With the holiday season now upon us and the end of the semester soon arriving, it’s time to spend time indoors with family. Here are some of those can’t-be-missed movies that work each and every holiday season.

“A Christmas Story” (1983)

Starring Peter Billingsley, Darren Gavin and Jean Shepherd

Directed by Bob Clark

Based on real-life experiences and narrated by Jean Shepherd, “A Christmas Story” is the tale of a boy and his quest to get that one present – a Red Rider BB Gun. Present for the countdown to Christmas Day are his mother, father and younger (and annoying) brother. Antics – such as “shooting your eye out” and licking a cold metal pole – are high in this film, as are laughs. TBS will air “A Christmas Story” for 24 hours beginning Christmas Eve.

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (1981)

Starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Juliette Lewis, Johnny

Galecki and Randy Quaid

Directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik

Of all the movies in the National Lampoon franchise, “Christmas Vacation” is arguably the best. Clark Griswold sets out to make the hap-hap-happiest Christmas with the entire family coming back for the holidays. A dog named Snots, a squirrel in the Christmas tree and extreme Christmas lighting are just a few of the comedy highlights in this holiday classic.

“Bad Santa” (2003)

Starring Billy Bob Thornton and Tony Cox

Directed by Terry Zwigoff

Drunk, perverted and a con. This is not your everyday Santa. Billy Bob Thornton plays a con man who dresses as Santa (with a partner decked out as an elf) with the intention of robbing the mall on Christmas Eve. However, once the two encounter an 8-year-old boy, motives begin to sway as the two find the real meaning of Christmas.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946)

Starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, Henry Travers and Lionel Barrymore

Directed by Frank Capra

This Frank Capra classic is one of the quintessential holiday films. Film legend James Stewart plays George Bailey, a man in a depressed state of mind and on the brink of suicide. Then the angel Clarence shows him how valuable his life really is by showing him a whole new world.

“Miracle on 34th Street” (1946)

Starring Natalie Wood, Edmund Gwenn and Maureen O’Hara

Directed by George Seaton

Is he really insane? His name is recognized as Kris Kringle, but some say he needs to be institutionalized. One girl, who has been brought up not to believe in fantasy, rejects this so-called Santa at first, but soon enough finds there is something special about him. In this touching film, “Miracle” moves into the fantasy world with the idea there may really be a Santa – even though it comes down to being decided in a courtroom.