50 Fun Facts About Christmas Movies

In Home Alone, what city does the McCallister family fly to for their Christmas vacation, leaving Kevin behind?

The McCallister family flies to Paris for Christmas, accidentally leaving 8-year-old Kevin behind in their suburban Chicago home.

What is the name of Buddy's biological father in the movie Elf?

Walter Hobbs, played by James Caan, is Buddy's biological father who works as a children's book publisher in New York City.

Which actor plays the Grinch in the 2000 live-action film How the Grinch Stole Christmas?

Jim Carrey starred as the Grinch, spending up to 8 hours daily in prosthetic makeup for the role directed by Ron Howard.

What does Ralphie desperately want for Christmas in A Christmas Story?

Ralphie Parker wants a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle, despite everyone warning him he'll shoot his eye out.

In Die Hard, what is the name of the building where the hostage situation takes place?

The action takes place at Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles during the company's Christmas Eve party. The real building is Fox Plaza in Century City.

What profession does George Bailey have in It's a Wonderful Life?

George Bailey runs the Bailey Brothers Building and Loan in Bedford Falls, helping working-class families afford homes.

In National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, what does Clark Griswold hope to use his Christmas bonus for?

Clark puts a deposit on a swimming pool, counting on his Christmas bonus to pay for it — only to receive a one-year membership to the Jelly of the Month Club instead.

What is the name of the angel who helps George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life?

Clarence Odbody, Angel Second Class, shows George what life would be like if he had never been born, and earns his wings in the process.

Which character in Love Actually holds up cue cards at Keira Knightley's door to confess his love?

Mark, played by Andrew Lincoln, silently holds up handwritten cue cards declaring his feelings for Juliet, his best friend's wife.

In The Polar Express, what does the conductor punch into the children's golden tickets?

The conductor punches letters into each child's ticket that spell out a personal lesson they need to learn, such as BELIEVE or LEAD.

What type of store does Buddy the Elf visit in New York City, mistaking it for a place that makes toys?

Buddy visits Gimbels department store and helps decorate it for Christmas, thinking the workers are elves making toys.

In Miracle on 34th Street (1947), which real department store does Kris Kringle work at as Santa?

Kris Kringle works as the Macy's department store Santa. The film was notable for using the real Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade footage.

What is the name of the villain played by Alan Rickman in Die Hard?

Hans Gruber, played by Alan Rickman in his film debut, is the sophisticated German terrorist who takes over Nakatomi Plaza.

In A Christmas Story, what shape is the major award lamp that Ralphie's father wins?

The Old Man wins a fishnet-stocking-clad leg lamp as a major award, which he proudly displays in the front window to his wife's dismay.

Which 1966 animated TV special features a character whose heart is described as being two sizes too small?

In the original animated How the Grinch Stole Christmas! narrated by Boris Karloff, the Grinch's heart is said to be two sizes too small.

What song does Buddy the Elf sing in the store when he meets the fake Santa?

Buddy sings 'Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town' throughout the film and uses it to spread Christmas cheer in New York City.

In Home Alone, what nickname do the two burglars go by?

Harry and Marv call themselves the Wet Bandits because Marv leaves the water running in every house they rob as their calling card.

Which actor plays six different roles in The Polar Express, including the boy, the father, and the conductor?

Tom Hanks performed motion capture for six characters in The Polar Express, including Hero Boy, his father, the conductor, the hobo, Santa Claus, and the narrator.

In the movie Elf, what four main food groups does Buddy follow?

Buddy proudly states that elves follow the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup.

Which Rankin/Bass stop-motion Christmas special features a prospector named Yukon Cornelius?

Yukon Cornelius is the adventurous prospector who befriends Rudolph and Hermey the elf on the Island of Misfit Toys in the 1964 special.

In the 1994 movie The Santa Clause, how does Scott Calvin end up becoming Santa?

Scott Calvin, played by Tim Allen, startles Santa on his roof on Christmas Eve, causing him to fall. Scott puts on the suit and is bound by the Santa Clause to take over the role.

Which British actor plays the Prime Minister in Love Actually?

Hugh Grant plays the newly elected Prime Minister David who falls for a junior member of his household staff named Natalie.

What is the name of Kevin McCallister's aftershave scene catchphrase in Home Alone?

Kevin slaps aftershave on his face and lets out a silent scream, which became one of the most iconic and parodied moments in comedy film history.

In A Charlie Brown Christmas, what does Charlie Brown buy instead of a flashy aluminum tree?

Charlie Brown buys a small, scraggly natural tree that everyone initially mocks, but it becomes beautiful once the gang decorates it with Snoopy's doghouse lights.

Which actor voiced the Grinch in the original 1966 animated special?

Boris Karloff both narrated and voiced the Grinch in the 1966 TV special directed by Chuck Jones, based on Dr. Seuss's 1957 book.

In Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, which famous hotel does Kevin check into using his father's credit card?

Kevin checks into The Plaza Hotel, where Donald Trump makes a brief cameo giving him directions to the lobby.

