The Most Successful Christmas Weekend Films from the Past 40 Years
Visiting the cinema during the Christmas holidays is a perfect opportunity to enjoy some quality time with family and momentarily retreat from the holiday madness. It's hardly a surprise that Christmas weekend ranks among the busiest periods for movie releases, making it a pivotal season for Hollywood.
This time of year often sees a flood of popular movies hitting the screens. Films vying for awards are in abundance, looking to capture both public and critical attention before the Oscar race heats up. Meanwhile, you can catch family-friendly comedies and the latest entries in well-loved franchises. In recent years, we've seen the 'Star Wars' and 'Avatar' franchises leading the charge during Christmas weekend, following the grand tradition set by Peter Jackson's 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy in the early 2000s.
But which films have truly ruled the box office during this magical time of year? We've compiled a list of 20 top-grossing Christmas weekend releases dating back to the 1980s, referencing data from the-numbers.com. The grosses have been adjusted to today's inflation rates for accuracy. To make it to our list, a movie had to be showing during the same weekend as Christmas or the following weekend if the holiday landed midweek.
Grab a seat, make yourself comfortable, and let's journey through the films that conquered the box office during the most spirited season of all.
- #20. National Treasure: Book of Secrets
- #19. Cast Away
- #18. Patch Adams
- #17. Aquaman
- #16. Home Alone
- #15. Beverly Hills Cop
- #14: Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
- #13: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
- #12. Avatar: The Way of Water
- #11. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
- #10. Meet the Fockers
- #9. Titanic
- #8. Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi
- #7: Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker
- #6. Sherlock Holmes
- #5: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
- #4. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
- #3. Spider-Man: No Way Home
- #2. Avatar
- #1: Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens
Discover a realm of casino bonuses available free spins and uncover your next go-to slot game!
#20. National Treasure: Book of Secrets
- Christmas weekend gross: $59,699,752
- Total gross: $333,516,858
- Genre: Adventure
- Run time: 124 minutes
- Release date: Dec. 21, 2007
- Cast: Nicolas Cage, Jon Voight, Diane Kruger
In this follow-up to the original 'National Treasure' adventure, historian and sleuth Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) embarks on a global quest to clear his ancestor's name concerning the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Despite its box office triumph, the film received a lukewarm critical reception, ending with a mere 36% on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 48 on Metacritic. 'Book of Secrets' was also nominated for two Razzie Awards: Worst Actor for Cage and Worst Supporting Actor for Jon Voight.
#19. Cast Away
- Christmas weekend gross: $60,017,462
- Total gross: $444,877,210
- Genre: Adventure
- Run time: 143 minutes
- Release date: Dec. 22, 2000
- Cast: Tom Hanks, Helen Hunt, Nick Searcy
Tom Hanks secured an Oscar nod for Best Actor thanks to his riveting performance in this survival tale. He portrays Chuck Noland, a FedEx employee who becomes marooned on a deserted island after a plane crash. With only a volleyball named Wilson for companionship over four long years, Chuck endures the harsh elements and eventually builds a raft, all with the goal of reuniting with his girlfriend.
#18. Patch Adams
- Christmas weekend gross: $60,327,837
- Total gross: $291,152,931
- Genre: Comedy
- Run time: 115 minutes
- Release date: Dec. 25, 1998
- Cast: Robin Williams, Daniel London, Monica Potter
In 'Patch Adams,' Robin Williams stars as real-life doctor Hunter 'Patch' Adams, who is inspired to establish a clinic for uninsured patients after overcoming his own struggles with depression. For two years, this heartwarming movie set holiday box office records until it was finally surpassed by 'Cast Away,' although 'Patch Adams' still outperformed 'Cast Away' on Christmas weekend when inflation-adjusted. The true Adams wasn't fond, famously telling film critic Roger Ebert, 'I hate that movie.' beaten out Jason Momoa Steps Out at the Aquaman Premiere Adams wasn’t a fan of the movie Cast: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe
#17. Aquaman
- Christmas weekend gross: $62,226,371
- Total gross: $386,430,698
- Genre: Action
- Run time: 143 minutes
- Release date: Dec. 21, 2018
- Cast: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern
A holiday favorite was born when 'Home Alone' debuted in 1990, turning Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) into a beloved hero. Accidentally left alone at home while his family vacations in Paris, Kevin must defend his home from two comically inept burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern). 'Home Alone' launched a successful franchise and held the record as the top-grossing live-action comedy in the U.S. until 'Barbie' claimed the title in 2023.
