British film fans have decided It’s A Wonderful Life is the greatest Christmas movie of all time.

A survey by the Odeon found the 1946 Christmas classic deserved the top spot ahead of modern seasonal hits such as Elf and Love Actually.

Odeon polled more than 2,000 people in its hunt for the nation’s favourite Christmas film… and here’s what has emerged as our top 10 favourites.

1. It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)

Frank Capra’s Oscar-nominated film, which topped the list with 16% of the votes, is about George Bailey – an honest family man who has reached the lowest point of his life and makes the decision to end it until the intervention of his guardian angel Clarence.

2. Home Alone (1990)

Family favourite Home Alone is about a boy who is left at home by accident in the chaos of his parents getting ready for a holiday in Paris. The film appeared second in the list with 11% of the votes.

3. The Snowman (1982)

The Snowman, which made it to the third place with 10% of the public’s votes, is based on Raymond Briggs’ classic tale about a young red-haired boy who builds a snowman that comes to life at the stroke of midnight.

4. Miracle On 34th Street (1994)

The late Richard Attenborough’s portrayal of Santa in Miracle On 34th Street received 9% of public votes.

5. White Christmas (1954)

White Christmas, a musical romantic comedy starring Bing Crosby, was in the middle of the table with 8% of the votes.

6. Elf (2003)

Will Ferrell’s comedy Elf, which is about Buddy – a human who grew up thinking he was an elf – took sixth place with 6%.

7. Love, Actually (2003)

Richard Curtis’s romantic comedy Love Actually came seventh with 5% of the votes. The British Christmas-themed film delves into the different aspects of love seen through different individuals.

8. Die Hard (1988)

This action film stars Bruce Willis as Officer John McClane who tries to save his wife after she is taken hostage during a Christmas party. The 1988 hit received 4% of the votes.

9. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

The Muppet’s Christmas Carol, with Michael Caine starring as Ebenezer Scrooge, achieved ninth place with 3% of votes.

10. The Polar Express (2004)

Tom Hanks’s recent animation The Polar Express – the story of a young boy on Christmas Eve who jumps onto the Polar Express as it heads to the North Pole – rounded out the top 10 with 2% of the total vote.

Andy Edge, Odeon UK & Ireland’s commercial director said: “It’s been nearly 70 years since It’s A Wonderful Life first appeared in Odeon cinemas, and we’re thrilled to be bringing it back for all generations to enjoy on the big screen once again.”

Odeon will be holding screenings of It’s A Wonderful Life at 80 of its UK cinemas on December 15.