With Christmas Day almost here, experts have created a curated lineup of Christmas movies you can watch in 24 hours. The findings looked at popular and underrated titles, based on which people Google the most. From nostalgic classics to modern takes, the list has it all – with festive fans able to get through around 13 movies in one day .

As Christmas soon approaches, it's your last chance for a Christmas movie binge, and who wouldn't want to stay up watching 24 hours of non-stop festive fun? Whether you’re cozying up with loved ones or tackling a solo festive watch, the ultimate Christmas movie marathon has been revealed.  

Experts at QR Code Generator have curated the ultimate Christmas movie marathon, combining the most-Googled classic flicks with hidden gems, focusing on run times that fit - just about - into 24 hours.  

Featuring 13 carefully-selected movies, this marathon balances nostalgia, comedy, and late-night thrills to keep your festive spirits high all day (and night) long – and also considers 10-minute intervals between each movie for comfort breaks.  

24-hour Christmas Movie Marathon List 

1. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) 

While spirits are high, we kick off the marathon with one of the classics. It’s a Wonderful Life sets the tone for a feel-good Christmas, conveying timeless themes of hope and redemption. At two hours and 10 minutes this movie takes up a good chunk of the 24-hour period - and with 159,000 monthly Google searches, it’s a popular choice.  

2. Miracle on 34th Street (1947) 

Sticking with the classics, we continue with Miracle on 34th Street (the 1947 version) at just over an hour and a half (94 minutes). Providing a good dose of seasonal cheer - and attracting an average of 70,000 Google searches each month - this tale of Christmas magic and belief is a must-watch for all ages.  

3. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) 

Next, we break things up with an animated installment: A Charlie Brown Christmas. At just 25 minutes long, it contrasts nicely with the longer classics. While this only has 19,000 monthly Google searches, it’s short, sweet, and nostalgic - and perfect for younger audiences who want something more upbeat.  

4. Elf (2003) 

Now it’s time for some festive fun with everyone's favorite elf, Buddy. Elf attracts 342,000 monthly searches on Google each month, making it the third-most searched-for Christmas movie of those in the study. At 97 minutes long, it’s a staple for any festive binge watch. 

5. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) 

It’s time for some chaotic holiday humor with National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Clark Griswold’s Christmas misadventures are a comedic goldmine, and with 96,000 monthly searches on Google, others think so too.  

6. Deck the Halls (2006) 

Following the Griswold family, we head into more holiday hijinks with Deck the Halls. In a war of Christmas light displays, this movie keeps up the fun as we approach halfway through the list. The movie spans 93 minutes and attracts an average of 23,000 Google searches each month.  

7. The Polar Express (2004) 

Next, we return to another animation with the classic The Polar Express. Whether you're young or just young at heart, this enchanting movie has something for everyone, and with 76,000 monthly Google searches, it’s clearly a firm fan favorite. 

8. The Grinch (2018) 

Now we dive into a more modern take on a Christmas classic with The Grinch from 2018. This colorful animated version of Dr. Seuss’s tale of Christmas redemption brings the Grinch to life in a whole new way – and is great for those with shorter attention spans at just 85 minutes long.  

9. Home Alone (1990)  

You can’t do a Christmas movie marathon without Home Alone. With 433,000 monthly Google searches, this is the most searched-for Christmas movie, making it a holiday essential and the perfect way to re-energize in the middle of your movie marathon. 

10. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) 

Still not enough Grinch? Don’t worry, he’s back for more with the 2000 How the Grinch Stole Christmas. This live-action version with Jim Carrey has become a holiday icon in its own right. You can even discuss the comparisons between this and the animated version – not least the higher running time, at 104 minutes for the live-action version.  

11. Love Actually (2003) 

Now, for when younger audiences may have gone to bed, a bit of holiday romance. Love Actually is the ultimate Christmas rom com, weaving together multiple heartwarming stories set around Christmas time. With a star-studded cast and unforgettable moments, this film has earned its spot in the holiday movie canon – evidenced by its average 209,000 monthly Google searches.  

12. Die Hard (1988) 

Next up: action! While the debate rages about whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie or not, we’re counting it. Plus, any Alan Rickman performance will keep you hooked after 20 hours of Christmas movie bingeing. The action-packed flick runs for 132 minutes, making it one of the longest installments in the list.  

13. The Holiday (2006) or Gremlins (1984) 

As the marathon winds down, depending on your vibe, you have a choice. Do you end on a cozy, feel-good note with The Holiday, or dive into the chaotic fun of Gremlins? One is a romantic Christmas comedy, the other a holiday horror-comedy cult classic, but either way, both have earned their place in the holiday movie lineup – although Gremlins is 30 minutes shorter than The Holiday, so you could get an early finish.  

Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator commented on the list: “While completing a 24-hour Christmas movie marathon might seem like a daunting challenge, it would be a fantastic way to create lasting memories and bond with family and friends over the holiday season. 

“For those who may not have seen many Christmas movies, this marathon is a fun way to ‘catch up’ on the classics that define the season. 

“Even if you don't manage to watch all the movies in 24 hours, the experience of watching these films together—with plenty of Christmas snacks and treats to keep you fueled—is what truly makes it memorable.” 

Methodology: Christmas movie average monthly search data was taken from Ahrefs Keywords Explorer from the last 12 months. Search term included term '[movie title]'. Where appropriate a shortened version of the title was used for authentic search results. Search volume accurate as on December 11th 2024. 

Movie run times were taken from IMDb.