When it’s time to get into the holiday spirit, nothing makes the heart grow three sizes quite like a good Christmas movie.
Our Holiday Movie Showdown pitted eight of the most beloved festive flicks against each other for your votes. So, who “sleighed” the competition?
After three rounds and nearly 6,000 votes, the winner is “It’s a Wonderful Life”!
It turned out that Kevin McCallister’s booby traps were no match for Ralphie with “A Christmas Story” beating “Home Alone” by 90 votes. And in the battle of the comedies, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” defeated “Elf” by a similar margin. The 1964 stop-motion favorite “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” crushed “The Nightmare Before Christmas” with 90% of the vote in the animation category.
After breezing past “Miracle on 34th Street” and “A Christmas Story,” in the first two rounds, “It’s a Wonderful Life” took on Rudolph for a battle of the classics in the finals, coming in with the knockout and winning by just ten votes!
Thank you for participating. Now mix up some hot chocolate, pop some popcorn and enjoy the holidays with your favorite movies.
Holiday Movie Polls
Let’s get your thoughts on a few more controversial holiday film questions.
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Download NowHoliday Movie Watchlist
While the debate for best holiday movie may never truly be settled, we’ve put together a holiday movie watchlist of essentials that could put anyone in a jolly mood. To help us choose, each movie here has an average Rotten Tomatoes score of 68% or higher.
Oldies but Goodies
These classic holiday movies from the 1940s and 1950s bring the nostalgia.
“Holiday Inn” (1942)
This classic, seasonal Irving Berlin musical follows a trio of performers (played by Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire and Virginia Dale) who try their hand(s) at running a country hotel.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946)
When a downtrodden father and husband, George Bailey (James Stewart), wishes he’d never been born, his guardian angel (Henry Travers) pays him a life-saving visit. A must for any holiday movie watchlist!
“Miracle On 34th Street” (1947)
After an old man named Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) fills in for Santa in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, he changes the lives of those around him.
“A Christmas Carol” (1951)
There are many adaptations of this holiday classic, but this version comes highly rated and is one of the most faithful to the original story, telling the tale of a crotchety businessman who’s visited by ghosts.
“White Christmas” (1954)
This romantic comedy musical follows two singers (played by Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye) who join a sister act (Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen) to put on a Christmas show.
*Some honorable mentions for this category include “Meet Me in St. Louis” (1944) and “The Shop Around the Corner” (1940).
Kid-Friendly Favorites
These G-rated movies and shorts are perfect for young kids – and kids at heart.
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (1964)
This stop motion film is filled with iconic imagery and songs while telling an important lesson that’s equal parts nostalgic, heartwarming and festive.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” (1965)
The first Peanuts special to air on television, this animated classic tells the story of Charlie Brown and his friends as they learn the true meaning of the holidays.
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” (1966)
The original adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s beloved tale, watch as the grouchy Grinch goes from hating and trying to steal Christmas, to fully embracing it.
“Frosty the Snowman” (1969)
A magical top hat brings a snowman to life in this classic animated film that makes a great singalong for little ones. (Get tips to build your own snowman here.)
“The Muppet Christmas Carol” (1992)
Introduce young kids to Charles Dickens’ iconic tale with this version of “A Christmas Carol” told by everyone’s favorite Muppets.
‘Nice’ Holiday Movies
These holiday movies are filled with adventure, laughs and holiday spirit. Check out these ‘nice’ – PG-rated – flicks fit for the whole family.
“A Christmas Story” (1983)
This fan-favorite holiday classic follows a young boy, Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), who wants nothing more than a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas.
“Home Alone” (1990)
In this iconic movie, 8-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) is accidentally left behind when his family goes on vacation. Hijinks ensue when two bandits (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) target his home.
“The Santa Clause” (1994)
When divorced dad Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) spends Christmas Eve with his young son Charlie (Eric Lloyd), things take a turn for the magical.
“Elf” (2003)
In this flick, Will Ferrell’s portrayal of Buddy, a grown man who thinks he’s an elf, is hilarious and heartwarming, making a feel-good holiday movie for everyone in the family.
“Arthur Christmas” (2011)
When Santa (voiced by Bill Nighy) misses delivering gifts to one child on Christmas Eve, his youngest son, Arthur (voiced by James McAvoy) steps up to try and save the day.
“Klaus” (2019)
Although it’s a newer addition, the hybrid animation style of “Klaus” gives a nostalgic holiday feel while telling the story of a postman who discovers the location of Santa.
Movies for ‘Scrooges’
From action and horror to fantasy and other less conventional themes, these holiday movies – ranging in rating from PG to R – stray from the classic formula but are still festive in their own way.
“Gremlins” (1984)
The focus is more on the creatures than Christmas in this flick where a father gifts his son a “mogwai” with a specific list of care instructions.
“Die Hard” (1988)
This action classic stars Bruce Willis as a New York City policeman who’s attending a corporate holiday party with his wife. Things go awry when a group of terrorists threaten the festivities.
