Where Are the Women in Christmas Movies?

This is a guest post by Anika Guldstrand.

At this time of year, it’s only natural that we pull our favorite holiday films down from the shelf as one way to celebrate the season. Whether you prefer old or new classics, the holiday films are, for me, an intrinsic part of the holiday tradition. However, upon reviewing the many Christmas titles to choose from, I’ve noticed one glaring absence: that of a high quality Christmas film with a sole female protagonist.

Of course, in some ways it seems natural that many films related to Christmas have male protagonists, as Santa Claus and Jesus are the primary characters related to the holiday, but where is the story of Mrs. Claus? She is certainly present in a large number of Christmas films, standing next to Santa, but that’s as much information as we’re ever given. I would love to see a film about where she came from and what her role is other than standing by Santa’s side. Mrs. Claus has an origin story out there somewhere and it would be fascinating to see it told in a high-caliber film.

Even in the older holiday classics like White Christmas and It’s A Wonderful Life, there are no examples of a female protagonist without a male counterpart. For every Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen, you have a Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. For Donna Reed, you have Jimmy Stewart. In modern holiday films, women often play the role of the mother to the younger protagonists, and frequently lack significant character development beyond that role. Just look at the mothers in Home Alone, A Christmas Story, The Santa Clause, or Jingle All the Way. Even the children these films focus on are male. Why shouldn’t a holiday film focus on a young girl rather than a young boy?

It seems like such a glaring oversight. Let’s face it: women make Christmas happen, whether that’s by hosting a fantastic party, shopping for gifts, putting up Christmas lights, carving the Christmas ham, or any other task of the many it takes to prepare for the holidays. With such a huge role in the season, wouldn’t it make sense that women be equally represented in the films of the holiday as well?

That said, here are five examples I was able to find of strong female protagonists (although they are all co-protagonists) in some wonderful holiday films.

Cindy Lou Who from How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Yes, the Grinch himself is the primary protagonist of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! However, we all know that Cindy Lou Who is the one who teaches the Grinch the true meaning of Christmas and ultimately saves the holiday. Although she is “no bigger than two,” she makes all the difference for the Grinch and saves Christmas for all the Whos down in Whoville.

Mary Bailey from It’s a Wonderful Life

George Bailey never would have made it if it weren’t for Mary Bailey. Of course, yet again it’s the man who is the primary protagonist, but Mary Bailey is the one who keeps their family together and, in the end, saves George from the mistake of his uncle.

Doris and Susan Walker from Miracle on 34th Street

Susan Walker, played by a very young Natalie Wood, is the protagonist of Miracle on 34th Street right alongside Santa Claus himself. Her mother, Doris Walker, is a single mother with a career and a mind of her own. As Fred Gailey pursues Ms. Walker, she shows that she has feelings for him, but never loses her practicality and strength. Particularly for a film from 1947, the portrayal of two strong female protagonists, one of whom is a young girl, is rather remarkable.

Mary from The Nativity Story

Arguably the most important woman of the Christmas season, it only makes sense that Mary would be prominently featured as the protagonist of The Nativity Story. Even so, she is a co-protagonist with Joseph, her husband, as they journey to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus.

Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas

Although Sally is quite literally falling apart throughout much of The Nightmare Before Christmas, she plays a very important role in the film along with co-protagonist Jack Skellington. In fact, it is Sally who foresees that Jack’s version of Christmas will end badly. However, Sally’s primary role in the film is that of the romantic interest for Jack.

We can only hope that more holiday films with female protagonists will come along in the years to come. Each year, there seems to be a bevy of new holiday films, some of which we may want to watch for years to come and some that we’d just as soon forget. I look forward to a day when little girls will have just as many Christmas movies to relate to as little boys do. After all, I’m certain plenty of little girls have also been warned that they’ll shoot their eye out. So here’s to little girls who prefer air rifles to dolls and women who do so much more than stand by a man’s side. Merry Christmas!