131 Christmas movie trivia questions to test your holiday IQ

It's the season of holiday movies, and whatever your annual Christmas traditions are, chances are pretty good that watching at least one or two of the classics is mandatory.

Whether it's "Elf," "A Charlie Brown Christmas" or "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," we're guessing you've got a personal favorite.

If so, how well do you know it? Well enough to quote movie lines or spout Christmas movie trivia like it's second nature? If that's the case, we're here to challenge your holiday film IQ with a comprehensive list of trivia questions and answers guaranteed to put your knowledge to the test. Even if you think you've got "Jeopardy"-grade skills, we promise, this Q & A will give you a run for your money.

Not all questions are impossible, of course, there are a few easy ones mixed in with the more challenging queries. And, if nothing more, you're sure to walk away knowing more about these classic Christmas movies than you did before you started.

See below to find out details on the season's most time-honored films including "A Christmas Story," "Home Alone," "It's a Wonderful Life," "Miracle on 34th Street" and, naturally, the aforementioned favorites, "Elf," "Christmas Vacation," "A Charlie Brown Christmas," "White Christmas" and more.

So, put on your thinking cap on (and while you're at it, your Christmas stockings too) and prepare to learn all about the movies that make the holiday season magical. And by the time you're through, even Santa will be impressed with your Christmas movie trivia skills.

Let's begin.

‘Elf’ (2003)

• Question: What is Buddy the Elf's favorite color? Answer: Purple
• Question: What Rankin/Bass stop-motion classic movie is the aesthetic for “Elf” based on? Answer: “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
• Question: Which character in “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” is Buddy the Elf’s green costume modeled after? Answer: Hermey, the elf
• Question: How much was the film budget for the movie? Answer: $33 million
• Question: How much money did the movie “Elf” gross at the box office? Answer: Approximately $220 million worldwide
• Question: Prior to “Elf,” director Jon Favreau had only directed one feature film. What was it? Answer: “Made,” a movie about organized crime
• Question: Who was originally suggested to play Buddy the Elf’s father (James Caan)? Answer: Garry Shandling
• Question: Who was originally suggested to play the role of Jovie (Zooey Deschanel)? Answer: Katie Holmes.
• Question: Who was originally cast as Gimbel’s grumpy manager (Faizon Love)? Answer: Wanda Sykes. If you look closely, Love wears a name tag that says “Wanda” in the movie.
• Question: What notable scene in “Elf” wasn’t scripted? Answer: When Buddy the Elf (Will Ferrell) taps a man wearing a red sweatsuit along a New York City street and asks if he’s Santa Claus.
• Question: What did James Caan jokingly request to be called on the set of the movie? Answer: “Jimmy the Dream”
• Question: Where was the iconic scene at the end of “Elf” where cast members sing “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” filmed? Answer: Sixth Avenue and Central Park South in New York City
• Question: In what chilly location were the North Pole scenes filmed? Answer: The PNE Agrodome, an ice rink in Vancouver, British Columbia
• Question: Where were a majority of the interior shots of “Elf” filmed, including the Hobb’s apartment, the orphanage, and Greenway Press? Answer: Riverview Hospital, a shuttered mental institution in British Columbia
• Question: What are Buddy the Elf’s four food groups? Answer: Candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup
• Question: What song do Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel sing in the bathroom? Answer: “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”
• Question: Who plays famous children’s book author Miles Finch? Answer: Peter Dinklage
• Question: Peter Dinklage went on to win four Emmys for what television role? Answer: Tyrion Lannister in the HBO drama “Game of Thrones”

‘Home Alone’ (1990)

