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Special Report

The Top Trending Christmas Movie in Every State

Photo of Grant Suneson
By Grant Suneson Published
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The Top Trending Christmas Movie in Every State

© Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

For many Americans, Christmas time means gathering with family around the TV and watching classic holiday movies. Over the years, Hollywood has produced Christmas movies that are romances, action flicks, animated kids films, and even a few raunchy holiday-themed comedies.

Of course, not everyone has the same favorite holiday movie, but it’s interesting that tastes can even differ by state. People in some states prefer movies set in their own state, although many states share a favorite. The Christmas movies that people keep coming back to year after year vary from state to state — including several that prefer movies set in their own state.

To determine each state’s favorite Christmas movie, 24/7 Tempo reviewed information on the top trending movies on search engines in each state, gathered by TOP Data, a research and data marketing agency.

Many states that border each other have similar tastes in Christmas movies. In several northern states, for example, “Home Alone” ranks as the favorite holiday film, while others, especially in the South, prefer the Jim Carrey classic “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” A few newer Christmas films from the past few years, like “Holiday Rush” and “The Christmas Chronicles,” made the list as well.

The Christmas movies on this list are either new favorites or classics that have stood the test of time. However, not every Christmas movie becomes a holiday favorite. In fact, many Christmas movies come across as preachy, overly schmaltzy, or just plain boring. These are the worst Christmas movies of all time.

Courtesy of Universal Studios

Alabama
> Favorite movie: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
> IMDb rating: 6.2 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 49%
> RT audience score: 56%
> Starring: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Kelley, Jeffrey Tambor

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Courtesy of Netflix

Alaska
> Favorite movie: The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
> IMDb rating: 7.0 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 67%
> RT audience score: 75%
> Starring: Kurt Russell, Darby Camp, Judah Lewis, Oliver Hudson

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Courtesy of Castle Rock Entertainment

Arizona
> Favorite movie: The Polar Express (2004)
> IMDb rating: 6.6 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 56%
> RT audience score: 63%
> Starring: Tom Hanks, Chris Coppola, Michael Jeter, Leslie Zemeckis

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

Arkansas
> Favorite movie: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
> IMDb rating: 6.2 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 49%
> RT audience score: 56%
> Starring: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Kelley, Jeffrey Tambor

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Courtesy of Buena Vista International

California
> Favorite movie: The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
> IMDb rating: 8.0 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 95%
> RT audience score: 91%
> Starring: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara, William Hickey

Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Colorado
> Favorite movie: The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018)
> IMDb rating: 5.6 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 32%
> RT audience score: 34%
> Starring: Mackenzie Foy, Keira Knightley, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren

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Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Connecticut
> Favorite movie: Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
> IMDb rating: 7.4 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 88%
> RT audience score: 75%
> Starring: Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan, Sydney Greenstreet, Reginald Gardiner

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Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

Delaware
> Favorite movie: Home Alone (1990)
> IMDb rating: 7.6 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 66%
> RT audience score: 80%
> Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

Florida
> Favorite movie: Home Alone (1990)
> IMDb rating: 7.6 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 66%
> RT audience score: 80%
> Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard

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Courtesy of Universal Pictures

Georgia
> Favorite movie: Almost Christmas (2016)
> IMDb rating: 6.1 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 49%
> RT audience score: 64%
> Starring: Kimberly Elise, Omar Epps, Danny Glover, Mo’Nique

Courtesy of New Line Cinema

Idaho
> Favorite movie: Elf (2003)
> IMDb rating: 7.0 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 85%
> RT audience score: 79%
> Starring: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart, Zooey Deschanel

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Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

Illinois
> Favorite movie: Home Alone (1990)
> IMDb rating: 7.6 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 66%
> RT audience score: 80%
> Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard

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Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

Indiana
> Favorite movie: Home Alone (1990)
> IMDb rating: 7.6 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 66%
> RT audience score: 80%
> Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

