Home Alone crowned the UK's favourite Christmas film AGAIN

A recent survey asked 2000 British residents about their Christmas traditions, the majority (37%) said they spend Christmas Eve watching movies and a quarter do the same on Boxing Day too, but which ones are the nation's favourites? 

The same survey also asked UK residents to select their favourite Christmas films and the results may surprise some. In first place was reigning champion Home Alone with 21% of respondents choosing this as their top Christmas film. The 1990 classic which sees 8-year-old Kevin McAllister defend his home against the wet bandits using inventive, and eye-watering, booby traps. This was found to be the nations favourite film last year too in a study by Showcase Cinemas.

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

And in third place was the Dr Suess inspired The Grinch, starring Jim Carrey, which was a favourite for 15% 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 commercialised version of Christmas, helps the Grinch and the Who’s discover the true meaning of Christmas. 

A more surprising, and perhaps controversial appearance for some, would be Die Hard, which was voted the 10th favourite Christmas film in the UK, with 11% of participants putting this film on their Christmas 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% of Brits said it was not a Christmas film, compared to 44% 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

UK Christmas traditions unwrapped

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

When it comes to opening presents, which is undoubtedly the main event on Christmas Day for many, nearly half (46%) of Brits open their presents as soon as they get up, 28% wait until after breakfast to open gifts , while 18% 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%), watching movies (25%) and just lounging around (24%), 11% will instead be hitting the Boxing Day sales and the same number will be watching a football match.