It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Decorating the tree, listening to music, and drinking hot cocoa isn’t the same without a cheesy holiday film spreading love and cheer all around. The most difficult decision of the holiday season, however, is which movie to watch. While new holiday movies are always welcomed, the classics are irreplaceable; below are some of the most iconic films to watch this holiday season.

12. The Santa Clause (1994)

This trilogy stars Tim Allen as Scott Calvin, the main character who is forced to take on the role of Santa after he accidentally causes the death of a man in a Santa suit.

11. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

James Stewart plays George Bailey in one of the most classic holiday movies. When George contemplates suicide, a guardian angel reminds him of his good deeds in a series of flashbacks which reveal what his town would look like if he had never existed.

10. Arthur Christmas (2011)

Arthur Christmas is a more modern holiday film featuring James McAvoy as Arthur, the lesser-known son of Santa Claus who travels around the world to deliver a present to a forgotten child. This movie also depicts a technologically developed North Pole, where Santa’s elves use an extensive system of technology to flawlessly deliver toys on the most important night of the year.

9. Frosty the Snowman (1969)

This holiday favorite reveals the origins of Frosty the Snowman, a snowman whose magical top hat brings him to life.

8. Disney’s A Christmas Carol (2009)

Disney adapted Charles Dickens’s original novel into the animated classic that is A Christmas Carol. Jim Carrey voices Ebenezer Scrooge, a bitter old man who is visited by his ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future.

7. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)

The Griswolds are an ordinary family with an extraordinary father. The optimistic Clark Griswold tries to spread holiday cheer to his family, but things inevitably go awry in the best way possible.

6. The Polar Express (2004)

Tom Hanks voices nearly every character in this age-old classic which follows a young boy who, with age, grows skeptical of the existence of Santa Claus. He boards a magical train, the Polar Express, with a group of other children and is taken to the North Pole to restore his faith.

5. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

The origins of Rudolph, a reindeer born with a bright red nose, are explored in this classic film.

4. Home Alone (1990)

Kevin McCallister, an eight year old boy with a crazy family, is accidentally left behind when his family rushes to the airport. While he initially enjoys a life without parents, he quickly learns some lessons about Christmas when he is forced to defend himself from a pair of thieves repeatedly attempting to rob his house.

3. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

Charlie Brown isn’t feeling the Christmas spirit in this classic holiday film featuring Snoopy, Linus, Lucy, and more “Peanuts” characters.

2. Elf (2003)

Buddy the Elf is a human raised in the elf world of the North Pole. When he ventures to New York to find his father, he spreads Christmas cheer to the cynical city.

1. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)

The Grinch is the original “Bah, humbug!” grouch of the holidays. When he attempts to ruin Christmas for the citizens of Whoville, he is shown the real meaning of Christmas in one of the most heartwarming films of all time. This film is based on the works of Dr. Seuss and has been adapted into a live-action film starring Jim Carrey in 2000 as well as an animated remake starring Benedict Cumberbatch in 2018. However, according to Sarah Mayans (11), “the original 1966 version is the best version.”

Happy holidays, Mustangs!