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These Are The Most-Watched Holiday Movies In 2023

Author Phil Harris
A new report reveals the holiday movies that Americans have watched the most so far in 2023. (Photo by Prostock-Studio/iStock via Getty Images)

We each have our favorite holiday movies that we’ll watch every year. Well, if we’re allowed. I am, by far, the biggest fan of Christmas movies in my house. Sometimes, I’ll just wait until everyone else has left so I can enjoy the viewing experience without hearing, “You’re watching this again?” Yes. Yes, I am. Not sorry.

According to USA Today, a new report from Samba TV reveals the Christmas movies that Americans have watched the most so far during the 2023 holiday season. Samba TV analyzed the viewing habits of U.S. households through smart TVs to come up with a list of the most-watched holiday movies on TV and streaming services.

From November 10th to December 10th, Elf was the most-watched holiday movie with 9-million household views. That’s not surprising given that this year is the beloved Christmas comedy’s 20th anniversary. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation comes in second with 7.9-million household views, followed by Home Alone with 7.1-million views.

Not all of the holiday movies on the list are old favorites. Eddie Murphy’s new Amazon original, Candy Cane Lane, sits in the 11th spot. A couple other 2023 releases also rank in the top 15, including the new Netflix originals Best. Christmas. Ever! (#7) and Family Switch (#9).

If you’ve ever engaged in the debate over whether or not Die Hard is a Christmas movie with anyone, you’ll be interested to know that Bruce Willis’ 1988 shoot-’em-up action flick cracked the top 15 on the holiday movie list with 1.4-million household views. I love Bruce Willis but just because Die Hard is on this list doesn’t mean it’s a Christmas movie.

15 Most-Watched Holiday Movies In 2023 (Samba TV)

  1. Elf (2003): 9-million household views
  2. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989): 7.9-million household views
  3. Home Alone (1990): 7.1-million household views
  4. The Santa Clause (1994): 4.3-million household views
  5. Four Christmases (2008): 3.5-million household views
  6. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000): 2.5-million household views
  7. Best. Christmas. Ever! (2023): 2.3-million household views
  8. The Holiday (2006): 2.3-million household views
  9. Family Switch (2023): 1.9-million household views
  10. A Christmas Story (1983): 1.9-million household views
  11. Candy Cane Lane (2023): 1.9-million household views
  12. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946): 1.7-million household views
  13. Die Hard (1988): 1.4-million household views
  14. Love Actually (2003): 1.4-million household views
  15. The Polar Express (2004): 1.1-million household views

Phil Harris is 50% of "Phil & Mel in the Afternoon" on K104.7. He has been with the station since 2013 and on the air in Charlotte since 2000. Before coming to the Queen City, Phil worked for radio stations in Pittsburgh, Austin, and Seattle. In addition to the weekly "Throwback Threesome" music video feature, Phil writes about things that matter to Charlotte sports fans and pet owners. He happens to be both.

If ‘Die Hard’ is a Christmas Movie, These 5 Tracks are Christmas Songs

The debate around whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie has been around for years. A simple Google search will yield an obscene amount of articles from a variety of outlets that argue whether it is or isn’t a Christmas movie.

Seriously, this debate has been addressed by truly the strangest group of publications you can possibly imagine. They include Yahoo! Entertainment, Parade, Men’s Health, The Pioneer Woman (yes, really), The Federalist (not kidding), and — perhaps most surprising of them all — Catholic.com.

The debate reached such an intensity that Bruce Willis waded into it. During the 2018 Comedy Central special Roast of Bruce Willis, John McClane, himself, addressed the debate.

“People ask me why I did this roast,” began Willis. “Was it because one of the last guys who did it became president? Hell no. Why would I want to be president when I can just keep being Bruce f—in’ Willis?”

He continued, “I did this roast for one reason and for one reason only, to settle something once and for all. Now, please, listen very carefully: ‘Die Hard’ is not a Christmas movie! It’s a —damn Bruce Willis movie. So, yippee ki-yay to all of you motherf—ers.”

With that in mind, it’s about time we focus a similar energy on Christmas music.

At this point in the holiday season, there is a good chance you have heard a lot of the same Christmas songs over and over again. (We’re looking at you, Mariah Carey!) We have nothing against some of the classics, but variety never hurt anyone.

There are only a handful of days left until Christmas. In the spirit of Die Hard now being widely considered a Christmas movie — despite the colorful comments of Willis — consider these five classic rock songs as Christmas songs. Enjoy! (And you’re welcome!)

  • "Jesus Is Just Alright"

    I don’t care if it’s The Byrds cover, I don’t care if it’s The Doobie Brothers cover, “Jesus Is Just Alright” is totally a Christmas song! Its positive message is PERFECT for the holidays!

  • "Psalm" - Roxy Music

    It’s definitely a left-field choice, but this list was meant to be a little weird. Let’s put it this way: Think of “Psalm” as the cool, artsy cousin to “Jesus Is The Reason For The Season.” Plus, it truly isn’t the holidays without that cool, artsy cousin bringing the strange to your family gathering.

  • "Jesus" - The Velvet Underground

    Honestly, the same explanation for “Psalm” can be applied to this track from The Velvet Underground. Also, “Jesus” is almost more prayer than song, and its words could actually help those struggling during the holidays.

    “JesusHelp me find my proper placeJesusHelp me find my proper place
    Help me in my weakness‘Cos I’m falling out of graceJesus, Jesus”

  • "Mistress For Christmas" - AC/DC

    Okay…this one might already fall under the classification of a Christmas song, but it doesn’t get nearly enough airplay or attention. At this point, “Mistress For Christmas” should be a holiday standard that everyone knows and loves, but sure, let’s just sing “Jingle Bells” again for the millionth time!

  • "Jesus Just Left Chicago" - ZZ Top

    In this stellar ZZ Top track, Jesus is traveling from city to city spreading the magic of the blues, or at least we assume.  Hmmm…traveling from city to city and spreading magic? If that’s not the perfect premise for a Christmas song, we don’t know what is!

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