An Ohio favorite is among the best Christmas movies. Here's how to watch them this season

Whether you're popping in an old DVD of "A Charlie Brown Christmas," or watching TBS' annual 24-hour loop of "A Christmas Story," there's no shortage of holiday movies to choose from.

But what do film critics have to say?

Here are some of the best Christmas movies of all time, according to IMDB, the New York Times, Rotten Tomatoes and other critics.

"A Christmas Story" (1983)

You can't talk about Christmas movies without mentioning "A Christmas Story," a 1983 holiday staple with Ohio ties: The famous home of the movie family is located in Cleveland.

It's the 1940s, and 9-year-old Ralphie Parker wants a Red Ryder BB gun. His family and pretty much all adults around him – including the shopping mall Santa – discourage him from getting one. It always ends in the same mantra: "You'll shoot your eye out, kid!"

Renowned film critic Roger Ebert gave the film four out of five stars in a review published in 2000. It makes both IMDB's list and the New York Times. TBS famously plays the movie for 24 hours on Christmas Day each year.

"A Christmas Story" can be streamed on Max, TNT, TBS and truTV.

"Elf" (2003)

There are few characters as memorable as Will Ferrell's portrayal of Buddy the Elf in 2003's "Elf." (Picture a 35-year-old Ferrell in a green fur-collared coat, yellow tights and a pointy elf hat.)

Buddy was always the biggest elf growing up at the North Pole. He finds out he's actually human and endeavors to New York City to find his father. Shenanigans ensue throughout the movie when he tries to learn how real life works and build a relationship with his dad.

"Elf" scored a solid 86% on Rotten Tomatoes. A New York Times writer said Buddy's "comic naïveté and relentless good cheer turn 'Elf' into a fish-out-of-water comedy of disarming warmth."

You can stream "Elf" on Max, Hulu, Paramount+ and Cinema.

"Home Alone" (1990)

"Home Alone" launched a 10-year-old Macaulay Culkin into fame in the early 1990s as Kevin McCallister, a mischievous kid who is mistakenly left behind when his family goes on vacation over the Christmas holiday week. Chaos ensues when Kevin is met by two con men who are plotting to burglarize the McCallister family home.

You can stream "Home Alone" on Disney+, Starz and DirecTV.

"It's a Wonderful Life" (1946)

This 1946, black-and-white film is known as a true classic. "It's a Wonderful Life" makes the cut on both of IMDB's and the New York Times' lists.

While suffering from suicidal thoughts on Christmas Eve, struggling businessman George Bailey is visited by an angel who shows him what life would have been like had he never existed. Many people around him whom he has helped through the years suffered as a result, but in the end, he makes it back to real life and his family to celebrate what Christmas is all about.

Film reviewer Ebert gave the film four out of five stars. It scored 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Stream "It's a Wonderful Life" on Prime Video, Fubo, Roku, Hoopla, USA and Plex.

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (1964)

It's a story practically synonymous with Christmas: the saga of Rudolph, his shiny red nose and Santa's other reindeer who bully him for it. But Santa had a plan for him all along, utilizing his once-embarrassing schnozzle to light the way on Christmas Eve night.

It's technically a TV special, not a movie, but it's well loved as a cinematic classic. The animated show got 95% on Rotten Tomatoes.

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" is only available for purchase or rental on Apple TV, Amazon, Vudu and app stores.

"The Santa Clause" (1994)

In "The Santa Clause," Tim Allen plays a man who encounters Santa on Christmas Eve night and accidentally makes Mr. Claus fall off the roof. That sets off absolute mayhem in his life when he is then forced to replace that Santa and comes under a magical spell.

This one didn't do as well. It got 2 ½ stars from Ebert. It received a 73% on Rotten Tomatoes, earning it a "certified fresh" rating.

Stream "The Santa Clause" on Disney+.

"The Nightmare Before Christmas" (1993)

Is "The Nightmare Before Christmas" a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie? That's up to you, but it's hard to argue you can't watch the animated flick on both holidays.

The story is set in a fictitious Halloween Town. Jack Skellington, king of the city, decides he wants to bring Christmas to their spooky society. Locals aren't exactly happy about it.

This one's also well-loved. In addition to 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, Ebert gave it 3 ½ stars.

You can rent the movie on Prime Video.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: How to watch the best Christmas movies this holiday season