Christmas movies are one of the most relaxing and enjoyable parts of the holiday that people can look forward to, not to mention many of them can be fun to watch regardless of the season. But, many of those movies can become repetitive and irritating, taking all the entertainment out of what should be one of the best parts of Christmas. That said, here is a list of movies that I believe never quite lose their shine.

1. Make the Yuletide Gay

To start off, this Christmas movie may not be one of the most familiar, but it’s definitely a new movie to add to any watch list. This 2009 Christmas Comedy directed by Rob Williams has a refreshing take on the trials and tribulations of coming home to the family during the Holidays. The movie tells the story of a gay college student who is out to everyone at his school, but not his parents. When he gets an unexpected visit from his boyfriend, he slowly works toward coming out to his family. A sweet, funny, and undeniably Christmas-cheery movie that will be sure to make your holidays brighter.

2. Muppet Christmas Carol

The story of Ebenezer Scrooge in the classic Charles Dickens story, A Christmas Carol is likely one you’ve seen and heard of many times, but to anyone who has steadfastly stuck to only the original live action film or the recently animated movie, an adaptation that stands up to the rest is the 1992 musical comedy starring none other than Michael Caine. While the movie has all of the classic Muppet characters, Michael Caine plays the perfect Scrooge in a movie fun for the whole family, filled with upbeat and catchy songs, while staying true to the original story, this Brian Henson movie is one you can’t miss, and fits in perfectly to any movie watching traditions.

3. It’s a Wonderful Life

This famous 1946 Christmas movie starring James Stewart is a beautiful, heartwarming movie that’s over time found its place among America’s classic films, as today it is recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the best 100 movies ever made. It tells the story of a man who finds worth and wonder in his own life and the lives of people around him after being shown by his guardian angel, Clarence, what it would be like if he had never been born. The story is optimistic and spreads hope and puts a smile on the face of anyone who watches it.

4. White Christmas

This classic 1954 American musical starring Bing Crosby and featuring the songs of Irving Berlin is a movie that no one should pass up. In the movie, two characters, Bob Wallace and Phil Davis along with Betty and Julie Haynes perform a Christmas show in rural Vermont. The boys’ commander in World War II is having financial difficulties; his small country inn is falling apart. The four characters then plan a yuletide extravaganza to save the commaner and his business. The fun, exciting and classic songs are ones that are sure to stay in your head long past the holiday season and be a warm Christmas tradition.

5. Arthur Christmas

This 2011 British-American animated movie, directed by Sarah Smith and with the title character voiced by James McAvoy, creates an undeniably funny, smart and heartwarming Christmas movie that never fails to put people in Christmas cheer. Santa’s gangly and awkward son Arthur, after discovering that one girl’s present failed to be delivered, goes on a mission to get it to her house before Christmas morning- no matter what it takes. For anyone looking for a fun, animated, holiday story, Arthur Christmas is the movie to watch this December.