The holiday season is here, and demand for Christmas movies usually peaks during this time of the year. From thrillers like Die Hard to family comedies like Home Alone, there are a lot of options to explore. But then, these movies aren't simply festival treats and can be enjoyed on any given holiday.
Some of them have even dominated regular films when it comes to the box office success, with many of of them garnering millions of dollars to date. The following list is about such movies only. So here we will explore the 10 highest-grossing Christmas films of all time. Buckle up!
10. Die Hard 2 (1990)
Die Hard 2, or as it is known, Die Harder, might not have done better than its prequel when it comes to critical success, but it did manage to almost double down on the commercial aspect. While the first movie earned nearly $140 million, the sequel managed to collect $240 million.
Like Die Hard, it too takes place on Christmas Eve but the events occur at an airport rather than the fictional Nakatomi Plaza. This time, John McClane (Bruce Willis) is at the airport to pick up his wife, Holly McClane (Bonnie Bedelia).
9. Love Actually (2003)
The British Christmas romantic comedy was a huge success as it garnered $250 million against a budget of $40 million. The film is a culmination of multiple stories that are linked to each other. It has developed a cult following among the fans over the years.
Its ensemble cast, including Bill Nighy, Alan Rickman, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, and more, makes it one of the best Christmas movies. The characters can be seen together in one scene at the end of the film.
8. Elf (2003)
Will Ferrell is hilarious, whether it's as charming Ron Burgundy in The Anchorman or the eccentric Buddy Hobbs in Elf. That role was critically praised, and the movie added $220 million in revenue. Even today, it is deemed as one of the best Christmas movies of all time.
Ferrell's character, Buddy Hobbs, is accidentally transported to the North Pole, where he is raised by the elves. He doesn't realize his human origins initially but eventually comes to know about it later in the film.
7. The Polar Express (2004)
It will take the fans on a mystical train ride in the film that garnered $318 million globally. The Polar Express uses motion capture technology, which records the movements of people or anything that moves or can be moved.
The story follows a boy who is growing skeptical of Santa's existence but then a mysterious train appears in front of his home. He joins the bandwagon and makes new friends during his adventurous journey. More than Santa, it is about understanding the festival of Christmas.
6. A Christmas Carol (2009)
Both the Christmas movies, The Polar Express and A Christmas Carol, use the same technology, making the animation identical. The latter movie grossed $325 million at the box office globally. Jim Carrey won Favorite Voice From an Animated Movie for his role in the film.
There is a beautiful transformation in it as one greedy Ebenezer Scrooge becomes a kind and gentle person in the movie. He is visited by spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come that teach him lessons using visions accordingly.
5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
This is another one of the Christmas movies Jim Carrey has played a major part in. Based on Dr. Seuss' 1957 book, the film grossed $346 million at the box office. It was especially praised for Carrey's performance as the Grinch.
Grinch, a green furry creature, wants to ruin the festival for the citizens. He meets a six-year-old girl named Cindy Lou Who, and he saves her. She later learns why Grinch hates Christmas so much. But things slowly start to fall into place, and all becomes well by the end of the film.
4. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) is left again by his parents as they board a different plane, and he is separated from them again in the direct sequel to the classic 1990 comedy film Home Alone. The sequel was released in 1992 and amassed $359 million, becoming the highest-grossing movie of the year.
Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern return as the Sticky Bandits, who again confront Kevin after the chaos that happened in the first film. They are planning to rob a store, but Kevin becomes the ultimate hero again by devising a strategy to disrupt their plan.
3. Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007)
Out of all the Christmas movies in this list, the Jon Vitti film is the only one developed in the memory of Ross Bagdasarian Sr., creator of Alvin and the Chipmunks. Ross Bagdasarian Jr. was the singing voice of Alvin in the film. The movie garnered $361 million globally.
The chipmunks we see in the movie are in search of a home after a tree where they used to live is cut down. They later find a home at a struggling songwriter's house who also becomes a father figure for them.
2. Home Alone (1990)
Of course, when it comes to Christmas movies, the first Home Alone has to be there on the list. Against a mere $18 million budget, it bagged $476 million globally and still continues to be one of the favorite films for cinema lovers.
McCallisters are preparing to celebrate Christmas, and all things are checked. As they board the flight, Mrs. McCallister realizes she has forgotten one thing at home: her son Kevin. This is the first time he meets the Sticky Bandits, who are planning to rob his house.
1. The Grinch (2018)
That makes it two movies in this list featuring the green furry creature. Benedict Cumberbatch's voice isn't the only thing that puts The Grinch on the top of the Chritsmas movies, it was an overall visual treat. This Dr Seuss adaptation made $540 million worldwide, but it wasn't really great when it came to critical success.
Although the film is adapted from the same book, fans can notice several differences in the story as compared to the 2000 adaptation, especially the endings.
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So here are the highest grossing Christmas movies of all time, which one of them have you seen?
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