What is the fictional town called in It's a Wonderful Life?

Bedford Falls is the idyllic small town where George Bailey lives. In the alternate reality where he was never born, it becomes the seedy Pottersville.

In National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, what animal causes chaos after hiding in the Christmas tree?

A squirrel had been hiding in the Griswold family's Christmas tree and wreaks havoc when it leaps out, terrorizing the family and their guests.

Which Tim Burton film features a character who discovers Christmas Town?

In The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Jack Skellington from Halloween Town discovers Christmas Town and becomes obsessed with taking over the holiday.

What year was the original It's a Wonderful Life released?

It's a Wonderful Life was released in 1946, directed by Frank Capra. It was initially a box office disappointment but became a beloved classic through TV broadcasts.

What is John McClane's wife's name in Die Hard?

Holly Gennero McClane, played by Bonnie Bedelia, is estranged from John and working at Nakatomi Corporation under her maiden name.

In Scrooged (1988), which actor plays the modern-day version of Ebenezer Scrooge?

Bill Murray plays Frank Cross, a cynical TV executive who is a modern-day Scrooge, in this comedic retelling of A Christmas Carol.

What does the little boy ask for from Santa at the department store in A Christmas Story, only to be pushed down the slide?

Ralphie finally gets to meet Santa and nervously blurts out his desire for the Red Ryder BB gun, only to be told 'You'll shoot your eye out!' and pushed down the exit slide.

Which Christmas movie was based on a children's book by Chris Van Allsburg?

The Polar Express (2004) was based on Chris Van Allsburg's 1985 picture book of the same name about a boy's magical train ride to the North Pole.

In Love Actually, what country does Colin travel to, believing women there will find him irresistible?

Colin Frissell travels to the United States (specifically Milwaukee) and indeed finds that American women are charmed by his British accent.

What is the name of the miserly banker and antagonist in It's a Wonderful Life?

Henry F. Potter, played by Lionel Barrymore, is the greedy, wheelchair-bound banker who controls much of Bedford Falls and schemes to ruin George Bailey.

Which actress plays Jovie, the love interest, in Elf?

Zooey Deschanel plays Jovie, a department store elf who becomes Buddy's love interest and eventually helps spread Christmas cheer by singing in Central Park.

In the 2018 animated film The Grinch, which actor voices the title character?

Benedict Cumberbatch voiced the Grinch in Illumination's 2018 animated adaptation, which became the highest-grossing holiday film of that year.

What classic black-and-white movie does Kevin McCallister watch and quote in Home Alone?

Angels with Filthy Souls is actually a fictional movie-within-a-movie created specifically for Home Alone. Kevin uses its dialogue ('Keep the change, ya filthy animal') to fool the pizza delivery man.

Which Christmas movie features the famous quote 'Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings'?

This iconic line is spoken by George Bailey's daughter Zuzu at the end of It's a Wonderful Life, after Clarence earns his wings.

Which 2003 Christmas movie stars Will Ferrell as a human raised by elves at the North Pole?

Will Ferrell stars as Buddy in Elf, directed by Jon Favreau. The film grossed over $220 million worldwide and became an instant holiday classic.

In the 1984 film Gremlins, what three rules must be followed when caring for a Mogwai?

The three rules for caring for Gizmo the Mogwai are: keep it away from bright light, don't get it wet, and never feed it after midnight.

What is the name of the Grinch's loyal dog?

Max is the Grinch's long-suffering but loyal dog who is forced to pull the overloaded sleigh down Mount Crumpit to steal Christmas from Whoville.

Which actor plays Clark Griswold in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation?

Chevy Chase plays the well-meaning but bumbling Clark Griswold, reprising his role from the original Vacation and European Vacation films.

In the Muppet Christmas Carol, which Muppet character plays Bob Cratchit?

Kermit the Frog plays Bob Cratchit, with Robin the Frog as Tiny Tim. Michael Caine stars as Ebenezer Scrooge alongside the Muppet cast.

What 1954 musical film stars Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as performers who help save a Vermont inn?

White Christmas was the first film shot in VistaVision widescreen. The title song, originally from Holiday Inn (1942), became the best-selling single of all time.

In the movie Jingle All the Way, what toy are the main characters desperately trying to buy?

Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a father scrambling on Christmas Eve to find a Turbo-Man action figure, the season's must-have toy.

Which animated Christmas film features a train that travels to the North Pole on Christmas Eve?

The Polar Express (2004), directed by Robert Zemeckis, follows a boy who boards a magical train to the North Pole. It pioneered motion capture animation for a feature film.

In Love Actually, what does Jamie (Colin Firth) travel to do at the end of the film?

Jamie travels to Portugal to propose to Aurelia, his Portuguese housekeeper, having learned enough Portuguese to ask her to marry him in front of her entire family.

How many ghosts visit Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol?

Four ghosts visit Scrooge: Jacob Marley's ghost and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. This has been depicted in countless film adaptations.