There is something for everyone to watch this Christmas, whether you’re looking for top dramas, thrilling soap plots, game shows, or your favourite festive Christmas movie. We have put together this guide of the best Christmas TV and films you can watch this Christmas, and when and where to watch them!
Our top picks over Christmas and where you can watch them:
BBC One
Moana – Christmas Eve 12:35 PM
If you’re looking for a great family film for all the family to watch over Christmas, sit down to watch the brilliant Moana on Christmas Eve. The story of a Polynesian princess who goes on a quest to save her island and her people, it’s a modern Disney classic with some brilliant and incredibly catchy songs to sing along to.
The Queens Speech – Christmas Day 3:00 PM
Her Majesty will return to TV screens on Christmas Day to deliver her annual address to the nation and the people of the Commonwealth.
Strictly: The Christmas Countdown – Christmas Day 4:45 PM
With a traditional Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special out of the question this year thanks to the pandemic, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will be fronting a special show counting down the 25 most memorable dances of all time, voted for by the public.
Eastenders Christmas Special – Christmas Day 9:10 PM
It’s set to be another dark Christmas in Albert Square this year after Ian Beale was attacked and left for dead earlier this month. Meanwhile, secrets and lies are on the menu this Christmas for the Carters, as Linda falls victim to temptation and turns elsewhere for comfort, and Denise confronts a fearsome face from her past…
Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas Special – Christmas Day 10:00 PM
TV’s most Marmite show is back for two new episodes, the first of which sees Agnes and her family getting used to “the new normal”.
The Repair Shop at Christmas – Boxing Day 6:45
Christmas has arrived at The Repair Shop where its team of passionate and skilled craftspeople are beavering away, repairing and rescuing four beloved festive treasures.
BBC Two
Meet Me in St Louis – Christmas Eve 12:25 PM
This is a classic romantic musical comedy starring Judy Garland, which focuses on the lives of the Smith family from St. Louis. It includes the Christmas classics Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, The Trolley Song and Skip to My Lou
ITV
Birds of A Feather Christmas Special – Christmas Eve 9:15 PM
The Birds are back for a brand new one-off, which catches up with them in lockdown.
Family Fortunes – Boxing Day 8:30 PM
The family of Strictly judge Shirley Ballas take on Vogue Williams, her husband Spencer Matthews and their family for a chance to win a £30,000 jackpot prize for their chosen charities.
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire – Boxing Day 9:30 PM
Jeremy Clarkson will be joined by some famous faces for a celebrity edition of Who Wants to Be A Millionaire.
ITV2
The Grinch – Christmas Eve 4:05 PM
The Grinch grows increasingly annoyed with the ever-growing festive cheer that engulfs the village of Whoville. So, he teams up with his dog to ruin the festive spirit by being a spoilsport. A festive favourite re-imagined in the animated version of the Grinch.
Peter Pan – Christmas Day 1:05 PM
Peter Pan and his friend Tinker Bell, a fairy, whisk away siblings Wendy, John and Michael to the island of Never Land, where Captain Hook seeks vengeance against Peter for cutting off his hand.
Britain’s Got Talent Christmas Special – Christmas Day 8:00 PM
For the first time ever, the BGT gang are hosting a festive get-together, as they welcome back some of the talent show’s most memorable and talented acts from the past 14 years.
Happy Feet – Boxing Day 12:00 PM
Unlike other penguins, Mumble is a gifted tap dancer, which earns him the wrath of the elders of his clan, who send him into exile. Mumble then befriends the Amigos, who help him rediscover himself.
Mamma Mia, Here We Go Again – Boxing Day 2:10 PM
Sophie Sheridan learns more about her mother Donna’s history on the island of Kalokairi with her three possible fathers as she reopens the family hotel.
Channel 4
The Great Christmas Bake Off – Christmas Eve 7:40 PM
Channel 4 has come through with two extra helpings of the nation’s favourite cookery competition bringing back some of our old favourites.
Sky One
Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of The Curious Mouse – Christmas Eve 8:15 PM
Roald & Beatrix, the tail of the curious mouse, a heart-warming Christmas film inspired by the true encounter between a six-year-old Roald Dahl and his idol Beatrix Potter. A magical story of what really can happen when you are brave enough to follow your dreams.
Disney +
Soul
If you are looking for a feel-good movie this Christmas, Soul is a perfect way to start the festive holiday. Joe is a middle-school band teacher whose life didn’t quite go the way he had planned. His true passion is jazz, which he is great at. But when he travels to another realm to help someone find their passion, he soon discovers what it means to have a soul. Streaming from 25th December only on Disney +.
Frozen
Frozen is a great movie for everyone to get involved in and have a sing-along this Christmas! Anna sets out on a journey with an iceman, Kristoff, and his reindeer, Sven, to find her sister, Elsa, who has the power to convert any object or person into ice. It’s a magical fairy-tale that will uplift the whole family this Christmas.
