A beloved American comedy from the 1990s has officially been voted the United Kingdom's favourite Christmas film, seeing off a host of British contenders in a major new survey.
Home Alone Takes the Festive Crown
According to a poll of 2,000 UK adults conducted by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), the 1990 hit Home Alone, starring a young Macaulay Culkin, secured a commanding 20 per cent of the vote. This placed it firmly at the top of the festive rankings, well ahead of its nearest rival.
In second place, with nine per cent of the vote, was the 2003 British romantic comedy Love Actually, featuring an ensemble cast including Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant. The 1946 Frank Capra classic It's A Wonderful Life, starring James Stewart, followed in third place with eight per cent. Completing the top four was the 2003 comedy Elf, starring Will Ferrell, which was chosen by seven per cent of respondents.
The Eternal Die Hard Debate Rumbles On
The survey also reignited the perennial British debate over whether the Bruce Willis action film Die Hard qualifies as a Christmas movie. Despite its seasonal setting, the nation remains divided on the issue.
Nearly half of those surveyed (44 per cent) insisted it is not a festive film. However, a dedicated five per cent declared it their top Christmas pick, and a further 17 per cent admitted they were still undecided on the matter.
Nation's Festive Viewing Habits Revealed
The BBFC research provided a fascinating insight into when Britons begin their Christmas movie marathons and how they choose films for family viewing.
The findings revealed that:
- 43 per cent consider the beginning of December the most acceptable time to start watching Christmas films.
- 13 per cent begin their festive viewing as early as November.
- A committed eight per cent enjoy Christmas films all year round.
Furthermore, over half of respondents (53 per cent) confirmed they check age ratings when selecting films for family viewing during the holidays, highlighting the importance of the BBFC's guidance.
Commenting on the results, David Austin, chief executive of the BBFC, said: "With Home Alone crowned the UK’s favourite Christmas film, our latest research reveals that heart-warming, family-friendly stories continue to sit at the heart of the nation’s Christmas viewing traditions. The BBFC remains committed to providing age ratings and content advice to help every household make confident viewing choices this festive season."
Tim Richards, founder and CEO of cinema chain Vue, emphasised the communal joy of festive cinema-going. He added: "Many of our customers see a trip to the big screen over the holidays as a chance to sit back, switch off and enjoy great stories together... Cinema has always brought people together, and Christmas reminds us just how powerful that shared experience can be."
