SURVEY SAYS: What is Your Favorite Holiday Movie?

And one again, it was “nip and tuck” throughout the day – and once again, it was – for most of the day – a battle between two “titans”. And then….

But before we go there – let’s talk about the rest. First off, there were about 8% who went for “other”, ostensibly because they couldn’t find their choice on my list. On that list were:

Emmett Otter’s JugBand Christmas (Muppets)
Silent Night
In the Good Old Summertime/The Shop Around the Corner
Band of Brothers
The Lemon Drop Kid (w/Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell)
Noelle
Four Christmas’s (new this year)
Frosty the Snowman

Another reader noted, “…I know the list of Christmas movies is insanely long, but Dan in Real Life, Fred Claus, and Jack Frost are noticeably absent from the list.”

Without pointing fingers, I will mention to some of you who chose other because you couldn’t find your favorite on my list….they actually were on my list (and I’ve adjusted the totals accordingly).

Also in the “other” category were, of course, readers who really wanted to choose more than one movie, generally because they wanted to pick one in the “comedy” versus “heartfelt/serious” mode (maybe next year).

As one reader noted, “My favorite depends on what type of movie I'm wanting. Funny - Elf, Feel Good - The Polar Express, Funny and Feel Good - The Family Stone...granted, this coming from someone who hasn't seen the majority of the above movies... :)”

Or as one reader succinctly remarked, “Just that it's so hard to select a single favorite.”

Another reader inquired, “Dodgeball is a Christmas movie?! I'll have to look that one up, but I trust you. I guess it's tough, but what are the requirements? Is it merely that PART of a movie occurs within a day or two of Christmas, or does the entire movie need to be Christmas focused? But heck, it's your survey, so you set the rules.” I do, indeed – but these are HOLIDAY movies (Groundhog Day used to get at least token support in this survey).

No Votes

But on to the list(s); there were the movies that got not a single vote:

A Christmas Carol (Patrick Stewart version)
Christmas Shoes, The
Come to the Stable
Die Hard
Jingle All the Way
Meet Me in St. Louis
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
Toy That Saved Christmas, The
Very Bundy Christmas, A
On the 2nd Day of Christmas
Holiday, The (Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black, Jude Law)
Bernard & the Genie
Home Alone
Shrek the Halls
Miser Brothers Christmas, The
Dodgeball (maybe it really ISN’T a Christmas movie)
The Family Stone

That said, Die Hard (which actually takes place at Christmas time, but in L.A. so you could be excused for not picking up on that), which got not votes – actually got several write-in comments:

“I am also partial to Die Hard as a Christmas movie, but nobody else will think so,” said one reader.

But another reader noted that while “I have always answered this survey with 'It's a wonderful life". However, a movie I have seen as many times as the Jimmy Stewart classic is Die Hard. I have never considered it a Christmas movie, even though its setting is at Christmas time. I will watch Die Hard at any time during the year, but generally will only watch It's a wonderful life during the Christmas season.”

I can see the trailer now - "Die Hard - a film for every season...."

And there were those that received just a single vote:

• Bad Santa
• Bells of St. Mary's
• A Christmas Carol (Mr. Magoo version)
• A Christmas Carol (George C. Scott version)
• Christmas in Connecticut
• Going My Way
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Jim Carrey version)
• Miracle on 34th Street (new)
• Muppet's Christmas Carol
• Ref, The
• Santa Clause, The
• Three Godfathers
• A Christmas Carol (Reginald Owen version)

Yes, hard as it is to believe that classics like Bells of St. Mary’s and Christmas in Connecticut drew but a single vote – there you have it (Editor’s note – it wasn’t my single vote, but if you’ve never seen The Ref 0- and you like your holiday humor a little dark, I recommend it).

Our next “tranche” drew between 1% and 3% of this week’s respondents – each.   

• A Christmas Carol (Alistair Sim version)
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas (cartoon)
• Polar Express, The
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
• The Bishop's Wife
• Holiday Inn
• Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
• Scrooged
• The Year Without a Santa Claus 

Personally, I have to believe that Rudolph and the Grinch would fare better in an animated/cartoon grouping – but that will have to wait till next year.

