Modern Christmas Songs That Should be Movies

With George Michael’s Last Christmas hitting screens this weekend, we look at other modern holiday classics that would work as movies.

In Last Christmas, Paul Feig and Emma Thompson bring us a story inspired by the words of George Michael’s “Last Christmas.” Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding star as an oddly matched duo who despite their differences find a bond that brings them together in an unexpected way (if you don’t know the song lyrics). So we came up with some imaginative movie concepts and talent that we could see in movies inspired by other Christmas hits.

Christmas Wrapping – The Waitresses

This absolutely needs to be a movie. The song is about a year-long will they won’t they told through different holidays about a guy and a girl who keep just missing each other. It writes itself! They can’t agree on where to meet for lunch in the spring, she doesn’t join him on his boat over the summer because of a sunburn, he’s a no-show to the Halloween party she went to. Though it’s an 80’s track, it can speak to the millennial culture where everyone is too busy to follow through. Imagine this penned by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and starring Gemma Chan with Riz Ahmed as the romantic leads and directed by Karyn Kusama.

Christmas in Hollis – Run DMC

Kids in Queens find Santa’s wallet and go on an adventure through their neighborhood overnight to give it back. There’s much more going on with the cookie crumb trail Santa leads these kids on that has them uncovering a conspiracy and ultimately saving Christmas. The vibe would be Dope meets Stranger Things but takes place in the ’90s like kid-centric holiday classic Home Alone. It could be an Ava DuVernay flick.

Don’t Shoot Me Santa – The Killers

For a while, The Killers would drop an annual Christmas track for the red foundation. “Don’t Shoot Me Santa” follows the story of a young man being hunted down by Santa for committing murders in the desert. In the video, Santa is digging up a grave for lead singer Brandon Flowers as he pleads for his life, insisting his victims deserved it. Obviously, this is a Coen brothers movie that we’re surprised hasn’t been made.

A Willie Nice Christmas – Kacey Musgraves feat. Willie Nelson

Yes, Willie Nelson had a feature on a Kacey Musgraves song about the joy of Christmas and staying higher than the Angel on top of the Tree. This would have to be a stoner road trip movie with grandpa through Texas. Maybe a boomer and their millennial grandkid, who isn’t spending the holiday with their girlfriend, bond through bud and get the idea to spread grandma’s ashes somewhere magical for Christmas.

All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey is the living embodiment of Christmas and it’s truly surprising that her modern holiday classic hasn’t gotten big-screen attention. Yes, there’s a cute animated special that follows the story of a little girl who adopts a dog but we want a sweeping romance. Who better to direct this than Crazy, Rich, Asians director Jon Chu. It’d be opulent, have show-stopping musical numbers, and an amazing cast. Give us Daveed Diggs and Lily James as leads with a killer ensemble and the spirit of Christmas played by Carey herself. There have been rumblings of a film being in development with Carey but nothing concrete just yet.

Underneath the Tree – Kelly Clarkson

Love Simon’s Greg Berlanti definitely captured endearing holiday moments in his directorial debut with a Christmas playlist to boot. It would be so awesome to see a full-on Christmas movie from him, maybe written by Dan Levy who created the equally endearing Schitt’s Creek. A group of friends brace themselves for cuffing season, they explore romance in the digital age and work out whether finding the right person underneath the tree is truly important. Talent like Keke Palmer, Lana Condor and Billie Lourd leading the ensemble would be comedy gold.

Santa’s Coming For Us – Sia

A couple of years ago, pop hit-maker Sia released a holiday album of original songs. Among them was the lead single “Santa’s Coming for Us.” The music video starred Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard as parents prepping for a huge holiday party that Santa, played by J.B. Smoove, even shows up to. It turns into a madhouse that gets out of control quick. A frequent collaborator with actors, Sia has worked with Shia LeBeouf, Kristen Wiig,  Henry Winkler, Susan Lucci, Sophia Lillis, Caleb McLaughlin, and Maddie Zeigler. She recently also has jumped into directing so it would be fun to see her craft a longer narrative around this track or maybe create a musical with a selection of her tunes.

Last Christmas is out now!