Holidays

77 Christmas Movie Trivia Questions to Ho-Ho-Hone Your Skills in 2025

Last Updated on Dec 4th 2025
christmas movie trivia

Christmas movie trivia is the unofficial sport of the holiday season. It sneaks into Christmas date ideas, family gatherings and even those last-minute Christmas activities you pull together when everyone’s finally in the same room. Everyone thinks they remember every line from Home Alone… until they don’t. And every year the same debate pops up: Is Die Hard actually a Christmas movie? We say yes — and 39% of Americans who’ve seen it agree, according to a YouGov poll.

Whether you’re team Elf, team It’s a Wonderful Life or team I-can-quote-every-line-of-The-Grinch, this trivia hits all the big holiday classics. We’ve mixed in easy questions, tricky deep cuts, musical moments and plenty of kid-friendly picks inspired by classic Christmas movies for kids, so everyone gets a fair shot.

So grab a drink, queue up a movie marathon and see just how sharp your holiday memory really is.

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Classic Christmas Movie Trivia Questions

Settle in with the films that built the holiday-movie universe. These classic Christmas movie trivia questions pull from the titles everyone claims to know by heart — A Christmas Story, It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street and the other essentials that run on repeat every December. See who can actually back up the confidence.

They also make great holiday activities, whether you’re looking for festive work Christmas party ideas or fun questions to ask your partner. They’re even a perfect thing to do on Christmas Day for any cinephile. Gather around, test your knowledge and see who remembers the most iconic moments from these holiday classics.

1940s–1950s Christmas Classics

The ’40s and ’50s are where so many of the “big” Christmas moments we still quote today were born. From courtroom Santas to black-and-white miracles that only became classics years later, these films shaped the blueprint for every holiday movie that followed.

Miracle on 34th Street

The holiday classic that made everyone rethink Santa (via Amazon)

1. In Miracle on 34th Street, what does Susan Walker tell Kris Kringle that she wants more than anything in the world?
Answer: A family, complete with a father and younger brother and the house from the Cole's Catalog.

2. In the movie Miracle on 34th Street, what does Kris Kringle do to prove he is Santa Claus?
Answer: He has the Post Office deliver all letters addressed to “Santa Claus” to him in court.

3. During which war does White Christmas take place? 
Answer: World War II

4. In the movie It’s a Wonderful Life, what happens to George Bailey when he first sees his daughter, Zuzu?
Answer: She tells him she “caught a cold coming home from school,” and he tucks her petals into his pocket.

5. In the movie White Christmas, what song do Bob and Phil sing at the inn to save it?
Answer: "White Christmas"

6. In Miracle on 34th Street, what does young Susan Walker initially believe about Kris Kringle?
Answer: She doesn’t believe he’s Santa Claus — until she starts to see signs that he might be.

It’s a Wonderful Life
The film that turned small-town hope into a Christmas tradition (CC0)

7. Who directed It’s a Wonderful Life?
Answer: Frank Capra

8. What is the main setting of the movie Holiday Inn?
Answer: An inn that opens on holidays

1960s–1980s Holiday Classics

These are the movies that quietly shaped what “Christmas” looks like on screen, from Scrooge’s late-night visitors to that infamous leg lamp in the front window. They’re packed with behind-the-scenes quirks too, like how the original A Christmas Carol adaptations helped cement the modern image of ghosts of Christmas past, present and future.

9. What was the name of Scrooge's old partner in A Christmas Carol?
Answer: Jacob Marley

10. What iconic item in the Parker home does Ralphie Parker’s father (Darren McGavin) win in a contest? 
Answer: A leg lamp

11. In A Christmas Carol, what is the name of the ghost who visits Scrooge first?
Answer: The Ghost of Christmas Past

A Christmas Story
The movie behind the most famous BB gun request in history (via Amazon)

12. What toy does Ralphie desperately want for Christmas in A Christmas Story?
Answer: A Red Ryder BB gun

Romantic Christmas Movie Trivia Questions

The holiday season has a quiet way of turning people sentimental, which makes it a great time to revisit the romantic Christmas movies people watch on repeat. These questions pull from the classic romantic movies, the cozy comedies and the streaming-era favorites, with a mix of sweet moments and deeper cuts for anyone who knows these films by heart. Just a heads-up: some of the Christmas movie trivia questions ahead aren’t exactly a walk in the park.

