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13 mind-blowing Christmas movie facts

It’s that time of year again.

The time of year where chocolate becomes a viable breakfast option and alcohol becomes part of your daily routine.

It’s also the only time of year it’s OK to listen to Slade un-ironically, but most excitingly, it’s the time of year we get to revisit our favourite festive films for the millionth time.

Here to help you watch your favourite Christmas films in a whole new light is some of our favourite festive film trivia…

Home Alone

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There’s a popular theory online that Elvis Presley – who died in 1977 – appears as an extra in ‘Home Alone’ that came out in 1990. He’s apparently the bearded guy stood behind Kevin’s mother while she berates the airline staff. What do you think?

Elf

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The 12-second belch in ‘Elf’ is real and was performed by voice actor Maurice LaMarche. Will Ferrell lip-synced to the recording for the final film.

The Polar Express

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Above: Hanks playing three roles at once 

Tom Hanks plays SIX different roles in ‘The Polar Express’ through the magic of performance capture – Hero Boy, Hero Boy’s father, the Conductor, the Hobo, Santa Claus, and the Narrator.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

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Tim Burton didn’t direct ‘Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas', Henry Selick did. It's a common misconception as the film is based on a poem by Burton and he helped produce the animated film.

Gremlins

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‘Gremlins’ and ‘Ghostbusters’ were released on the same day in the UK – 7 December 1984. What a time to be alive!

The Grinch

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Jim Carrey’s makeup in ‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas’ was so uncomfortable the actor was taught torture resistance techniques by a Navy SEAL to prepare.

Scrooged

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Early posters for ‘Scrooged’ featured the tagline “Bill Murray is back amongst the ghosts. Only this time, there’s no-one to call” in reference to his earlier hit ‘Ghostsbusters’.

Bad Santa

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‘Bad Santa’ holds the record for the most profanities in a Christmas film with the unrated version using the f-word 170 times.

The Snowman

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Despite what you think, Aled Jones didn’t actually sing ‘Walking In The Air’ in ‘The Snowman’, Peter Auty did. Aled Jones’ version, which was recorded for a toy store advert, was actually released three years after the film.

It’s a Wonderful Life

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‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ was a flop at the box office when it was first released in 1946. When the copyright expired on the film in 1975 it was played in heavy rotation on a number of TV stations and became recognised as a true classic.

Home Alone 2

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Macaulay Culkin was reportedly paid $4.5m for ‘Home Alone 2: Lost In New York’ making him one of the highest-paid child stars ever. The first two 'Home Alone' films are the two highest-grossing Christmas films ever.

Die Hard

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20th Century Fox was contractually obligated to offer the role of John McLaine in ‘Die Hard’ to Frank Sinatra as the film is based on the book ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’, which itself was a sequel to a book which had already been adapted into ‘The Detective’ starring Sinatra. He turned it down because he was 73.

Christmas Vacation

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The house next door to the Griswolds in ‘Christmas Vacation’ is the same house that Murtagh lives in in ‘Lethal Weapon’. The whole street is part of the Warner Brothers Studios back lot.

Read more:
What Really Happened To Macaulay Culkin’s Career?
What Happened To The Kids From Home Alone?

Image credits: Warner Bros/New Line/IMDB/FilmDates.co.uk/Universal/Paramount/Fox