiata-ki7ve]

love your videos❤

[@Juuchan17]

Well said! I agree - all of the wonder & whimsy of the Christmas season is definitely easy to find within the film and I feel it every time I watch it (yes, any version of it). Given all of the allegory within its tale, it can also be an Easter film as well, since it is a story of an innocent sacrificing himself for others & doing the impossible by resurrecting back to life. It really hits both holiday seasons well enough to enjoy it in winter AND spring (since Aslan's return does bring with it the springtime & the end of the cursed winter)... or anytime (if you're like me)!

[@toddhouston4523]

It’s also an Easter movie as well.

[@captaindemobeard9560]

Don't forget the White Witch, and the corruption of Edmund is based on Hans Christian Anderson's "The Snow Queen". Awesome Christmas Fairytale. P.s. I personally don't mind Tim Allen's or Kurt Russel's Santas. They still spark Christmas Spirit to me.

[@MollyOKami]

Let me just say that, however you cut it, The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe is FAR more a Christmas movie than Die Hard (still both great movies, though).

[@moonbased7796]

In my opinion: it’s similar to the “Nightmare before Christmas” movie where technically it can be considered as a Halloween and Christmas movie (since in Nightmare Before Christmas has two different holidays well at least two mostly being the focus) were as with LWW (lion witch and the wardrobe) does have two holidays since it does have Christmas stuff (like having Santa for a few seconds in the movie and does have the winter aesthetic) but does have Easter hints too since it does talk about resurrection (well used it in the story) since in the Bible (I’m not Christian or Catholic so someone can go into detail if ya like) Jesus does resurrection on Easter (from my understanding it was a similar idea where Aslan got resurrected in the movie)

[@davidwong9230]

This is similar to a question which I was once asked: Is Handel’s The Messiah, music for Christmas or Easter? My answer was that it’s music for both.

[@michaelprovenzano2575]

Can you please do a video about “Battles are ugly when women fight” from LWW. Why Lucy and Susan (and women) were not meant to fight in Lewis’s eyes?

[@crashman4759]

Weather it is or isnt, it is my go to trilogy to watch at christmas, home alone 1 and 2, 8 crazy nights, and lord of the rings fall in there too

[@silverchairsg]

It's always summer never winter in my neck of the woods. 😁

[@patrickols]

Any movie can be a Christmas movie if you pick it as such. Many people consider Die Hard a Christmas movie, it’s mostly just what you pick as tradition

[@SambagsStockpot]

I consider TLtWatW a film that can be watched at both Christmas and Easter; also, I have to say Die Hard does make me think of Christmas 😁

[@Bestof33_]

First 😊

[@IntotheWardrobe]

Nice!

[@chiarasperanza1724]

It's a movie for all time ❤

[@ryanratchford2530]

This is a question? It’s winter and Xmas finally come and Father Xmas shows up and gives them presents! But seriously, it’s probably not since Xmas isn’t a central theme of the film

[@IntotheWardrobe]

💯

[@iceman6547]

I watch it every Christmas morning

[@IntotheWardrobe]

That's a wonderful tradition!

[@pastorbrianediger]

The song "Hallelujah" isn't even a Christian song, let alone a Christmas song. I had Turkish delight in Turkey. It was pretty good.

[@ripbingbong2015]

the king has spoken

[@aydngray-juarez8935]

Next please do a story on Miraz

[@uniacke]

Dude you should rewatch Fred Claus, that misunderstanding about “naughty” children is really beautiful, and a very true Christian idea

[@IntotheWardrobe]

Will do!

[@musicallydisneyamvs6731]

How many of us are yearly Christmas movie watchers & watched this film because you enjoyed this film & are just now realizing this was even a question?

[@justqueennothighqueen38]

I only watch this movie and VDT in December for significant anniversaries and I always think about it this month, but that's because it was released this month. Otherwise, there are too many Christmas movies to watch. That's why I watch this movie every Easter, because it has very little competition. I do agree that Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" is not a Christmas song, but the Christmas version is and has the superior lyrics. And sorry, but I think Die Hard is a Christmas movie.

[@nerd_patriot_disciple]

Of course it is! How is this even a question?

[@bigsarge2085]

✌

[@lancethefilmguy9392]

I agree that Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe is definitely a Christmas Movie. Considering that Father Christmas is in the film and he is praising Aslan, it confirms that St. Nicolas is a follower of Jesus Christ. ✝️🎄🎅🏻 Also, it is a much better Christmas film than Harry Potter. I never understood why TV channels put that in their Christmas lineup.

[@angelicagaldos]

In a way it's a Christmas film without being a Christmas film. A great one too

[@ethanwashington9332]

Nightmare before Christmas looks freakier than polar express

[@srstriker6420]

Well I never thought of Nairnia as a Christmas but I do wonder is the Nightmare before Christmas a Christmas movie or a Halloween movie or is it both?

