Home Alone crowned UK's favourite Christmas film - see the full top 20

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One of the most successful child actors of the 1990s, Macaulay Culkin is still proving a hit with audiences in 2023! (Image: 20th Century Fox/Getty)
One of the most successful child actors of the 1990s, Macaulay Culkin is still proving a hit with audiences in 2023! (Image: 20th Century Fox/Getty)

Most of us spend Christmas Eve watching movies, but which is the nation's very favourite?

With so many to choose from, it's a tough call, but in a recent survey a certain film involving a young boy called Kevin McCallister and two hapless crooks, Marv and Harry clinched the top spot.

That's right, it's Home Alone starring Macaulay Culkin, with a whopping 21 per cent of respondents choosing this as their top Christmas film. The 1990 classic sees eight-year-old Kevin defend his home against the wet bandits using inventive, and eye-watering, booby traps. And it was also found to be the nation's favourite film last year, too, in a study by Showcase Cinemas.

In second place was Elf, which wasn't far behind with 19 per cent of votes. This festive film starring Will Ferrell is 20 years old this year and still stands the test of time as one of the yuletide greats. The movie follows the adventure of Buddy the Elf as he travels from the North Pole to New York in search of his biological father.

In third place was the Dr Seuss inspired The Grinch, starring Jim Carrey, which was a favourite for 15 per cent of Britons. The film shows a seemingly Green Meanie looking to destroy Christmas for the festive fanatics in Whoville. But a young Cindy Lou Who, who is struggling to enjoy the festivities, helps the Grinch and the Whos discover the true meaning of Christmas.

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A more surprising, and perhaps controversial appearance for some, would be Die Hard, which was voted the tenth favourite Christmas film in the UK, with 11 per cent of respondents putting this film on their festive must-watch list. Many arguments have occurred about this film’s status as a Christmas film, but it seems the public has spoken and decided it is, at least in the UK.

Plus, with a line such as “Now I have a machine gun, Ho Ho Ho” there should be no doubt about it. This is in spite of a YouGov study in 2021 which showed that 47 per cent of Brits said it was not a Christmas film, compared to 44 per cent who said it was.

Harry Potter was chosen as a Christmas favourite too, despite Christmas being a small part of the films - particularly in Philosopher's Stone and Order of the Phoenix - these films obviously give the British public festive vibes.

The UK’s top 20 films to watch at Christmas

Rank Christmas Film
1 Home Alone
2 Elf
3 The Grinch
4 A Christmas Carol (any version)
5 The Polar Express
6 Miracle on 34th Street
7 The Snowman
8 Love Actually
9 The Santa Clause
10 Die Hard
11 Scrooge
12 It's a Wonderful Life
13 White Christmas
14 Jack Frost
15 The Muppet's Christmas Carol
16 The Holiday
17 Jingle all the way
18 Harry Potter (any version)
19 The Nightmare Before Christmas
20 Scrooged

UK Christmas traditions unwrapped

As well as snuggling down on the sofa and watching a movie being the number one tradition for 37 per cent of Brits, other wholesome traditions that made the top of the list are opening the last door on the advent calendar (20 per cent), hanging out stockings for presents (19 per cent) and wearing new Christmas PJs (18.8 per cent).

When it comes to opening presents, which is undoubtedly the main event on Christmas Day for many, nearly half (46 per cent) of Brits open their presents as soon as they get up, 28 per cent wait until after breakfast to open gifts , while 18 per cent of Brits will have to wait until after lunch!

Even when the day itself is done, many continue with traditions on Boxing Day. While most will be spending time with family (36 per cent), watching movies (25 per cent) and just lounging around (24 per cent), 11 per cent will instead be hitting the Boxing Day sales and the same number will be watching a football match.

Paul Speed

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