‘Tis the season (for Christmas-themed top 5 lists), and I’m ringing in the festivities with my personal favourite holiday movies! These are five Christmas films that I’ve grown up with, and that have become a part of my own personal holiday traditions.

(Disclaimer: I feel the need to pre-empt complaints that It’s a Wonderful Life is not on the list by saying that until last year I’d never even seen the film. I grew up in Denmark and it’s not shown on television there, so since it was never part of my childhood, it is not on my list.)

#5: Die Hard

Why yes, this is absolutely a Christmas film, and an awesome one at that! Who says that it has to be all about Santa Claus and Christmas trees and children who smile? Bruce Willis gunning down Alan Rickman and all the other evil terrorists on Christmas Eve is the best way to start the celebrations! It is both a timeless action flick, and a must-see during the holidays, and I think most of us here can quote a lot of it by heart (I won’t, though, it’s too explicit). This is a true classic, and a great antidote to the more traditional seasonal movies.

#4: The Muppet Christmas Carol

I love Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, but I think I love The Muppet Christmas Carol even more! I only know the Muppets from this movie, so I never got the way the classic characters had been Muppet-fied; I just like the funny puppets, and of course, the story. It’s a heart-warming, entertaining and colourful film… but my favourite part of this movie has to be Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge, he is just fantastic. I do also like the version of this film with Mickey Mouse, but I think this version manages to be both fun and entertaining for kids while still maintaining the harder edge of the original.

#3: Home Alone

Now this is the classic Christmas movie of my childhood. I have watched some parts of Home Alone every year for as long as I can remember, and I continue to enjoy it! As any kid, I used to dream of the freedom that Kevin got when his parents first left him and he got to eat what he wanted and use all his brother’s toys… and then once the robbers started their siege, I was in awe of all of Kevin’s clever traps. I’m still a little in awe of those traps. John Williams has made another amazing, magical score to accompany this movie, which makes it an essential part of my Christmas: every time I hear it, I’m transported back to my childhood.

#2: Love Actually

I love this movie. Actually. From Liam Neeson and his stepson and Hugh Grant and Colin Firth’s forays into romance, to the awkward young naked couple and Bill Nighy’s unforgettable ‘Christmas is All Around’ performance, this movie is just a masterpiece from start to finish. And it’s got such a wonderful, well-rounded feeling of Christmas, which is after all the whole point. The movie is hilarious and heart-warming, but it also shows the downsides of love, and the downsides of the holidays. But despite the sad parts, overall, you can’t help but smile at the final montage. Though Hollywood keeps trying, Love Actually will never be surpassed as the best seasonal, star-studded ensemble movie.

#1: Hook

This is my absolute favourite Christmas movie, which might seem weird considering that it’s not about Christmas at all. There is only one fleeting reference to the holiday in the whole movie, yet it’s undoubtedly full of Christmas spirit. Why? Because it embraces what Christmas is all about for me: love, family and imagination. There’s something about John Williams’ magical soundtrack coupled with the wonderful world of Neverland, the wondrous scenes like Peter remembering how to fly and finding his imagination (and starting the food fight, my favourite scene!), that just make this movie stand out. And what really brings depth to the film is the deep unhappiness of both Peter and Hook; essentially, they are a couple of grumpy old men who have lost touch with what it feels to be a child, and at the end, only one rediscovers the magic in life. Finally, there is Wendy (played brilliantly by Maggie Smith), whose memories carry the whole movie and only make the ending that much more emotional. In the holiday season, Hook reminds us of what is really important.

What’s your favourite Christmas/holiday movie, that you just have to watch this time of year? Share in the comments, and I hope that whatever you celebrate you have happy holidays!

This column post was written by Hypable staff member Selina Wilken. Follow her on Twitter @SelinaWilken!