[@veronicaclarke7499]

Definitely both.

[@lancethefilmguy9392]

More like Halloween because most of the movie takes place in Halloween Town. And the first song we here in the beginning is "This Is Halloween"

[@blindvision4703]

Is it a Christmas movie, or an Easter movie? Or both?

[@vonsowards1297]

2:59 it didn’t came out in 2009, it was 2005. In the UK it can at on Dec 8th 2005 and in the USA it came out Dec 9th 2005.

[@IntotheWardrobe]

Oh no! A slip of the tongue! One of those times I hate that KZbin doesn't allow editing. Thanks for posting.

[@Disneydreamgirl33]

You did NOT just insult the Polar Express

[@IntotheWardrobe]

😂 My kids are terrified of it!

[@sydneycollier3819]

It’s definitely a Christmas movie and Easter!😊💚

[@TheMadPoetHimself]

Christmas movie? Yes. Easter movie? ALSO YES.

[@twiceborn_by_grace]

1. Jesus (kinda) 2. Gifts 3. Family 4. Snow 5. Santa (Father Christmas)

[@Outtacontextouttatime]

Your wrong about diehard but ill let this slide because you did an amazing job on this video

[@greyladybast]

Almost all of this, except Father Christmas*, applies to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. So are those Christmas movies, too? *and an argument can be made for Gandalf as Father Christmas

[@cbrooks97]

I came to the same conclusion: In a land afflicted by evil, Christmas comes as the first sign that the King is coming to set everything right. Does it get any more Christmas than that?

[@micahbumps4375]

Great video, but you kinda lose credibility at the beginning of the video when you said Die Hard isn't a Christmas movie. A better question would be is LW&W an Easter movie.

[@laurapeter3857]

I couldn’t have said it better. Die Hard is a Christmas movie and LW&TW is more of a Christmas and Easter movie.

[@IntotheWardrobe]

Yeah, I might lose a few subs with that one, but, hey--gotta speak truth to power. 🤣

[@everrettbreezewood3665]

One problem: Lots of shortsighted people think you shouldn't "do Christmas" outside of December. They're wrong of course, but that explanation would take too long. LWW deserves the whole year.

[@firstephraim4912]

Which of these Narnian creatures are you favorite, the dwuarf's, fuan's, or the dryad's. Phones dying good bye.

[@ImperatorPenguin]

Wait... this was released in 2005!

[@lc77713]

I’ve considered Narnia a Christmas movie for YEARS just like Die Hard lol

[@mrbojangles8133]

Richard Attenborough was a good father Christmas though

[@Bombiedude.]

I honestly dont care if its a christmas movie or not I still would watch it if I was in the mood

[@kalmarfanatic04]

Wait.... people have debated this? I thought it was common knowledge!

[@mrs.manrique7411]

Haha, hmmm…..I think it’s more Christmas than a certain movie everyone argues about. 😂

[@SambagsStockpot]

Also, sorry, but do you spell check your text? 🤓😁

[@IntotheWardrobe]

Where? The captions are auto generated by KZbin. Did you mean there or somewhere else?

[@jillianpedone3579]

I always watch Narnia on Easter so to me its a Easter movie

[@RachaelTheFirboldDruid]

Die Hard IS a Christmas movie!

[@RealMatthewWalker]

What about Shazam? It’s a Christmas movie now.

[@jonathanbrewer7072]

It's an indirect Christmas movie.

[@thecat-alyst2716]

So question, if the Disney version of Narnia is a Christmas movie, what about the 1999 Focus on the Family Radio Theatre adaptation with David Suchet, Elizabeth Counsell and Paul Scofield? I don't really care for the Disney film because to me, Elizabeth Counsell is a much better Jadis than Tilda will ever be. Love you Tilda, but you don't hold a candle to Elizabeth Counsell.

[@LeGrandColbert]

Santa's in it. End of discussion.

[@westower7898]

Die Hard 1-3 are ALL definitely Christmas movies.

[@urbex_coasters]

Not really. I mean I know it's pretty surface level to have this view but any movie that portrays snow or ice as a bad thing can't exactly claim to be such. "Winter bad" being such a central theme makes it impossible for LWW to be a Christmas movie, unless you want to have a deeper discussion about the true origins of the holiday (Winter Soulstice) and how Christians hijacked it to celebrate the birth of some dude who was born in July assuming he existed and want to argue the snow melting when people believe represents what your day should actually look like and not the day Christians stole. If Lewis meant to do some kind of commentary for Christians to make their day be in July with that than yes it is a Christmas movie. Even if I don't like that that means he is implying I am like Jadis for the crime of being a Pagan who celebrates the Winter Soulstice, I very much respect the subtle commentary of when Christians should be having their day. I may be a different religion but I always appreciate a layered story and if this was intended, than Narnia has more layers than anyone realised.

[@AncestorEmpireGaming]

Die Hard: first time?