From jolliest Santa Claus to the sweetest snowman, these are the cream of the Christmas crop.
Who is the absolute jolliest Santa?
What is the all-time saddest Christmas ballad?
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And who across the entire yuletide cinematic tradition has the most wonderful life?
Read on for the honorees in our Christmas superlatives.
This story was originally published Dec. 21, 2018, and most recently updated Dec. 15, 2021.
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There’s just no way around it.
MERRIEST ELF: Buddy the Elf,Elf(2003)
Obviously.
RUNNER-UP: Sorry, Olaf.
Peter Mountain/Universal Studios
SHINIEST-NOSED REINDEER: Zero,The Nightmare Before Christmas(1993)
Take that, Rudolph!
Jack’s ghostly stand-in for the red-nosed icon gets extra points for all-over glow.
SISTERLIEST CHRISTMAS:Little Women(1994)
If only every December could be thisMarch!
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RUNNER UP: Ladies and gentlemen,the Haynes Sisters!
DRUNKEST GRINCH: Billy Bob Thornton inBad Santa(2003)
It’s not calledGood Santa.
But when Stewart’s Abby meetsAubrey Plaza’s Riley?
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That’s when the real sparks fly.
BEST CHRISTMAS SWAP:The Princess Switch(2018)
StealingThe Holiday’s crown!
FROZENEST POLE:A Christmas Story(1983)
We triple-dog dare you to challenge this winner.
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Sarah Shatz/Columbia Pictures
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Tim Allen to reprise ‘Santa Clause’ role in Disney+ limited series.Everett Collection
Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf in ‘Elf’.Everett Collection
‘Frosty the Snowman’.Everett Collection
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Margaret O’Brien and Judy Garland in ‘Meet Me in St. Louis’.MGM
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Lacey Terrell/Hulu
Netflix
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Peter Sorel/Fox