At this point, things began to get really interesting.  The next group was: 

• 7.9% - White Christmas
• 5.4% - A Charlie Brown Christmas
• 3.4% - Elf
• 3.4% - Love, Actually 

One reader noted, “So many great holiday movie choices...but Love Actually has been my running favorite for the past few years now. Between the fabulous British humor, the great music, some of my favorite actors (plus nice-to-look-at Colin Firth), and the best line of the movie (when a 10-year old says to his stepdad, "Let's go get the sh*t kicked out of us by love"), what's not to love?”

Well, I have probably made you wait as long for this result as I dare – but the survey flow this year really was interesting. 

Most of the morning Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story were battling it out – literally within 5 votes of each other.  And then – sometime this afternoon – the winner emerged – again. 

Making a valiant comeback in the final stretch was none other than: 

It's a Wonderful Life, with 16.7% of the final tally. 

The rest of the best were:

12.3% - Christmas Vacation

11.3% - A Christmas Story

  8.9% - Miracle on 34th Street (traditional, with Natalie Wood)

Those of you who have kept up with our poll over the years will recall that It’s a Wonderful Life has topped our annual reader favorite list for the past seven years every year except for last year - and 2006 - when "A Christmas Story" ruled the roost (see SURVEY SAYS: What's Your Favorite Holiday Movie?.  While this year’s number two, Christmas Vacation, had been #3 for the past four years. 

Before we close - some of my favorite verbatim comments: 

“I find it interesting that every year the list of holiday movies made grows - but the favorites remain the same (although I must confess, I almost changed mine when I saw you had listed "The Holiday").”

“I can't get through the holiday without checking in with the Griswold family. I see so many of my relatives there.”

Bah humbug to you. Holidays are a time of tradition and with your instructions you blocked my usual NewsDash holiday movie survey response tradition. Now I can't reply that "It's a Wonderful Life that takes a Miracle on 34th Street to have a White Christmas at the Holiday Inn for my Christmas in Connecticut" or any variation thereof.

I will watch any of the Christmas Carol movies depending on when they are on and I have time to sit for a couple hours. 

I choose ELF but only the cut version where I don't have to watch him chewing the left over gum on the street. I squirm every time I see that, gross! 

One Rudolph fan said (calling to mind a certain elf in that cartoon classic), “I want to be a dentist too”.

“As a Bank ERISA attorney there can only be one choice. It's a Wonderful Life!! I keep hoping Clarence will help me with some of my year end projects - but sigh I think I'm on my own”.

“I love all Christmas movies! It's hard to pick one so I went with the oldest one I remember first seeing as a kid”.

“How can I choose just one? *pout* I own 16 of these! The Christmas (oh, wait, I mean Holiday) season is magical; I love it!! Happy Holidays!”

But this week’s Editor’s Choice goes to the reader who noted, “I've picked the one I've always picked, because Christmas traditions are the most sacred of all”.

Thanks to everyone who participated in our survey!

Editor's Note: There are more verbatims in the following pages!

I wish there were more movies with tap dancing in them, like White Christmas! Why doesn't anyone like musicals anymore?  Not all of us want to see blood and violence all the time.

How can I choose just one? *pout* I own 16 of these!  The Christmas (oh, wait, I mean Holiday) season is magical; I love it!!    Happy Holidays!

I love all Christmas movies! It's hard to pick one so I went with the oldest one I remember first seeing as a kid.

IMHO Alistair Sim set the standard for Scrooge which no other actor has been able to attain.  His portrayal of Scrooge's transformation and redemption was a tour de force.  The film's direction and lighting are outstanding along with a terrific supporting cast.  A wonderful movie that became a holiday tradition for my son and I every Christmas (and, even though I'm a guy, I'm not ashamed to admit it still brings a tear to my eye every time I watch it).

It isn't Christmas unless I have seen How the Grinch stole Christmas, A Charlie Brown Christmas and White Christmas.

Oldies are the best as they capture the true spirit of the Christmas season.

As a Bank ERISA attorney there can only be one choice.  It's a Wonderful Life!!  I keep hoping Clarence will help me with some of my year end projects - but sigh I think I'm on my own.

The movies I like the best where made either before I was born or when I was very small.  The new movies and remakes just never match the quality of the originals, except for the new 3d A Christmas Carol.  It was excellent.

Used to be hands down A Christmas Story, but when I watch Elf with my kids we always crack up! There are so many great lines in that movie, and my son and I regularly quote them to each other. "Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?" "Why do you wear a puffy coat; do your friends wear puffy coats?" See, I'm laughing just thinking about it! What a great way to start the morning!