1990s–Early 2000s Romance & Holiday Comedy

The late ’90s and early 2000s gave us the holiday comfort watches people quote all year: think cue cards on doorsteps, airport chases and karaoke in crowded bars. Fun fact: films like Love Actually and The Holiday weren’t just seasonal hits; they quietly rewired what a “Christmas rom-com” could look like.

13. What does George promise to give to Mary at the beginning of It's a Wonderful Life?
Answer: The moon

Elf
Everybody's beloved Christmas elf (via Amazon)

14. What Christmas song does Buddy sing with Jovie in the shower in Elf?
Answer: Baby It's Cold Outside

15. How many sizes does the Grinch's heart grow when he starts to get feelings?
Answer: Three

16. What instrument does Sam learn to impress his crush in Love Actually?
Answer: The drums

A Christmas Prince
The modern royal romance that launched a whole holiday trilogy (via Amazon)

17. In The Holiday, what is the name of the character played by Cameron Diaz?
Answer: Amanda Woods

18. In Love Actually, what does Mark confess to Juliet with the help of cue cards?
Answer: His love for her

2010s–Present Streaming-Era Holiday Romance

Once the streaming era hit, Christmas romance basically became its own mini cinematic universe. From royal weddings to body doubles switching lives, these movies are designed to be bingeable, and a lot of them have spun into full-blown franchises with sequels, spin-offs and elaborate fictional kingdoms.

19. What happens between Amber and Prince Richard at the end of A Christmas Prince?
Answer: They get engaged

Last Christmas
A love story inspired by a George Michael classic (via Amazon)

20. What city is the setting for the movie Last Christmas?
Answer: London

21. In A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding, what does Amber need to plan?
Answer: Her wedding to Prince Richard

22. In The Princess Switch, who is the royal character played by Vanessa Hudgens?
Answer: Princess Margaret

23. What is the main conflict in The Family Stone?
Answer: A family's dynamics during Christmas when bringing home a girlfriend

The Christmas Chronicles
An action-packed take on Santa that surprised everyone (via Amazon)

24. In the movie The Christmas Chronicles, what do the siblings try to do with Santa's sleigh?
Answer: They try to save it from crashing

25. What is the theme of the movie The Christmas Card?
Answer: A soldier finds love through a Christmas card

26. In The Night Before, what do the friends search for?
Answer: The ultimate Christmas party (extra points for The Nutcracka Ball)

27. In Holiday Engagement, what do the two main characters pretend to be?
Answer: A couple engaged to be married

Fun Christmas Movie Trivia Questions

Frosty the Snowman
The animated tale that made “happy birthday!” a winter catchphrase (via Amazon)

Have you been looking for family Christmas party ideas that get everyone involved? Look no further! These fun Christmas movie trivia questions are a fantastic way to bring together family and friends of all ages for an entertaining and interactive experience. Expect laughter, a little friendly competition and plenty of “wait, I know this one!” energy around the tree. 

1960s–1980s Animated & Comedy Classics

Stop-motion misfits, talking snowmen and over-the-top suburban light displays all live here. The wild part is how many of these specials were made on tight TV budgets and yet ended up becoming annual family Christmas traditions that three generations now watch on repeat.

28. What is the name of the evil magician in Frosty the Snowman?
Answer: Professor Hinkle

29. How many lights were on the Griswolds' house in Christmas Vacation?
Answer: 25,000 lights

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
A stop-motion classic (via Amazon)

30. In Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, what does Hermey wish he could be instead?
Answer: A dentist

31. In A Christmas Story, what do the Parkers eat for Christmas dinner? 
Answer: Peking Duck at a local restaurant

32. In Frosty Returns, what happens to Frosty when he gets too warm?
Answer: He melts

33. In National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, what does Clark Griswold plan to do with the Christmas bonus?
Answer: Build a swimming pool

34. In the film Santa Claus: The Movie, who plays the role of Santa Claus?
Answer: David Huddleston

1990s–2000s Holiday Comedy Era

This era is pure chaos in the best way, from forgotten kids outsmarting burglars to parents elbowing through toy-store crowds. Movies like Home Alone became such runaway hits that they launched whole franchises and turned simple props, like aftershave and paint cans, into instantly recognizable holiday jokes.

