The Greatest Christmas Movies: As Voted by Pubity Fans
To settle the debate over the best Christmas movie, Pubity launched its latest “You Decide” knockout tournament on Instagram. Fans voted through multiple rounds, eliminating contenders until only one film remained standing.
Winner: Home Alone
The 1990 holiday classic Home Alone, starring a young Macaulay Culkin, dominated the competition. In the final round, it crushed The Nightmare Before Christmas with a massive 86% of the vote.
The film remains a favorite thanks to its charming storyline: 8 years old Kevin McCallister is mistakenly left behind as his family heads to France for the holidays. What begins as a dream come true soon turns chaotic when two burglars target his home setting the stage for Kevin’s iconic booby trap battle.
Runner Up: The Nightmare Before Christmas
Tim Burton’s 1993 stop motion musical reached the final, proving its enduring popularity. The gothic fantasy follows Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, who grows weary of leading the Halloween festivities. When he stumbles upon Christmas Town, he decides to “improve” the holiday with disastrous and magical consequences. The film’s unique atmosphere and memorable songs continue to captivate audiences of all ages.
Semi-Finalists: Die Hard and How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Die Hard once again sparked the ongoing “Is it a Christmas movie?” debate one Pubity fans answered with a resounding yes, pushing it into the semi-finals. The 1988 action thriller features Bruce Willis in his breakout role as NYPD officer John McClane, who finds himself battling terrorists during a holiday party gone wrong.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) also secured a semi-final spot. Jim Carrey’s unforgettable portrayal of the Grinch brought Dr. Seuss’ beloved story to life, as the green mischief maker attempts to steal Christmas from the residents of Whoville only to have his heart changed by the holiday spirit.
Quarter Finalists
Four beloved children’s classics rounded out the quarter-final lineup:
The Polar Express A magical train ride to the North Pole helps a young boy rediscover his belief in Santa Claus.
A Christmas Story (1983): A nostalgic family favorite centered on a boy who desperately wants a BB gun for Christmas.
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (1998) :A modern retelling of the iconic reindeer’s journey from outcast to hero as he sets out to save his friend and guide Santa’s sleigh.
Frosty the Snowman (1969):The timeless animated tale of a snowman brought to life by a magical hat, and the children who try to save him from melting.
These enduring titles prove that the films we grow up with often remain our favorites well into adulthood.