INDIANA — As the Christmas countdown continues, holiday nostalgia is driving Hoosiers to search for seasonal favorites, sparking a tight contest for the title of Indiana’s most-searched-for Christmas movie. Recent data indicates a close race between the beloved classics A Christmas Story and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, with some sources also citing the Frank Capra film It’s a Wonderful Life as a leading favorite among residents.
The enduring popularity of A Christmas Story in the Hoosier State, however, is deeply rooted in local pride and cultural connection.
The 1983 comedy, which recounts the adventures of young Ralphie Parker, is highly popular in Indiana primarily because the story is explicitly set in the state. The film is based on the real-life childhood memories of author and narrator Jean Shepherd, who grew up in the northwest Indiana town of Hammond.
Key reasons the film resonates so strongly in Indiana include its authentic setting. The fictional town of “Hohman, Indiana,” where the story unfolds, is a thinly veiled representation of Hammond, Indiana, with “Hohman” being the name of a major avenue in downtown Hammond.
The movie is peppered with specific nods to real Indiana locations that Hoosiers instantly recognize, including the actual Cleveland Street where Shepherd grew up and the Warren G. Harding Elementary School that Ralphie attends. Humorous references are also made to nearby locations, such as the line to see Santa “stretching all the way to Terre Haute.”
The city of Hammond embraces its role in the film’s inspiration. The Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond hosts an annual “A Christmas Story Comes Home” exhibit, featuring animated scenes from the movie and a life-size bronze statue of Flick with his tongue stuck to a flagpole—a scene the real-life Shepherd inspired.
Other Highly-Searched Holiday Hits
While A Christmas Story carries a unique local significance, Indiana audiences are searching for a diverse mix of humor and magic this season. Other films that frequently top Indiana’s holiday search charts include:
Home Alone: The classic tale of Kevin McCallister’s holiday antics remains a consistent favorite across the U.S. and in Indiana.
Elf: Will Ferrell’s popular comedy about Buddy the Elf’s journey to New York is consistently a top-searched holiday title.
The Polar Express: This animated film holds strong appeal, particularly due to its own production connections and inspirations in the state of Indiana, including the city of Muncie.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Both the beloved 1966 animated classic and the Jim Carrey version are frequently searched for during the holiday season.
The Santa Clause: The 1994 film starring Tim Allen, and its sequels, remain a recurring family favorite.
These top-searched movies demonstrate that Indiana audiences are seeking out films that blend humor, family dynamics, and classic holiday cheer to celebrate the season.
