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Christmas is a season of cosy traditions, and few are as universally cherished as snuggling up to watch a great holiday film! But when it comes to answering the age-old dinner party debate—"What’s the best Christmas movie?"—opinions can vary as wildly as a Christmas light display!
Do we base it on IMDb ratings, where film buffs reign supreme? Or should we consider box office success to see what drew the biggest crowds, where some films are questionably 'Christmas'? At At Last Events, we believe the best Christmas films are the ones that spark joy and inspire the festive magic we aim to create with our stunning holiday displays. So, we’ve blended viewer ratings, box office performance, and pure holiday charm to create our definitive list of Top 10 Christmas Films you’ll want to revisit year after year.
But first... Let's take a look at the top 10 according to IMDB to see what we can understand for when forming our top 10 list.
1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) - 8.6⭐ (510K)
Source: wikipedia.org
2. Die Hard (1988) - 8.2⭐ (964K)
Source: imdb.com
3. A Christmas Carol (1951) - 8.1⭐ (26K)
Source: imdb.com
4. Home Alone (1990) - 7.7⭐ (667K)
Source: wikipedia.org
5. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) - 8.0⭐ (38K)
Source: imdb.com
6. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) - 7.5⭐ (224K)
Source: imdb.com
7. A Christmas Story (1983) - 7.9⭐ (170K)
Source: imdb.com
8. Miracle on 34th Street (1947) - 7.9⭐ (56K)
Source: wikipedia.org
9. Elf (2003) - 7.1⭐ (316K)
Source: imdb.com
10. Gremlins (1984) - 7.3⭐ (255K)
Source: imdb.com
As being suggested by IMDB, what makes for a great Christmas film is a deep feeling of heartfelt joy and family-centered warmth, as seen with films such as It’s a Wonderful Life but also a sense of chaotic fun as seen with films such as National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. This diversity highlights the universal appeal of Christmas films, which evoke joy, laughter, and the enduring spirit of the season in unique ways.
Now moving onto the top grossing films, let's see what we can learn.
1. The Grinch (2018) - $538,920,602
Source: wikipedia.org
2. Home Alone (1990) - $476,684,675
Source: wikipedia.org
3. Alvin And The Chipmunks (2007) - $365,352,546
Source: wikipedia.org
4. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) - $358,994,850
Source: wikipedia.org
5. Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (2000) - $345,823,032
Source: wikipedia.org
6. A Christmas Carol (2009) - $325,286,646
Source: wikipedia.org
7. The Polar Express (2004) - $315,249,768
Source: wikipedia.org
8. Batman Returns (1992) - $266,831,698
Source: wikipedia.org
9. Love Actually (2003) - $245,203,167
Source: wikipedia.org
10. Die Hard 2 (1990) - $240,031,274
From this list we can see that animation can also play a key role in being a top Christmas film as we can see with 2018's The Grinch and Polar Express but the highest-grossing Christmas films also reveal that a great Christmas movie often combines universal themes of joy, love, and togetherness with engaging storytelling and visual appeal, similar to that of the IMDB list.
So, with all this in mind here is At Lasts’ Top 10 Christmas Films to Get You in the Holiday Spirit!
Elf (2003)
Elf (2003) Source: imdb.com
Home Alone (1990)
Home Alone (1990) Source: wikipedia.org
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
It's a Wonderful Life (1946) Source: wikipedia.org
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) Source: imdb.com
The Polar Express (2004)
The Polar Express (2004) Source: wikipedia.org
The Grinch (2000)
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (2000) Source: wikipedia.org
Just Friends (2005)
Just Friends (2005) Source: imdb.com
Love Actually (2003)
Love Actually (2003) Source: wikipedia.org
Die Hard (1988)
Die Hard (1988) Source: imdb.com
A Christmas Carol (1951)
A Christmas Carol (1951) Source: imdb.com
Just like the movies on this list, the right Christmas display can create unforgettable holiday moments. At At Last Events, we specialize in crafting custom displays that capture the spirit of the season—whether you want a classic winter wonderland or something with a modern twist.
What’s your favorite Christmas movie? Share it in the comments and let’s keep the holiday spirit alive!
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