Christmas Weekend’s Most Profitable Films Over Four Decades
Watching films during the Christmas season offers a great way to connect with family and friends while stepping away from holiday stress. Unsurprisingly, the Christmas weekend is one of the peak periods for movie releases, playing a vital role in Hollywood's calendar.
During this time, audiences enjoy a wide variety of appealing films. Prospective award-nominated movies compete for audience and critic approval before the Oscar race kicks off. Meanwhile, films spanning various genres, including family comedies and new chapters of essential franchises, light up screens. Following Peter Jackson’s early-2000s 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy, recent Christmas weekends have seen 'Star Wars' and 'Avatar' installments leading the charge.
But what films have achieved the most significant financial success? We compiled a list of 20 top-grossing Christmas weekend movies from the 1980s onwards, using inflation-adjusted box office data. Eligible films played during the Christmas weekend or immediately after if the holiday landed midweek.
Prepare to unwind in comfort as you dive into details of movies that captured the box office spotlight during the yuletide season.
- #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
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#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 'National Treasure,' historical sleuth Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) goes on a worldwide journey to clear his family’s name from connections to Lincoln’s assassination. Despite its commercial success, critics panned the film, earning it a 36% Rotten Tomatoes rating and three Razzie nominations, including Worst Actor for Cage.
#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 clinched an Oscar nod with his portrayal of Chuck Noland, a stranded FedEx worker in a survival narrative. Alone on a deserted island, Chuck only has a volleyball named Wilson for company. Resourceful in his isolation, he designs a raft to escape and return to his loved one.
#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
Robin Williams brings the true story of Dr. Hunter 'Patch' Adams to the screen, following his quest to create a clinic for those without insurance after his depression treatment. 'Patch Adams' held a dominant position at the Christmas box office until it was outperformed by 'Cast Away', though inflation-adjusted numbers tell a slightly different story. beaten out at odds with director James Cameron’s 2010 remarks alleging cultural insensitivity. Adams wasn’t a fan of the movie Jason Mamoa Shines at the Aquaman Premiere
#17. Aquaman
- Christmas weekend gross: $62,226,371
- Total gross: $386,430,698
- Genre: Action
- Run time: 143 minutes
- Release date: Dec. 21, 2018
- The DCEU reached new financial heights with 'Aquaman,' featuring Jason Momoa’s quest to stop his brother's plans of destruction and claim his throne as the ruler of Atlantis. Though production rumors began in 2004, it took until then for the movie to come to fruition.
Cast: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern
#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
- The perennial holiday hit 'Home Alone' debuted in 1990, setting the stage for young Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) to protect his home from lively burglars after being mistakenly left by his family. This comedy classic was unmatched in revenue among live-action comedies in the U.S. until 'Barbie' exceeded its earnings decades later.
Eddie Murphy in the Spotlight with Beverly Hills Cop
#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
The role of Axel Foley in 'Beverly Hills Cop' propelled Eddie Murphy into the limelight, as he pursued his friend's murderers from Detroit to the high-end streets of Beverly Hills. This film not only kickstarted a series but also cemented Murphy’s place in cinema.
#14. Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel “a singular figure in film history,” Cast: Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney
Returning to the big screen in the sequel 'Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel,' the beloved chipmunks head back to school. Alvin, Simon, and Theodore join a band contest to save their music program and encounter a female trio, the Chipettes. Despite its popularity, the film was critiqued for its reliance on slapstick and problematic female character portrayals.
- Christmas weekend gross: $72,987,286
- Total gross: $303,918,345
- Genre: Adventure
- Run time: 88 minutes
- Release date: Dec. 23, 2009
- #13. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen in a Legendary Tale Cast: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen .
Peter Jackson translated J.R.R. Tolkien’s magnum opus into an epic film series starting with 'The Fellowship of the Ring' in 2001. Set within the mythical realm of Middle-earth, Frodo (Elijah Wood) and his group set out to destroy the powerful One Ring to thwart Sauron. This cinematic milestone is forever preserved by the Library of Congress.
- Christmas weekend gross: $76,570,760
- Total gross: $581,403,252
- Genre: Adventure
- Run time: 178 minutes
- Release date: Dec. 19, 2001
- Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver
After revolutionizing cinema with 'Avatar,' James Cameron returned to Pandora over a decade later with 'Avatar: The Way of Water.' This sequel follows families of Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) as they seek refuge with the aquatic Metkayina tribe. Cameron's use of groundbreaking technology came into the spotlight with this release. selected the movie A backlash followed, discussing Cameron’s previous statements on Indigenous themes.
#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: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn
The 'Star Wars' franchise dominates with great entries like 'Rogue One,' following rogue Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) as she leads a mission to steal plans for the Death Star, securing a major victory for the Rebels. Its success ushered in the Disney+ series 'Andor,' exploring Cassian Andor’s origins.
Cast: Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman film performances underwater The hilarious dynamics from 'Meet the Parents' escalate as Greg (Ben Stiller) mingles his free-spirited family with the conservative Byrneses in this film. Its release set a new record for Christmas earnings, briefly surpassing previous heavyweights like those seen with 'Avatar' and 'Sherlock Holmes.' Native American-led boycott Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane
Find and enjoy a wide array of no deposit bonus casinos The stirring tale of 'Titanic,' intertwined with fictional Jack and Rose’s romance, captivated audiences and generated phenomenal box office returns with $1.8 billion globally. Along with its financial success, 'Titanic' tied for the record of most Oscar wins, dispelling initial skepticism about its potential.
