The matter of the best Christmas films is undoubtedly one of the most controversial issues facing the world today.
Each time one of us opens an article explaining It's A Wonderful Life has yet again claimed the top spot we exclaim "scandal" at our laptop screen. Not that old depression-fest again, we need some lolz in our favourite festive film.
So to end the debate once and for all, we here at Tyla have curated the ultimate top ten and tbh it's not open to discussion so don't @ us, guys.
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Drum roll please....
10. Die Hard
Probably the least Christmassy Christmas film that's on the list, but everybody still insists on watching it in December.
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Still, it stars Bruce Willis as tough guy John McClane who battles terrorists who have taken control of the office during the party single-handedly, but it's De'voreaux White who steals the show as the limousine driver, Argyle, completely oblivious to all the drama going on inside the office building next to him.
It is a really great action film albeit wholly unbelievable, but it deserves to be at number ten, due to it being so un-festive. Seriously, what's festive about guns?
Although, maybe one to pop on once you are well and truly over all the gushing romance the season brings.
9. A Muppet Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens would be turning in his grave that this even made the top ten, we're sure of it.
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But despite the catastrophic sounding pairing, it's actually a heartwarming film with Michael Caine playing Ebenezer Scrooge to perfection and the Muppets playing what should've been human parts with much more panache thanks to their bold characters.
Plus, Dickens cannot grumble too much; this 1992 version of A Christmas Carol keeps the key messages of selflessness and charity at the forefront despite the madness surrounding it.
8. The Snowman
Number eight seems a low placement for this absolutely classic Christmas film and on first thought, the result of this huge poll of eight felt a little unjust. But on reflection, we feel it's only appropriate.
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There is no denying this movie is a classic, with its emotional 'We're Walking in the Air' song. And the fact that it is still so popular despite it being released in 1982, being completely silent and with basic animation, is a testament to the sweet, if a little bittersweet storyline.
7. It's A Wonderful Life
Ahhh, the old classic. This film is not too high on our list, but only because it's quite dated now and let's be honest, a little bit depressing with the looming threat of suicide.
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That is of course until angel Clarence comes along and reminds George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) what life (and Christmas) is all about... and that is appreciating what you have, not what you don't have. Cliched but uplifting all the same.
It is set in the festive period, hence the association with the season, and although it makes you feel like Christmas may never come, when George is shown just how much he means to everyone, all the Christmases then come at once.
6. Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
Just missing out on the top five spots is Miracle on 34th Street. We've not chosen the original, frankly because we haven't seen it, but we assume the story is pretty much unchanged, plus this one stars Mara Wilson aka Matilda.
It starts off a little jarring with a drunk fake Santa threatening to ruin the holiday parade and a little five-year-old girl, Susan, who 'knows' Santa isn't real. But when things get tough and the real Santa winds up in jail, the non-believer comes to his rescue.
That courtroom scene, the 'we believe' badges and the thousands gathered to support the man in the red suit will leave you tearing up.
Yes it's cheesy, yes it's soppy, but if Christmas isn't about believing in Santa, then what do we have left we ask you? One for the build up when you're feeling sentimental.
5. The Grinch Who Stole Christmas
The Grinch Who Stole Christmas sidled in at number five. We have nothing against the film, but we are shocked to see it pipped some others to the post.
It lacks a major storyline, but the rhyming narrative that follows Dr. Seuss' book makes it tick along nicely. However, it's Jim Carrey's hilarity and top notch comedic acting that really brings it to life.
Thanks to its slapstick humour, we can even watch it with one eye open on Boxing Day afternoon when we're three red wines and three turkey sandwiches deep and still keep up with what's going on.
4. Home Alone
Now we're getting serious. Perhaps we think on this film particularly fondly because it was of our childhood era - a Christmas banger of a movie we actually watched all year round.
Macaulay Culkin, was just ten when he played Kevin McAllister, the eight-year-old boy who was left at home by accident all by himself at Christmas time.
That moment Kevin's mum, Kate (Catherine O'Hara) realises she's left him behind never gets old, nor does mean Uncle Frank who calls the eight-year-old a little jerk, is a tight-arse and is always quaffing booze.
Neither does Kevin's ingenuity when it comes to protecting his home from burglars.
Although, we wish we never had to see robber Marv (Daniel Stern) put his foot through that nail ever again - it goes right through us every single time.
3. Elf
Definitely the most hilarious Christmas film we've ever seen hands down. Even if you're not a Will Ferrell lover, there's no getting away from the laugh-out-loud factor of Elf.
And yes it is silly - in a LOL at the Elf who loves Christmas and knows nothing about the normal human world he's entered kind of way.
We simply cannot get enough of Buddy's hilarious missteps - from the maple syrup coated spaghetti to that 'special' but wholly inappropriate lingerie set he gives his dad.
His childlike demeanour is endearing, especially as it juxtaposes so well with the mean-spirited father he's just met, who really has forgotten the meaning of Christmas.
Now if you haven't seen it, you better hop to it, you cotton-headed ninny muggins.
2. The Holiday
Although coming in at number two on the Tyla rankings, there's no denying this soppy rom-com still slightly divides opinion. But overall, we think it's a Christmas corker.
It starts with slight despair (the sniffing of the carbon monoxide was a real low point - as character Iris herself points out), but ultimately it ends up with a whole lot of love, with all the bad guys and girls kicked to the curb and good riddance - particularly we may add to Jaspar.
A classic rom-com formula, but with a pretty damn good cast (Jack Black, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Cameron Diaz and Rufus Sewell) and because it is set in the festive season and ends on a New Year's Eve high, we can't help but feel gushy over it.
It has major feel good factor and if you like nothing else, you will most certainly enjoy Jude Law in a turtleneck.
1. Love Actually
Love, actually is all around - or is it Christmas that's all around? In this film, it's both.
The title of the film indicates where it's headed and you might be forgiven for thinking it sounds like a wet slush-fest. And while it is quite soppy in places, especially in its conclusion, it is so much more than that.
Love Actually's clever intertwining stories, some heart-wrenching, leave us all looking at what we have more fondly.
Not everyone gets their perfect happy ending either, which gives it more of a sense of reality.
But it's the cast that really makes it. Bill Nighy, Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Colin Firth - it's a stellar line up.
And since its release in 2003 has always taken the top spot in our eyes and it's going to take a hell of a lot to shift it.
So that's it, no more lists, it's decided.
Featured Image Credit: UnsplashTopics: Christmas, TV and Film, TV Entertainment