It is the time of the year where Christmas movies are rising in viewers, and people are stuck indoors with free time on their hands to watch TV. We all know the classics such as: How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Home Alone, The Polar Express, The Santa Clause, Elf, A Christmas Story, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and many more. But there is one question people tend to wonder: which ones are the all-time most popular?
As stated in CollinStreetBakery, the top five most liked Christmas movies are #5 Home Alone, #4 How the Grinch Stole Christmas, #3 National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, #2 Elf, and #1 White Christmas. This list holds great classics that many people would agree on, however, many people may disagree with the order of this list, putting Home Alone or Elf in the #1 place. Some of the most-watched classics seem to be missing from this list.
First, what makes Christmas movies so popular? According to MSU Today, the overall storylines provide comfort and joy during the busy holiday season. The art of the film lifts the audience’s holiday spirit, while the music provides nostalgia and heartwarming melodies.
Additionally, these movies have happy endings that explore important themes like family, kindness, charity, home, and redemption. Altogether, Christmas movies bring a feeling of nostalgia, joy, and unity throughout the cold winter months.
A variety of people from the Pentucket sophomore class have been asked three important questions: “Is there a Christmas movie you have watched every year?”, “What is your favorite Christmas movie?”, and “If you could rank the top five Christmas movies in order, which ones would they be?”
Based on the responses, these questions have brought many different opinions to this tough decision of choosing the top three.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York takes the #3 spot
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York was repeatedly mentioned as a top five competitor. The main setting is in New York City, which is beautiful during the Christmas season, providing the ultimate winter vibes. The main plot is centered around family and charity, which are the most important aspects of the season. It continues the story of the first Home Alone movie, and airs throughout December alongside it.
From sophomore Jadalyze Reyes: “It captures the main idea that family is the most important thing in life.”
Next, the #2 runner up: Elf
Elf retrieved a total of 8.7 million viewers throughout the holiday season. Six out of six people interviewed have included Elf in their votes, mostly in their top 5 or favorites column. Elf explores themes of reunion, belief, being yourself, and kindness.
Most importantly, the movie has shown its victory in all of the humor aspects. This Christmas movie has shown its enjoyability year after year and makes Christmas seem extra exciting.
A voter for Elf, sophomore Jessy Krisiak, “like[s] Elf so much because it is just a classic Christmas movie and it is funny.”
Last but not least, Home Alone claims victory
This movie is played all winter, and while the exact number of viewers is unavailable, it is estimated that 7.1 million people watch Home Alone every holiday season.
When the sophomore class is asked, five in six sophomores vote for Home Alone as a major movie option, mostly put in their all time favorite or yearly watched. It is always a classic and never seems to get old.
This is one of the most enjoyable Christmas movies, with its story of family, adventure, humor, and being grateful. Home Alone includes the perfect aspects of comfort and nostalgia, while also leaving viewers on the edge of their seats wanting to know what happens next.
From the opinion of Pentucket sophomore Sophia Vasapolli, “Home Alone is one of the greatest classic Christmas movies! It’s my family’s most favorite, it always brings us laughter and joy.”
While opinions may differ, it is evident that the Pentucket sophomore class has good taste in Christmas movies. The top three movies explore themes that go into depth about the holiday season, thus providing the most immersive, comforting, and exciting feeling to light up the darkness of winter.
