28 Unmissable Films To Watch On TV Over The Christmas Period This Year
As we approach Christmas, the lucky few will be looking ahead to enjoying some time of work to unwind and destress in that precious downtime surrounding the festivities of Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
So, while you’re curled up with something warm on the sofa this festive season, might we suggest you check out some of the movies airing on TV across the season?
Whether you’re in the mood for fun-filled family adventure, rip-roaring comedy or something a bit more serious there’s plenty to enjoy – plus, of course, some old festive faves and new offerings that just might be future classics.
Here are our top picks of the movies to watch in the days ahead…
Nativity!
The first proper day of your holiday calls for something proper Christmassy, and when it comes to festive British movies, they don’t come much bigger than Nativity!.
Over the years, the star-studded comedy has become a cult favourite, with big laughs that are very relatable to anyone who’s ever been involved in a school Christmas show (plus, look out for a cameo from the man of the moment, Alan Carr, in a rare acting role).
When’s it on? Monday 22 December at 2.20pm on BBC One
Mrs Doubtfire
With the whole family gathered together under one roof, it feels like an opportune moment to revisit some of the all-time greats, a category Mrs Doubtfire definitely falls under.
Boasting one of Robin Williams’ best ever performances, the family comedy is not only hysterically funny (we defy you not to smile while Mrs Doubtfire is doing the hoovering, while Sally Field’s “the whole time!” has become a go-to quote for a reason), but also packs an emotional punch that makes it the ideal cosy watch.
When’s it on? Monday 22 December at 6.35pm on ITV2
Happiest Season
But while Christmas is so often about revisiting the classics we love, how about a more modern offering you’ve probably not had the opportunity to see before.
Happiest Season is making its UK telly debut in 2025, featuring Kristen Bell and Mackenzie Davis as a young couple grappling with the usual dysfunctional family Christmas – the added detail being that one of them hasn’t actually come out to her mum and dad yet.
When’s it on? Monday 22 December at 9pm on Film4
Violent Night
Another holiday movie with a twist, as the name suggests, Violent Night is an action-packed comedy about a very different kind of Santa Claus who has to step in to fight for a family being held hostage over the festive season.
Led by David Harbour (whose ears may well have been burning for the last few months of 2025), production on a sequel recently entered production, ahead of its release towards the end of next year, so this is your chance to check out the first movie for yourself.
When’s it on? Monday 22 December at 10pm on Channel 4
Bridget Jones’s Diary
Not strictly a Christmas film, but as the year draws to a close, it always feels like the perfect time to check in with Bridget Jones and her diary, and while we absolutely loved film number four earlier this year, there’s no arguing that the laugh-a-minute original is still the best.
Once you’ve enjoyed all of Bridget’s iconic and hilarious antics (and cried into your tub of Heroes over that perfect ending), stay tuned, because BBC Three is showing the first three Bridget Jones films in the series back-to-back. Hey, what’s Christmas for?
When’s it on? Monday 22 December at 10.10pm on BBC Three
Oppenheimer
Something Christopher Nolan has now become synonymous with is the epic scale of his movies, and Oppenheimer is potentially the biggest and most ambitious thing he’s ever put his name on.
If you never got the chance to see Oppenheimer when it came out in 2023, now’s your chance to see what all the fuss is about and why it so deserved those seven Oscars (just maybe keep your phone out of reach for the full cinematic experience), and if you’re already a Nolan devotee, why not check out his most recent epic before his Odyssey comes out next year?
When’s it on? Tuesday 23 December at 11pm on BBC Three
Goodbye June
Kate Winslet’s directorial debut is a guaranteed seasonal tear-jerker about a family saying goodbye to its matriarch over one last Christmas together.
Joining the Titanic star in the film are an impressive A-list cast that includes Toni Collette, Timothy Spall, Andrea Riseborough, Johnny Flynn and Dame Helen Mirren.
When’s it on? Christmas Eve on Netflix
Meet Me In St Louis
Meet Me In St Louis tells the story of one wealthy family over the course of a year, which makes it ideal viewing for this time of year as we take stock of 2025 and look forward to the months ahead.
There won’t be a dry eye in the house during Judy Garland’s moving rendition of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, but at least there’s the jubilant and toe-tapping Trolley Song for balance.
