After 37 years of heated festive arguments, a definitive verdict appears to be in: according to the British public, Die Hard is not a Christmas movie. A new nationwide poll has delivered a resounding answer to the perennial debate, placing classic family comedies firmly at the heart of the UK's holiday traditions.
The Great Festive Film Debate Settled
The survey, conducted by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), asked 2,000 UK adults for their views. It found that 44 percent of Brits explicitly stated that the Bruce Willis action thriller, despite its Christmas Eve setting, does not qualify as a festive film. Only 5 percent claimed it as their personal favourite, while 17 percent remained on the fence.
Stealing the seasonal spotlight instead is the 1990 American comedy Home Alone, starring Macaulay Culkin. It was crowned the nation's favourite Christmas film, with one in five (20 percent) voters giving it the top spot. The poll reveals a clear preference for heart-warming narratives over explosive action during the holidays.
Britain's Top Christmas Movie Rankings
The BBFC poll provided a clear ranking of the UK's most beloved festive films. Following Home Alone in first place, the 2003 British romantic comedy Love Actually, featuring Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant, secured second place. The timeless 1946 James Stewart classic, It's a Wonderful Life, took third, with the 2003 Will Ferrell comedy Elf in fourth.
The detailed breakdown shows 9 percent chose Love Actually, 8 percent opted for It's a Wonderful Life, and 7 percent picked Elf. Notably, 17 percent of respondents said they did not have a single clear favourite, indicating a wealth of cherished holiday options in British households.
Festive Viewing Habits and Age Ratings
The research also shed light on when the Christmas film marathon begins for most UK families. More than two out of five (43 percent) believe the most acceptable time to start watching is from the beginning of December. However, 13 percent begin as early as November, and a dedicated 8 percent enjoy festive films all year round.
Importantly, the survey highlighted responsible viewing habits: over half (53 percent) of respondents check age ratings when selecting a family film for the holidays. This underscores the continued relevance of guidance provided by the BBFC during the festive period.
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 cinema chain Vue, added: 'Cinema has always brought people together, and Christmas reminds us just how powerful that shared experience can be.' He noted that audiences enjoy everything from classics like Home Alone to the 'high-energy fun of Die Hard' on the big screen during the festive season.
