Americans traveling this holiday season find solace in festive films. But which holiday movie tops the list?
The folks at AirportParkingReservations.com, an airport parking distributor, used survey data and Google Trends analysis to find which holiday movies travelers enjoy watching most.
In Maryland, the 1990 “Home Alone” secured a plurality as the favorite of 31% of people. When his family goes on a trip to France for Christmas and accidentally leaves him home alone, Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) initially basks in having the place all to himself. But when a pair of thieves, Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern), set their sights on the McCallister home, Kevin devises a series of tricks and traps to try to ward off the bandits.
Coming in second place for Maryland (20%) was the 2000 live-action “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” movie, starring Jim Carrey as the titular Grinch. It was followed by “The Polar Express” (19%); “Elf” (17%); and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (13%).
Maryland’s favorites differ somewhat from the national picks.
While “Home Alone” held onto the top spot for Americans overall (22%), the nation switched it up for the lower spots – and there was less consensus.
“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” came in second as the favorite of 9% of Americans. Meanwhile, “Elf” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” tied, each with 7%.
The favorites also varied generationally. The top three choices for people ages 18-24 were: “Home Alone” (35%); “The Polar Express” (15%); and “Elf” (10%).
But for people aged 65 and older, the top three favorite festive films were: “It’s a Wonderful Life” (17%); “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (12%); and “Home Alone” (10%).
Where is Christmas Story?!!!! At least Love Actually isn’t on the list. (I cannot begin to describe how much I hate thus film’s contrived story lines and insultingly bad writing) .