When’s it on? Christmas Eve at 1.25pm on BBC One
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
And speaking of “not a dry eye in the house”...
E.T. is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser regardless of what generation you might be from, so it’s perfect for when you have people of all ages gathered together for the holidays. Sadly, also guaranteed is an absolute blub-fest in the film’s final moments…
When’s it on? Christmas Eve at 1.35pm on ITV1
Sister Act
On that note, perhaps you and the family are more in the mood for belly laughs than being put through the emotional ringer this Christmas, in which case Whoopi Goldberg and her classic film Sister Act will be just what you’re after.
Not only does Sister Act pack in plenty of drama and laughs, there are also some excellent musical numbers, and scene-stealing performances from the likes of Kathy Najimy and the late, great Dame Maggie Smith.
When’s it on? Christmas Eve at 1.35pm on Channel 4
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse
If you’re spending the festive season with a little one who’s spent the better half of 2025 obsessed with KPop Demon Hunters, we reckon it might be worth introducing them to the Spider-Verse.
What they lack in musical numbers, they make up for in unique, imaginative and, at times, mind-blowing animated sequences that made KPop Demon Hunters such a hit with Netflix users this last year. And that’s without throwing in all the usual fun and antics that already make Spider-Man such a beloved franchise.
When’s it on? Christmas Eve at 2.55pm on BBC One
Paddington
Any day, any time is the perfect moment for a bit of Paddington, but there’s just something about watching it with family and loved ones over Christmas that just cuts that bit deeper.
Whatever dramas or squabbles might be going on in your household in the run-up to Christmas Day, this film gives you the perfect opportunity to set it all aside and enjoy something genuinely wholesome and delightfully charming.
When’s it on? Christmas Eve at 5.30pm on BBC One
Home Alone
Home Alone was recently named the UK’s favourite Christmas film ever, so it’s fair to assume that plenty of us were already watching this at some point over the festive season.
But when you take into account that the chaotic family comedy is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, we’d say this is the year to bump it up the watchlist and make sure you revisit what has made it such a beloved classic.
When’s it on? Christmas Eve at 5.35pm on Channel 4
Love Actually
We’re going to be honest, we’ve seen quite a few critics sneering at ITV’s Christmas schedule for this year.
Admittedly, we have to concede that it relies much more on reruns and repeats than the programmes and specials the BBC has on offer, we’re also not sure there’s anything we’d rather be doing on Christmas Eve than settling in to stream Love Actually – and we can’t be the only ones who feel that way.
When’s it on? Christmas Eve at 9.10pm on ITV1
The Devil Wears Prada
Bear with us here. This might not seem the most Christmassy of viewing for Christmas Day, but as much as this time of year is about reflection, it’s also about looking ahead, and The Devil Wears Prada 2 is one of our most-anticipated movies of next year, so it feels fitting to take a moment to revisit the original.
Oh who are we kidding? We just want to watch The Devil Wears Prada, even if it is Christmas Day.
When’s it on? Christmas Day at 6.50pm on Film4
Jaws
Sick to the back teeth (see what we did there?), of all things festive, joyful and saccharine sweet?
Well, you can think BBC Two for sticking Jaws on right in the middle of their Christmas Day schedule.
When’s it on? Christmas Day at 9.15pm on BBC Two
When Harry Met Sally
Like quite a few of the other films on this list, When Harry Met Sally spans plenty of key moments in the calendar, which makes it an ideal viewing experience at this time of year.
Admittedly, the pioneering romantic comedy is one we’re never likely to skip when we see it’s on, but given the recent tragic death of its director Rob Reiner, we’ll definitely be taking time aside to rewatch one of his most beloved movies this festive season.
When’s it on? Christmas Day at 11.35pm on BBC One
Puss In Boots: The Last Wish
You might be wondering why the sequel to a Shrek spin-off has made our round-up of must-watch films over Christmas. And the simple reason for that is… because it’s amazing, managing to be hilarious while also cerebral and thought-provoking.
Seriously, watch it and get back to us. You’ll see.
When’s it on? Boxing Day at 3.20pm on BBC One
Elvis
With Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, Bob Dylan’s A Complete Unknown and Robbie Williams’ Better Man all hitting cinemas both hitting cinemas in the last year or so, it’s clear that the musical biopic trend that began with Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman is still showing no sign of slowing down.
