One of Britain's most persistent festive arguments has finally been put to bed by a nationwide survey, which has delivered a definitive verdict on the status of the action classic Die Hard as a Christmas movie.
The Nation's Verdict on a Festive Feud
Commissioned by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), the poll of 2,000 UK adults found that the public has resoundingly rejected the idea. The results, gathered in December 2025, show that 44 per cent of Brits do not believe Bruce Willis's iconic outing as John McClane qualifies as a Christmas film.
Only 38 per cent stood by the notion that it is a legitimate holiday watch. A further 17 per cent remained on the fence, unable to decide. Despite the divided opinion, 5 per cent of respondents still named Die Hard as their absolute favourite film to watch during the festive season.
Home Alone Crowned the UK's Favourite
The survey did, however, identify a clear winner for the nation's affections. The runaway favourite was the family comedy Home Alone, which was chosen by one in five (20 per cent) of those surveyed.
Other top contenders included the star-studded romantic comedy Love Actually, securing nearly one in ten (9 per cent) of the vote. The timeless classic It's A Wonderful Life followed with 8 per cent, while the modern favourite Elf garnered 7 per cent.
Expert Commentary on Festive Viewing Traditions
David Austin, Chief Executive of the BBFC, commented on the findings, stating: “With Home Alone crowned the UK’s favourite Christmas film, our latest research reveals that heart-warming, family-friendly stories continue to sit at the heart of the nation’s Christmas viewing traditions.”
Tim Richards, founder and CEO of the Vue cinema chain, highlighted the communal aspect of festive cinema-going. He said: “Many of our customers see a trip to the big screen over the holidays as a chance to sit back, switch off and enjoy great stories together... Whether that’s a much-loved classic like Home Alone, the high-energy fun of Die Hard, or a brand-new film... Cinema has always brought people together, and Christmas reminds us just how powerful that shared experience can be.”
The results firmly place traditional, family-oriented narratives above more contentious picks, settling a debate that resurfaces with remarkable regularity each December. While Die Hard retains a dedicated seasonal fanbase, for the majority of the UK, Christmas viewing is synonymous with warmth, humour, and family-centric plots.
