Home Alone voted the UK's favourite Christmas film

Home Alone is the UK’s favourite Christmas movie of all time, according to new national research revealed today1.

The movie, originally released in December 1990, took 19% of the vote, beating out tough competition from Will Ferrell classic Elf (14%) and the festive favourite Love Actually (13%), according to the nationwide study carried out by Showcase Cinemas ahead of the Christmas period.

Elsewhere, in a closely fought race to be named the UK’s favourite film character from a Christmas movie, Will Ferrell’s performance as Buddy saw him land top spot, with 1 in 5 choosing the eccentric elf as their number one. Macauley Culkin’s breakout performance as Kevin McCallister (17%) in Home Alone landed in second place, while action hero John McClane (15%) from Die Hard rounded off the top three.

Not only was Buddy named the favourite character from a Christmas film, he was also named the number one character participants would like to spend Christmas Day with, taking 16% of the vote.

However, in the most controversial reveal from the survey, over 1 in 5 of participants claimed Die Hard is not a Christmas film.

And what is a Christmas flick without Santa Claus? With a whole host of actors taking to the big screen to portray St. Nick, it was Richard Attenborough’s performance in the 1994 remake of Miracle on 34th Street that the UK named its favourite, taking over a quarter of the vote (26%).

Kurt Russell (20%) finished in second place after playing Santa in 2018’s The Christmas Chronicles, while Tom Hanks (18%), who played the voice of Father Christmas in animated favourite The Polar Express, finished in third spot.

To celebrate the Christmas period, Showcase Cinemas will be screening a range of festive flashback favourites at cinemas nationwide, including the UK’s number one – Home Alone.

Showcase Cinemas spokesperson, said: “Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year when it comes to the cinema. There are so many iconic films and moments from festive films throughout the years and Home Alone is a deserving winner in our nationwide poll.

“Our survey revealed that watching Christmas movies is one of the UK’s favourite things at this time of year, so we’re delighted to be screening a few festive flashbacks on our screens across the country.

“Whether its family favourites such as The Polar Express or the evergreen Die Hard, guests can come along and get in the Christmas spirit with a classic film screening in the lead up to the big day”.

What’s more, the survey also revealed the UK’s favourite song from a Christmas movie, with Bing Crosby classic ‘White Christmas’ (29%), from 1942’s Holiday Inn finishing as the favourite.

After being named the UK’s favourite Christmas movie, Home Alone also picked up number one in the nation’s favourite scene from a Christmas movie with ‘KEVIN!’ (19%) finishing ahead the famous doorstep scene (15%) from Love Actually.

The survey also revealed that the average Brit watches five Christmas movies a year, with only a third of the UK (36%) not watching a film on Christmas Day.

To see what’s screening and to book your tickets, please visit the Showcase Cinemas website here: https://www.showcasecinemas.co.uk/events/festive-films-at-showcase-cinemas

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