A nationwide survey has definitively settled a long-standing festive debate, crowning the 1990 family comedy Home Alone as the United Kingdom's favourite Christmas movie.
The Festive Film Rankings Revealed
Commissioned by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), the poll of 2,000 UK adults placed the iconic Home Alone firmly at the top of the tree. The film, which launched Macaulay Culkin to global stardom at the age of ten, secured the votes of one in five (20%) respondents.
In second place, trailing behind, was the star-studded 2003 British romantic comedy Love Actually, favoured by nearly one in ten (9%) of those surveyed. The podium was completed by the timeless 1946 classic It's A Wonderful Life, which took third place with 8% of the vote.
Rounding out the top four was the 2003 Will Ferrell comedy Elf, which garnered 7% support. The research also highlighted that 17% of people admitted they do not have a clear favourite Christmas film at all.
The Great Christmas Film Debate
The poll inevitably touched upon the perennial argument over whether the Bruce Willis action thriller Die Hard qualifies as a Christmas movie. The results show the UK remains divided on the issue.
Nearly half (44%) of participants stated definitively that Die Hard is not a festive film, despite its Christmas Eve setting. However, a dedicated 5% (one in 20) claimed it as their personal favourite, with a further 17% remaining undecided on its status.
Festive Viewing Habits and Family Choices
The survey provided insight into the nation's Christmas viewing traditions. For more than two out of five (43%) Brits, the beginning of December marks the most acceptable time to start watching festive films. A dedicated 13% begin as early as November, and an enthusiastic 8% enjoy Christmas movies all year round.
When it comes to family viewing, responsible choices are paramount. Over half (53%) of respondents said they check age ratings before selecting a holiday film to watch together, underscoring the importance of appropriate content during family gatherings.
David Austin, Chief Executive of the BBFC, commented: “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.”
Tim Richards, founder and CEO of Vue cinemas, added: “Cinema has always brought people together, and Christmas reminds us just how powerful that shared experience can be.”