• Question: Where is the McCallister family traveling to for Christmas? Answer: Paris, France
• Question: What are the names of the two men who plan to rob the McCallister house? Answer: Harry and Marv
• Question: Who wrote “Home Alone”? Answer: John Hughes
• Question: What other popular movies did John Hughes write? Answer: “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” “The Breakfast Club,” “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” among others.
• Question: What other popular Christmas movie did John Hughes also write? Answer: “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” 
• Question: What is Kevin’s older brother’s name? Answer: Buzz.
• Question: What is the name of Gus Polinksi’s (John Candy) polka band? Answer: The Kenosha Kickers
• Question: What’s the name of the Kenosha Kickers big “hit”? Answer: “Polka, Polka, Polka”
• Question: What are other “hit” songs by the Kenosha Kickers? Answer: “The Twin Lakes Polka,” “Yamahoozie Polka” and “Polka Twist”
• Question: What causes the McCallister’s to lose power? Answer: A tree branch falls on a wire
• Question: “Home Alone” was filmed at an abandoned school in which city and state? Answer: The interior scenes were filmed at New Trier Township High School in Winnetka, Illinois.
• Question: What other John Hughes movies were filmed at New Trier Township High School? Answer: “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “Uncle Buck”
• Question: What was the initial budget for “Home Alone”? Answer: $10 million
• Question: True or False — Warner Bros. produced “Home Alone.” Answer: False. Warner Bros. agreed to make the movie, then pulled the plug after it went over-budget.
• Question: Which studio ultimately made “Home Alone”? Answer: 20th Century Fox
• Question: What notable actors were considered to play the role of Harry (Joe Pesci)? Answer: Jon Lovitz and Robert De Niro
• Question: Which actor quit the movie over a salary dispute? Answer: Daniel Stern. Dan Roebuck took over the role before Stern eventually returned.
• Question: What is interesting about the “Home Alone” set? Answer: The primary colors of the McCallister house are all red and green.
• Question: How much did John Candy make for his appearance in “Home Alone”? Answer: $414
• Question: Which movie critics gave “Home Alone” a negative review after its release? Answer: Siskel & Ebert, with Gene Siskel calling it a “dopey new comedy.”
• Question: Who wrote the music score for “Home Alone”? Answer: Composer John Williams
• Question: What other notable films has John Williams composed music for? Answer: “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Star Wars,” “Jaws,” “Jurassic Park” and “Harry Potter,” among others.
• Question: How much money did “Home Alone” make on its opening weekend? Answer: $17 million

‘A Christmas Story’ (1983)

• Question: What does Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) want for Christmas? Answer: A Red Ryder BB gun
• Question: What novel is “A Christmas Story” based on? Answer: “In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash” by Jean Shepherd
• Question: When was “In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash” published? Answer: In January of 1966
• Question: What iconic item in the Parker home does Ralphie Parker’s father (Darren McGavin) win in a contest? Answer: A leg lamp
• Question: What real-life logo inspired “A Christmas Story’s” leg lamp? Answer: The logo for the beverage company Nehi
• Question: What happened to the Parker’s turkey on Christmas Day? Answer: The “Bumpas Hounds” destroy it.
• Question: What do the Parkers eat for Christmas dinner? Answer: Peking Duck at a local restaurant
• Question: Who bullies Ralphie Parker? Answer: Scut Farkus (Zack Ward)
• Question: Who gives Ralphie Parker the rabbit pajamas for Christmas? Answer: Aunt Clara
• Question: What became of the Cleveland, Ohio home used to film the exterior shots of “A Christmas Story”? Answer: It was converted into a tourist attraction, and is open for tours and overnight stays.
• Question: What state did “A Christmas Story” take place in? Answer: Indiana
• Question: Who was initially offered the role of Ralphie’s father (Darren McGavin) in the film? Answer: Jack Nicholson
• Question: What happened to the leg lamp after filming was complete? Answer: There were three lamps used in the movie and, according to the A Christmas Story: House & Museum, all three were broken on set.
• Question: Which cable network airs an annual 24-hour marathon of “A Christmas Story” beginning on Christmas Eve? Answer: TBS
• Question: What popular television show was inspired by “A Christmas Story”? Answer: “The Wonder Years”
• Question: Which actor from “A Christmas Story” appeared on “The Wonder Years”? Answer: Peter Billingsley (Ralphie Parker). Billingsley played Micky Spiegel in two episodes of the show in 1993.
• Question: Which 2008 Marvel movie did Peter Billingsley executive produce and play the role of William Ginter Riva in? Answer: “Iron Man”
• Question: Which Marvel movie did Peter Billingsley reprise his role of William Ginter Riva in? Answer: “Spider-Man: Far from Home”
• Question: What Christmas movie did Peter Billingsley executive produce? Answer: “Four Christmases” starring Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn

‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’ (1989)

