The holiday season is upon us, and with that comes the annual tradition of watching Christmas movies.

However, finding good Christmas movies to watch can be quite a challenge with such a wide variety of movies to choose from, depending on if you want to watch a nice, happy Hallmark movie or a critically acclaimed masterpiece cherished by many.

With this in mind, here are five of the best Christmas movies to watch during the yuletide season.

“The Polar Express”

“The Polar Express” (2004) was based on the children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg.

The movie stars Tom Hanks, who is the voice of many of the characters.

The film tells the story of a young boy’s trip aboard a steam locomotive to the North Pole while having doubts about Christmas during the journey.

Along the way, he encounters other children, along with the conductor of the train.

This movie has been one of my favorites since childhood, and to this day, I make it a point to watch it at least once every holiday season.

“A Christmas Story”

“A Christmas Story” (1983) tells the story of Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) trying to get through the Christmas season during the 1940s, while dreaming of getting a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas.

However, he finds himself frequently at odds with his parents and struggles to make it to Christmas Day with his hopes intact.

“A Christmas Story” has always stuck with me because one of my most memorable gifts for Christmas was, ironically, a Red Ryder BB gun.

The story is memorable, the characters stick with you, and it is a classic Christmas movie.

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”

Starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, and Randy Quaid, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (1989) was the third installment in the National Lampoon series to be released.

This movie follows the misadventures of Clark Griswold (Chase) and his family as they try to keep their family Christmas celebrations under control while Clark tries to give his family the best Christmas they will ever experience.

“Joyeux Noël”

“Joyeux Noël” (2005) tells the story of the famous “Christmas Truce” of 1914 during the First World War, when German, British, and French troops met in No Man’s Land to unofficially celebrate Christmas Eve.

This movie uses the Christmas Truce of 1914 as a background to tell the stories of three characters: Gordon (a Scottish lieutenant of the Royal Scots Fusiliers played by Alex Ferns), Audebert (a French lieutenant in the 26th Infantry played by Guillaume Canet), and Horstmayer (a Jewish-German lieutenant in the 93rd Infantry played by Daniel Brühl) as they witness the Truce unfold.

Although lesser known than most Christmas movies, this movie is one of my all-time favorites because the Christmas Truce has always fascinated me with how the love for a holiday was strong enough for enemies to put aside their arms and celebrate it with each other, coupled with how realistic these characters are.

Needless to say, the ending does not turn out good for the characters, leaving the audience with a pit in their stomach, wanting more.

“It’s a Wonderful Life”

By far, one of the oldest Christmas movies around, “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946), stands out from other Christmas movies as a true classic that has been on the air for decades, which has made generations of families see it.

In the city of Bedford Falls, suicidal George Bailey plans on ending his life on Christmas Eve, but with the intervention of his guardian angel, Clarence (Henry Travers), Bailey sees what life would have been like if he was never born.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” is one of the most famous movies of all time — period. It is a true classic that everyone should see at least once, for the sake of just being able to see it.

The lesson the movie teaches is one that resonates with many: your life has purpose and important to others.

These five Christmas movies will entertain you during the the holiday season and will have you returning for more every year.