Published: 01 Dec 2025
As the festive season is in full swing, one of Britain’s most hotly debated Christmas questions has yet again been put to the test, and the nation has spoken. According to a new survey of 2,000 people in the UK conducted by the BBFC, Die Hard has officially been voted not a Christmas film.
When asked the age-old question, 44 per cent of respondents said Die Hard is not a Christmas film. However, it’s a close call as 38 per cent defended its festive credentials, with 5 per cent of respondents selecting it as their favourite festive film. A further 17 per cent remained undecided.
The survey, which looked to unwrap the UK’s festive viewing habits, uncovered the nation’s most beloved festive favourites. Home Alone topped the list as Britain’s favourite Christmas film, followed by Love Actually and It’s A Wonderful Life, 17 per cent of people said they don’t have a clear favourite.
1st: Home Alone (20%)
2nd: Love Actually (9%)
3rd: It's a Wonderful Life (8%)
4th: Elf (7%)
5th: The Muppets Christmas Carol (7%)
When it comes to what makes the perfect Christmas film, a heartwarming story led the way (33%), followed by family-friendly flicks (15%) and humour (13%). Only 2 per cent of respondents seek out a tear-jerker - suggesting that for Brits, Christmas is truly the season of joy.
“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” — Elf (2003)
Nearly half of Brits (43%) say the most acceptable time to start watching Christmas films is from the beginning of December, with 13 per cent saying from the beginning of November, and nearly a tenth (8%) admit they enjoy festive films all year round.
When it comes to timing, nearly half (43%) of Brits are most likely to watch a Christmas film before Christmas Eve, almost a quarter (23%) on Christmas Eve itself, and only 14 per cent on Christmas Day. The festive film magic fades fast once the clock strikes midnight, with almost none of those polled watching Christmas films on New Year’s Day.
“Christmas isn’t just a day — it’s a frame of mind.” — Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
More than half of respondents (53%) said they check the age rating when selecting a film to watch as a family during the holidays, showing that responsible, age-appropriate viewing remains a key part of festive film nights.
The Festive Film Experience
Just under a fifth (18%) of people say heading to the cinema over the Christmas period is a tradition for them and their family. And of those who do go to the cinema, a third (33%) go before Christmas Eve, with 20 per cent saying Boxing Day is their preferred time to go.
And as for treats, popcorn reigned supreme as the UK’s favourite cinema snack (74%), with chocolate following closely behind (62%).
Viewing at home
When it comes to house rules for the perfect Christmas film night, having festive snacks (30%), a cosy blanket (29%), the fairy lights on (21%), and no phones (20%) are non-negotiables for people before pressing play on a film over the festive period.
Lower down the list - but still a feature of some of Britain’s festive film etiquette - were rules such as no spoilers or plot guesses (13%), no loud munching (10%), and no nodding off before the credits roll (10%).
In the spirit of Christmas, one fifth (21%) of people said no one in particular has the final say on what to watch on festive film night, while 16 per cent said it’s a group decision, and 15 per cent prefer a family vote.
“It’s not what’s under the Christmas tree that matters, it’s who’s around it.” — Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
To celebrate a year of film and cinema, the BBFC’s President and CEO will join Vue Founder and CEO Tim Richards on Tuesday 2 December for an exclusive in conversation event, followed by a special screening of Die Hard.
David Austin OBE, Chief Executive of the BBFC, said: “With Home Alone crowned the UK’s favourite Christmas film, our latest research reveals that heartwarming, family-friendly stories continue to sit at the heart of the nation’s Christmas viewing traditions. The BBFC remains committed to providing age ratings and content advice to help every household make confident viewing choices this festive season.”
Tim Richards CBE, founder and CEO of Vue, said: “Many of our customers see a trip to the Big Screen over the holidays as a chance to sit back, switch off and enjoy great stories together - whether that’s a much-loved classic like Home Alone, the high-energy fun of Die Hard, or a brand-new film such as Gurinder Chadha’s Christmas Karma, Wicked or Avatar. Cinema has always brought people together, and Christmas reminds us just how powerful that shared experience can be.”
This online survey of 2,000 UK respondents aged 16+ was commissioned by the BBFC and conducted by market research company OnePoll, in accordance with the Market Research Society's code of conduct. Data was collected between 23-28 October 2025. All participants are double-opted in to take part in the research and are paid a fee depending on the length and complexity of the survey. This survey was overseen and edited by the OnePoll research team. OnePoll are MRS Company Partners, corporate membership of ESOMAR and Members of the British Polling Council.
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is the independent film and video regulator for the UK. Through widely recognised and trusted age ratings and content advice, the BBFC works to protect children and vulnerable adults from potentially harmful content and to empower audiences to make informed viewing decisions.
All BBFC classification decisions are based on our Classification Guidelines, which are updated every four to five years to ensure our standards continue to reflect the expectations and values of people across the UK.
Please visit bbfc.co.uk for further information. For press, please contact our press team on +44 (0) 7946 423719 or press@bbfc.co.uk.
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