It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, which means we’re beginning to look at a lot of Christmas movies. So, we thought we’d take a break from Virginia sportsbooks and explore the favorite Christmas movies of Virginia residents.
Uh, where are Jimmy Stewart and Clarence the Angel in “It’s a Wonderful Life,” or Will Ferrell in “Elf”? Ever hear of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” or Bruce Willis saving Christmas in “Die Hard”?
And what about the quintessential Christmas movie, “Miracle on 34th Street”? Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.
All those movies should be demanding recounts.
In the meantime, have fun with this research piece, and stay close for coverage of the best Virginia sports betting apps.
Favorite Christmas Movies of Virginia Residents
Home Alone Tops The Charts
Coming in at No. 1 in Virginia is the 1990 comedy great “Home Alone,” written by John Hughes (“The Breakfast Club,” “Sixteen Candles”) and directed by Chris Columbus (who helmed the first two Harry Potter films).
The movie made young Macaulay Culkin a star playing resourceful 8-year-old Kevin, whose family mistakenly leaves him at home ... alone ... before rushing away on Christmas holiday. Surviving on his wits, Kevin turns his suburban home into a Rube Goldberg trap to protect it from a pair of inept robbers (Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern). Think Roadrunner and the Coyote.
At No. 2 is 2004’s “The Polar Express,” a heartwarming animated adventure directed by Robert Zemeckis (“Back to the Future”) starring the voice of Tom Hanks in the first all-digital capture film.
A boy discovers the spirit of Christmas on a special train trip to Santa’s house in the North Pole. Based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg. But top 5? I don't know, Virginia.
Best of the Rest
Older folks are partial to the first version of the Grinch, done brilliantly as a 1966 CBS cartoon with Boris Karloff voicing his meanness, and directed by Chuck Jones and Ben Washam of Looney Tunes fame.
Virginia’s No. 3 choice is 2000’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” based on the Dr. Seuss classic, directed by Ron Howard. The comedy fantasy stars Jim Carrey as the Grinch and adorable Taylor Momsen (who has grown up to be a hard rockin’ musician) as Cindy Lou Who.
Director Bob Clark went from the very raunchy teen sex comedy of “Porky’s” in 1981 to the charming saga of the Parker family and a boy’s quest for Red Ryder BB gun in the No. 4 choice, 1983’s “A Christmas Story.” It’s based on the novel by radio personality Jean Shepherd (who voiced adult Ralphie) and starred Peter Billingsley as young Ralphie. No love for Clark’s 1974 thriller “Black Christmas”?
Before John Hughes wrote 1990’s “Home Alone,” he wrote 1989’s “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” starring Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, Beverly D’Angelo as wife Ellen and Juliette Lewis and Johnny Galecki (later Leonard of “The Big Bang Theory”) as children Audrey and Rusty.
Sort of a flip of “Home Alone,” the only folks the Griswolds torture at Christmas are themselves.
We hope you enjoyed this holiday piece. Look for more content like this on BetVirginia, as well as the best VA sportsbook promo codes.
Methodology
Utilizing Google Trends, BetVirginia.com analyzed the most popular Christmas movies of Virginia residents by looking at the search results of each movie over the past 5 holiday seasons. The movies included the 40 most popular Christmas movies over the past year based on global traffic from AhRefs.
