Are you looking for some Christmas cheer? There’s no quicker and easier way to get into the spirit of the holidays than by watching one of these classic Christmas movies.

An eclectic group, the following seven films all have one important thing in common: they are widely considered to be among the best Christmas movies of all time. They’ll make you laugh, they’ll make you cry, and they’ll leave you full of Christmas spirit.

7) Elf

A goofy and light-hearted film, Elf became a modern Christmas classic almost as soon as it was released. The film follows Will Ferrell as Buddy, a human who was raised at the North Pole by Santa and his elves, and who has a hard time fitting in because of his human size. Buddy leaves to New York to discover his true identity, spreading a lot of Christmas cheer along the way.

6) The Nightmare Before Christmas

Another modern classic, The Nightmare Before Christmas may not sound like your typical Christmas movie. Nevertheless, this well-loved 1993 stop-motion film continues to be a holiday favourite. It follows the journey of Jack Skellington of Halloween Town as he takes an inadvertent trip to Christmas Town and tries to bring Christmas back to the residents of his home.

5) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

The third instalment in the National Lampoon’s series, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is a Christmas comedy that just gets funnier every year. It follows the Griswold family as their attempts at a “fun old-fashioned family Christmas” turn into an unmitigated disaster. Though it takes a winding path, the movie does eventually lead you to the true meaning of Christmas.

4) Home Alone

When Kevin McCallister is accidentally left all alone at home while his family leaves for Christmas vacation, he is initially thrilled. However, two thieves soon make the house their target, and Kevin must defend his home with ingenious and hilarious booby traps. When adjusted for inflation, Home Alone is the highest grossing Christmas film of all time at the North American box office.

3) Miracle on 34th St. (1947)

A classic Christmas film that you’re sure to find playing on TV during December, 1947’s Miracle on 34th St. is about a department store Santa Claus who claims that he’s the real Santa. Sentimental and full of Christmas spirit, this beloved film was also a critical darling and won the Academy Awards for Best Writing, Screenplay and Best Writing, Original Story, as well as Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

2) A Christmas Story

Chances are you’ve seen at least some parts of A Christmas Story, as it tends to run nonstop over the holiday season. Though kids today are more likely to want iPads and other electronics, little Ralphie’s desperate attempts to get a B. B. gun for Christmas despite his mother’s warnings that he will shoot his eye out are still incredibly relatable.

1) It’s a Wonderful Life

Not only is It’s a Wonderful Life easily one of the best Christmas movies of all time, it’s also one of the most critically acclaimed films of all time, period. This beautiful film tells the story of George Bailey, a businessman who wishes he had never been born. When prayers for George reach Heaven, an angel named Clarence comes down to show George how much good he has created in the world and how important his life truly is for those around him.

If you’re looking for the perfect film to watch for a Christmas movie night with friends and family, then one of these seven modern or old-school classics would make a fantastic choice.