#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
- Cast: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Daisy Ridley
In this next journey of the 'Star Wars' saga, in 'The Last Jedi,' Rey (Daisy Ridley) seeks guidance from Luke Skywalker in resisting the First Order's wrath. While it stirred debate among enthusiasts regarding its themes and character arcs, critical acclaim poured in.
#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
- #7. Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker
Cast: Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega which was surpassed Concluding the 'Skywalker Saga,' 'The Rise of Skywalker' sees Rey, Finn, and Poe’s alliance striving against a newly empowered First Order, with Emperor Palpatine pulling the threads behind the scenes. This climactic film marked the intended finale to the sprawling trilogy saga.
#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
- Explore our comprehensive guide on the major movie releases that hit theaters during the Christmas season.
Take a deep dive into the top 20 films that captured audiences and box office glory over Christmas weekends, turning into holiday hits for movie lovers. 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
- Top Earning Films Over the Christmas Weekend in the Past 40 Years
Spending time at the movies during Christmas can be a fantastic way to enjoy with family and friends while taking a break from holiday chaos. No wonder it’s one of the most popular times of the year for cinema-goers and crucial for Hollywood studios. This season usually brings an array of blockbuster films. Many movies aim to capture hearts and minds during awards season, vying for attention from both audiences and critics ahead of the Oscar nominations. Meanwhile, viewers can enjoy family-friendly comedies and the latest sequels of big franchises, much like Peter Jackson’s 'Lord of the Rings' in the early 2000s and more recent blockbusters like 'Star Wars' and 'Avatar.' But which films have been the most successful at the box office during this festive period? We've prepared a list featuring 20 of the top-grossing films over Christmas weekends since the '80s, with data adjusted for inflation from the-numbers.com. For inclusion, the movies must have been playing during the holiday weekend or following weekend when Christmas fell mid-week.
Relax and get comfortable as you discover the films that reigned supreme at the box office during the holiday season.
- Christmas weekend gross: $89,785,528
- Total gross: $588,455,698
- Genre: Adventure
- Run time: 141 minutes
- Release date: Dec. 20, 2019
- #14: Alvin and the Chipmunks - The Squeakquel
#13: The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring
#7: Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker
#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
- #5: The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King
#1: Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens
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- Christmas weekend gross: $93,979,894
- Total gross: $656,270,541
- Genre: Adventure
- Run time: 201 minutes
- Release date: Dec. 17, 2003
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Leading Cast of National Treasure: Book of Secrets
#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
- Starring: Nicolas Cage, Jon Voight, Diane Kruger
In the sequel to 'National Treasure,' historian and code expert Ben Gates (played by Nicolas Cage) embarks on a global quest to clear his ancestor’s name from involvement in Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Although successful at the box office, the film received negative reviews, earning a 36% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 48 on Metacritic. It also had two Razzie Award nominations: Worst Actor for Cage and Worst Supporting Actor for Voight.
#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
- Starring: Tom Hanks, Helen Hunt, Nick Searcy
Tom Hanks earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his performance in this survival drama. He portrays a FedEx systems analyst named Chuck Noland who becomes marooned on an uninhabited island after his plane crashes. With only a volleyball named Wilson for company over four years, Chuck builds a raft and braves the elements to try and reunite with the woman he loves.
#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
- Starring: Robin Williams, Daniel London, Monica Potter
Robin Williams portrays the real-life physician Hunter 'Patch' Adams in 'Patch Adams.' After overcoming his own struggle with depression, Adams opens a medical clinic for patients without insurance. The movie was a box office leader during the holiday season for two years until it was surpassed by 'Cast Away.' Interestingly, 'Patch Adams' outperformed 'Cast Away' during the Christmas weeks when adjusted for inflation. It’s notable how Hunter Adams expressed his dislike for the film in an interview with film critic Roger Ebert.
Cameron Jason Momoa at the 'Aquaman' Premiere Starring: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe
The 'Aquaman' movie, featuring Jason Momoa as the titular character, achieved the highest box office earnings for films in the DC Extended Universe. Momoa’s Aquaman undertakes a journey to thwart his half-brother’s plans to wage war on the surface and claims his rightful place as ruler of Atlantis. 'Aquaman' had a long journey to theaters, with production rumors starting as early as 2004.
- Christmas weekend gross: $194,085,013
- Total gross: $1,163,816,804
- Genre: Adventure
- Run time: 136 minutes
- Release date : Dec. 18, 2015
- #14: Alvin and the Chipmunks - The Squeakquel
'Home Alone' became a beloved holiday staple upon its 1990 release, captivating audiences with young Kevin McCallister’s (played by Macaulay Culkin) shenanigans. Accidentally left behind when his family goes to Paris, Kevin must outwit two bumbling burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) to protect his home. The success of 'Home Alone' led to a franchise, and it remained the highest-grossing live-action comedy in the U.S. until 'Barbie' surpassed it in 2023.
Eddie Murphy poses with the 'Beverly Hills Cop' poster