• Question: What is Clark Griswold's (Chevy Chase) nickname? Answer: Sparky
• Question: What are the names of the two Griswold children? Answer: Audrey and Rusty
• Question: What unscripted moment in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” led to actor Chevy Chase breaking his finger? Answer: When the Christmas lights don’t work and Chase punches the plastic Santa in the yard.
• Question: What’s special about the shoes Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) wears while talking with Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) in the Griswold living room? Answer: They’re the same shoes Cousin Eddie gives Clark in the original “National Lampoon’s Vacation.”
• Question: What’s notable about the moose cups Clark and Cousin Eddie drink eggnog from? Answer: They are Wally World drink glasses from the original “Vacation.”
• Question: What is the origin of “Christmas Vacation” story? Answer: A short story penned by “Christmas Vacation” writer, John Hughes, which appeared in a 1980 issue of “National Lampoon Magazine” entitled “Christmas ’59.”
• Question: What comedy sketch TV show launched Chevy Chase’s career? Answer: Saturday Night Live
• Question: What other notable movies does Chevy Chase appear in? Answer: “Fletch,” “Caddyshack” and the “Three Amigos”
• Question: “Chevy” is a nickname given to Chase by his grandmother. What’s the actor’s real name? Answer: Cornelius
• Question: Who plays Rusty, Clark Griswold’s son in “Christmas Vacation”? Answer: Johnny Galecki
• Question: What hit TV series did Johnny Galecki go on to star in 16 years after the filming of “Christmas Vacation”?Answer: Johnny Galecki played Leonard Hofstadter in “The Big Bang Theory” from 2006 — 2019.
• Question: What actor played “Rusty” in the original “Vacation” film? Answer: Anthony Michael Hall
• Question: What other notable John Hughes films did Anthony Michael Hall appear in? Answer: “The Breakfast Club,” “Weird Science” and “Sixteen Candles”
• Question: Who plays daughter Audrey Griswold in “Christmas Vacation?” Answer: Actor Juliette Lewis
• Question: What 1980s sitcom did Juliette Lewis appear in? Answer: Lewis played Terry Rankin in the sitcom “The Facts of Life.”
• Question: What actor from “The Big Bang Theory” also appeared with Lewis on “The Facts of Life?” Answer: Mayim Bialik, who played Amy Farrah Fowler on “The Big Bang Theory” from 2010 — 2019.
• Question: Is there a sequel to “Christmas Vacation?” Answer: Yes. In 2003, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie’s Island Adventure” was released as a made-for-television film.
• Question: Which actor plays the Griswold’s high-strung neighbor Margo Chester? Answer: Julia Louis-Dreyfus
• Question: What hit series would Julia Louis-Dreyfus go on to star in? Answer: She played Elaine Benes on “Seinfeld” from 1990 — 1998.
• Question: What actor plays Francis, mother of Ellen Griswold (Beverly D’Angelo)? Answer: Doris Roberts
• Question: What hit sitcom did Roberts go on to star in? Answer: Roberts played Marie Barone on “Everybody Loves Raymond” from 1996 — 2005.
• Question: True or false — Nicolette Scorsese, who plays Mary, the retail associate Clark Griswold is infatuated with, is the daughter of famed director Martin Scorsese. Answer: False. Despite sharing the same last name, the two are not related.
• Question: Actor Johnny Galecki, who plays Rusty Griswold, went on to star as a physicist in what hit sitcom? Answer: "Big Bang Theory"

'A Charlie Brown Christmas' (1965)

Question: What network first aired "A Charlie Brown Christmas" in 1965? Answer: CBS

Question: What month and day did Charles M. Schulz's animated special debut? Answer: Dec. 9

Question: What popular comic strip series was "A Charlie Brown Christmas" based on? Answer: "Peanuts"

Question: Who composed the soundtrack for "A Charlie Brown Christmas"? Answer: Vince Guaraldi

Question: How many Primetime Emmy Awards did "A Charlie Brown Christmas" win? Answer: One, for Outstanding Children's Program

Question: At the end of "A Charlie Brown Christmas," the "Peanuts" characters gather around the tree and sing what Christmas song? Answer: "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing"

Question: How much money does Lucy charge at her "Psychiatric Help" booth? Answer: 5 cents.

Question: What role does Charlie Brown have in the Christmas play? Answer: The director.

Question: Which Christmas carol does Lucy ask Schroeder to play for her on his piano? Answer: "Jingle Bells"

Question: What was Charles M. Schulz's nickname? Answer: Sparky

Question: What are the other two most well-known "Peanuts" holiday specials? Answer: "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" and "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"

'White Christmas' (1954)

• Question: What year was the song "White Christmas" released? Answer: 1942
• Question: What year was the Bing Crosby film "White Christmas" released? Answer: 1954
• Question: In what other films does Bing Crosby sing the beloved classic? Answer: "Holiday Inn" (1942) and "Blue Skies" (1946)
• Question: What iconic performance in "White Christmas" was unscripted? Answer: Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye's "Sisters" act came as a result of the pair jokingly dressing up as costars Vera-Ellen and Rosemary Clooney on the set of the film
• Question: What impressive distinction does the song "White Christmas" hold? Answer: According to Guinness World Records, it's the best-selling Christmas single of all time
• Question: What's the real-life age difference between Bing Crosby (Bob Wallace) and Dean Jagger (Major General Thomas Waverly)? Answer: Born May 3, 1903, Bing Crosby is six months older than Jagger who was born on Nov. 7, 1903.
• Question: Danny Kaye (Phil Davis) was one of the original owners of which professional baseball team? Answer: The Seattle Mariners
• Question: Rosemary Clooney (Betty Haynes) is the aunt of which famous A-list actor? Answer: George Clooney
• Question: Which "White Christmas" actor got her start as a Radio City Rockette? Answer: Vera-Ellen
• Question: Which patriotic American song did "White Christmas" composer Irving Berlin write? Answer: "God Bless America"
• Question: What Guiness World Record does the song "White Christmas" hold? Answer: It's the best-selling Christmas single of all time.

