SURVEY SAYS: Favorite Holiday Movie 2015

Last year, I asked NewsDash readers what was their favorite holiday song.

This year, I asked NewsDash readers, “What is your favorite holiday movie?

Asked if their favorite changed from out last holiday movie survey in 2013, 5.1% of readers said their favorite did change; 41.9% said it did not, and the rest did not participate in the 2013 survey.

I also asked readers how many time they have viewed their favorite holiday movie. More than half (50.7%) said “too many times to count,” while 12.1% have viewed their favorite one to five times, 20% six to 10 times, and 17.1% 11 to 20 times.

As for their favorite holiday movie, a few respondents suggested movies that were not on the provided list, including:

  • A Diva’s Christmas Carol
  • Die Hard
  • Love Actually
  • Bernard and the Genie
  • Adam Sandler – Happy Chanukkah
  • Any James Bond movie
  • The Bishop’s Wife with Loretta Young, Cary Grant and David Niven
  • Planes, Trains and Automobiles
  • We’re No Angels
  • The Ref
  • Wizards In Winter by Trans-Siberian Orchestra
  • How the Grinch Stole Christmas – cartoon version, not the movie with Jim Carey
  • Christmas in Connecticut
  • The Holiday

Among the list “An American Christmas Carol,” “Bad Santa,” “Frosty the Snowman,” “Prancer,” “Scrooged,” and “The Little Drummer Boy” received no votes, while “Scrooge,” “The Hebrew Hammer,” and “The Year Without a Santa Claus” were selected by less than 1% of responding readers.

“The Santa Clause” received 1.4% of reader votes, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” each received 2.1% of votes, and “Holiday Inn,” “Home Alone,” and “The Polar Express” each received 2.8% of votes.

Leading up to the top five were “Elf” (3.5%), “A Christmas Carol” (5.7%), and “White Christmas” 7.1%).

Fifth place was “A Christmas Story” (7.8%); “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (8.5%) came in fourth; “Miracle on 34th Street” (9.9%) was third; and “Christmas Vacation” (11.3%) took second spot.

And, the No. 1 choice was “It’s a Wonderful Life,” selected by 18.4% of responding readers.

Readers who left general comments about holiday movies noted how they get them in the Christmas spirit or make them feel like a child again. Some said it is a tradition that will continue for generations. Forgive me, but Editor’s Choice must go to a very sweet message from a long-time friend: “You can't go wrong with holiday movies, or holiday movie surveys. Merry Christmas, Rebecca! NEA” Merry Christmas to you too, Nevin!

Much thanks to all who participated in our survey! And, Happy New Year!

Verbatim 

It's not Christmas without them! Look forward to them every year.

Miracle on 34th Street.... got to be the best. Come on.... the little Dutch girl with Santa!

I love the scene when he's stuck in the attic and watches old family movies. It's a great bit of genuine warmth among all of the other craziness in the movie. I think it's a great metaphor for what we each look for every crazy holiday season.

"They are the best of the year"

I watch it every year while wrapping presents and sing along with all the songs.

It always puts me in the holiday spirit to watch these movies with my kids as my parents did with me

the holidays are a great time to sit down and marathon James Bond movies

There is a little Charlie Brown in all of us, unless we are Lucy. Let's hope we are not Lucy at this time of year.

I like them all, but NOT the literal stuffing them with commercials.

'Holiday' movie - et tu brute! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good nite.

Miracle on 34th Street in black and white. Don't colorize it, don't remake it. It was perfect the first time.

I just saw this movie a week ago and I love it. Wish I had discovered it years ago.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles isn't just a holiday movie. Besides being well-played, the movie reminds me that life is a journey, not a destination. Sometimes a very crazy journey, but even the bad stuff can bring unexpected blessings. And laughter; always try to find something to laugh about.

There aren't many on this list that I don't love! It's tradition! 🙂

I find it to be a feel good movie.

White Christmas is my next favorite and then probably Home Alone.

Verbatim (cont.) 

It leaves me with a nice warm fuzzy feeling. Something that many movies are missing today. Maybe we all need to believe in Santa for just awhile.

As a tradition my daughter and I watched Rudolph annually after we put up our Christmas tree. She is married now and rolls her eyes at the idea. When she decides to have children, I know the new tradition will be for me to watch Rudolph with my grandchildren.

They're very soothing. For a little while I'm a child again.

It was more of a treat to see them as a kid because they were only on one time a year and you had to clear your calendar to make sure you didn't miss it. 🙂

I don't really consider the Charlie Brown Christmas a movie - it's not even 30 minutes.

There are holiday movies other than "It's a Wonderful Life?"

I went and bought my favorite holiday movie so I can watch it over and over again during the holiday season.

The old ones are much better than the new ones.

The original, with Allister Sims

Being as chronologically gifted as I am, I've seen them all too many times to have a favorite!

I watch many movies to get me in the spirit of Christmas. With the weather being so warm in the Northeast it just does not feel like Christmas this year.

I watched the classic "It's a Wonderful Life" a couple weeks ago for the first time in my 56 year life and enjoyed it. Maybe I'll make an effort to watch some of the rest on your list!

I could have chosen three or four as my favorite movie.

I've been watching Christmas movies on Lifetime Network for nearly 30 days, but Miracle on 34th Street is STILL my favorite

I watch most of the ones on the list, but you didn't include Pee Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special... that is up there. I have to watch them in the same order every year... SIGH

They are a great way to bring back the magic that you felt as a child during the holidays.

some of the old originals have been remade a number of times. some are pretty good, but some of the more current remakes miss the point. Should just leave well enough alone.

Why do all the good movies come at the holidays? We're too busy at year end to go!

You can't go wrong with holiday movies, or holiday movie surveys. Merry Christmas, Rebecca! NEA

 

NOTE: Responses reflect the opinions of individual readers and not necessarily the stance of Asset International or its affiliates.

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