I want to be a dentist too

Also a favorite, It's a Wonderful LIfe; and, there's one in black & white (never knew the title) where a guy runs a diner/motel off a western highway and he's just invested in a bright, neon star to pick up his business.  All of the people who come in/stay there are players in a modern-day nativity scene - complete the Joe & Mary (who is obviously with child and due at any moment - which later she does).  I think this was made during the late '50's or early '60's.  It wonderful, just wish I knew its name.

Pure nostalgia.  Oh to transport back to the '60's when people were nicer and things were a lot simplier or so it seemed to this child born in the last year of the baby boomers!

I choose ELF but only the cut version where I don't have to watch him chewing the left over gum on the street. I squirm every time I see that, gross!

"You should have two categories; one serious and one comedy/cartoon. My comedy one won out, but it was close with my serious Christmas favorite: A Christmas Carol (George C. Scott).

Thanks and have a Very Merry Christmas!"

I usually choose The Year Without A Santa Claus, but I'm going with The Ref this year.  I'm feeling very Denis Leary this year.... cranky.

I will watch any of the Christmas Carol movies depending on when they are on and I have time to sit for a couple  hours.

Independent films

The Cary Grant, Loretta Young, David Niven version - NOT the Whitney Housten version.

I know holiday movies can be really sappy, but I can't help but enjoy the messages of hope they typically bring. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.

Bah humbug to you.  Holidays are a time of tradition and with your instructions you blocked my usual NewsDash holiday movie survey response tradition.  Now I can't reply that "It's a Wonderful Life that takes a Miracle on 34th Street to have a White Christmas at the Holiday Inn for my Christmas in Connecticut" or any variation thereof.

Other than the kiss (which is a bit overdone) this movie has it all -- a lovely woman, a handsome man, a cute little girl, a parade and proof that Santa Clause is real. What more could you ask for?

I picked for my husband.  I don't really have a favorite but I do like to watch all the Christmas related movies.  My least favorite movie is A Christmas Story.  My husband makes it a point to watch it just for me since he knows I don't like it.

They have to be funny. Not just "Merry."

I've picked the one I've always picked, because Christmas traditions are the most sacred of all.

I perfer the non-colorized version

Yeah - The Munsters ROCK man!  Who doesn't like the Munsters?

It seems that Christmas movies today are all about gags and special effects, not the true meaning of Christmas.  I'll take the old black and whites over anything produced after 1980 any day!

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Jim Carrey version) has been my favorite for years.  But, this year AMC has been showing Christmas Vacation.  The movie is hilarious.  So, my favorite movie has changed his year.

I have always answered this survey with 'It's a wonderful life".  However, a movie I have seen as many times as the Jimmy Stewart classic is Die Hard.  I have never considered it a Christmas movie, even though its setting is at Christmas time.  I will watch Die Hard at any time during the year, but generally will only watch It's a wonderful life during the Christmas season.

I love how they keep the spirit alive with believing in Santa Claus

A line I use on my kids when they act up from the movie I selected above - "Can I take you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?"  They get the point.

To paraphrase Jean Shepherd, A Christmas Story is the greatest Holiday movie I have ever seen or ever will see.  For a couple of hours I can remember exactally what it was like being a kid at Christmas, both the good and the bad.  It is better than getting a major award!

"Watch it...you're sure to agree with me!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WIHoWtURq4

See?  See?!  :)"

I am also partial to Die Hard as a Christmas movie, but noboday else will think so.

During the peak of when A Wonderful Life would play 24 hours a day, after my family would watch "Life" at midnight of Xmas eve our local station would play a movie from the 30's or 40's called "The Cheaters".  It was a Xmas movie about a well to do family that was on the verge of losing it's family fortune to an unsuspecting niece.  The family takes in the niece at Xmas to trick her out of the inheritance.  Also the family takes in a man down on his luck as they tradionally had.  The family's life and outlook is changed by the niece and the unfortunate man.  Was a wonderful story that would keep us up to late hours watching it.  The matriarch of the family was the Billy Burke, the good witch from the Wizard of Oz.

Christmas Carol was a great remake that stayed true to the story

Christmas Vacation is still my all time favorite.  I still laugh out loud when Chevy says we are going to have the hap hap happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby danced with Danny f------g Kay.

I have always picked "It's a Wonderful Life" but with young  kids in the house now, they will sit and watch "Polar Express"

The singing! The dancing! The innocent love story!  The schmaltz!  How can you resist this Christmas classic.

