As the holiday season approaches, the discussion about which movies can truly be classified as Christmas films heats up. Traditionally, these movies evoke stories of hope, reconciliation, and family love, personified in classics like It’s a Wonderful Life (1946). However, this concept is increasingly expanding, including iconic action films like Die Hard (1988), which has become synonymous with the holidays for many. Now, a group of fans has decided to take this redefinition to a new extreme by advocating for The Thing (1982), John Carpenter’s horror and science fiction masterpiece, to be recognized as a Christmas movie.
A movie without many festivities
Despite the fact that The Thing takes place in the freezing and desolate landscapes of Antarctica and is completely devoid of any trace of Christmas spirit, its defenders argue that the atmosphere of isolation and the omnipresent snow make it a grim antithesis to traditional celebrations. As part of their effort, they have started a petition aimed at convincing platforms like IMDb and Letterboxd to include this rating.
It is relevant to point out that, although this request has a clearly humorous tone, it reveals the desire of many fans to reexamine the rules that govern what is considered a Christmas movie. However, the question remains: can The Thing really be classified in this category, or is the term being abused?
On the other hand, the legacy of La Cosa in pop culture is undeniable. It has influenced a variety of modern works, from series like The X-Files to films by contemporary directors. Although fans would love to see a new sequel, there are doubts about whether it could achieve the same impact as the original film over 40 years ago, a significant challenge for any project attempting to revive this classic.
