This time of year lends itself to a lively a discussion, perhaps even a debate, on traditional Christmas movies versus NON-traditional Christmas. Within a minute or two, I can detect if the audience is fervently a Christmas purist or an open-minded fan of Christmas. I mentally crack up because there is no “right” answer, it’s up to you.

For many years, it was a struggle for me to repeat Christmas traditions such as watching Die Hard, Die Hard 2: Die Harder, finding a Christmas tree, buying gifts, attending parties, etc.

The following are the movies I tend to watch that are traditional Christmas movies.

#10 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

Photo : NBCUniversal via Getty Images

A timeless classic, the 1964 stop-motion “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” reveals the story behind the famous Christmas tune. Rudolph is a charmingly awkward teen who tries to cover up his red nose with mud, has a crush on a doe named Clarice and goes on an adventure with an elf named Hermey to the Island of Misfit Toys. The film also has plenty of sing-a-long moments, including Clarice’s ballad “There’s Always Tomorrow” and Christmas tunes like “A Holly Jolly Christmas” and the film’s title track, courtesy of Burl Ives’ Sam the Snowman. – ES

#9 A Christmas Carol

Any version honestly will suffice for me – it’s the story of being grateful for what you have.

#8 A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

Photo : Courtesy Everett Collection

The first-ever Peanuts TV special holds a special place in history and the hearts of many fans. The 25-minute special went on to earn Emmy and Peabody awards, entered the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry and became essential viewing for the holiday season. The catchy “Christmas Time Is Here” song, jazzy Vince Guaraldi soundtrack and the messages of friendship, commercialization and the meaning of Christmas still ring true to this day. Quite an accomplishment for Charlie, Snoopy, Lucy and the gang! – JM

#7 Home Alone

“Home Alone” is about an 8-year-old hero who does all of those things, but unfortunately he also single-handedly stymies two house burglars by booby-trapping the house. And they’re the kinds of traps that any 8-year-old could devise, if he had a budget of tens of thousands of dollars and the assistance of a crew of movie special effects people.

The movie’s screenplay is by John Hughes, who sometimes shows a genius for remembering what it was like to be young. His best movies, such as “Sixteen Candles,” “The Breakfast Club,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” find a way to be funny while still staying somewhere within the boundaries of remote plausibility. This time, he strays so far from his premise that the movie suffers.

#6 How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966, 2000)

Photo : ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection

The 1966 animated television special is no doubt a perennial holiday favorite, from the whimsical animation to the classic song “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” featuring Thurl Ravenscroft’s deep, booming voice. However, the 2000 live-action adaptation is a classic in its own right. Based on Dr. Seuss’ 1957 children’s book of the same name, the Ron Howard-directed comedy stars Jim Carrey as the titular green meanie, who’s determined to ruin Christmas for the townsfolk of Whoville. Sure, Carrey’s performance is over the top, but how else would you expect a wannabe Christmas thief like the Grinch to behave? The live-action film is a hilarious, heartwarming and memorable twist to Seuss’ beloved tale. — MZ

Honorable Mention: Jingle Jangle

Netflix’s Christmas answer to The Greatest Showman is, quite possibly, a brand new Christmas classic. Rather than the usual Christmas Movie plot of ‘Christmas Hater who hates everyone falls in love and loves Christmas – the end’, Jingle Jangle brings us Jeronicus Jangle, inventor extraordinaire and loving family man whose career… and life… is on the slide following the death of his wife and betrayal of his apprentice Gustafson. It seems all is lost until his granddaughter Journey arrives with an overnight bag, a head full of dreams and a belief in the impossible that would make Walt Disney blush!

The cast are superb all round but I feel newcomer Madalen Mills, as Journey, and serial ‘scene stealer’ Lisa Davina Phillip and Ms Johnson deserve a special mention.

