--- ---  # These Are the Holiday-Themed Specials and Shows Americans Love the Most by [Mahita Gajanan](https://time.com/author/mahita-gajanan/) ## Mahita Gajanan Gajanan is an editor at TIME. Dec 21, 2017 4:18 PM UTC  A scene from the film 'Gremlins', 1984. A scene from the film 'Gremlins', 1984.Archive Photos—Getty Images by [Mahita Gajanan](https://time.com/author/mahita-gajanan/) ## Mahita Gajanan Gajanan is an editor at TIME. Dec 21, 2017 4:18 PM UTC The lazy days of the [holiday season](http://motto.time.com/4576297/avoid-holiday-weight-gain/?xid=homepage) provide ample opportunity for screen time — and many beloved [TV shows](http://time.com/5037916/top-10-tv-shows-2017/) love to lean into the Christmas cheer. From [_Saturday Night Live_‘s](http://time.com/5068769/scarlett-johansson-snl-ivanka-trump/) holiday-themed sketches to _The Office’_s nearly-annual Christmas party to all those [Christmas movie](http://time.com/5047224/best-christmas-movies/) favorites playing nonstop for the month of December, options are nearly unlimited — and allegiances strong. This year, [Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com) conducted a survey of more than 1,600 movie and TV fans to determine the most popular specials, sketches, episodes and films dedicated to grinches, eggnog and awkward office Christmas parties. See below for the holiday-themed fare viewers love the most. ## Favorite holiday special _How the Grinch Stole Christmas_ and _A Charlie Brown Christmas_ are the two most popular holiday specials, according to Rotten Tomatoes. The survey found that women and millennials favored the Grinch, while men and non-millennials felt that special connection to Peanuts. ## Holiday-themed sitcom episode _The Office_‘s [“Christmas Party” episode](http://ew.com/tv/2017/12/13/the-office-christmas-party-episode-interview/) from the sitcom’s second season was the top choice among respondents, while the _Friends_ episode “[The One With the Holiday Armadillo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VH-6u-3qglY)” came in a close second. ## Holiday-themed one-hour drama episode The overall favorite went to _The X-Files_‘ “How the Ghosts Stole Christmas,” with _Downton Abbey_‘s “Christmas at Downton Abbey” coming in second. According to Rotten Tomatoes, millennials and women were more likely to vote for _Downton Abbey_ when compared with _The X-Files_. ## Favorite _Saturday Night Live_ holiday sketch The Lonely Island’s “[Dick in a Box](http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/snl-digital-short-d-in-a-box/3505985?snl=1),” a 2006 digital short starring Andy Samberg and Justin Timberlake, ranks as the top favorite, followed by 1998’s “[Schweddy Balls](http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/nprs-delicious-dish-schweddy-balls/3505994?snl=1),” featuring Alec Baldwin as a guest of Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon’s timid (but slightly naughty) NPR hosts. ## Holiday-themed teen drama episode When it comes to teen dramas, survey respondents tended to prefer their holiday themes in fantasy shows. The _Buffy the Vampire Slayer_ episode “Amends” was the overall favorite, with _Supernatural_‘s “A Very Supernatural Christmas” coming in second place. ## Favorite holiday movie to watch on TV _Elf_ is the reigning answer here — among millennials. People 35 and older said they preferred the 1946 Frank Capra classic _It’s a Wonderful Life_. ## Favorite holiday horror movie _The Nightmare Before Christmas_ is the top holiday horror movie choice among millennials — though many might argue it’s more charming than scary. Older respondents were partial to Gizmo in a Santa hat, opting for _Gremlins_. 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