“The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993)
This stop motion masterpiece tells the story of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, who discovers the magic of Christmas.
“Tokyo Godfathers” (2003)
This Japanese animation is beautiful while telling the story of a trio of homeless people who discover an abandoned newborn baby on Christmas Eve.
“Better Watch Out” (2017)
This horror follows a young woman babysitting a boy during the holidays when danger threatens the peace. This movies starts out a little cringe-inducing, but its many twists will keep you on your toes.
‘Naughty’ Holiday Movies
These holiday flicks – rated PG-13 and R – are for more mature audiences. Focusing on humor and adult situations, these ‘naughty’ holiday movies will have even the biggest ‘Grinches’ feeling festive.
“Trading Places” (1983)
Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy star in this social satire where two men change places, experiencing opposite socio-economic lifestyles during the holidays.
“Scrooged” (1988)
Bill Murray stars in this comedy about a cold-hearted television executive. “Scrooged” is crude and hilarious – but also nostalgic and festive thanks to the “Christmas Carol” formula it follows.
“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (1989)
This slapstick comedy follows husband and father, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase), as he tries to prepare the perfect Christmas for his family, but things go off the rails.
“Bad Santa” (2003)
A raunchy black comedy, “Bad Santa” stars Billy Bob Thornton as a grouchy conman and his partner in crime, Tony Cox, who pose as a mall Santa and elf in order to steal from outlet stores.
“Love Actually” (2003)
Focusing on several intertwining stories, “Love Actually” uses an ensemble cast to show the nuances of different types of relationships.
“The Best Man Holiday” (2013)
In this comedy drama, a group of college friends reunite after 15 years to celebrate the holidays together, reigniting old rivalries and romances.
If your heading to the theater this holiday season, you can save up to 40% on movie tickets with AAA Tickets.
What’s your must-watch movie every holiday season? Tell us in the comments.
Illustrations by Sarah Hopkins
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59 Thoughts on “Your AAA 2023 Holiday Movie Showdown”
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I can’t believe no one mentioned “The Snowman”. More of a short film than a movie at 25 minutes long. It’s a beautifully animated silent movie with soundtrack of a young boy whose snowman comes to life. Watch it on Youtube.
These are my must watch Christmas movies: While You Were Sleeping; Little Women with Winona Ryder; and Home Alone.
If people actually researched the soundtracks, then The Polar Express should easily have won because it includes several classic Christmas songs plus Believe.
A Christmas story 1983 is just put on and watched continuously, There are just too many favorite scenes. The full pink bunny suit, the tongue stuck to the frozen pole and the pack of dogs taking off with the turkey. Who can forget ” Deck the hows with baws of howy”.
The Holiday
Window Wonderland
Excellent Christmas shows
I love Silent Night where some American and Germans spend Christmas Eve together in France.
It’s a true story
The Polar Express and It’s a Wonderful Life are the best!
Run to your nearest movie theater and see “The Holdovers”! I predict this will become a Christmas classic.
Well cast , really funny and poignant… a feel -good holiday movie.
What about One of the best classics ever’ GONE WITH THE WIND!!!!
The Grinch with Jim Carrey is definitely in the annual traditions list. How did this holiday classic not get mentioned in this list that includes movies like the Gremlins as a Christmas movie? If your not laughing at Jim Carey’s Grinch performance annually then you are doing Christmas wrong. Lol
My favorite movies are Holliday Inn and White Christmas. It’s too bad they play them very rarely on television now. I have to look for days to find one of these to watch
White Christmas is my every year must watch.
The Bishop’s wife(with Cary Grant), Christmas Story and Christmas Vacation. Also the Bells of St.Mary with Bing Crosby
My favorites are White Christmas and Love Actually. I watch them every year.
I love a movie called A Child’s Christmas In Wales. Most people have probably never heard of it but it’s a very moving lovely movie.
i think i have seen most if not all of the christmas movies mentioned at least once,and some more than that..whether you are 6 or 60 the classics come back every year,especially with cable tv!!
It’s Marjorie Reynolds, not Virginia Dale, who helps run Bing Crosby’s Holiday Inn. (Both actresses have nice dance numbers with Fred Astaire.) The movie inspired the hotel chain’s name.
An honorable mention to “3 Godfathers” (1948) – 3 outlaws returning a newborn to civilization – a John Ford western with John Wayne.
The Polar Express is a Christmas must-see
I like “ the family man” with Nicholas cage, that starts out on Xmas day so I think it counts as a Christmas movie..
I love the original “Miracle on 34th Street” but it no longer is shown on television or streaming services.
White Christmas
The film version of “Amahl and the Night Visitors” used to be a TV standard in the ’50s. Miss it.
The Bishops Wife is my all time favorite. I can watch it over and over again; with an all- star cast including Carey Grant, Loretta Young, David Niven, Monty Woolley, Gladys Cooper and Elsa Lancanshire. It is both warm an magical. A must watch for anyone who hasn’t seen it!
