The Internet’s 20 Favorite Christmas Movies – A Surprising Winner Takes The Top Spot
The holiday season is officially here, and with it comes the cherished tradition of cozying up to watch Christmas movies.
The holiday season is officially here, and with it comes the cherished tradition of cozying up to watch Christmas movies.
As the weather turns colder and festive decorations light up neighborhoods, people are turning to their favorite holiday films to set the mood for the season. Whether it’s reliving classic tales like "Home Alone" and "It’s a Wonderful Life" or exploring newer releases that bring fresh twists to beloved traditions, Christmas movies are a timeless way to capture the magic of this time of year.
A new analysis has revealed the 20 most Googled Christmas movies, and the results are full of surprises.
The Internet’s Top 20 Christmas Movies Revealed
By examining the average monthly search volume for every film in IMDb’s Christmas collection, the team at Academized.com discovered who claimed the top spot, and they shared the results with The Blast.
Shockingly, "The Holdovers" claimed the top spot as this year’s most-searched holiday movie, surpassing the perennial favorite "Home Alone."
For those unaware, "The Holdovers" is a 2023 American Christmas comedy-drama directed by Alexander Payne. The film stars Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham, a gruff and cantankerous teacher at a New England boarding school.
Set in 1970, the story unfolds as Hunham takes on the responsibility of overseeing students who stay behind during the Christmas break. Along the way, he forms unexpected connections with Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa), a troubled student, and Mary Lamb (Da'Vine Joy Randolph), the school’s head cook, who is mourning the loss of her son in the Vietnam War.
Which Christmas Movies Made The Top 5?
Here are the top five films dominating the list:
- "The Holdovers" – 673,000 searches
- "Home Alone" – 550,000 searches
- "The Nightmare Before Christmas" – 368,000 searches
- "Die Hard" – 301,000 searches
- "Love Actually" – 301,000 searches
Other Classics Like 'A Christmas Story' Make The List
The rest of the list features a mix of timeless classics and modern favorites, catering to every kind of holiday movie fan. Nostalgic staples like "It’s a Wonderful Life," with 165,000 monthly searches, continue to warm hearts across generations, while newer hits like "Violent Night" have captured audiences’ attention with an impressive 201,000 searches.
- 6. "Gremlins" – 246,000 searches
- 7. "Edward Scissorhands" – 246,000 searches
- 8. "A Christmas Story" – 201,000 searches
- 9. "Violent Night" – 201,000 searches
- 10. "It’s a Wonderful Life" – 165,000 searches
- 11. "National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation" – 135,000 searches
- 12. "Elf" – 135,000 searches
- 13. "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" – 135,000 searches
- 14. "The Polar Express" – 110,000 searches
- 15. "A Christmas Carol" – 90,500 searches
- 16. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" – 90,500 searches
- 17. "Bad Santa" – 90,500 searches
- 18. "Miracle on 34th Street" – 74,000 searches
- 19. "Jingle All the Way" – 74,000 searches
- 20. "Scrooged" – 60,500 searches
More On 'The Holdovers'
"The Holdovers" premiered at the 50th Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2023, and was released in the U.S. by Focus Features on October 27, 2023. The film received widespread acclaim, grossing over $45 million and earning recognition as one of the top 10 films of 2023 by both the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute.
It garnered numerous accolades, including two wins each at the Golden Globe Awards and the British Academy Film Awards, with Da'Vine Joy Randolph taking home Best Supporting Actress honors at both. Additionally, the film secured five nominations at the 96th Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Paul Giamatti, with Randolph winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
A Famous Holiday Debate: Is 'Die Hard' A Christmas Movie?
The debate over whether "Die Hard" is a Christmas movie has been a long-standing and lighthearted pop culture controversy. The film, released in 1988, stars Bruce Willis as John McClane, an NYPD officer who must rescue hostages (including his estranged wife) during a terrorist takeover at a holiday office party in Los Angeles' Nakatomi Plaza. While it’s widely regarded as an action classic, its association with Christmas has sparked spirited discussions among fans and critics alike.
Supporters of "Die Hard" being a Christmas movie point to its undeniable holiday elements. The story unfolds on Christmas Eve during a company holiday party and delves into themes of family, love, and redemption—key hallmarks of traditional holiday movies. Festive touches are woven throughout, from the soundtrack featuring Christmas classics like "Let It Snow" and "Christmas in Hollis" to iconic moments such as John McClane's taunt to the villains with "Ho Ho Ho."
Those who argue against "Die Hard" being classified as a Christmas movie often point to its genre, emphasizing that it is primarily an action-thriller rather than the family-oriented or feel-good fare typically associated with holiday films. Critics also contend that the Christmas setting serves merely as a backdrop and is not essential to the plot or emotional depth of the story.
