American singer Mariah Carey has solidified her title as the "Queen of Christmas," and the key to her reign is the timeless 1994 hit, "All I Want for Christmas Is You." This festive anthem not only carved her holiday legacy but also stands as one of the most profitable songs in her entire career.
The Lucrative Legacy of a Holiday Classic
According to a report by Forbes, the iconic track brought in approximately $60 million in royalties after its initial release. Its financial power has only grown with time, now adding millions more to Carey's income each year. In a landmark achievement on December 13, the song became the first holiday track ever to cross the 2 billion streams milestone on Spotify.
"This is beyond incredible," Carey expressed in a statement to PEOPLE magazine. "I’m so grateful to all Spotify listeners around the world who’ve made the song part of their holiday tradition year after year."
Annual Royalties and Record-Breaking Honors
So, what is the song's earning potential today? While it generated an estimated $60 million since 1994, current calculations are staggering. Forbes, citing data from The Economist, states that Carey now earns roughly $2.5 million per year from royalties alone. Some estimates, like those from The New York Post, place the figure even higher, at about $3 million annually.
Featured on Carey's fourth studio album, Merry Christmas, the song was an instant global phenomenon, topping charts in 26 countries. Nearly three decades later, it consistently re-enters the Billboard Hot 100 and dominates streaming platforms every festive season.
Its accolades are numerous. It remains one of the most-streamed Christmas songs annually and made history in 2021 as the first holiday single to receive the RIAA Diamond Award for 10 million sales and streams. In 2023, it was inducted into the prestigious Library of Congress' National Recording Registry.
"I’m honored beyond belief!" Carey wrote on X (formerly Twitter) about the Library of Congress honor. "I definitely did not even imagine this would happen when writing and recording this song!"
The Undisputed Streaming Champion
Spotify data reveals the song's unstoppable growth. Streams for "All I Want for Christmas Is You" have surged by 120% globally since 2019, securing its position as the most-streamed holiday song of all time both in the US and worldwide.
While it hasn't yet overtaken Bing Crosby's "White Christmas"—the best-selling single ever with 50 million copies sold—Carey's hit continues to narrow the gap. On Spotify, it has claimed the No. 1 spot worldwide every Christmas Day since 2016, firmly establishing itself as the defining modern holiday classic.
