Nothing says Christmas like cozying up on the couch to watch classic holiday films. Many of these beloved movies feature iconic houses that become just as memorable as the characters themselves. Let’s explore the top 10 famous Christmas movie houses and uncover a few fun facts about each of them.
1. Home Alone (1990) – Winnetka, Illinois
The McCallister house is perhaps the most famous Christmas movie home of all time. This stately Georgian-style mansion became a character in its own right as young Kevin defended it from the Wet Bandits.
Fun Facts: The house is located at 671 Lincoln Avenue in Winnetka, Illinois. In 2012, it was sold for $1.585 million. The scenes inside the house were a mix of on-location and sets built in a local gymnasium.
2. A Christmas Story (1983) – Cleveland, Ohio
Ralphie Parker’s humble Indiana home is the setting for much of this nostalgic film, including the famous leg lamp scene.
Fun Facts: The house, located at 3159 W. 11th Street in Cleveland, has been turned into a museum dedicated to the movie. You can even stay overnight there!
3. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) – Seneca Falls, New York (Inspiration)
While Bedford Falls is fictional, the house where George and Mary Bailey raise their family is unforgettable with its drafty charm.
Fun Facts: Seneca Falls, New York, claims to have inspired Bedford Falls. The house itself was a Hollywood set, but the design mirrors homes typical of the 1920s.
4. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) – Los Angeles, California
The Griswold house is the epitome of over-the-top holiday decorations and family chaos.
Fun Facts: The house is located on Blondie Street in Burbank, California, within the Warner Bros. Ranch facility. This set has been utilized in numerous films and television shows. Notable appearances include: "Hocus Pocus" (1993): The house appears in a scene shot directly in front of it. "Small Soldiers" (1998): The house is featured in this film. "American Beauty" (1999): The house is used in this film. "WandaVision" (2021): The house appears in this Marvel series. Additionally, other houses on Blondie Street have been used in various productions, such as "Lethal Weapon".
5. Funny Farm (1988) – Townshend, Vermont
This charming farmhouse becomes a picturesque holiday scene during the film’s memorable Christmas segment.
Fun Facts: The house is a private residence in Vermont. The holiday decorations were part of a reshoot after the movie’s initial release.
6. Miracle on 34th Street (1947) – Port Washington, New York
Susan’s dream house is revealed at the end of the film, symbolizing the ultimate Christmas wish come true.
Fun Facts: The house, located at 24 Derby Road in Port Washington, is still a private residence and looks very similar to how it did in the film.
7. The Family Stone (2005) – Madison, New Jersey
The Stone family’s sprawling colonial home is the setting for this heartwarming and chaotic family gathering.
Fun Facts: The house is a private residence in Madison, New Jersey, and its cozy interior was meticulously recreated on sound stages for filming.
8. The Holiday (2006) – Surrey, England, and Los Angeles, California
This movie features two iconic houses: Iris’s quaint English cottage and Amanda’s sprawling LA mansion.
Fun Facts: The cottage, “Rosehill Cottage,” wasn’t real; it was a set built just for the movie. Amanda’s home, however, is a real house located in San Marino, California.
9. Christmas in Connecticut (1945) – Warner Bros. Ranch, California
Elizabeth Lane’s cozy Connecticut farmhouse is the heart of this romantic holiday tale.
Fun Facts: The house was a set built on the Warner Bros. Ranch lot and has appeared in other productions, including Bewitched.
10. White Christmas (1954) – Columbia Inn, Vermont (Fictional)
The Columbia Inn serves as the snowy backdrop for much of this beloved holiday classic.
Fun Facts: While the inn was a Hollywood set, it was inspired by quaint New England lodges. Fans often visit similar inns in Vermont to relive the magic.
These Christmas movie houses hold a special place in our hearts, serving as the backdrop for stories that define the holiday season. Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
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