7 New Year's Eve movies that grossed a major sum at the box office

7. "The Santa Clause"

• 1994
• USA, Canada
• Fantasy, drama, comedy, family movie
• Director: John Pasquin
• Starring: Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson, Eric Lloyd, David Krumholtz
• IMDb Rating: 6.6

Scott (Tim Allen), like all adults, doesn't believe in Santa Claus. But his young son Charlie (Eric Lloyd) believes in him. One night the boy hears a strange noise on the roof and wakes his father. The two of them go outside and see a man in a Santa suit fall off the roof right under their feet and then disappear, leaving behind the suit, live reindeer on the roof and a card that says whoever finds the suit must put it on and the reindeer know what to do next. Charlie immediately realizes that his father will have to fill in for Santa.

"The Santa Claus" grossed $190.3 million at the worldwide box office, including $145.3 million in the U.S. and Canada, and $45 million in other countries.

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6. "Elf"

• 2003
• USA
• Fantasy, melodrama, comedy, adventure, family
• Director: Jon Favreau
• Starring: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart, Zooey Deschanel, Daniel Tay
• IMDb Rating: 7.1

Many years ago, Buddy (Will Ferrell), a young orphan living in an orphanage, hid in Santa Claus' sack and thus found himself at the North Pole. There he found himself among the elves, who adopted the baby and raised him as their own son. But very soon he grew up and it became clear that Buddy could not become a full-fledged elf. Then Santa allowed him to go to New York in search of his real father, Walter Hobbs (James Caan). But it turns out that he doesn't care about his son at all, as the main interest in Walter's life is his business.

With a budget of $33 million, "Elf" grossed $220 million at the worldwide box office. Plans to make a sequel fell through, as Will Ferrell would star even for a fee of $29 million.

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5. "Daddy's Home"

• 2015
• USA
• Comedy, family
• Director: Sean Anders
• Starring: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Linda Cardellini, Thomas Haden Church, Scarlett Estevez
• IMDb Rating: 6.2

Sara (Linda Cardellini) and caring stepfather Brad (Will Ferrell) are raising two children. And Brad has almost succeeded in this challenging endeavor: the kids have finally begun to trust him. However, suddenly on the doorstep of the house appears their biological father — cool and charming motorcyclist Dusty (Mark Wahlberg). Sarah's ex-husband settles in with them, easily regains the children's adoration and begins to undermine Brad's authority and confidence on a daily basis. But it turns out that he too can play not according to the rules, and between the men begins a no-nonsense war for the family.

The picture, filmed for $50 million, collected at the world box office almost $242 million. In 2017, the film received a sequel "Daddy's Home 2".

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4. "The Polar Express"  

• 2004
• USA, Australia
• Cartoon, musical, fantasy, comedy, adventure, family film
• Director: Robert Zemeckis
• Starring: Tom Hanks, Michael Jeter, Eddie Deezen, Nona Gaye, Peter Scolari
• IMDb Rating: 6.6

On Christmas Eve, a boy named Chris pragmatically ponders the global lies of adults about the existence of Santa Claus. And then, late on Christmas Eve night, a very real railroad train pulls up at the door of his house, although there were no rails or anything similar. The kind and mysterious conductor offers him an unforgettable journey to the homeland of the generous wizard.

"The Polar Express" entered the Guinness Book of Records in 2006 as the first film shot entirely using digitization technology of live actors. It was nominated for Oscars in three categories, including Best Sound. The movie grossed $307 million worldwide.

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3. "A Christmas Carol"

• 2009
• USA, UK
• Animation, fantasy, drama, comedy, adventure, family movie
• Director Robert Zemeckis
• Starring: Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Cary Elwes, Robin Wright
• IMDb Rating: 6.8

Greedy and Christmas-hating Ebenezer Scrooge (Jim Carrey) has only cared about money his entire life. He is indifferent to employees and relatives, he has no friends, and on Christmas Eve he prefers money and loneliness over chants and feasts. But everything changes when three ghosts come to the old man in the night: past, present, and future. They open his eyes to what kind of person he really is and how he is seen by those around him. This experience completely changes the old miser's life.

"A Christmas Carol" earned $137 million at the U.S. box office and $325 million worldwide. The movie was played by live actors with motion capture technology, after which the picture was digitally processed and eventually became animated. Jim Carrey played not only the role of Scrooge, but also three ghosts. This required him to master various British accents.

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2. "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"

• 2000
• USA, Germany
• Comedy, family, fantasy
• Director: Ron Howard
• Starring: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski, Bill Irwin
• IMDb Rating: 6.3

On the outskirts of Whoville lives Grinch (Jim Carrey), who decides one day to steal the most important and favorite thing for all the townspeople — Christmas. He does everything to spoil the holiday. And only a little girl Cindy (Taylor Momsen) does not believe that someone can be so evil. Will she be able to melt the Grinch's heart and bring back Christmas?

The movie stayed at the top of the charts for four weeks and grossed $345 million worldwide. "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" won the Oscar for Best Makeup, and Jim Carrey won Best Actor at the Kids 'Choice Awards and MTV Movie Awards.

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1. "Home Alone"

• 1990
• USA
• Comedy, family
• Director: Chris Columbus
• Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard, Roberts Blossom
• IMDb Rating: 7.7

The big McCallister family — mom, dad, and five kids — go on a Christmas vacation to Paris. To be exact, the five kids were supposed to go, but upon arrival it turns out that in the hustle and bustle, the parents forgot to take the youngest Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) with them. Holidays, there are no seats on return flights for the next two days, so the eight-year-old boy was left alone at home. At first, he's even excited about the opportunity, but two experienced burglars target the McCallister home for their next heist.

The movie is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the highest-grossing live-action comedy ever: it grossed $477 million worldwide. In many countries around the world "Home Alone" is considered a traditional Christmas movie, which is necessarily broadcast on television.

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