This time of year often means releases of musical movies both animated and live-action, new stories, sequels, and Broadway adaptations, sometimes even live shows on the big screen or broadcast on television. This time of year also brings countless Christmas specials, from the classics of the past to new ones trying to join them in the pantheon of yearly traditional rewatches. Most if not all of these, even episodes of nonmusical shows often sport one if not multiple songs, and of course many of the specials are musicals themselves such as "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer", "Satna Claus Is Coming To Town" and many others both old and new. But why is this? Why do TV stations and movies bring about musicals during the holidays from Disney's major releases even recently with "Moana 2" and "Wish", to "Wicked" and last year "Wonka" and "The Color Purple". Classics like Willy Wonka And The Wizard Of Oz are aired around this time, and musicals are synonymous with the holiday season. Now I may not be able to answer the question as a whole, but I am willing to give some theories as to why.
Even "Elf" And "Christmas Story" have musicals that play local theaters and schools, go on tours, and now an animated version for "Elf" and live taped version that aired on FOX for "Christmas Story"
Money is the easy answer but some of these flop, but companies keep on trying because sometimes there's a smash hit that could be aired on TV or have a successful run "Wicked", "Moana 2" and "Wonka" being recent examples. It seems that the idea of a family picture taking the big screen this time of year could be a fun activity, and more often then that they happen to be musicals. Some from Disney others from other places. But it seems that adaptations that skew for older audiences also premiere to be available for an outing with friends such as "The Color Purple", "Into The Woods" and others of the past. From "Cats" to "Annie" musicals usually use this window to either bring people together, more often then not families to show something fun to watch. A soundtrack to listen to, a story to relate to, that could make us laugh or cry.
Musicals often at times give us something to walk away from, whether it is their message, the characters, acting, but more often then not their music. Songs meant to move or inspire. Many classic Christmas specials at least having one song to show the theme, get people into the Christmas mood, or be something to listen to again and again this time of year. Songs that display the themes and that we can connect to and enjoy. Songs like "You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch", "Put One Foot In Front Of The Other", and "We're A Couple Of Misfits". Catchy songs that are fun to listen to while decorating the tree or shopping, songs to intertwine with the classics we hear on the radio, songs we remember fondly from the first time we heard them. For example how many people love the Heat Miser and Snow Miser songs from "A Year Without A Santa Claus" because of the special being not only aired so many years, but those songs being undeniably catchy.
I know I have gone over the basics of yes studios wish to make money, some of these specials are timeless and part of the holiday, and why new musicals try to make their mark in cinemas this time of year but I have one more idea. I think musicals give us a gift. They give us feelings we can relate to most of the time if done well, unforgettable visuals and experiences again if done right, that stay with us. Whether to move or inspire, to encourage the dreamers to keep on dreaming. To inspire us to keep chasing our goals, no matter how outrageous they may be called. Songs that move and we listen to all through the next year at moments we need a lift, songs to entertain and inspire. Even bad musicals can have good music that are fun to listen to after the fact, and be so bad it's good watches with friends. Bringing us together to laugh at something while trying to find the quality in it. Going back to the good, when done well they last with us,, and stay with us long after they viewed. The benefit of movies or pro shots such as the one of "Waitress" that made the rounds this time last year and others that seem to do the same is that we can watch them over and over. Whether a rental, a streaming service, or my preferred way purchasing especially on DVD, we can pick up those moments over and over and remember why we fell in love with them. Or why they are so bad that they give us a good laugh we needed.
Musicals can bring the family together to enjoy things, sometimes the plot can be as simple as a character with a dream and the musical can lift us to heights unrivaled. The music sometimes does the heavy lifting as long as the frame, though labeled as basic can be strong enough to support them. These songs whether to invoke the Christmas mood or to be watched any time of year because the musical doesn't have a yule tide setting stick with us. "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and "We Need A Little Christmas" are songs played and covered by countless artists during the holiday season and they began in musicals. "Meet Me In St. Louis" and "Mame" are owed all the credit for these classic yule tide ballads, and you could say this holiday songs even more recognized in the public eye then the musicals they came from.
Musicals are a valid form of media, and musical movies are a part of cinema themselves, and much like any other genre like action or comedy, there are duds. But the best of the best stay with us from their memorable lines, relatable narratives and characters, and especially their music. So seeing "Mufasa" and "Moana 2", and of course the Broadway adaptations, let them keep on coming as holiday traditions, to sit down in the seats at the movies and remember why we love musicals to begin with. Combine the wonders of the stage with the amazing things only movies can do, to tell stories that inspire and entertain. And when they are filmed they can be the gift that keeps being shared over and over on screens big and small for years to come
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