Out of all of them, though, we expect it’s Elvis that people will still be talking about in years to come, thanks to director Baz Luhrmann’s unique style and Austin Butler’s striking life-spanning performance as The King.
When’s it on? Saturday 27 December at 7.45pm on BBC One
Grease
There are classics and then… then there’s Grease.
As crowd-pleasing as crowd-pleasers come, we’re still all about those low-key camp moments, like Cha Cha DiGregoiro doing that move with her leg, Frenchy taking off her headscarf in the diner, “oh Blanche, stop blubbering”, the hot dog jumping into the bun at the end of Sandy or pretty much every time that fabulous female mechanic is on screen.
When’s it on? Sunday 28 December at 12.40pm on ITV1
2001: A Space Odyssey
This festive season, you can lock the doors, snuggle up and enjoy Stanley Kubrick’s visually stunning magnum opus just as the legendary filmmaker intended… at home, on your telly, while sneaking Celebrations.
Now that’s what we call cinema…
When’s it on? Sunday 28 December at 6.15pm on ITV4
The Godfather
There’s a reason that, more than 50 years after its initial release, The Godfather is still repeatedly held up as an example of one of the best movies ever made, and if you’ve still not actually sat down and watched it, consider this your sign to finally rectify that.
Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic gangster movie was also the breakout film role for the legendary Diane Keaton, who died earlier this year at the age of 79, so we’ll also be raising a glass to her as we watch.
When’s it on? Sunday 28 December at 10pm on BBC Two
Challengers
Now, many of us will be heading back to work after a lengthy break on Monday 29 December. And those of us in that position might find themselves scrambling for some escapism at around 10 o’clock the night before. To those people we say… stick Challengers on.
Not only is the tennis drama visually stunning (we’re not just talking about the cast, we promise), the triage of performances at the centre of it all from Zendaya, Mike Faist and Wake Up Dead Man fave Josh O’Connor make the two-hour run time pass in the blink of an eye (or should that be thwack of a tennis ball?).
When’s it on? Sunday 28 December at 10pm on BBC Three
School Of Rock
If there is a soul in your household this Christmas who’s still not seen School Of Rock, it’s time to give them a much-needed education.
Jack Black’s performance as Dewey Finn is one of the finest in 21st century comedy, but did you know that’s White Lotus creator Mike White (who also wrote the film!) as Ned Schneebley?
When’s it on? Monday 29 December at 6.45pm on ITV2
Marcel The Shell With Shoes On
It might take a moment to snap into the unique world of Marcel The Shell With Shoes On, but we promise that as soon as you’re there, this film is an adorable and life-affirming story about an unlikely hero that you might find yourself shedding a few unexpected tears over.
When’s it on? New Year’s Eve at 9.35am on BBC One
Pretty Woman
What do we even need to say? It’s Pretty Woman!
Should you find yourself at home on New Year’s Eve, we can think of few better ways to see in 2026 than with one of cinema’s most cherished (albeit somewhat problematic) love stories, fabulously played out by Julia Roberts and Richard Gere.
When’s it on? New Year’s Eve at 9pm on ITV1
The Sound Of Music
The thing with The Sound Of Music is that you think it’s a sweet story about Julie Andrews running around under the fluffy white clouds, teaching children to sing on her little guitar and coaxing them through a thunderstorm with a sing-a-long about brown paper packages tied up with strings and girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes.
Once you’re into the thick of it, though, you remember that it’s actually an oddly prescient story about solidarity, the power of everyday people, the importance of sticking to our principles and resisting the rise of fascism. It’s actually pretty bad-ass, you know? And the timeless musical numbers don’t exactly hurt, either.
When’s it on? New Year’s Day at 3.15pm on BBC One
Back To The Future
Another stone-cold classic to celebrate the arrival of 2026 in style, Back To The Future is one of those films that you still notice fun details about no matter how many times you’ve seen it.
Oh, and if you’re trying to eke out the end of the Bank Holiday, it might interest you to know that the whole trilogy is airing back-to-back on BBC Three this New Year’s Day.
You’re welcome…
When’s it on? New Year’s Day at 7.10pm on BBC Three (triple bill!)