Only one? Depending on the time of day and what new and exciting opportunities and challenges have come about, How the Grinch Stole Christmas - cartoon, Miracle on 34th - traditional, Die Hard - because I've only been in a couple of hours - It's a Wonderful Life is favorite - right now...

Who can resist Danny Kaye and Bing Crosby doing the Haynes "Sister" act?

Had to vote for "It's a Wonderful Life" in spite of a number of other favorites on the list.  That one never fails to break down the 'crustiness' of life and get me back to the basics!

I can't get through the holiday without checking in with the Griswold family.  I see so many of my relatives there.

"Dodgeball is a Christmas movie?!  I'll have to look that one up, but I trust you.  I guess it's tough, but what are the requirements?  Is it merely that PART of a movie occurs within a day or two of Christmas, or does the entire movie need to be Christmas focused?  But heck, it's your survey, so you set the rules. 

I chose "A Christmas Story," a movie I thought was very unfunny when I was younger. Now I think it's a riot. I look forward to the 24-hour marathon on TNT, which we put on when we get home on Christmas Eve, and pick up again where we left off on Christmas moring.

Natl Lampoons is my favorite, however, the kids generally decide on the movie. I'll watch whatever movie my 2 1/2 year old will sit through which this year is Polar Express or as he refers to it as the 'train movie'.

There's a good one that came out a year ago called The Flight Before Chrsitmas.  Amusing and sweet as it involves a reindeer who wnats to meet his real father, one of Santa's Flying Forces.  Turns out his little friend, the flying squirrel, was the real father figure in the end.  Great if you have a step child.

"I grew up not celebrating Christmas. Although I've been celebrating Christmas for a while now, I haven't been given the opportunity to watch the majority of the Christmas Classics. This list should be a great starting point for me!

...there were some on the list I'm not sure how they are a 'Christmas movie'…Dodgeball? Die Hard? ...although I’m told by my guy friends that Die Hard could be considered a 'Classic Male Christmas Movie'

...I know the list of Christmas movies is insanely long, but Dan in Real Life, Fred Claus, and Jack Frost are noticeably absent from the list. 

My favorite depends on what type of movie I'm wanting. Funny - Elf, Feel Good - The Polar Express, Funny and Feel Good - The Family Stone...granted, this coming from someone who hasn't seen the majority of the above movies... :)"

Cousin Eddie/Randy Quaid is now a holiday fixture.

I know it's an old HBO series and not a movie but in recent years it seems to have become tradition that we watch the full Band of Brothers series during the Holidays.  If the Bastogne segments and the actual vets comments about that battle (During Christmas 1944) don't wake you up you're just lost.

I don't watch too many movies, and while their are lots of funny holiday flicks now, I still feel that the true meaning of Christmas can best be found in one of the old sentimental favorites.

I find it interesting that every year the list of holiday movies made grows - but the favorites remain the same (although I must confess, I almost changed mine when I saw you had listed "The Holiday").

Christmas Story still fits today & a great musical score

Who doesn't love maple syrup on their spaghetti?

I love all of those old cartoon movies so much I now have them on DVD.  I guess Blu-Ray is next.

It's a classic movie! Who doesn't smile when you say "you'll shoot your eye out kid", or "I double-dog dare ya".

Everyone in the family, from old to young, loves 'A Christmas Story.' TNT really hit the bonanza with getting the rights to that. We typically turn it on early and let it run in the background all day. Although in this age of being able to watch anything on demand that seems a little silly. But, Christmas is a time of traditions.

These are two versions of essentially the same movie: In the Good Old Summertime is the color musical version with Judy Garland and Van Johnson; The Shop Around the Corner the b/w version with Margaret Sullavan and Jimmy Stewart. The latest version (You've Got Mail) pales in comparison to the first two.

Not only is It's a Wonderful Life the best holiday movie, I consider it one of the best movies ever made, period. Jimmy Stewart himself had a wonderful life. He was a real class act--war hero, devoted husband and family man, and a fantastic actor.

I have 2 teenagers, 1 in high school and 1 in college, and we STILL watch this every year!

So many great holiday movie choices...but Love Actually has been my running favorite for the past few years now.  Between the fabulous British humor, the great music, some of my favorite actors (plus nice-to-look-at Colin Firth), and the best line of the movie (when a 10-year old says to his stepdad, "Let's go get the sh*t kicked out of us by love"), what's not to love?