New data from JustWatch, compiled from three years of Christmas viewing behaviour across millions of U.S. users, offers a revealing snapshot of how Americans consume entertainment during the holiday season.
Christmas remains one of the most competitive and tradition-driven periods in streaming. Viewer behaviour spikes sharply as families return to familiar favourites — films that evoke nostalgia, comfort, and shared rituals. Rather than chasing novelty, audiences consistently press play on the same titles year after year.
The Top 10 Most Rewatched Christmas Movies
The rankings show just how dramatically certain films rise during December, reflecting their enduring emotional pull and cultural relevance.
At the top of the list, Elf once again claims the title of America’s most-rewatched holiday movie. Its dominance speaks to rare cross-generational appeal: children discover it for the first time, while adults revisit it for its mix of humour, warmth, and sincere holiday spirit. The consistency of its performance firmly positions Elf as a modern Christmas classic.
In second place, Die Hard continues to defy convention. Its enduring popularity highlights a growing appetite for alternative holiday viewing — where festive themes serve as a backdrop to action, suspense, and high-energy storytelling. Long debated as a “Christmas movie,” its sustained rewatching settles the question where it matters most: audience behaviour.
Tradition Christmas Movies Still Wins
Classic titles such as Home Alone (#3) and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (#5) continue to trigger nostalgia-driven viewing spikes. These films are deeply embedded in holiday rituals, often watched while decorating the house, gathering with family, or counting down to Christmas Day.
Their performance underscores the power of familiarity. Viewers return not just for the story, but for the comfort of iconic scenes, quotable lines, and characters that feel inseparable from the season itself.
Christmas Movies: Romance Holds Its Place
Romantic holiday films also perform strongly. Love Actually (#8) and The Holiday (#9) remain perennial favourites, appealing to viewers seeking emotional warmth, humour, and escapism. Their steady upward momentum reflects the enduring appeal of romance during a season defined by connection and sentiment.
What the Data Reveals
Overall, the Top 10 list highlights a diverse mix of genres — family comedies, romance, action, and classic holiday fare — showing that U.S. holiday viewing habits are more varied than ever. Yet they’re all united by a common thread: comfort.
Viewer choices are shaped by tradition, nostalgia, and evolving cultural tastes, with audiences embracing both established favourites and unconventional classics.
For anyone planning holiday or end-of-year content, this data provides a timely look at what Americans truly love to watch — and why certain films continue to dominate screens every December.
So grab a blanket, your favourite snacks, and settle in. Chances are, one of these holiday staples is already waiting in your queue.
