15 of the Highest-Grossing Holiday Movies

Written by Tatiana Alalachvily on December 14, 2025 updated December 13, 2025

A young child wearing a knit winter hat and coat stands in front of colorful, out-of-focus holiday lights, looking thoughtful.

Holiday movies have a special kind of magic, and some of them turn that festive charm into massive box-office success. From beloved classics like Home Alone to modern hits like How the Grinch Stole Christmas and The Polar Express, these films prove that audiences can’t resist a good dose of seasonal spirit. Here are 15 of the highest-grossing holiday movies of all time.

1. Home Alone, 1990

A woman and a young boy stand on a staircase, both looking surprised and concerned. The woman has short brown hair and wears a brown coat; the boy is blonde and wears a green robe with a red plaid collar. — Dieforestmusic / Reddit.com

Home Alone remains the reigning king of holiday box-office smashes. The story of young Kevin McCallister outsmarting would-be burglars became an instant classic, earning massive global revenue and redefining what a holiday hit could be.

2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas, 2000

A fuzzy green character with yellow skin, long fingers, and expressive eyebrows holds up both hands, standing against a blurred background of colorful holiday lights. — Ok_Purple_2658 / Reddit.com

Jim Carrey’s unforgettable transformation into the Grinch helped this live-action adaptation soar financially. Its vibrant Whoville design, iconic makeup, and comedic energy made it one of the most successful Christmas movies ever released.

3. The Polar Express, 2004

A steam locomotive travels across a frozen, icy landscape at night, emitting smoke and light, with mountains and a dark sky in the background. The train cars are illuminated with warm yellow lights. — Jesus_Keanu / Reddit.com

With groundbreaking motion-capture animation, The Polar Express captivated audiences of all ages. Its magical journey to the North Pole, along with its memorable soundtrack and visuals, helped it bring in huge box-office numbers.

4. Elf, 2003

A man dressed as an elf in a green suit and hat eats spaghetti with his hands, surrounded by candy, syrup bottles, and a large jar of sweets on the table. He looks off to the side with a playful expression. — Latenightcateyes / Reddit.com

Elf turned Will Ferrell into a modern holiday icon. The film’s irresistible mix of comedy, innocence, and Christmas cheer made it a major financial success and a yearly rewatch favorite for families everywhere.

5. The Santa Clause, 1994

A man wearing a red and white Santa coat over a beige shirt stands indoors, looking to his left. The room has wooden walls, some posters, and a mix of rustic and whimsical decor. — EffortlessCool / Reddit.com

The Santa Clause, starring Tim Allen, became a surprise smash hit thanks to its clever premise: an ordinary man accidentally becomes Santa after a rooftop mishap. Its mix of comedy, heart, and 90s holiday magic turned it into a major box-office success and launched an entire franchise.

6. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, 1992

A young blond boy wearing winter clothes stands in the lobby of an elegant hotel, with ornate decor, red carpeted stairs, and blurred people in the background. — Enemyofbadmovies / Reddit.com

Kevin’s second solo adventure takes him to New York City, where Christmas lights, luxury hotels, and slapstick traps made the sequel a massive box-office success. The film proved that audiences were more than happy to see him outsmart the bad guys all over again.

7. The Santa Clause 2, 2002

Two men with white hair and beards face each other in a colorful room with stained glass windows, while a surprised person stands in the background between them. — Thisissamsaxton / Reddit.com

The sequel doubled down on the North Pole magic as Scott Calvin faced a new challenge: finding a Mrs. Claus before Christmas Eve. Audiences loved the expanded worldbuilding and holiday warmth, helping the film bring in strong box-office numbers.

8. Love Actually, 2003

A young woman with straight blonde hair and a white sweater smiles brightly while standing by a door indoors. — KennKennyKenKen / Reddit.com

This star-studded holiday rom-com became a modern classic thanks to its intertwined stories of love, heartbreak, and Christmas magic. Its global appeal and rewatchability helped it earn impressive box-office numbers and solidify its place in holiday movie history.

9. The Holiday, 2006

A woman smiles while holding a mug and sitting next to a man at a desk cluttered with office supplies and a computer keyboard; bookshelves and a clock are visible in the background. — First-Loss-8540 / Reddit.com

This cozy transatlantic rom-com became a seasonal favorite thanks to its charming cast, heartwarming storyline, and the kind of feel-good holiday atmosphere viewers return to year after year. Its strong box-office performance reflects just how much audiences love a comforting Christmas love story.

10. The Muppet Christmas Carol, 1992

A glowing, ethereal human face appears within a bright light in a dimly lit room filled with wooden cabinets and books. — Fit_Assignment_8800 / Reddit.com

A beloved holiday classic, this musical retelling of Dickens’ story blends heartfelt moments with the signature Muppet charm. Its strong box-office run proved that even a Victorian ghost story becomes timeless when Kermit and company are involved.

11. The Nightmare Before Christmas, 1993

A thin skeleton character in a pinstriped suit holds a snowflake and looks at it with curiosity. The background is blurred with warm, reddish tones. — CampMain / Reddit.com

Tim Burton’s stop-motion classic blurs the line between Halloween and Christmas as Jack Skellington discovers the magic of the holiday season. Its striking visuals, unforgettable music, and cult following helped it become a major box-office success that replays every year across both holidays.

12. The Grinch, 2018

A group of festive Whos sing carols outside colorful, snow-covered houses decorated for Christmas. The Grinch, dressed in green, walks by with a brown dog and a red wagon in the snowy scene. — ShouCutemon / Reddit.com

This animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s story brought a softer, modern take on the iconic green grouch. With colorful visuals, family-friendly humor, and Benedict Cumberbatch voicing the Grinch, it became one of the highest-grossing Christmas movies of all time.

13. Four Christmases, 2008

A woman and man stand facing each other in front of a red door decorated with a Christmas wreath, engaged in conversation in a warmly lit room. — Sisiwakanamaru / Reddit.com

Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon star as a couple forced to visit all four of their divorced parents on Christmas Day. Its chaotic holiday scenarios and star-studded cast helped the comedy perform extremely well at the box office.

14. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, 2005

A young girl in a dress and sweater stands beside a faun with curly hair, pointy ears, and a red scarf, holding wrapped parcels in a snowy forest. — Olivebranch99 / Reddit.com

With its snow-covered landscapes and the White Witch’s eternal winter, this fantasy epic brought C.S. Lewis’s world to life and became a global blockbuster. Though not centered on Christmas, its themes of magic, bravery, and hope make it a seasonal favorite.

15. Rise of the Guardians, 2012

A luxurious bathroom features a large, polished wooden bathtub with natural grain patterns, a modern faucet, marble flooring, and a marble sink countertop with towels stacked underneath. — Anonymous / Reddit.com

This vibrant animated adventure unites iconic holiday figures like Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, Jack Frost, and Sandman against a dark force threatening children’s dreams. Its imaginative world-building and action-driven story helped it achieve strong worldwide box-office numbers.

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