Thanksgiving is the official start of the holiday season. From Thanksgiving to Christmas there is an abundance of food, Christmas decorations, Hanukkah, presents, Christmas music and more. Truth be told, it is my favorite time of the year. In addition to everything listed, there are a bunch of different movies and TV specials to choose from. I have managed to create this list of five that you should definitely watch.

Some might be inclined to ask, “Where is Die Hard?” For the record, I am on the side of the angels when I say ‘Die Hard’ is in fact, a Christmas movie. Unlike that heathen Sonny Bunch who works for the Washington Free Beacon. His opinions are terrible. That said, it did not make this list because I went with more conventional holiday movies. There are those who know ‘Die Hard’ is a Christmas movie and those who are wrong. There’s no point in debating it. So here is the list:

5. Miracle On The 34th Street

Nobody asks “Which one?” because there is only one. It begins and ends with the 1947 version with Edmund Gwenn. It also stars the recently deceased and very beautiful Maureen O’Hara. One of the best parts is when a judge declares Kris Kringle to be Santa Claus.

4. The Ref

The Ref is not the most conventional Christmas movie either, but it does take place on Christmas Eve and there is a lot a family and friends as well as a kidnapper involved. Denis Leary is at his chaotic best in this role and Kevin Spacey along with Judy Davis are so good at being amazingly annoying, that a criminal (Leary) becomes the hero in this one. Best scene is when Spacey’s character, Lloyd tells his mother off. (Language warning):

3. Christmas Vacation

Not much explanation is needed for this one. It nearly stands on its own as the best of the series. This is at a time when Chevy Chase was still funny, Randy Quaid was not a fugitive and when Beverly D’Angelo was smoking hot. Also, pre-Seinfeld Julia Louis-Dreyfus appears in it. One of the best scenes is when Clark freaks out.

2. A Christmas Story

What holiday movie list does not include this movie? Did you know there are people who actually do not like this movie? These people actually exist. I think we should find them and expose them. There is no room in this world for anybody who does not like this movie. Ralph Parker is the kid in all of us. There has always been that Christmas where we wanted one gift more than anything else and when we got it, it became the Christmas we would never forget. How can we forget the Sticky Tongue scene?

1. Planes, Trains And Automobiles

Not only is this the funniest holiday movie of all time, it is also one of the funniest movies of all time, genre notwithstanding. Steve Martin is in top form as Neal Page, the marketing executive who is trying desperately go make it home to his family for Thanksgiving and the late John Candy was never funnier as the amazingly annoying but endearing Del Griffith. You’ve likely seen the movie so I don’t have to explain more. If you haven’t, then I can only assume you have recently escaped North Korea, so feel free to enjoy it now. Money scene…when Neal goes to the car rental counter. (Major language warning):

So there you have it. Lists such as these cause all kinds of debates. I am sure some of you are saying, “How can you not have ______ on the list?” By all means, list yours in the comments. There maybe somebody reading who hasn’t seen something, you think they should.

Happy Thanksgiving!