As 2025 quickly draws to a close and Christmastime approaches, there’s nothing quite like slipping into a pair of warm pajamas, heating up a glass of hot chocolate, and sinking into the couch to watch your favorite Christmas movies over the winter holiday period. Going all the way back to black and white classics like Miracle on 34th Street and It’s a Wonderful Life, Christmas movies are responsible for some of the most iconic quotes of all time.
Here we’re taking a look back at our yuletide favorites and choosing the best quotes to get you in the festive spirit, from heart-warming messages of hope to hilarious festive quips.
18
“If this is their idea of Christmas, I gotta be here for New Year’s…” — Argyle
‘Die Hard’ (1988)
While there will, no doubt, be those who refuse to accept that Die Hard is a Christmas movie — the constant Christmas iconography throughout and the official confirmation on the matter from director John McTiernan and screenwriter Steven E. de Souza, who have both stated that Die Hard is unquestionably a Christmas movie – is enough evidence for us to include the legendary action movie on this list.
One of the best quotes from Die Hard is actually the film’s final line. “If this is their idea of Christmas, I gotta be here for New Year’s” is delivered by limo driver Argyle after he arrives amid the chaos at Nakatomi Plaza to whisk McClane and Holly away. It’s a humorous throwaway comment on the chaos caused by the hostage situation and the ensuing shootout, and a nice reminder of the film’s Christmas theme.
17
“Two? Make it three. I’m not driving.” — Kevin McCallister
‘Home Alone 2: Lost in New York’ (1992)
While many argue it is not as good as the iconic original, Home Alone 2 has become a certified Christmas classic in its own right. Once again alone at Christmastime and forgotten by his family, this time around, Kevin McCallister has used his father’s credit card to book himself a stay at a luxurious New York hotel.
Taking full advantage of said credit card, Kevin indulges in copious amounts of ice cream. The quote is made all the more funny because Kevin uses a grown-up excuse (“I’m not driving”) to justify something completely childish—getting extra ice cream— continuing the franchise’s running joke of him confidently acting like an adult in ways that are adorably out of place.
16
“This fog’s as thick as peanut butter!”
‘Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer’ (1964) — Yukon Cornelius
Based on the famous song, which itself is based on a poem, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is the first and most beloved of all the Rankin/Bass stop-motion Christmas specials. It follows the story of the much-maligned titular Reindeer who faces scrutiny for his bright red nose. He is able to prove himself, though, when his glowing nose is able to guide Santa and the other reindeer through a snowstorm, saving Christmas as a result.
In an exchange that perfectly captures the film’s light-hearted whimsy, Yukon Cornelius says, “This fog’s as thick as peanut butter!” to which Hermey the Elf replies, “You mean pea soup.” Cornelius then dismisses Hermey’s correction by saying, “You eat what you like, and I’ll eat what I like!”
15
“I think one of them is Sneezy and there’s a Dopey…” — Willie Soke
‘Bad Santa’ (2003)
Bad Santa is not your typical Christmas movie and is certainly not for kids. Rude, crude, and full of outrageous antics, the “unrated” version of the edgy comedy drops 170 F-bombs – a record for a Christmas movie.
In one of the slightly more “safe for work” moments, Billy Bob Thornton’s Bad Santa character is trying to convince Thurman Merman he is the real Father Christmas, but when asked about the names of his elves, he hilariously begins to try to name the dwarves from Snow White, demonstrating his utter incompetence in the role.
14
“Nobody’s walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas.” — Clark Griswold
‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’ (1989)
The definitive chaotic-family Yuletide comedy, Christmas Vacation, laid the blueprints for the genre and influenced countless movies in its wake. “Nobody’s walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas.” Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, says as he tries to hold his family together during a disastrous holiday gathering – attempting to convince himself, just as much as his frustrated family, that his statement is true.
13
“It might be that the people I love is, in fact… you.” — Billy Mack
‘Love Actually’ (2003)
This 2003 Christmas rom-com from director Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Bridget Jones’s Diary) boasts one of the greatest ensemble casts ever assembled, including Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Colin Firth, and Liam Neeson. Featuring several interlinking storylines, Love Actually has become a Christmas staple for many, thanks to its sharp wit and emotional plotlines.
Bill Nighy’s aging rock star character is a firm fan favorite. Despite being invited to the country’s top celebrity Christmas party following the success of his Christmas single, he decides, ultimately, to spend his time with his long-suffering manager, stating: “I realized that Christmas is… is the time to be with the people you love… much as it grieves me to say it, it… it might be that the people I love is, in fact… you.” Awww.
12
“I think he’s actually kinda… sweet.” — Cindy Lou
‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ (2000)
Jim Carrey’s transformative portrayal of the Grinch has gone down in history as one of the most memorable Christmas movie performances. The character is mean-spirited, grumpy, and definitely not a fan of Christmas.
Young Cindy Lou, however, sees past the Grinch’s hard exterior after he reluctantly saves her from being crushed by a parcel stamp. Believing there’s more than meets the eye, she makes it her mission to inject the Grinch with festive cheer and encourage the townspeople to give him a chance, saying: “Don’t forget the Grinch. I know he’s mean and hairy and smelly. His hands might be cold and clammy, but I think he’s actually kinda… sweet!”
11
“It’s Turbo Time!” — Howard Langston
‘Jingle All the Way’ (1996)
During the ‘80s and ‘90s, Arnold Schwarzenegger reigned supreme as the era’s biggest action hero. Starring in a slew of blockbuster hits and iconic flicks including The Terminator, Commando, Predator, Total Recall, and True Lies. By the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, he had also started trying his hand in more comedic movies like Twins, Junior, and Kindergarten Cop. 1996 saw the megastar, once again, flexing his comedic chops in the family Christmas comedy Jingle All the Way.
“It’s Turbo Time!” is the signature line of the Turbo-Man toy that the film’s characters are all desperately trying to buy for their kids, and is uttered by Arnie, himself, when he finds himself dressed as the sought-after toy in the Christmas parade.
10
“One might say that December is the foreclosure season.” — Ebenezer Scrooge
‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’ (1992)
Perhaps the most beloved retelling of this Christmas classic features Jim Henson‘s cast of lovable Muppets. Originally released in 1992, The Muppet Christmas Carol sees Sir Michael Caine take on the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, as he is visited by a variety of puppet ghosts. Elsewhere, we see Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit and Fozzie Bear as “Fozziwig” with narration from The Great Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat.
Spoken by a sour-faced Ebenezer Scrooge to his bookkeeper, Mr. Cratchit, “One might say that December is the foreclosure season,” is used to justify his miserly behavior by explaining that he sees December as a time when he can profit from other people’s financial hardship, as they spend money on holiday festivities and fall behind on their mortgages, demonstrating just how uncompassionate Scrooge is at the start of the movie.
9
“It’s the one night of the year when we all act a little nicer, we smile a little easier, we cheer a little more.” — Frank Cross
‘Scrooged’ (1988)
Since joining the cast of Saturday Night Live in the late ’70s, Bill Murray has cemented himself as one of the world’s most beloved comedy actors, known for his distinctive blend of deadpan delivery, dry wit, and sarcastic charm. It makes perfect sense, then, that he would be cast as the cynical Scrooge in a contemporary comedy adaptation of the classic Dickens story A Christmas Carol.
Reveling in his trademark sardonic cynicism, his sarcastic and caustic delivery proves perfect for the role, capturing the essence of the ’80s greed and commercialism associated with the film’s modern setting. At the very end, following his experiences with the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, he finally learns to embrace the Christmas spirit and delivers a heartfelt speech filled with warmth and generosity, acting as his redemption moment.