#16. Home Alone
- Christmas weekend gross: $66,744,586
- Total gross: $713,693,663
- Genre: Comedy
- Run time: 103 minutes
- Release date: Nov. 16, 1990
- Eddie Murphy Poses with the Beverly Hills Cop Poster
Cast: Eddie Murphy, Lisa Eilbacher, Steven Berkoff
#15. Beverly Hills Cop
Christmas weekend gross: $66,882,637
Total gross: $713,768,668
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 105 minutes
Release date: Dec. 5, 1984
#14: Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
Cast: Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney “a singular figure in film history,” Hollywood's beloved chipmunks return to the spotlight in 'Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel,' the follow-up to 2007's 'Alvin and the Chipmunks.' In this caper, Alvin, Simon, and Theodore compete in a school music contest to save their music program, meeting their female counterparts the Chipettes. While popular with audiences, the film attracted criticism for its overuse of slapstick and the portrayal of its female leads.
#13: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
- Christmas weekend gross: $72,987,286
- Total gross: $303,918,345
- Genre: Adventure
- Run time: 88 minutes
- Release date: Dec. 23, 2009
- Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen in 'The Fellowship of the Ring'
Kate Winslet Graces the Avatar: The Way of Water Premiere
- Christmas weekend gross: $76,570,760
- Total gross: $581,403,252
- Genre: Adventure
- Run time: 178 minutes
- Release date: Dec. 19, 2001
- Thirteen years after the visual spectacle and box office juggernaut 'Avatar,' director James Cameron returned audiences to Pandora with 'Avatar: The Way of Water,' the first of four planned follow-ups. The story picks up more than a decade later, following Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), and their children as they flee human threats by taking sanctuary with the aquatic Metkayina clan. Advanced technology facilitated the film's production, though its release reignited debates over 'Avatar' and accusations of cultural appropriation stemming from Cameron's 2010 remarks.
offering players ample options to jump into the action. selected the movie Cast: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn
#12. Avatar: The Way of Water
- Christmas weekend gross: $77,359,666
- Total gross: $684,075,767
- Genre: Action
- Run time: 192 minutes
- Release date: Dec. 16, 2022
- Cast: Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman
In the comedic mishap-filled 'Meet the Parents' (2000), Gaylord 'Greg' Focker meets his fiancée Pam Byrnes’ (Teri Polo) parents, leading to hilarity. In its sequel, the franchise extends the family dynamic by introducing Greg's unconventional parents (newcomers Barbra Streisand and Dustin Hoffman) to the conservative Byrnes family (Blythe Danner and Robert De Niro). The film surpassed 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' for highest Christmas Day earnings before being toppled by 'Avatar' and 'Sherlock Holmes' in 2009.
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane film performances underwater The sweeping romance of Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose (Kate Winslet) unfolds amidst the historical sinking of the RMS Titanic in James Cameron's cinematic tale. 'Titanic' became a global sensation, earning a colossal $1.8 billion and tying with both 'Ben-Hur' and 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' for the most Oscars won, with 11 to its name. Despite this, 'Titanic' originally faced skepticism, particularly following Cameron's near collapse during production. Native American-led boycott Cast: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Daisy Ridley
Find and enjoy a wide array of no deposit bonus casinos In the second chapter of the 'Star Wars' sequel series, young Jedi prospect Rey (Daisy Ridley) implores the reclusive Luke Skywalker to instruct her in the Force and aid the beleaguered rebels as they withstand the tyrant First Order. While the movie stirred controversy among staunch fans for its progressive themes and character portrayals, critics praised it profusely.
#11. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
- Christmas weekend gross: $82,150,981
- Total gross: $644,548,924
- Genre: Adventure
- Run time: 133 minutes
- Release date: Dec. 16, 2016
- #7: Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker
Cast: Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega
#10. Meet the Fockers
- Christmas weekend gross: $83,181,157
- Total gross: $467,196,588
- Genre: Comedy
- Run time: 114 minutes
- Release date: Dec. 22, 2004
- The epic three-trilogy 'Skywalker Saga' reportedly concluded with 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,' featuring Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega), Poe (Oscar Isaac), and their comrades preparing for a climactic showdown with the First Order, now bolstered by the return of the original villain Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid).
Your Ultimate Guide to Christmas Blockbusters which was surpassed Explore the top 20 movies that shook the box office during Christmas weekend, discovering the ones that became holiday classics for film fans everywhere.
#9. Titanic
- Christmas weekend gross: $86,514,926
- Total gross: $1,446,815,282
- Genre: Drama
- Run time: 194 minutes
- Release date: Dec. 19, 1997
- Top-Earning Movies Released Over Christmas Weekends in the Past 40 Years
Taking a trip to the cinema during Christmas can be a delightful way to create memories with your family and escape the holiday frenzy. No wonder the Christmas weekend is a highlight for film releases and one of the most profitable weekends for the movie industry. doubled the original budget from $109 million to $210 million.
#8. Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi
- Christmas weekend gross: $89,757,405
- Total gross: $726,181,506
- Genre: Adventure
- Run time: 152 minutes
- Release date: Dec. 15, 2017
- Around this time, audiences are treated to an impressive array of films. Aspirants for awards are showcased to captivate both moviegoers and critiques ahead of the Oscar race. Viewers can enjoy family-friendly comedies or thrilling additions to epic franchises. While earlier years were marked by Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, the yuletide box office has been dominated more recently by “Star Wars” and “Avatar.”
