There’s nothing like a classic Christmas film to get you in the festive spirit. They offer a sense of nostalgia that triggers warm childhood memories and help get us in the mood for the big day.

For those wondering what to watch over the coming weeks, film review website Rotten Tomatoes has a list of the “top 100 best Christmas movies of all time”. Meet Me in St Louis is ranked at number one, topping festive favourites Home Alone, Elf and Miracle on 34th Street. The 1944 musical film has a near-perfect 99% score on the Tomatometer, which is the percentage of professional critics who have given a movie a positive review, as well as an impressive 86% on the Popcornmeter, which represents the audience’s score for a film.

Meet Me in St Louis, which is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video, was directed by Vincente Minnelli and stars Judy Garland, Margaret O’Brien, Mary Astor and Tom Drake. It follows a year in the life of the Smith family in St. Louis in the build up to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition.

The father of the family announces that they are going to move to New York for his new job. However, the children dread the move as they don’t want to leave their friends and home.

The film explores their journey as the children grow up. They experience relationships and young love, with the film ending at the opening of the fair.

The movie takes place in St Louis, Missouri, and is based in the summer of 1903 and spring of 1904. It has a number of glowing reviews from both critics and viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

Critic Marjory Adams, of the Boston Globre, said: “Practically every member of the family from 5-year-olds to grandma will find this entertaining and fun.”

M. Oakley Christoph added: “It’s a delight, pure and simple spelling a restful, pleasant evening in the theatre. Nostalgic, colourful, alive and human.”

P.S. Harrison wrote: “It is a tuneful, merry comedy-drama, which is so wholesome and heart-warming that few will be able to resist its appeal.”

Viewers also agree that the film is outstanding, with Chase B writing: “A classic Christmas movie that is brought to excellence with Garlands performance.”

Kayleigh S agreed: “Beautiful, gorgeous and marvellous. Judy Garland was outstanding in this movie.”

Stacy M put: “Judy Garland at her best. A wonderful family film. We watch it every year.”