Christmas movies bring joy and magic to the holiday season, and the homes featured in these films play a big role in creating that warm, festive feeling. From cozy cottages nestled in snowy landscapes to grand suburban houses lit up with thousands of twinkling lights, each one sets the stage for heartwarming stories and unforgettable moments. These homes aren’t just beautiful—they help us feel the spirit of the holidays and remind us of the joy of being with family and friends. Whether simple or extravagant, they inspire us to add a little extra magic to our own homes. In this list, we’ll explore 12 iconic houses from beloved Christmas movies, each with its own unique charm and holiday cheer.
1. The McCallister House – Home Alone
A big, red-brick house that’s perfect for Christmas, especially when it’s covered in snow. It’s cozy and full of holiday decorations, making it feel warm and inviting.
- Fun Fact: The McCallister House was originally built in 1920 and is located in Winnetka, Illinois. Despite being featured in Home Alone, the house’s interior was filmed on a set, while the exterior shots were done at the real home!
2. The Griswold House – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
This house is all about fun! It’s famous for being covered in thousands of bright Christmas lights.
- Fun Fact: The Griswold House’s famous Christmas light display in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation used over 25,000 lights, and it took 40 people two weeks to set up! The house is located in a suburban area of Illinois, and it’s been a popular holiday landmark ever since the movie’s release.
3. George Bailey’s Home – It’s a Wonderful Life
A simple, warm home that’s perfect for a family Christmas. It feels like a place where love and happiness live.
- Fun Fact: George Bailey’s home in It’s a Wonderful Life was actually built on a movie set in California. The house, which looks like it’s in a small town, was designed to represent the ideal American family home during the 1940s, making it one of the most recognizable and beloved film homes of all time.
4. Iris’s Cottage – The Holiday
This little English cottage looks like something from a fairytale. It’s small, cute, and surrounded by snow.
- Fun Fact: While Iris’s charming cottage in The Holiday looks like it’s nestled in the English countryside, it was actually built as a set in California! The picturesque exterior and cozy interiors were created to capture the magical, fairytale-like feel of a rural British cottage.
5. Amanda’s L.A. Mansion – The Holiday
A huge, modern home with big windows and lots of space. It’s sleek and stylish, but still feels festive.
- Fun Fact: Amanda’s sleek and modern mansion in The Holiday is a real home located in Brentwood, Los Angeles. The home’s glass walls and open layout were perfect for showing off California’s sunny holiday vibes, offering a striking contrast to Iris’s cozy cottage in England.
6. The Parker Home – A Christmas Story
A simple house that feels warm and welcoming. It’s decorated just right for a classic Christmas.
- Fun Feature: The Parker Home, located in Cleveland, Ohio, is now a museum dedicated to A Christmas Story. Fans can visit the house, which has been restored to look exactly like it did in the movie, complete with the iconic leg lamp in the front window!
7. The Peltzer House – Gremlins
A cozy home in a quiet neighborhood, decorated for the holidays.
- Fun Fact: The Peltzer House was filmed on the same Universal Studios backlot as the town square in Back to the Future. The snowy, festive setting was created using artificial snow, giving the town a classic Christmas look despite being filmed in sunny California!
8. Kevin’s Uncle’s Townhouse – Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
A fancy brownstone in New York City, full of Christmas spirit.
- Fun Fact: The exterior of the townhouse is a real building located on 95th Street in Manhattan’s Upper West Side. However, the lavish interior scenes were filmed on a soundstage. The property’s luxurious look helped highlight the upscale New York setting in the movie.
9 The Walker Home – The Family Stone
A big family house that feels warm and welcoming. It’s the perfect place for a holiday gathering.
- Design Style: Traditional and homey.
- Fun Fact: The Walker Home is a real house located in Madison, New Jersey. Its warm, lived-in feel was created by the set designers, who filled it with personal touches and holiday decorations to reflect the family’s love and history. The cozy, cluttered look helped make the house feel like a true family gathering spot.
10. Buddy’s Dad’s Apartment – Elf
A sleek apartment in New York City, made festive with holiday decorations.
- Location: Right by Central Park!
- Fun Fact: Buddy’s dad’s apartment is located in the prestigious Central Park West area of Manhattan. While the exterior shots are real, the interior was a set built to reflect a cold, minimalist style that contrasts with Buddy’s colorful, festive decorations. The transformation of the space mirrors the heartwarming changes in the story!
11. The Buehler House – Deck the Halls
A house that turns into a Christmas light extravaganza!
- Fun Fact: The Buehler House in Deck the Halls features an over-the-top Christmas light display that was so elaborate, the film had to use LED lights instead of traditional bulbs. Despite Buddy Hall’s (Danny DeVito) goal to make the display visible from space, it wouldn’t actually be possible due to light pollution. Interestingly, this festive rivalry-filled comedy was filmed in various locations around Vancouver, Canada, although it’s set in a fictional U.S. town.
12. Harper Family Home – Happiest Season (2020)
The house featured in Happiest Season (2020), which served as the Harper family home, is located in West Vancouver, Canada. This picturesque residence plays a central role in the movie, providing a cozy and festive backdrop to the story.
The house is a classic, suburban-style home with elegant yet understated architecture. It features warm holiday decor throughout, which enhances its welcoming atmosphere. The interior is designed with traditional elements, including wood-paneled walls, a spacious living room with a fireplace, and a large dining area—perfect for family gatherings depicted in the film.
- Fun Fact: The house was extensively decorated for the holidays during filming, with garlands, twinkling lights, and wreaths adorning its exterior and interior. The decorations added so much charm that fans have praised it as the quintessential “Christmas movie house.
