The phrase refers to a film released in the month of December that is commonly the answer to a two-word clue in a crossword puzzle. The nature of crossword clues favors brevity and common knowledge, meaning frequently recurring film titles from that specific release window become ingrained in the puzzle solver’s lexicon.
These end-of-year film releases often vie for awards season recognition, leading to increased publicity and cultural relevance. Their prominence in crosswords provides further exposure and reinforces their memorability. Furthermore, historically significant or critically acclaimed films released in December tend to achieve greater crossword ubiquity over time.