'Miracle on 34th Street' (1947)

• Question: Which well-known actor played the young girl who believes the Macy’s Santa is real? Answer: Eight-year-old Natalie Wood plays Susan Walker in the film.
• Question: What other notable movies did Natalie Wood go on to star in? Answer: “Rebel Without a Cause,” “West Side Story” and “Splendor in the Grass”
• Question: Which actor won an Academy Award for their performance in “Miracle on 34th Street"? Answer: Actor Edmund Gwenn, who played Kris Kringle, won Best Supporting Actor for the role.
• Question: What memorable quote did Edmund Gwenn say during his acceptance speech? Answer: "Now I know there's a Santa Claus."
• Question: What other notable movies did Edmund Gwenn star in? Answer: "Miracle on 34th Street" was Gwenn's most famous role, however he was nominated for an Oscar for his role in the 1950 film "Mister 880."
• Question: Where is the real house featured in the film “Miracle on 34th Street” located? Answer: In Port Washington, New York
• Question: What real-life event did Edmund Gwenn attend as his movie character, Kris Kringle? Answer: Gwenn dressed up as Santa Claus for the 1946 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the footage appears in the movie.
• Question: What big-ticket item does Susan Walker (Natalie Wood) want Kris Kringle to give her for Christmas? Answer: A house
• Question: What was the original name of the film “Miracle on 34th Street"? Answer: “The Big Heart”
• Question: What were the nicknames Maureen O’Hara and Natalie Wood gave each other during the filming of “Miracle on 34th Street?” Answer: “Mamma Maureen” and “Natasha,” Natalie Wood’s birth name
• Question: What real-life department store does Kris Kringle work for in “Miracle on 34th Street?” Answer: Macy’s
• Question: True or false — The man who played R.H. Macy in “Miracle on 34th Street” is the real-life founder of Macy’s. Answer: False. R.H. Macy is played by actor Harry Antrim in the film.
• Question: True or false — “Miracle on 34th Street” was released in December of 1947. Answer: False. Fearing it wouldn’t do well, the film was released in June of 1947, when movie attendance was at its highest.
• Question: Which movie beat “Miracle on 34th Street” at the Oscars, winning the Best Picture Academy Award? Answer: “Gentleman’s Agreement"
• Question: In what popular 1990 Christmas film can “Miracle on 34th Street” be seen playing on the kitchen TV? Answer: “Home Alone"

'It's a Wonderful Life' (1946)

• Question: What branch of the military did Jimmy Stewart serve in during World War II? Answer: He entered the Army in 1940, then served in the Air Force.
• Question: What was Jimmy Stewart’s first film role after fighting in World War II? Answer: George Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life"
• Question: How old was Jimmy Stewart when he filmed “It’s a Wonderful Life?” Answer: 37 years old
• Question: Who directed “It’s a Wonderful Life?” Answer: Frank Capra.
• Question: What other notable films did Frank Capra direct? Answer: “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” “You Can’t Take it With You” and “It Happened One Night,” among others.
• Question: What popular quote is often recited from “It’s a Wonderful Life”? Answer: “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.”
• Question: In another popular quote from the film, "no man is a failure who has _________________"? Answer: Friends
• Question: The character of Mr. Potter is played by Lionel Barrymore. What’s his relationship to actor and talk-show host Drew Barrymore? Answer: Lionel Barrymore is Drew Barrymore’s great uncle.
• Question: How many Oscar nominations did “It’s a Wonderful Life” earn? Answer: Five, including best picture, best actor, best director, best sound and best film editing.
• Question: How many Academy Awards did “It’s a Wonderful Life” win? Answer: None
• Question: How many Golden Globe awards did “It’s a Wonderful Life” win? Answer: One for best director, Frank Capra.
• Question: True or false — “It’s a Wonderful Life” was considered a box-office disappointment. Answer: True. According to the BBC, the film lost more than $500,000 upon its initial release.