British film fans have decided It’s A Wonderful Life is the greatest Christmas movie of all time.
A survey by the Odeon found the 1946 Christmas classic deserved the top spot ahead of modern seasonal hits such as Elf and Love Actually.
Odeon polled more than 2,000 people in its hunt for the nation’s favourite Christmas film… and here’s what has emerged as our top 10 favourites.
1. It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
British film fans vote It's A Wonderful Life as best #Christmas film of all time http://t.co/6seaO9kg4f pic.twitter.com/Vh6BXuZWJy
— The Daily Record (@Daily_Record) December 8, 2014
Frank Capra’s Oscar-nominated film, which topped the list with 16 per cent of the votes, is about George Bailey – an honest family man who has reached the lowest point of his life and makes the decision to end it until the intervention of his guardian angel Clarence.
2. Home Alone (1990)
Home Alone was released in the UK yesterday 24 years ago that's crazy pic.twitter.com/dDU8h6s0Me
— 웃 (@LukeAdams95) December 8, 2014
Family favourite Home Alone is about a boy who is left at home by accident in the chaos of his parents getting ready for a holiday in Paris. The film appeared second in the list with 11 per cent of the votes.
3. The Snowman (1982)
Not to be confused with this masterpiece. Can't have a Christmas without it! #TheSnowman pic.twitter.com/eBq6Ns86Z7
— Grace Carini (@ladygra_gra) December 3, 2014
The Snowman, which made it to the third place with 10 per cent of the public’s votes, is based on Raymond Briggs’ classic tale about a young red-haired boy who builds a snowman that comes to life at the stroke of midnight.
4. Miracle On 34th Street (1994)
TODAY #FREE screening of Miracle on 34th Street @CostaRomanRoad 2pm with #free snacks for Roman Road Winter Festival pic.twitter.com/65USnIRQ92
— Roman Road London (@RomanRoadLDN) December 7, 2014
The late Richard Attenborough’s portrayal of Santa in Miracle On 34th Street received nine per cent of public votes.
5. White Christmas (1954)
Photo: my favorite rendition of White Christmas, performed by Bing Crosby in Holiday Inn, 1942. pic.twitter.com/IkrJnkvgFb
— Channing Thomson (@CHANNINGPOSTERS) December 4, 2014
White Christmas, a musical romantic comedy starring Bing Crosby, was in the middle of the table with eight per cent of the votes.
6. Elf (2003)
"Pennies From Heaven" will forever be a Christmas song in my book. #Elf http://t.co/vvhuTULp4F pic.twitter.com/34qdSPeCvp
— Lori Wade (@loriellen22) December 2, 2014
Will Ferrell’s comedy Elf, which is about Buddy – a human who grew up thinking he was an elf – took sixth place with six per cent.
7. Love, Actually (2003)
In bed with a nice cuppa watching Love Actually swooning over Hugh Grant like always pic.twitter.com/MiWA3NzUuv
— Emma (@emmafuzzhead) December 7, 2014
Richard Curtis’s romantic comedy Love Actually came seventh with five per cent of the votes. The British Christmas-themed film delves into the different aspects of love seen through different individuals.
8. Die Hard (1988)
Does anyone else feel like Bruce Willis in the vents in Die Hard every time they get food out of the oven? pic.twitter.com/NxzYpHanl8
— Old Saint Dent (@Dentenshi) November 25, 2014
This action film stars Bruce Willis as Officer John McClane who tries to save his wife after she is taken hostage during a Christmas party. The 1988 hit received four per cent of the votes.
9. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
GUYS! @netflix now has "The Muppets Christmas Carol" via streaming! http://t.co/eIkEbZYxkD MERRY CHRISTMAS!! pic.twitter.com/r815wT7NV8
— Joshua Hynes (@hellohynes) November 21, 2014
The Muppet’s Christmas Carol, with Michael Caine starring as Ebenezer Scrooge, achieved ninth place with three per cent of votes.
10. The Polar Express (2004)
The Polar Express 3D 10th Anniversary Review by @Em_Breen http://t.co/GenIII7NG8 pic.twitter.com/je489ROaPb
— HeyUGuys Movie News (@HeyUGuys) December 8, 2014
Tom Hanks’ recent animation The Polar Express – the story of a young boy on Christmas Eve who jumps onto the Polar Express as it heads to the North Pole – rounded out the top 10 with two per cent of the total vote.
Andy Edge, Odeon UK & Ireland’s commercial director said: “It’s been nearly 70 years since It’s A Wonderful Life first appeared in Odeon cinemas, and we’re thrilled to be bringing it back for all generations to enjoy on the big screen once again.”
Odeon will be holding screenings of It’s A Wonderful Life at 80 of its UK cinemas on December 15.
