December is upon us, meaning a wave of Christmas-themed. From tree-shaped cookies to gold and green wrapping paper, no one can deny Christmas is prominent in our everyday culture. Although families have grand traditions, much of the most joyful Christmas nostalgia stems from the movies watched almost religiously during the season.

Below, we have compiled a list of our favorite Christmas movies:

10.

“Scrooged” (1988)

7/10 on IMDb

Based upon the holiday classic, “A Christmas Carol,” this holiday drama follows a cruel business mogul whose bitter manner has forced him into a pit of despair. Frank Cross (Bill Murray) is visited by three spirits throughout Christmas Eve night and desperately tries to change before it’s too late.

9.

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” (1965)

8.4/10 on IMDb

This animated oldie is beloved by all, and proves the real meaning of Christmas isn’t what’s under the tree, or the tree at all. After Charlie Brown’s (Peter Robbins) scraggly nevergreen tree gets criticized.

8.

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (1989)

7.6/10 on IMDb

Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) just wants a traditional Christmas, but when his in-laws and hillbilly family come into town, tradition is thrown out the window. But, through a rabid squirrel and dry turkey, family always comes through. Even if coming through means kidnapping.

7.

“A Christmas Carol” (2008)

6.8/10 on IMDb

No one can deny the power Christmas joy has, and this includes Ebenezer Scrooge. Based on the novel by Charles Dickens, Scrooge (Jim Carrey), a wealthy banker, is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future, and taught the real meaning of Christmas.

6.

“How The Grinch Stole Christmas” (2000)

6.1/10 on IMDb

Dr. Seuss is known for his wacky rhyme schemes and joyful characters, but one of his most famous protagonists doesn’t fit that agenda. The Grinch is a mean, green, present-stealing machine with a grudge against the Whos of Whoville. His shriveled heart can’t take the smiles that Christmas brings, so he concocts a plan to take it all away. Little does he know, Christmas doesn’t just come from boxes and bags and bows and tags.

5.

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (1964)

8.1 on IMDb

Rudolph, a misfit reindeer, isn’t welcomed by his peers, so he runs away to the Island of Misfit Toys. Back at the North Pole, Santa struggles to see in the fog and needs a little extra light to deliver presents. Little does Rudolph know, he isn’t a misfit anymore because he’s about to save Christmas.

4.

“A Christmas Story” (1983)

8/10 on IMDb

Ralphie wants one thing, a “Red Ryder air rifle”, but instead of a classic Christmas miracle, he gets bullies, a glowing leg, and a mouthful of soap. At this point, he’ll be lucky if he survives this Christmas, or at least doesn’t shoot his eye out.

3.

“Polar Express” (2004)

6.6/10 on IMDb

When a child starts to doubt Santa Claus, he gets a visit from a wacky conductor in a huge steam train. Full of hot chocolate, quirky characters, and Christmas joy, the Polar Express is on a one way trip to the North Pole, and not stopping for anyone. Just don’t forget your ticket!

2.

“Home Alone” (1990)

7.5/10 on IMDb

His family left him, but his wits didn’t. Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister is alone for Christmas and fine with that. But when two con men come and try to ruin his parentless vacation, it’s now his job to protect the family’s home.  

1.

“Elf” (2003)

6.9 on IMDb

Abandoned as an infant, Buddy is going through an identity crisis. He travels to New York in search of his roots, but when he finds what he’s looking for, it’s not what he expected. Confused, lonely, and lost, Buddy is forced into a slump, until he has to save Christmas.