Iowa
> Favorite movie: Home Alone (1990)
> IMDb rating: 7.6 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 66%
> RT audience score: 80%
> Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard

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Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

Kansas
> Favorite movie: Die Hard (1988)
> IMDb rating: 8.2 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 94%
> RT audience score: 94%
> Starring: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson

Courtesy of Universal Studios

Kentucky
> Favorite movie: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
> IMDb rating: 6.2 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 49%
> RT audience score: 56%
> Starring: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Kelley, Jeffrey Tambor

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Courtesy of Universal Studios

Louisiana
> Favorite movie: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
> IMDb rating: 6.2 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 49%
> RT audience score: 56%
> Starring: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Kelley, Jeffrey Tambor

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Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures

Maine
> Favorite movie: It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
> IMDb rating: 8.6 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 94%
> RT audience score: 95%
> Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell

Courtesy of Netflix

Maryland
> Favorite movie: Holiday Rush (2019)
> IMDb rating: 4.9 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 40%
> RT audience score: 46%
> Starring: Romany Malco, Sonequa Martin-Green, Darlene Love, Amarr

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Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

Massachusetts
> Favorite movie: The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
> IMDb rating: 7.7 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 76%
> RT audience score: 86%
> Starring: Michael Caine, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Jerry Nelson

Courtesy of Netflix

Michigan
> Favorite movie: Holiday Rush (2019)
> IMDb rating: 4.9 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 40%
> RT audience score: 46%
> Starring: Romany Malco, Sonequa Martin-Green, Darlene Love, Amarr

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Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

Minnesota
> Favorite movie: Home Alone (1990)
> IMDb rating: 7.6 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 66%
> RT audience score: 80%
> Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard

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Courtesy of Universal Pictures

Mississippi
> Favorite movie: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
> IMDb rating: 6.2 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 49%
> RT audience score: 56%
> Starring: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Kelley, Jeffrey Tambor

Courtesy of Castle Rock Entertainment

Missouri
> Favorite movie: The Polar Express (2004)
> IMDb rating: 6.6 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 56%
> RT audience score: 63%
> Starring: Tom Hanks, Chris Coppola, Michael Jeter, Leslie Zemeckis

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Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

Montana
> Favorite movie: Home Alone (1990)
> IMDb rating: 7.6 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 66%
> RT audience score: 80%
> Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

Nebraska
> Favorite movie: Home Alone (1990)
> IMDb rating: 7.6 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 66%
> RT audience score: 80%
> Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard

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Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

Nevada
> Favorite movie: The Santa Clause (1994)
> IMDb rating: 6.5 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 72%
> RT audience score: 65%
> Starring: Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson, Eric Lloyd

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Courtesy of Netflix

New Hampshire
> Favorite movie: The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
> IMDb rating: 7.0 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 67%
> RT audience score: 75%
> Starring: Kurt Russell, Darby Camp, Judah Lewis, Oliver Hudson

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

New Jersey
> Favorite movie: Home Alone (1990)
> IMDb rating: 7.6 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 66%
> RT audience score: 80%
> Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard

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Courtesy of Buena Vista International

New Mexico
> Favorite movie: The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
> IMDb rating: 8.0 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 95%
> RT audience score: 91%
> Starring: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara, William Hickey

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

New York
> Favorite movie: Home Alone (1990)
> IMDb rating: 7.6 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 66%
> RT audience score: 80%
> Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard

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Courtesy of Netflix

North Carolina
> Favorite movie: Holiday Rush (2019)
> IMDb rating: 4.9 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 40%
> RT audience score: 46%
> Starring: Romany Malco, Sonequa Martin-Green, Darlene Love, Amarr

[recirclink id=895674]

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

North Dakota
> Favorite movie: Home Alone (1990)
> IMDb rating: 7.6 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 66%
> RT audience score: 80%
> Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

