Indiana's Most Famous Christmas Movie Turns 40 This Year

This beloved Holiday classic set in Indiana turns 40 this year, and we all feel old.

'Tis the season to binge-watch Christmas movies. Whether you pop in a DVD, watch your favorites on a streaming platform, or watch all of the Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel, there are so many to choose from. There are more movies about Christmas than any other holiday. These movies are set in locations all throughout the country, but when you think of Christmas movies that are set in Indiana, do any come to mind offhand? There's one Christmas movie set in Indiana that was named the Most Famous Christmas Movie About Indiana last year. I know for a fact that you have definitely heard of, and probably have seen, this movie countless times.

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This Christmas Classic Set in Indiana Turns 40 in 2023

If you guessed "A Christmas Story", you would be correct! The film was released on November 18th, 1983. According to Rotten Tomatoes, this Christmas movie is:

Based on the humorous writings of author Jean Shepherd, this beloved holiday movie follows the wintry exploits of youngster Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), who spends most of his time dodging a bully (Zack Ward) and dreaming of his ideal Christmas gift, a "Red Ryder air rifle." Frequently at odds with his cranky dad (Darren McGavin) but comforted by his doting mother (Melinda Dillon), Ralphie struggles to make it to Christmas Day with his glasses and his hopes intact.

As you might know, this movie is set in the fictional town of Hohman, Indiana in the 1940s. The movie has been such a Christmas favorite that it even has its own 24-hour marathon on TBS and TNT on Christmas. Last year, the sequel "A Christmas Story Christmas" premiered on HBO Max. This movie, according to IMDb:

Follows Ralphie, now adult, who returns to the house on Cleveland street to give his kids a magical Christmas like the one he had as a child, reconnecting with childhood friends, and reconciling the passing of his Old Man.

These movies are both streaming on HBO Max, and you can binge-watch the original for 24 hours on Christmas on TBS and TNT once again this year to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

SEE INSIDE: The House and Filming Location from 'A Christmas Story'

The classic Christmas film is set in fictional Hohman, Indiana (which doubled for Hammond) but was filmed in Cleveland. The tour was a blast. Hey, I love visiting movie sets.

Gallery Credit: Dave Spencer