A much underrated look at what it's like to be an avaricious child with Christmas approaching, this witty, insightful, hugely enjoyable movie is riven with glorious home truths and a merciful lack of saccharin surrounding a topic that generally reduces directors to lachrymose morons. Even more surprising is that it comes from Bob Clark, director of the smutty teen comedy Porky's. Peter Billingsley plays Ralphie, and his quest for juvenile justice and a Red Ryder BB gun is an enormous joy. One of the best children's movies over the yuletide period.

The comic mishaps and adventures of a young boy named Ralph, trying to convince his parents, teachers, and Santa that a Red Ryder B.B. gun really is the perfect Christmas gift for the 1940s.