As the holidays approach us, watching holiday films is a tradition many of us take part in. Holiday movies allow viewers to experience the fun and joy of the holiday season right from their home. Ever since the release of Santa Clause in 1898, movies set around the holiday times have become a hit in Hollywood. These films capture the magic of the holidays, lots of snow, presents, hot chocolate, and spending time with your loved ones!
To find out what the favorite holiday films among students in James Caldwell High School were, I was able to send out a survey to seniors. The students were able to pick a favorite movie out of seven films: Elf, Home Alone, Love Actually, It’s a Wonderful Life, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Polar Express, and Christmas Story. I got a total of 175 senior responses and the answers were varied. Home Alone was voted the most popular film by JCHS students with 30.9% of votes followed closely by 28% of votes from Elf. Polar Express received 19.4% of votes and How the Grinch Stole Christmas got 14.9% of votes. It’s a Wonderful Life and Christmas Story received very few votes and Love Actually actually received no votes which came as a huge surprise.
Home Alone winning the most popular film among James Caldwell High School seniors shouldn’t be a surprise as Home Alone actually won most popular film in New Jersey in a survey done last year to find out the most liked and disliked holiday movie in each state. Home Alone has been a classic holiday movie since the 1990s, and it’s filled with lots of adventure, humor, love, and the Christmas spirit. It was enjoyed by hundreds of thousands, and it was an instant hit at the box office earning $476.7 million worldwide. Although many holiday films are described as being very low budget, having bland humor and very predictable plot lines, what makes them still enjoyable to watch is the comfort that it brings and the true meaning of the holiday season that they portray. As holiday traditions come and go, holiday movies will forever be embedded in the celebration of the holiday season.
