There may be a plethora of Christmas movies to settle down on the couch with over the festive period, but there are some that stand out more than others.
From new additions like Netflix’s Klaus to older favorites like It’s A Wonderful Life, the classics are called just that for a reason and they all have one thing in common—a memorable scene that sticks in the viewers’ minds.
From the iconic Love Actually cards on the doorstep scene to one of the many hilarious moments in Will Ferrell’s Elf, or even one of the adorable scenes of Macaulay Culkin as a kid in Home Alone, there are certainly lots of options when trying to choose just one striking scene from a festive film.
To try and find out which Christmas movie moments are the most popular, we asked Newsweek staff to share their favorite Christmas movie scene, and here’s what they had to say…
20th Century Studios
Newsweek‘s Most Memorable Christmas Scenes
Elf – 2003, “Santa Scene”
The Christmas movie Elf has many iconic scenes but a favorite among Newsweek staff is the hilarious Santa scene in which protagonist Buddy, played by Will Ferrell, screams with excitement when it is announced that Santa will be visiting the store he is working in.
A Christmas Story – 1983, “The Turkey Scene”
A Christmas Story follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker who is desperate to convince his parents that a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun is the perfect gift for him. The standout scene from this film comes towards the end of the story, when the Parker family’s turkey is gobbled up by their next-door neighbor’s army of dogs.
A Charlie Brown Christmas – 1965, “The True Meaning of Christmas Scene”
Animated television special A Charlie Brown Christmas the first TV special adapted from Charles M. Schulz’s popular Peanuts comic strip.
In one scene Charlie Brown, who is feeling dejected about the festive season, asks his friends if any of them even know the true meaning of Christmas. Linus then takes to the stage under the spotlight and recites the annunciation to the shepherds. “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown,” he says as Christmas music plays in the background.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – 1989, “Clark Freaks Out Scene”
In National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Chevy Chase plays Griswold family patriarch Clark. After a disastrous Christmas Eve, Clark goes on an epic rant to his family when he doesn’t receive the bonus he had been expecting, leading to one of the movie’s most memorable scenes.
The Nightmare Before Christmas – 1993, “Graveyard Scene”
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas features the iconic graveyard scene where Jack Skellington, voiced by Chris Sarandon, reveals he is depressed about celebrating Halloween and wants to experience something else.
Klaus – 2019, “Naughty List Scene”
Netflix
Klaus has become a modern classic since it premiered on Netflix in 2019. The animated movie follows a selfish postman and a reclusive toymaker who form an unlikely friendship, delivering joy to a cold, dark town that desperately needs it. In one standout scene, the postman, Jesper Johansen, tells the children of Smeerensburg about the “Naughty List.”
Home Alone – 1991, “Keep the Change, You Filthy Animal Scene”
Perhaps the most memorable Christmas scene of all is when Macaulay Culkin’s Home Alone character Kevin McCallister sets up his trap for burglars Marv Murchin and Harry Lime and mouths: “Keep the change, you filthy animal.” Kevin picked up the line from Angels With Filthy Souls, a fake film-within-a-film made up just for Home Alone.
Christmas with the Kranks – 2004, “Chasing the Ham Scene”
Jamie Lee Curtis and Tim Allen star as a married couple who decide not to celebrate the holidays for once in Christmas With the Kranks. Things all change, however, when their daughter decides to visit last minute, and they must rush around to make the perfect day.
In one hilarious scene, Curtis’ character is forced to chase the last holiday ham through the store and into the road.
Die Hard – 1988, “When McClane Meets Powell”
20th Century-Fox/Getty Images
One standout moment from Die Hard for Newsweek staff is the part towards the end of the film when John McClane, played by Bruce Willis, finally meets Sgt. Al Powell, played by Reginald VelJohnson, for the first time.
The pair spend the whole movie communicating by radio and hug and laugh upon finally coming face to face. Powell then becomes the hero by saving McClane from the one remaining henchman.
Bad Santa – 2003, “The Fatherly Advice Scene”
Bad Santa depicts Santa as you’ve never seen him before and Billy Bob Thornton nails it as a cynical depressive alcoholic conman in the 2003 film.
Newsweek staff particularly love the scene of the Santa character giving some less than helpful words of wisdom to a child at the mall. Warning: lots of expletives.
It’s a Wonderful Life – 1946, “An Angel Gets His Wings Scene”
The famous line, “every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings” from the scene with James Stewart and his onscreen daughter in It’s a Wonderful Life is still one of the most iconic Christmas moments, even though the film came out over seven decades ago.
The film tells the story of desperately frustrated businessman George Bailey, played by Stewart, who has an angel sent to him from heaven to show him what life would have been like if he had never existed.
