Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” has been a Christmas classic for decades. Everyone knows the story by heart, but still, we always want to see the latest version when it comes to the movie theater or television. Since it’s such a beloved tale, here are the top 10 reasons why “A Christmas Carol” is one of the greatest parts of the Christmas season.

1. The many Scrooges: Each version of “A Christmas Carol” has a a great actor to headline the film as Ebenezer Scrooge. Patrick Stewart, Bill Murray (“Scrooged”), James Earl Jones (“Bah, Humbug”), Lionel Barrymore, Basil Rathbone, and more. Even women have played Scrooge in different tellings of the story; some actresses who have played the character include Susan Lucci (“Ebbie”), Cicely Tyson (‘Ms. Scrooge”) and Vanessa Williams (“A Diva’s Christmas Carol).

2. The ghosts: One of the best parts about the story is the horror/thriller elements. There’s nothing that can scare you into being good like a walk on the supernatural side, and being visited by three ghosts–including one that is basically the Grim Reaper–more than does the job.

3. “A Christmas Carol” for anyone: Just like there’s a Scrooge for everyone (See number 1), there’s a version of the story for everyone. From “The Muppet Christmas Carol” to two different musicals (“Scrooge: The Musical” and “A Christmas Carol: The Musical”) to “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” to “A Flintstone’s Christmas Carol” and the versions listed above, there’s a version of the classic tale to meet varying tastes.

4. Grungy Victoriana: One of the biggest themes of Charles Dickens stories is showing how ugly Victorian life could be. In “A Christmas Carol,” we have Dickens writing about an idea he was very passionate about–how the upper-middle and upper classes looked down on the lower classes with really no reason aside from the income difference. We also see the flip side in “A Christmas Carol,” too, which is when the poor are selling Scrooge’s bedsheets once he’s died in the alternate reality. It almost has the feel of “The meek shall inherit the earth”.

5. Time travel: Another cool element of the story is the sci-fi element of time travel. In the story, Scrooge is taken back to his childhood and young adulthood. Another time travel-related element introduced is the idea of alternate realities, which The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come uses to show Scrooge what could happen to him if he doesn’t change his greedy ways.

6. The Cratchits: Everyone loves Bob Cratchit and his family. The most popular member of the poor, loving family is little Tiny Tim, who is afflicted with a disease that has made him an invalid. Scrooge realizes that he holds Tiny Tim’s life in his hands when the Ghost of Christmas Present shows him what could happen to the Cratchits at Christmas. The character is also well known for saying, “God bless us, every one!”

7. Fezziwig: Mr. Fezziwig (or, if you love “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” Fozziewig) is the lovable boss of young Scrooge. His Christmas party is one of the happiest parts of the movie, and, similarly, is the happiest part of Scrooge’s life. If only Scrooge had learned to be a good boss and person like Fezziwig.

8. Scrooge’s sister: We also see Scrooge’s sister Fan when the Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge his childhood. Fan was Scrooge’s only ally when he was a child, and later died young. Her death affected Scrooge hard, and is probably one of the reasons he started turning inward.

9. The gateway story: This story is great because it introduces new audiences to Charles Dickens, and hopefully, makes them want to read more Dickens tales. If I can recommend one–“Great Expectations” is awesome.

10. Redemption: The fact that Scrooge not only makes it to Christmas, but, to paraphrase the story, keeps the meaning of Christmas throughout the year, can give the rest of us hope that we can have the chance to change at any time.

What reasons make you love “A Christmas Carol”? Give your opinions below.

Sources: Wikipedia