Whatever the case, these films never fail to light up homes during these lovely December days.

Some are much better known than others, but they’re all an awful lot of fun.

Together, they work to transform the cynical townspeople’s view of the holidays in creative and moving ways.

Characters from Home Alone, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and The Nightmare Before Christmas

Image by Federico Napoli

When it comes to iconic Christmas characters, Santa Claus simply can’t be beat.

He’s the very representation of Christmastime, and there have been many great movie adaptations of him.

However, there’s one thing that causes him to be ostracized: his red nose.

Clark Griswold wearing a Santa hat and looking intently in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Image via Warner Bros.

He soon realizes this introduction leads to endless antics and scary misadventures.

Incredibly cute and charming,Gizmo is one of the main factors that makeGremlinssuch a memorable movie.

Voiced byHowie Mandelin arather underrated voice performance, he’s a staple of this category of films.

Christmas vacation

Amusing and infinitely charming, it’s a classic that most families have watched in December at least once.

At the center of it all stands John McClane, the quintessential action movie protagonist.

There’s no way of celebrating the holidays more badass than with him.

Peter Billingsley as Ralphie before getting pushed down the mall Santa’s slide in A Christmas Story

Image via MGM

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Miracle On 34th Street’ (1947)

Image via 20th Century Studios

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Frosty leading a group of kids in ‘Frosty the Snowman’.

Image via Rankin/Bass

Frosty the Snowman Rankin Bass Poster

tall animated man with thick white beard looking down at blond man

Image via Netflix

Klaus Movie Poster

Up close image of Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer smiling.

Image via Videocraft International, Ltd

Gizmo makes his first appearance in ‘Gremlins’

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

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Trying to finish their robbery job

Image via 20th Century Studios

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man dressed as one of Santa’s elves

Image via New Line Cinema

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Bruce Willis in Die Hard

Image via 20th Century Studios

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Movie

The Nightmare Before Christmas