5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Animated) The quintessential story of the overpowering spirit of Christmas, as told by the master of verse and rhyme, Dr. Seuss, and brought to life by simple but effective animation. This film is a testament to the ideas not only of generosity and acceptance, but that sometimes old movies are just as cool as the newer ones.

4. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation The fact that joy can be found in the Griswold's continuing and increasing folly, especially during the holidays, speaks volumes about the decaying nature of our civil society. But who cares about that? Remember the bit with the squirrel?

3. Elf It's been a while since a Christmas movie was released that immediately shot to "essential holiday watching" importance. Elf is such a film, which would have been a much lesser film were it not for Will Ferrell's unashamedly hyperactive performance as Buddy the Elf and a pre-quirky brunette era Zooey Deschanel, who's everyone's favorite, for some reason.

2. Home Alone Amidst the chaos and hilarity of Home Alone, John Hughes set out to teach us a thing or two about the holidays in this, the most famed and celebrated portion of the the prestigious Home Alone quadrilogy (That's right, they made a fourth one). Lessons such as the importance of family, the benefits of a good home security system, and to never, ever visit Macaulay Culkin's house.

1. A Christmas Story All little Ralphie Parker wanted for Christmas was a Red Ryder BB Gun and now, all anyone else wants is to see his cherubic, bespectacled face getting his hopes up and eye very nearly shot out. For some reason, perhaps a certain sexy lampshade, people are stuck to this movie like a tongue to a frozen pole. How else could you explain showing it on repeat all Christmas Day like some cable networks do? Even those who didn't vote for it as The Best Christmas Movie of All Time will think twice before saying anything inflammatory about it—at least while there's a bar of soap in the room.