What Does Mariah Carey Earn Each Christmas from ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’? A Look at Her Holiday Revenue
Mariah Carey performs onstage for "Merry Christmas One And All!" on November 15, 2023 in Highland, California.
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Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Mariah Carey’s Holiday Classic Continues to Capture Hearts
Mariah Carey, renowned as the "Queen of Christmas," has solidified her festive title with the enduring success of her 1994 hit, "All I Want for Christmas Is You." The song, which helped define holiday music for generations, remains a seasonal favorite and a significant source of revenue for the celebrated artist.
Since its debut, "All I Want for Christmas Is You" has generated approximately $60 million in royalties, according to Forbes. The song’s popularity shows no signs of waning, with royalties now estimated to range from $2.5 million to $3 million annually.
On December 13, "All I Want for Christmas Is You" marked a significant milestone as the first holiday song to reach 2 billion streams on Spotify. Carey expressed her gratitude, stating, “This is beyond incredible. I’m so grateful to all Spotify listeners around the world who’ve made the song part of their holiday tradition year after year."
Continuing Success and Impact
Originally released as part of Carey’s album Merry Christmas, the song quickly became an international success, topping charts in 26 countries. Three decades later, it continues to rise on the Billboard Hot 100 and is hailed as one of the most-streamed holiday songs. In 2021, it achieved a landmark recognition by being the first holiday single to receive the RIAA Diamond Award for surpassing 10 million in sales and streams. The song was also inducted into the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry, a testament to its cultural significance.
According to Spotify, the song’s global streams have increased dramatically, showing a 120% rise since 2019. While it hasn’t dethroned Bing Crosby’s "White Christmas" as the highest-selling single, which has sold 50 million copies worldwide, it remains a strong contender during the holiday season, ranking as the number one song on Spotify every Christmas Day since 2016.
A Beloved Classic
Carey’s holiday classic has also been covered by numerous artists. Notably, she collaborated with Justin Bieber for a re-recording in 2011. Other renowned artists, including Michael Bublé and Dolly Parton, have released their versions, further embedding the song into the Christmas music landscape.
The song gained cinematic fame when it was featured in the beloved 2003 film Love Actually, performed by Olivia Olson’s character, Joanna, who famously sang it at a school Christmas pageant. The performance was so impactful that it garnered record deal offers for the young actress.
As "All I Want for Christmas Is You" continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, Maria Carey’s influence during the holiday season is undeniable, solidifying her status in the pantheon of music’s greatest icons.
