The highest-grossing Christmas movies of all time

20 December 2023, 15:00

Christmas has always been a big time of year for heading down to the multiplex and seeing a blockbuster, but which movies set during Christmas have been the most popular? You'll be surprised at who's in the Top 10...

By Radio X

@RadioX

All figures quoted are worldwide grosses in US dollars and are confirmed by BoxOfficeMojo.

1. The Santa Clause (1994): $190 million

   Tim Allen finds himself stepping into Santa's shoes in this 90s comedy.

   

   The Santa Clause (1994) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers

2. The Holiday (2006): $205 million

   Festive house-swap romance starring Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Cameron Diaz.

   

   The Holiday (2006) Official Trailer 1 - Kate Winslet Movie

3. Elf (2003): $225 million

   Will Ferrell stars as Buddy, the elf who is actually human and sets off to the big city to find his father - and his destiny.

   

   Elf (2003) Official Trailer

4. Love Actually (2003): $245 million

   The Richard Curtis-penned British rom-com slips into the Top 10 and stars Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Keira Knightley, Colin Firth, Martine McCutcheon, Bill Nighy, Andrew Lincoln and loads of other familiar faces.

   

   Love Actually (2003) Official Trailer - Colin Firth, Emma Thompson Movie HD

5. The Polar Express (2004): $315 million

   A little boy who doesn't believe in Santa Claus is soon put straight by the festive locomotive of the title, featuring Tom Hanks as the voice of the Conductor.

   

   The Polar Express (2004) Official Trailer - Tom Hanks, Robert Zemeckis Movie HD

6. A Christmas Carol (2009): $325 million

   Jim Carrey is joined by Gary Oldman, Colin Firth and Bob Hoskins in this animated re-telling of the Charles Dickens story.

   

   Jim Carreys A Christmas Carol Official Trailer

7. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000): $345 million

   Jim Carrey again - this time under the prosthetics as the titular character from Dr Seuss's cautionary tale. It's been somewhat overshadowed by the animated version from 2018 (see below).

   

   Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas | Trailer | Now on Blu-ray,DVD & Digital

8. Home Alone 2 - Lost In New York (1992): $359 million

   Seasonal sequel sees Macaulay Culkin stranded in the Big Apple, complete with cameo appearance from future President Donald Trump.

   

   Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers

9. Home Alone (1990): $477 million

   Macaulay Culkin is left to fend for himself at Christmas while keeping burglars Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern at bay.

   

   Home Alone (1990) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers

10. The Grinch (2018): $526 million

    The animated hit, based on the classic story book by Dr Seuss and starring the vocal talents of Benedict Cumberbatch and Rashida Jones. Originally released in 2018, the film has been given a new lease of life in 2020, adding to its overall total.

    

    THE GRINCH Official Trailer (2018)