Two Holiday Classics Are Topping Charts, Rivaling Mariah Carey's Reign
Every holiday season, certain songs and movies dominate the charts. This year is no different, as a beloved pop icon finds herself facing unexpected competition from a pair of timeless family films. Discover which cinematic duo is making a huge comeback on streaming platforms, proving their lasting appeal.
The holiday season consistently brings certain entertainment mainstays back into the spotlight. This year, a familiar rivalry is playing out on streaming services. The iconic Home Alone movies, starring Macaulay Culkin, have once again surged in popularity, landing in the top ten on Disney+ as of December 4, 2025. The beloved films are currently holding the #8 and #9 spots on the platform's movie charts.
While the classic films are climbing the charts, Mariah Carey continues her annual financial success. Her legendary holiday anthem, All I Want For Christmas Is You, recently achieved a major milestone, surpassing two billion streams on Spotify.
A Holiday Anthem's Enduring Power
Released in 1994, the festive track generates an estimated $2.5 to $3 million in royalties each year. Since it first hit the airwaves over thirty years ago, the song has reportedly earned more than $100 million in total royalties.
The track consistently dominates music charts worldwide every year. It holds the record as the highest-charting holiday single by a solo artist on the Billboard U.S. Hot 100, a testament to its incredible staying power.
In 2021, the anthem made history by becoming the first and only holiday song to receive the RIAA’s prestigious Diamond Award. Reflecting on its success, Mariah Carey shared her feelings:
It blows my mind that ‘All I Want For Christmas is You’ has endured different eras of the music industry. [It] never ceases to amaze me and fill my heart with a multitude of emotions.
Families across the globe make the song a part of their holiday traditions, often enjoying it alongside the classic family movies.
A Timeless Cinematic Tradition
The Home Alone films are expected to continue their ascent up the streaming charts as the season progresses. Both the 1990 original and its 1992 sequel, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, were directed by Chris Columbus and penned by the legendary John Hughes. The films follow the misadventures of Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin, as he outsmarts burglars Harry and Marv.
In the first movie set in his Chicago home, Kevin defends his house from the "Wet Bandits." The sequel takes the action to New York City, where he foils the newly dubbed "Sticky Bandits" at a toy store. Despite their similar premises, the films have different critical receptions, with the original holding higher ratings on both IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes.
Much like Carey's holiday hit, the Home Alone franchise has proven its relevance more than three decades after its debut, solidifying its place as a perennial favorite. Both Home Alone and Home Alone 2 are currently available for streaming on Disney+ in the United States.