Ohio
> Favorite movie: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
> IMDb rating: 6.8 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 34%
> RT audience score: 61%
> Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O’Hara

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Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

Oklahoma
> Favorite movie: Home Alone (1990)
> IMDb rating: 7.6 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 66%
> RT audience score: 80%
> Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard

Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Oregon
> Favorite movie: The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018)
> IMDb rating: 5.6 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 32%
> RT audience score: 34%
> Starring: Mackenzie Foy, Keira Knightley, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren

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Courtesy of Miramax

Pennsylvania
> Favorite movie: Bad Santa (2003)
> IMDb rating: 7.0 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 78%
> RT audience score: 75%
> Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Bernie Mac, Lauren Graham, John Ritter

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Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

Rhode Island
> Favorite movie: Home Alone (1990)
> IMDb rating: 7.6 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 66%
> RT audience score: 80%
> Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard

Courtesy of Castle Rock Entertainment

South Carolina
> Favorite movie: The Polar Express (2004)
> IMDb rating: 6.6 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 56%
> RT audience score: 63%
> Starring: Tom Hanks, Chris Coppola, Michael Jeter, Leslie Zemeckis

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Courtesy of Castle Rock Entertainment

South Dakota
> Favorite movie: The Polar Express (2004)
> IMDb rating: 6.6 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 56%
> RT audience score: 63%
> Starring: Tom Hanks, Chris Coppola, Michael Jeter, Leslie Zemeckis

Courtesy of New Line Cinema

Tennessee
> Favorite movie: Four Christmases (2008)
> IMDb rating: 5.7 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 25%
> RT audience score: 47%
> Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Vince Vaughn, Mary Steenburgen, Robert Duvall

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Courtesy of Universal Studios

Texas
> Favorite movie: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
> IMDb rating: 6.2 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 49%
> RT audience score: 56%
> Starring: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Kelley, Jeffrey Tambor

[recirclink id=993295]

Courtesy of Castle Rock Entertainment

Utah
> Favorite movie: The Polar Express (2004)
> IMDb rating: 6.6 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 56%
> RT audience score: 63%
> Starring: Tom Hanks, Chris Coppola, Michael Jeter, Leslie Zemeckis

Courtesy of Netflix

Vermont
> Favorite movie: The Princess Switch (2018)
> IMDb rating: 6.1 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 69%
> RT audience score: 50%
> Starring: Vanessa Hudgens, Sam Palladio, Nick Sagar, Alexa Adeosun

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Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

Virginia
> Favorite movie: Home Alone (1990)
> IMDb rating: 7.6 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 66%
> RT audience score: 80%
> Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

Washington
> Favorite movie: Die Hard (1988)
> IMDb rating: 8.2 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 94%
> RT audience score: 94%
> Starring: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson

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Courtesy of Universal Studios

West Virginia
> Favorite movie: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
> IMDb rating: 6.2 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 49%
> RT audience score: 56%
> Starring: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Kelley, Jeffrey Tambor

[recirclink id=707118]

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

Wisconsin
> Favorite movie: Home Alone (1990)
> IMDb rating: 7.6 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 66%
> RT audience score: 80%
> Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

Wyoming
> Favorite movie: Home Alone (1990)
> IMDb rating: 7.6 out of 10
> Tomatometer score: 66%
> RT audience score: 80%
> Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard

Photo of Grant Suneson
About the Author Grant Suneson →

Grant Suneson is a senior editor at 24/7 Wall St. He was previously a digital content creator at Newsy and a reporter at NPR member station KBIA, where he contributed to their Edward R. Murrow Award-winning coverage. He graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in journalism.

Grant’s work has been published and referenced in many major outlets such as MSN, USA Today, Yahoo Finance, Detroit Free Press, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Austin American-Statesman, The Tennessean, The Cincinnati Enquirer, The Indianapolis Star, The Clarion-Ledger, WSB-TV, Des Moines Register, Asbury Park Press, KMGH-TV, and many others.

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