The highest-grossing Christmas movies of all time

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The 2018 release of The Grinch is the Christmas-themed movie which won the hearts of most viewers around the globe. With a gross of $512.9 million in just four years, the Universal feature starring the voice of Benedict Cumberbatch is the highest-earning Christmas movie of all time.

Home Alone, the Christmas classic from 1990, is the runner-up in the ranking, according to Box Office Mojo. The family favorite starring Macaulay Culkin brought in $476.7 million internationally. With a domestic lifetime gross of $286 million, it beats The Grinch – which grossed $271 in the U.S. and Canada – as North America’s favorite Christmas movie, however.

Animated movies rank higher on the list of the highest-grossing international Christmas movies – other examples being Disney’s A Christmas Carol, which chalked up 58 percent of its earnings to international audiences. Domestic audiences were happier when watching their favorite comedy actors spread cheer and laughter. Will Ferrell’s Elf and Tim Allen’s The Santa Clause and The Santa Clause 2 rank higher with U.S. and Canadian audiences.

But tastes differ when it comes to picking the right movie to get into the Christmas spirit. Defining the genre more broadly, Iron Man 3 could also be considered the highest-grossing Christmas movie. The action plot is set in December, but Christmas remains a side attraction in the movie, which grossed $1.2 billion internationally since 2013. Die Hard, which is associated with Christmas after continuously appearing in TV programming during the festive season, would not make the list of the most successful Christmas movies even if admitted – it only grossed $141.6 million worldwide. The most successful movie to open on Christmas weekend is the DiCaprio flick Catch Me If You Can, which opened Dec 25, 2002, and grossed $352.1 million since then.

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Image Credit: IMDB.

8. The Santa Clause (1994)

Money earned worldwide (in U.S. millions): $190.5 million

Related: 12 fun holiday movie-inspired snacks for Christmas

https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/recipes/12-snacks-that-pair-perfectly-with-these-christmas-movies/ss-AA14MTlS

Image Credit: IMDB.

7. Elf (2003)

Money earned worldwide  (in U.S. millions): $225.1 million

Image Credit: IMDB.

6. Polar Express (2004)

Money earned worldwide (in U.S. millions): $315.2 million

Image Credit: IMDB.

5. A Christmas Carol (2009)

Money earned worldwide (in U.S. millions): $325.2 million

Image Credit: IMDB.

4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

Money earned worldwide (in U.S. millions): $345.8 million

Image Credit: IMDB.

3. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

Money earned worldwide (in U.S. millions): $359 million

Image Credit: IMDB.

2. Home Alone (1990)

Money earned worldwide (in U.S. millions): $476.7 million

Image Credit: IMDB.

1. The Grinch (2018)

Money earned worldwide (in U.S. millions): $512.9 million

Image Credit: IMDB.

More holiday budgeting tips

Inflation may make enjoying the holidays harder this year, but you can still be merry on a budget. Learn more about how to be thrifty this holiday season.

Additionally, a financial advisor can help you enjoy the holidays on any budget. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. (Sponsored)

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This article originally appeared on Statista.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

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