Which films managed to capture the audience’s heart and wallets during the holiday season? We’ve compiled a list of the top 20 box office hits from Christmas weekends since the 1980s, with earnings adjusted for inflation, thanks to data provided by the-numbers.com. Eligible films are those released during or right after Christmas, in instances when the holiday fell midweek. So grab some cocoa, get comfortable, and dive into our findings on the cinematic champions of the Christmas season. #14. Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
#13. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
- Christmas weekend gross: $89,785,528
- Total gross: $588,455,698
- Genre: Adventure
- Run time: 141 minutes
- Release date: Dec. 20, 2019
- #7. Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker
#5. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
#1. Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens
#6. Sherlock Holmes
- Christmas weekend gross: $93,041,054
- Total gross: $288,596,584
- Genre: Adventure
- Run time: 128 minutes
- Release date: Dec. 25, 2009
- Explore a plethora of casino bonuses
and find the next slot game that will become your favorite!
The Ensemble of National Treasure: Book of Secrets
- Christmas weekend gross: $93,979,894
- Total gross: $656,270,541
- Genre: Adventure
- Run time: 201 minutes
- Release date: Dec. 17, 2003
- Stars: Nicolas Cage, Jon Voight, Diane Kruger
In this thrilling continuation of the “National Treasure” saga, Benjamin Gates (Nicolas Cage), a historian like no other, embarks on a cross-continental journey to debunk claims connecting his family to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Although the movie performed well commercially, it didn’t fare too dynamically with critics, holding a 36% on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metascore of 48. Furthermore, it was nominated for two Razzie Awards, including Worst Actor for Cage and Worst Supporting Actor for Jon Voight.
#4. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
- Christmas weekend gross: $94,217,928
- Total gross: $615,206,952
- Genre: Adventure
- Run time: 179 minutes
- Release date: Dec. 18, 2002
- Stars: Tom Hanks, Helen Hunt, Nick Searcy
Tom Hanks, delivering an unforgettable performance in this survival narrative, earned an Oscar nod for Best Actor. He portrays FedEx systems analyst Chuck Noland, who finds himself cast away on an isolated island after a violent storm wrecks his plane. With Wilson, a volleyball, as his sole companion, Chuck braves the wilderness alone for years until he manages to build a raft to venture back to the world—and to his beloved.
#3. Spider-Man: No Way Home
- Christmas weekend gross: $101,061,162
- Total gross: $821,277,378
- Genre: Action
- Run time: 148 minutes
- Release date: Dec. 17, 2021
- Stars: Robin Williams, Daniel London, Monica Potter
Gracing “Patch Adams,” Robin Williams takes on the role of real-life physician Hunter ‘Patch’ Adams, whose battle with depression leads him to open a free clinic for uninsured patients. This heartfelt story claimed it would hold the Christmas weekend’s box office throne until it was eventually surpassed by “Cast Away,” although “Patch Adams” did leap over “Cast Away” in holiday earnings when adjusted for inflation. The person whose life the movie is based on wasn’t pleased with its depiction.
#2. Avatar
- Christmas weekend gross: $112,921,581
- Total gross: $1,064,124,576
- Genre: Action
- Run time: 162 minutes
- Release date: Dec. 18, 2009
- Jason Momoa highlights the Aquaman Premiere
Stars: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe
Cameron The DC Extended Universe scored a massive success with “Aquaman,” wherein Jason Momoa stars as the oceanic hero tasked with stopping his half-brother from initiating a war on the surface world and seizing the Atlantis throne. Despite its lengthy production history, with whispers beginning as early as 2004, the film became a hallmark of action-fantasy. Stars: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern
The streets were abuzz when “Home Alone” hit the big screen in 1990, telling the tale of the cheeky young Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) who was inadvertently left behind while his family jetted off to Paris. He grapples with fending off a duo of bumbling thieves (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern), setting in motion a series of slapstick antics enjoyed by audiences. A beloved film, it was the highest-grossing live-action comedy in the U.S. until “Barbie” stole the crown in 2023.
- Christmas weekend gross: $194,085,013
- Total gross: $1,163,816,804
- Genre: Adventure
- Run time: 136 minutes
- Release date : Dec. 18, 2015
- #7. Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker
Stars: Eddie Murphy, Lisa Eilbacher, Steven Berkoff
Eddie Murphy shot to international recognition through his leading role in “Beverly Hills Cop,” as Detroit cop Axel Foley embarks on an explosive investigation to nab his best friend’s killers in ritzy Beverly Hills. The franchise not only cemented his presence in the comedy and action genres but also mirrored the successes seen by legends like Richard Pryor.