‘Tis the season for cinematic magic, where every flicker on the screen encapsulates the warmth, wonder and spirit of the holidays. Through the decades, Christmas movies have evolved, leaving an indelible mark on hearts everywhere.
From heartwarming tales of redemption to merry misadventures, what better way to celebrate Christmas cheer than by arguing with family over the best holiday movie?
Those battles always seem never-ending. Sure, “It’s A Wonderful Life” is a feel-good story championing everyman George Bailey, and “A Christmas Story” might be worth watching on repeat for 24 hours, but who’s really to say whether Ralphie’s daydreams or Uncle Billy’s weird animal obsession is more entertaining?
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And Santa forbids someone to say “Die Hard” is the best Christmas film.
There’s only one way to settle the age-old argument: Which Christmas movie has raked in the most cash?
1. ‘The Grinch’ (2018)
“The Grinch” (2018) is an animated film adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s classic tale, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Directed by Scott Mosier and Yarrow Cheney, this box-office hit reimagines the story of the Grinch, a grumpy creature living in isolation atop Mount Crumpit. The Grinch despises the festive cheer of the nearby Whoville and decides to steal Christmas from the joyful Whos living below.
This star-studded computer-animated version was a far larger hit than the 2000 version, bringing in nearly $513 million, according to Box Office Mojo. “The Grinch” includes voice acting from Benedict Cumberbatch, Rashida Jones, Kenan Thompson and Angela Lansbury, and it features Pharrell Williams as the narrator.
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2. ‘Home Alone’ (1990)
How long did “Home Alone” hold this box-office record? (Fox News)
The original “Home Alone” raked in nearly $477 million worldwide, per Box Office Mojo. The film was the elder Culkin’s breakout role, long before he went on to serve as frontman for The Pizza Underground.
“Home Alone” is a beloved classic that has captured the hearts of audiences for generations. The film follows young Kevin McCallister, portrayed by Macaulay Culkin, who is accidentally left behind when his family goes on a Christmas vacation. Alone at home, Kevin must defend his house from two bumbling burglars using his wit and resourcefulness.
In addition to Daniel Stern, Joe Pesci, Catherine O’Hara and the younger Kieran Culkin, famed comedian John Candy scores a few scenes as a touring polka player.
3. ‘Home Alone 2: Lost in New York’ (1992)
How much did Kevin McCallister run up on room service? (Fox News)
The sequel to the original “Home Alone” presents a timeless story of a child’s resourcefulness when faced with unexpected challenges. Kevin’s ability to outsmart the burglars with creative traps resonates with audiences of all ages.
Decades before he became president, former President Donald Trump had a brief cameo in this holiday favorite, which raked in almost $359 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. Kevin McCallister stops the future president to ask directions to the hotel lobby.
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Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern reprise their roles as bumbling thieves, this time as the Sticky Bandits, while Catherine O’Hara returns to star as McCallister’s mom. Keen observers will also catch Kieran Culkin, who has gone on to play a major figure in the hit series “Succession.”
4. ‘Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!’ (2000)
This live-action adaptation of the beloved Dr. Seuss story directed by Ron Howard raked in $346 million worldwide, Box Office Mojo reported. The iconic Christmas movie stars Jeffrey Tambor and Molly Shannon and features Anthony Hopkins as the narrator.
The film captures the whimsical essence of the original story, bringing to life the colorful and fantastical world of Whoville through vibrant visuals. Its popularity during the holiday season cemented its place among the well-loved adaptations of Dr. Seuss’s iconic tale and reaffirmed the timeless appeal of the Grinch’s story for audiences of all ages.
Which fellow Batman actor was considered for the role of the Grinch? (Fox News)
5. ‘A Christmas Carol’ (2009)
This Jim Carrey-led film reached the top five of the highest-grossing Christmas movies. The computer-animated adaptation of the Charles Dickens novella grossed more than $325 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. But despite the star-studded cast, including Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Bob Hoskins, Robin Wright and Cary Elwes, the movie was largely considered a flop, given its $200 million budget.
6. “The Polar Express” (2004)
“The Polar Express” is an animated Christmas film released in 2004, directed by Robert Zemeckis and based on the children’s book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg. The movie tells the story of a young boy who embarks on a magical train journey to the North Pole on Christmas Eve.
What made the film unique was its use of motion capture technology, where actors’ movements and expressions were captured digitally and then applied to animated characters. Tom Hanks played multiple roles in the film, including the conductor of the train.
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“The Polar Express” was praised for its groundbreaking animation and holiday spirit, though opinions were somewhat divided due to the “uncanny valley” effect— where the almost-but-not-quite human appearance of the characters could sometimes feel eerie to viewers. Nevertheless, it became a box office success, earning over $300 million worldwide.
7. “Love Actually” (2003)
“Love Actually,” directed by Richard Curtis, is a romantic comedy that intertwines multiple love stories set in London during the Christmas season. Released in 2003, the film boasts an ensemble cast featuring Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Keira Knightley, Colin Firth, and many others.
The film was a commercial success, earning approximately $246 million worldwide at the box office. Despite mixed reviews from critics, its popularity among audiences contributed to its strong performance at cinemas. The film’s cast, intertwining storylines, and holiday theme helped it become a favorite, especially during the Christmas season.
8. “Elf” (2003)
In “Elf”, Buddy experiences culture shock and tries to navigate the complexities of human life, all while spreading holiday cheer and the spirit of Christmas. (Warner Brothers)
“Elf” is a Christmas comedy film released in 2003, directed by Jon Favreau and starring Will Ferrell as the lead character, Buddy. The story revolves around Buddy, a human raised as an elf in the North Pole, who embarks on a journey to New York City to find his biological father.
It was a massive success both critically and commercially, while becoming a beloved holiday staple in many households. Its humor, heartwarming storyline, and Will Ferrell’s performance resonated with audiences, leading to its popularity. At the box office, it grossed over $220 million worldwide, solidifying its place as one of the most beloved and successful Christmas movies of its time.
9. “The Holiday” (2006)
“The Holiday,” released in 2006, is a romantic comedy directed by Nancy Meyers. The film follows the story of two women, Iris, played by Kate Winslet, and Amanda, played by Cameron Diaz, who swap homes for the Christmas holidays to escape their respective romantic troubles in England and Los Angeles.
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“The Holiday” was well-received by viewers and performed solidly at the box office, earning over $205 million worldwide. Its charming storyline, picturesque settings, and the chemistry between the cast members contributed to its success and made it a popular choice for romantic comedy enthusiasts during the holiday season.
10. “The Santa Claus” (1994)
“The Santa Claus” is a Christmas comedy film released in 1994, directed by John Pasquin and starring Tim Allen in the lead role. The story follows Scott Calvin, played by Allen, a divorced father who inadvertently becomes Santa Claus after a series of events on Christmas Eve.
This film was a commercial success, grossing over $190 million worldwide. Its family-friendly humor and Tim Allen’s performance resonated with audiences, leading to its popularity as a beloved Christmas movie. The film’s success spawned two sequels, continuing the story of Scott Calvin’s adventures as Santa Claus.
Is ‘Die Hard’ a Christmas movie? See what these Americans say:
The debate over whether “Die Hard” qualifies as a Christmas movie has sparked many discussions. While the film is set during a Christmas party and includes festive elements, its action-packed storyline often leads to divided opinions.
Some consider its holiday setting enough to classify it as a Christmas movie, while others argue that its genre as an action thriller overshadows the seasonal backdrop.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: “Die Hard” only earned about $142 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo, falling short of making it to top ten no matter how strongly you feel it’s a Christmas movie.