Home Alone Trilogy
If you haven’t already binge-watched all three Home Alone films then what are you waiting for? Home Alone’ features young Kevin (Macaulay Culkin), finding that his family have gone on holiday without him and he is left alone in the house. To make matters worse, some local crooks have their beady eyes on the seemingly empty property. Kevin must find a way of stopping his home being robbed.
The Muppet Christmas Carol
The Muppet Christmas Carol is a 1992 American musical fantasy comedy film. A fun take on the Charles Dickens classic ‘A Christmas Carol’. Scrooge, played by Michael Caine, is an old man who dislikes Christmas and is visited by spirits. Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear and Sam the Eagle weave in and out of the story, while Scrooge receives visits from spirits of three Christmases – past, present and future. They show him the error of his self-serving ways, but the miserable old man seems to be past any hope of redemption and happiness.
A Christmas Carol
Since many of us can’t go to the theatre this year to watch A Christmas Carol with the family, Disney Plus has made sure we do not miss out on this classic film. In the 2009 animated version of the film, Jim Carrey plays Ebenezer Scrooge. With a star-studded cast featuring Gary Oldman, Colin Firth and Bob Hoskins, this is the perfect film for all ages
Prime Video
The Snowman
The Snowman is a magical adventure that takes all children and grownups to our most precious moments. The Snowman is a true piece of Christmas magic where a young boy starts making a snowman on Christmas. The Snowman then magically comes to life and the young boy and the snowman go on a journey to meet Santa Claus.
Deck The Halls
If you are looking for a light-hearted Christmas comedy this year then why not try Deck The Halls. Steve and his new neighbour, Buddy, try to outdo each other in decorating their houses for Christmas. However, Buddy’s extravagantly-decorated house overshadows Steve’s, causing a conflict.
Nativity Rocks
Enjoy a true British Christmas movie that will take you back to your school days singing in the nativity. Nativity Rocks takes a traditional approach to the nativity as St. Bernadette’s Primary School audition for a coveted place in a spectacular rock musical competition.
Christmas With The Kranks
The Kranks scandalise everyone when they declare that they won’t be celebrating Christmas. But, when their daughter decides to visit home, they suddenly have to throw together the best Christmas possible at the very last minute. Starring Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis, this American Christmas comedy is bound to get a few laughs this Christmas.
Sky Cinema
Elf
Elf is one for both the children and adults to enjoy! Elf Buddy, a human, is raised amongst elves at the North Pole. When he discovers that he is not an elf, he travels to New York to search for his biological father. A brilliant comedy starring Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel, directed by Jon Favreau, since its release in 2003 it has fast become a Christmas classic.
Miracle on 34th Street
Put your feet up, relax and enjoy this magical film. Kris Kringle believes he is the genuine Santa Claus and this devotion to the cause makes him very popular indeed, leading to record profits for the store. This annoys rival retailers so much that they try to discredit the so-called Santa, leading eventually to a court case in which Kringle and his lawyer try to prove that he is the real thing. Starring Richard Attenborough and Elizabeth Perkins (Matilda), this heart-warming classic is the perfect film to watch this Christmas.
Love Actually
The hilarious Love Actually explores the ups and downs of eight relationships in the weeks building up to Christmas. Boyfriends & girlfriends, husbands & wives, fathers & sons and rock stars & managers all combine to make Love Actually not just one story but ten very different ones.
Polar Express
Late on Christmas Eve night, a boy lies in bed hoping to hear the sound of reindeer bells from Santa’s sleigh. When to his surprise, a steam engine’s roar and whistle can be heard outside his window. The conductor invites him on board to take an extraordinary journey to the North Pole with many other children. There, he receives an extraordinary gift only those who still believe in Santa can experience.
Netflix
Nativity Trilogy
Binge-watch your favourite British Christmas films this year! Watch the kids of St. Bernadette’s Primary School sing and dance there way through school plays, competitions and musicals.
Dr Suess’ The Grinch
In this animated version, Benedict Cumberbatch voices The Grinch who grows increasingly annoyed with the ever-growing festive cheer that engulfs the village of Whoville. He plots to bring Christmas to a halt in Whoville, but a sweet little girl could change his plans.
The Holiday
Two girls from different countries swap homes for the holidays to get away from their relationship issues. However, their lives change unexpectedly when they meet and fall in love with two local guys. A funny festive rom-com, ideal for you and your partner to watch cuddled up on the couch.
The Christmas Chronicles
The plot follows two children, Kate and Teddy, who notice Santa Claus in their home and jump into his sleigh with his reindeer; however, the sleigh eventually malfunctions and crashes, and the Christmas presents are lost. As Christmas morning approaches, it is up to the children and Santa to save Christmas by correctly delivering all presents.
Make sure you have plenty of Christmas snacks, popcorn and hot chocolate in the house so you can sit back, relax and enjoy some great festive TV!
Merry Christmas from all of us at Swan!