35. In the original How the Grinch Stole Christmas, what is the Grinch's dog’s name?
Answer: Max

36. In the movie A Christmas Carol, who is the last ghost that visits Scrooge?
Answer: The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (also called the Ghost of Christmas Future)

37. Complete this famous line from Elf: "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is ________"
Answer: "... singing loud for all to hear."

Home Alone
The most iconic after-shave scream ever (via Amazon)

38. What is the #1 most popular Christmas movie?
Answer: Home Alone

39. In the movie A Charlie Brown Christmas, who helps Charlie Brown find a Christmas tree?
Answer: Linus

41. What type of animal is featured in the movie The Christmas Chronicles?
Answer: Santa's reindeer

41. What was the first famous Christmas movie?
Answer: Santa Claus, a 1898 British silent film

Jingle All the Way
The ’90s scramble for a Turbo Man that felt all too real (via Amazon)

42. In the film Jingle All the Way, what toy is the father trying to get for his son?
Answer: Turbo Man

43. In Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, which American President makes a cameo in the film?
Answer: Donald Trump

44. What does the Grinch steal from the Whos in How the Grinch Stole Christmas?
Answer: Christmas presents and decorations

Christmas Movie Trivia Questions for Kids

The Grinch
The green Christmas grouch who stole the season (via Amazon)

What are good Christmas movie trivia questions for kids? These easy, kid-friendly picks focus on the characters, moments and the magic younger fans of movies for kids remember most. They’re great for family gatherings, classroom celebrations or a holiday movie night when you want something playful and low-pressure.

1960s–1980s Kids Holiday Staples

These are the specials that feel like childhood in one shot: wobbling trees, hand-drawn animation and gentle stories that still get re-aired every year. It’s also where a lot of tiny details came from, like Lucy’s 5-cent “psychiatric help” booth and that famously scraggly tree that somehow still saves Christmas.

45. In A Charlie Brown Christmas, how much money does Lucy charge at her "Psychiatric Help" booth? 
Answer: 5 cents

46. What is the gift Ralphie’s aunt gets him for Christmas in A Christmas Story?
Answer: A pink rabbit suit

47. In A Charlie Brown Christmas, what does Snoopy do that makes Lucy scream?
Answer: He kisses her face

48. What color is the ornament Charlie Brown puts on his tree?
Answer: Red

A Charlie Brown Christmas
The Peanuts special that made a tiny tree famous (via Amazon)

49. In the movie Frosty the Snowman, what brings Frosty to life?
Answer: A magical hat

50. What type of tree do the Peanuts characters use in A Charlie Brown Christmas?
Answer: A small, scraggly tree

51. Who is the main character in the animated movie The Snowman?
Answer: A young boy (extra points for his name, James)

1990s–Present Family Holiday Films

The Polar Express
The animated adventure that made hot chocolate a holiday anthem (via IMDB)

From green grinches to kids defending booby-trapped houses, these films are built to keep both adults and kids watching. Many of them pushed practical effects and early CGI way further than you’d expect from “family movies,” which is part of why they still hold up decades later.

52. What is the name of the train in The Polar Express?
Answer: The Polar Express

53. What does the Grinch hate the most?
Answer: Christmas

54. What is the name of the town in How the Grinch Stole Christmas?
Answer: Whoville

55. In Home Alone, what is the name of the boy left behind by his family during their Christmas vacation?
Answer: Kevin McCallister

56. In Home Alone 2, what hotel does Kevin McCallister stay at?
Answer: New York's Plaza Hotel

57. What is the name of the train conductor in The Polar Express?
Answer: The Conductor (extra points for stating that this character is voiced by Tom Hanks)

The Snowman
The wordless winter tale that became a childhood ritual (via Amazon)