This truly is an outstanding cast, who all bring their ‘A game’, breeze their way through a fun, and at times moving, plot that glides nicely to a jolly ending. The John Legend penned music is great, though almost every song is reminiscent of another ‘Square Root of Possible’ is a throw back to High School Musical and ‘Over and Over’ could easily have been sung by Beast in ‘Beauty and the Beast’. This said, it isn’t a complaint, they are great songs and, coupled with the visuals, really lift the film from above ordinary to something extraordinary.

Jingle Jangle … definitely feels like it may find its way onto a theatre stage near you any Christmas soon… pandemic pending. It is extremely theatrical and, with limited set changes seems like it would trensfer beautifully to the stage… remember where you heard it first!

The only thing i would suggest to improve this movie is perhaps a little more suspense and a little less predictability. Moments of peril and somewhat underplayed and could have added an extra layer of dramatic tension without scaring younger viewers. This said, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey stands head and shoulders above any of other the Christmas movies on Netflix or anywhere else for that matter.

Turn down the lights, turn up the sound, grab a mulled wine and enjoy the show!

#5 Elf

A perfectly sweet and spiked serving of cinematic eggnog, 2003’s “Elf” magnificently threads the needle to appeal to kids of all ages. The not-so-secret weapon is Will Ferrell as the unflappable Buddy the Elf, who leaves the North Pole to find his biological father in NYC. The Big Apple is the perfect foil for Ferrell’s sweetness and naïveté, which is filled with sights both magical (still-fresh gum stuck to Subway entrances, revolving doors) and less-so (Santa imposters, getting hit by taxis). — WE

#4 National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

The perennial classic has plenty of big gags for the kids (the electrocuted cat, Uncle Lewis burning down the tree), but it remains a surprisingly acerbic breakdown of ’80s class malaise. Patriarch Clark Griswold (a perfect Chevy Chase) is sent to the brink of madness to have the most jaw-dropping Christmas display on the block, even as he’s antagonized by high-class yuppies, his low-class extended family and a boss who won’t trickle down the holiday wealth. But the movie’s key scene — Clark locked in the attic, watching home movies — is a beautiful reminder that family comes first. — WE

#3 It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

Photo : Courtesy Everett Collection

Frank Capra’s 1946 classic is as much a Christmas tradition as eggnog and gingerbread. “It’s a Wonderful Life,” released one year after the end of World War II, gave hope to a generation of Americans grappling with the aftermath of global destruction. James Stewart starred as George Bailey, a man anchored by despair who finds a reason to live after an encounter with his guardian angel, Clarence Odbody (Henry Travers), who shows George the positive impact he’s had on so many people’s lives. The film earned five Oscar nominations but surprisingly was not a commercial success. In fact, it didn’t become a Christmas staple until three decades after its release, when its copyright lapsed and thus networks could broadcast it without paying licensing or royalty fees. Now, it’s considered one of the greatest movies of all time and was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry. Its lasting legacy will be reminding audiences of the most important Christmas gift: being with loved ones. – ES

#2 Love Actually (2003)

Photo : ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection

The Christmas rom-com to end all Christmas rom-coms, Richard Curtis’ 2003 film brings together an all-star cast including Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman and Keira Knightley to prove that love is really all you need. Set in London during the holiday season, “Love Actually” tells 10 separate stories that eventually all weave together. The film celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, so check out your local movie theater listings to see if you can catch it newly restored in 4K. – ES

#1 A Christmas Story (1983)

Bob Clark’s 1983 comedy is the gift that keeps on giving during the holiday season, from its quotable lines (“You’ll shoot your eye out”) to the infamous leg lamp that has become a Christmas décor staple. The film follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) as he sets out to acquire the best Christmas present ever: a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-Shot Range Model air rifle. Full of slapstick comedy and tender moments alike, “A Christmas Story” is one of those holiday movies you can watch every year and still not tire of it. – ES

So … there you have it – 10 classic Christmas movies that are tops in my book. What are your thoughts? Do you agree? Do you disagree? What are your Top 10 traditional / classic Christmas movies?

Regardless, Merry Christmas!