Avoid arguing over which Christmas movie to stream… Here’s the Top 10 according to maths and science

Avoid the petty disputes over television viewing this festive season by leaving the film choices to science and statistics. Crystal Ski have done the hard study and research to present the all-time Top 10 Chrissy films, in terms of box office sales, at least. Personally, we’d prefer to go with the Rotten Tomatoes ratings, included here too, of course. Kicking off with the domestic shenanigans of…

01. Home Alone

This American comedy follows eight-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) on a mission to protect his home from the burglars nicknamed the ‘Wet Bandits’ after his family accidentally leave him home alone while they travel to Paris.

Home Alone made $285,7611,243 in Box Office sales and has a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 65%, which isn’t the highest of the films that placed in the top 10.

02. Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018 Version)

Based on Dr Seuss’ book ‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas’ this 3D adaptation shows the adventures of the Grinch as he plans to spoil Christmas for Whoville. With the help of six-year-old Cindy Lou Who, the Who’s discover the true meaning of Christmas which is far more than receiving presents.

This is the highest-grossing Dr Suess adaptation with sales that totaled $270,620,950 and a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 59%.

The film had a box office gross of $260,044,825 and yet earns a Rotten Tomatoes rating of just 51%.

03. How The Grinch Stole Christmas

The second screenplay adaptation featuring the Grinch stars Jim Carrey. This film reveals the Grinch’s tragic past after Cindy Lou Who becomes fascinated by him after meeting him in the post office. After stealing Whoville’s presents, the Whos sing Christmas carols around the Christmas tree together. The sight of this grows the Grinch’s heart by three sizes, who later joins them in their festivities.

The movie had a total box office gross of $260,044,825 and a Rotten Tomatoes rating of just 51%.

04. Elf

Buddy was brought up in the North Pole as an Elf after crawling into Santa’s sack as a baby. Now an adult Buddy (Will Ferrel) has to learn how to live like a New Yorker while building a relationship with his biological father. He spreads much-needed Christmas cheer to everyone he meets causing some chaos along the way.

Elf ticket sales total $173,840,591 and received a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 78%.

05. The Polar Express

Based on the 1985 children’s book, this film used live-action motion capture animation that follows the story of a young boy who was beginning to doubt Santa’s existence. On Christmas Eve, he boards a train called The Polar Express towards the North Pole. Through this journey, the boy learns about the spirit of Christmas, friendship and bravery. Ohhhhh…

The Polar Express made $187,224,490 in box office sales and a 56% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

06. The Nightmare Before Christmas

Despite having recently presided over a very successful Halloween, Jack Skellington, aka the Pumpkin King, is bored with his job and feels that life in Halloweenland lacks meaning. Then he stumbles upon Christmastown and promptly decides to make the Yuletide his own. Personally, this is our favourite.

The Nightmare Before Christmas made $75,082,668 in box office sales and a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

07. The Santa Clause

When a down on his luck dad Scott (Tim Allen) accidentally kills a man in a Santa suit, him and his son are magically transported to the North Pole, where an elf explains that Scott must take Santa’s place before the next Christmas arrives. While Scott tries to ignore the whole situation, a rapidly growing belly and white beard show this certainly wasn’t just a dream.

The Santa Clause made $144,833,357 at the box office and scored 65% on Rotten Tomatoes.

08. Arthur Christmas

Everyone knows that Father Christmas delivers presents to everyone on Christmas eve but nobody knows how. However, when Father Christmas’ high-tech solution fails and he misses one poor individual out, someone has to come to the rescue. They turn to Arthur (James McAvoy), Father Christmas’ youngest son, to deliver the present to this missed child before they wake up on Christmas morning.

Arthur Christmas made $46,462,469 in box office sales and a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

09. The Santa Clause 2

Yeah, we’re kind of surprised to see the sequel in here, too. Following on from the success of The Santa Clause, this follow up see’s Scott face the awful news that his own son is on the naughty list! Turning his world upside down and into further chaos, Scott has to find himself a wife before Christmas Eve or he will no longer be Father Christmas.

The Santa Clause 2 made $139,236,327 at the box office and scored 55% on Rotten Tomatoes.

10. A Christmas Carol (2009 Version)

Got to have a classic in here. The famous tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, portrayed by Jim Carrey in this iteration, follows the ‘humbug’ focused gent as he treats those around his miserably. Until, at night he is visited by the ghost of a recently deceased friend and ghosts of Christmas past, present and future that endeavour to make him change his bitter ways for good.

A Christmas Carol made $137,855,863 at the box office and scored 53% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Do you agree with these ratings?

Find the full list in the Winter Movie Index, with a complete breakdown of box office gross and ratings.

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