58. In The Muppet Christmas Carol, what kind of animal is Fozziwig?
Answer: A bear

59. What does Buddy the Elf say is his favorite food group?
Answer: Candy

60. What is the name of the ethereal white Christmas fairy in The Muppet Christmas Carol?
Answer: The Ghost of Christmas Past

Christmas Movie Music Trivia Questions

How the Grinch Stole Christmas
The showdown that taught everyone what Christmas means (via Amazon)

Add these trivia questions to your music-themed party games for Christmas. These Christmas movie trivia questions are all about the songs that make holiday movies unforgettable — from big musical numbers to background tracks you never realized you knew by heart. Feel free to play some soothing Christmas movies in the background to set the scene or pop a holiday playlist on Spotify. Then, gather your guests, turn up the holiday hits and get ready for a fun-filled trivia experience that will have everyone singing along!

Classic Holiday Film Music (1930s–1970s)

Before Christmas playlists were a thing, holiday movies were doing the heavy lifting. Songs like “White Christmas” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” actually debuted on film soundtracks and only later became the standards you hear everywhere in December.

61. At the end of It’s a Wonderful Life, what seasonal song do the cast sing together?
Answer: “Auld Lang Syne”

62. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas first originated as a ballad in this Judy Garland movie...
Answer: “Meet Me In St. Louis”

63. Which Hollywood movie did the classic, ‘White Christmas’, first appear in?
Answer: Holiday Inn

64. What song does Bing Crosby famously sing in the film White Christmas?
Answer: "White Christmas"

1980s–2000s Soundtracks & Modern Classics

By the time we hit the ’80s and 2000s, Christmas soundtracks were mixing everything from orchestral scores to pop hits and rock anthems. That’s how you end up with Die Hard whistling Beethoven, Elf leaning on “Sleigh Ride” and Love Actually turning “All You Need Is Love” into a full wedding surprise.

65. In the animated (and live action) film How the Grinch Stole Christmas, what is the name of the song sung by the Whos at the end?
Answer: "Welcome, Christmas" (extra points for "Fah Who Foraze, Dah Who Doraze")

66. In 2015, _______ was named as the most common Christmas song that appeared in films...
Answer: “Jingle Bells” (extra points for stating it appeared in 373 movies)

67. Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride features twice in this classic Christmas film.
Answer: Elf

The Nightmare Before Christmas

The movie that keeps the “Halloween or Christmas?” debate alive (via Amazon)

68. What popular Christmas song is featured when Harry and Marv scout out the McCallister home?
Answer: "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"

69. Which Beethoven symphony does Alan Rickman’s character whistle in Die Hard?
Answer: “Symphony no. 9”

70. What melody by George Frideric Handel features in the 1994 film, Miracle on 34th Street?
Answer: “Joy to the World”

71. In The Muppet Christmas Carol, what song does Kermit the Frog sing to celebrate Christmas?
Answer: "One More Sleep 'Til Christmas"

72. In Home Alone's famous after-shave scene, what classic Christmas song does Kevin mime in the bathroom?
Answer: "White Christmas" (extra points if the band name is mentioned — The Drifters)

73. In the film Mean Girls, what famous Christmas song do "The Plastics" dance to during the Winter Talent Show?
Answer: "Jingle Bell Rock"

Love Actually
The holiday ensemble film quoted at Christmas parties everywhere (via Amazon)

74. What song do Hugh Grant and his on-screen bodyguard sing when posing as carolers in Love Actually?
Answer: “Good King Wenceslas”

75. In The Polar Express, which song do the children sing during their journey to the North Pole?
Answer: "When Christmas Comes to Town"

76. What pop song is featured in the film Love Actually during the marriage scene?
Answer: "All You Need Is Love" (extra points for mentioning The Beatles)

77. In the movie The Nightmare Before Christmas, what song does Jack Skellington sing when he discovers Christmas Town?
Answer: "What's This?"

What’s an unusual fact about Christmas? It’s one of the few times of year when everyone slows down long enough to really connect. That’s what makes it such a good moment for playful traditions — whether it’s working through these Christmas movie trivia questions, designing mischevious Elf on the Shelf ideas or swapping a few funny Christmas riddles with friends and family. It’s simple, lighthearted fun that brings everyone a little closer.

For even more fun Christmas inspiration, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!