The Complete Guide to Christmas Movie Trivia

Did you know that it took over 70 years for Frozen to be produced and released after it was first suggested as a Disney movie idea in 1939?

As the winter season approaches, one of the best ways to get into the holiday spirit is to snuggle up on the couch and watch your favorite Christmas films.

Whether you prefer to do it alone after a long day or with loved ones, nothing quite says the holidays like a classic Christmas movie.

Here are some interesting facts about some of the most beloved holiday films that you may not have known.

Arthur’s Perfect Christmas

In Arthur’s Perfect Christmas, Michael Yarmush voiced Arthur Read for the last time. He had been the voice of Arthur since the show’s inception in 1996, making his total time voicing the character four years.

Bad Santa

The movie Bad Santa is not appropriate for children, with 147 uses of the ‘f-word.’ In the Czech Republic, it is known as “Santa is a Pervert.”

Christmas in Connecticut

The character Elizabeth Lane in Christmas in Connecticut is based on Family Circle Magazine columnist Gladys Taber, who wrote about her life in rural Connecticut.

Disney’s A Christmas Carol

Jim Carrey played seven different roles in Disney’s A Christmas Carol, including Old Scrooge, younger versions of Scrooge, and all three ghosts.

Elf

Peter Billingsley, who played Ralphie in A Christmas Story, made a cameo appearance in Elf as one of Santa’s elves, uncredited. He did it just for fun, as he enjoyed playing small roles in various productions.

Frozen

Frozen is based on the story of The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen. It took over 70 years for the movie to be produced and released after it was first suggested as a Disney movie idea in 1939.

Gremlins

Gremlins was initially intended to be even darker than it was, with several scenes being cut from the original script, including one where Billy’s mother is beheaded by the Gremlins. Producers decided to make the movie more family-friendly.

Home Alone

In Home Alone, the McCallister family is shown watching It’s a Wonderful Life in their hotel room in France. This is just one example of a Christmas movie referencing another beloved holiday classic.

Many Christmas films have subtly included interesting details over the years that often go unnoticed by viewers.

It’s a Wonderful Life

In 1947, the FBI criticized the film for allegedly encouraging people to dislike bankers.

The protagonist experiences financial troubles that push him to the brink of suicide, causing immense distress for himself and his loved ones.

Jingle All The Way

Jingle All The Way tells the story of a father’s desperate quest to obtain the popular action figure, Turbo Man, for his son.

The inspiration for the toy came from the popular TV show Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, which was widely hyped at the time of the film’s release in 1996.

Karoll’s Christmas

Karoll’s Christmas is an American comedy that features a fictional character named Jacob Marley, who is related to the famous Bob Marley (Scrooge).

The main character Allen Karroll despises Christmas due to traumatic memories of his ex-girlfriend, but he is visited by Jacob Marley and two other ghosts who mistakenly arrive at the wrong address.

Love Actually

Love Actually is one of the most popular Christmas movies of all time.

Laura Linney, who plays Sarah in the film, stated that she wishes her character had not answered the phone multiple times while in bed with Karl, her love interest.

Miracle on 34th Street

In Miracle on 34th Street, Edmund Gwenn, who played Santa, actually participated in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as Santa in 1946.

The film’s parade scenes are from the real-life event, but since Gwenn portrayed Santa in both instances, it is difficult to distinguish between the actual footage and the movie scenes.

Nightmare Before Christmas

The production of Nightmare Before Christmas was a real nightmare!

The animation team had to create 24 different poses for each character per second of the film, which was an enormous undertaking.

One Magic Christmas

One Magic Christmas is one of the few Christmas movies filmed in Canada.

Despite the country’s snowy landscapes and ideal winter scenery, relatively few movies are actually filmed there.

Polar Express

The creators of The Polar Express included numerous references to childhood homes and memories.

Not only was director Robert Zemeckis’ childhood home located at “11344 Edbrooke,” but author Chris Van Allsburg also referenced his hometown by showcasing a photo taken in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Queen Isadora

Jane Seymour portrayed Queen Isadora in the film A Royal Christmas.

In addition to her acting career, Seymour has written self-help books and materials, and she narrated another Christmas movie called Once Upon a Christmas in 2012.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

The story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a timeless classic during the Christmas season. The entire movie is stop-animation and took 18 months to complete. The hard work paid off because it is the highest-rated special in television history and has been running for the longest time.

Scrooged

Scrooged marked Bill Murray’s comeback to the big screen after four years of appearing only in small cameo parts. Although he was considered for the role of Scrooge in 1986, he wasn’t ready until two years later.

Twas the Night Before Christmas

A less popular television animation but based on the famous poem which starts with the same line as the title. Interestingly, it was animated in Japan but created for the United States.

Unlikely Angel

Unlikely Angel is a movie featuring Dolly Parton as the main character Ruby Diamond. After failing to earn enough points to enter Heaven, she returns to earth for a second chance.

Veggie Tales: The Star of Christmas

This movie was made under a tight schedule, and most of the crew slept in their offices to finish it. It became the second VeggieTales Christmas special when released.

White Christmas

White Christmas was initially meant to star Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire side by side for the two main characters. However, the role of Phil Davis was played by Danny Kaye, while Crosby played Bob Wallace and famously sang the title song at the piano.

Xmas Without China

Xmas Without China is a documentary-style movie that diverges from the typical Christmas story. It follows a family’s attempt to purchase Christmas gifts that are not made in China to be more ethical.

Year Without a Santa Claus

Year Without a Santa Claus was one of the first animated films to depict Santa Claus as being cranky and grumpy, instead of jolly and happy. It was released in 1974.

Ziggy’s Gift

Ziggy’s Gift is another lesser-known animated television special. It is based on the comic strip Ziggy, with the character never saying a word throughout the entire movie!

The protagonist of the story stays truthful and benevolent despite being in the company of robbers and malicious Santas. With this newfound knowledge of the peculiar and captivating details about beloved Christmas films, you can easily point them out and discuss them with your companions this holiday season.

FAQ

Q: What was the first Christmas movie ever made?

The first Christmas movie ever made was a short film called “Santa Claus” that was released in 1898. The film was made in France and features Santa Claus, his workshop, and a group of children eagerly awaiting their Christmas gifts. The film was only a few minutes long and was silent, as sound technology had not yet been developed. Despite its simplicity, “Santa Claus” paved the way for the many Christmas movies that followed.

Q: What is the highest grossing Christmas movie of all time?

The highest grossing Christmas movie of all time is “Home Alone,” which was released in 1990. The film stars Macaulay Culkin as a young boy who is accidentally left behind when his family goes on vacation for Christmas. Home Alone grossed over $476 million worldwide and has become a beloved holiday classic. Its success led to several sequels and inspired many other family-friendly Christmas movies.

Q: What is the most popular Christmas movie in the United States?

The most popular Christmas movie in the United States is “It’s a Wonderful Life,” which was released in 1946. The film tells the story of George Bailey, a man who is shown what life would be like if he had never been born. Despite initially being a box office flop, “It’s a Wonderful Life” has become a beloved holiday classic, with many people making it a tradition to watch the movie every year. It has inspired countless other Christmas movies and remains a staple of the holiday season.

Q: What is the most recent Christmas movie to become a classic?

The most recent Christmas movie to become a classic is “Elf,” which was released in 2003. The film stars Will Ferrell as Buddy, a human who was raised at the North Pole by elves and travels to New York City to find his biological father. Despite initial skepticism from critics, “Elf” has become a beloved holiday classic, with its catchy songs, quotable lines, and heartwarming message. Its success has led to many other Christmas movies with a similar comedic tone.