Ever watched “The Holiday” and thought, “This could actually happen”? You’re not alone. According to a recent analysis on the realism of Christmas movies, this beloved Nancy Meyers film is officially the most realistic holiday movie of all time.
In this film, where two women impulsively swap houses across the globe, statistically speaking, it’s the most relatable festive flick out there.
The index, created by Casino.org, evaluated 12 popular Christmas films based on plot logic, relationship staying power, real-world logistics, and even the likelihood of legal trouble. Surprisingly, “The Holiday” came out on top with a score of 62/100. The grounded romance, believable character choices, and low potential for lawsuits contributed to its high realism score.
In second place with a score of 55/100 is this year’s most realistic new holiday release, “A Very Jonas Christmas Movie,” starring the Jonas Brothers. It seems this cozy Christmas romance checks more boxes than expected.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, “Home Alone 2” landed dead last with a realism score of 12/100. The likelihood of a child getting separated from their entire family twice is virtually nonexistent. Add in Kevin booking himself into a luxury New York hotel, running into the same burglars, and navigating the city like a seasoned commuter, and the plot’s believability takes a holiday of its own.
The movie scored low in plot logic (15/100) and accumulated major “legal risk” points. After all, you can only booby-trap criminals so many times before needing a lawyer.
Below are the rankings from most believable to least believable Christmas movies, according to Casino.org:
1. “The Holiday”
2. “A Very Jonas Christmas Movie”
3. “It’s a Wonderful Life”
4. “Love Actually”
5. “Elf”
6. “The Nightmare Before Christmas”
7. “Die Hard”
8. “The Grinch”
9. “Carry On”
10. “Home Alone”
11. “Jingle Bell Heist”
12. “Home Alone 2”
From the relatable romance in “The Holiday” to the unrealistic yet classic antics of “Home Alone 2,” these rankings give us a fresh perspective on our favorite holiday films.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.