“Scrooge” with Albert Finney as Scrooge- a great musical version that is really close to the original. It will have you humming “Thank You Very Much!” alllll day!
I am so excited about the “Scrooge” love on this thread! The best!
Thanks for reading!
– Dana L.
My 2 favorites: A Christmas Story and The Family Stone.
My husband I loved The Bishop’s Wife with Loretta Young, Cary Grant and David Niven. We set aside one evening every December to watch it. Also, Holiday Affair with Janet Leigh and Robert Mitchum is always overlooked. Both movies are just so wonderful!!!
When it comes to oldies, I was a little surprised that the rarely shown, but 1940 classic “Remember the Night” was not included. It features a fantastic cast starring Fred McMurray and Barbara Stanwyck years before their work in “Double Indemnity.” It is both a road movie (auto travel in the US before interstate highways), a romance (not simply love at first sight,) but it is mostly a story of redemption.
Watch it and will probably become your annual classic to see like “Scrooge”, too.
The Ref, with Denis Leary is a hilarious, dark comedy. It’s a Christmas Eve tradition to watch this in my house!
YES.
Great suggestion. The Ref is our tradition too!
Yes! One of my favorites too!
How about “The Gathering”? Ed Asner and Maureen Stapleton were strong characters in this made for television movie, from the late ’70s, I think? Very well done.
Die Hard! Welcome to the party…
It’s not Christmas until I see Hans Gruber fall from the Nakatomi Tower!!
How about “The Night They Saved Christmas” staring Jaclyn Smith and Art Carney (1984)
My all time favorite Holiday Movie is A Christmas Story, just so much fun and nostalgia and Darren McGavin gives an outstanding performance as The Old Man.
March of the Wooden Soldiers
My favorite “holiday movie” is Halloween my favorite Xmas movie is Christmas Vacation. With Chevy Chase lol
“Miracle on 34th Street”, “The Wizard of Oz”
I love ‘A Christmas Carol’ with George C. Scott. He is the best Scrooge ever!
I’m glad someone brought this up. I always thought that GC Scott really brings Scrooge to life – very much like the people most of us have met one time or another. For some reason, this version is overlooked year after year. I will admit other productions are also very, very good. But no character even remotely ‘lived’ the part like Mr Scott. Certain parts of his portrayal are almost unnervingly incredible.
Yes-yes-yes to Basil and Kathy! “A Christmas Carol” with George C. Scott is simply the best!!! I think I’ve seen them all…and that version shines above all the rest. A special shout-out here to “Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol”, which is great, but in a different way.
Animated or with a live cast, Christmas just isn’t Christmas without our favorite movies and shows!
My favorite holiday movie is a British film called BERNARD AND THE GENIE. I love this film. Alan Cumming is so young in this whimsical movie filled with laughs, villains, and awkward sentiments with Christmas spirit. Hard to find, but worth watching.
Serendipity
Forgot to mention a TV holiday special that’s always great too; Prep and Landing and Prep and Landing Naughty vs Nice, two half hour shows that are very funny and very well done. Should also be holiday classics up there with Charlie Brown and Rudolph.
Scrooge the Musical with Albert Finney. Some of the greatest songs in an excellent period adaptation. Still amazes me that Albert Finney plays both the young and old versions of Scrooge.
YES! The best. Just wish there was a way to buy the official soundtrack.
Thanks for reading!
– Dana L.
For classics; Christmas in Connecticut with a very young Barbara Stanwyck, a great old Holiday movie and very funny.
For modern; a movie that doesn’t get the love it deserves; Fred Claus with Vince Vaughn, Kathy Bates and Rachel Weisz. It’s a funny, heartfelt movie that should be a holiday classic. It’s my families Christmas Eve tradition, sharing that honor with the 1951 version of A Christmas Carol with Alistair Sim, truly the best version of that classic story.
You ignored Albert Finney in the 1970 musical “Scrooge.”
My family traditionally watches the 1951 “A Christmas Carol” with Alistair Sim late on Christmas Eve. Sim’s performance shines, the ensemble cast is wonderful.
Our traditional Thanksgiving movie is the 1947 “Miracle on 34th Street,” simply marvelous.
“Scrooge” is my all-time favorite Christmas movie. I laugh, I cry, I sing-along! 😉 Hope you enjoy watching it this year … it’s my Christmas Eve tradition!
Thanks for reading!
– Dana L.
scrooge is one of my favorites,great musical version of scrooge. if you get a chance watch it.you wont be disappointed!!
Polar Express
I love Meet Me in St Louis and watched another of my favorites last night- The Bishop’s Wife. The skating scene is memorable and Carey is such a debonair angel!
.
You guys forgot “Meet Me in St. Louis” where the incredible Judy Garland sings the classic “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”.
Thank you for commenting!
That’s such an iconic scene! “Meet Me in St. Louis” received an honorable mention under the ‘Oldies but Goodies’ section.
My two favorite Holiday movies are It’s a wonderful life and A Christmas Story.