If you fancy a break from the annual misery on offer among the soaps and repeats that remind you of better times for TV, then here is the best movies screening on television this Christmas.
With talking snowmen, songs, shape-shifting aliens, a fairytale romance and murderous youngsters, there’s something on offer for everyone.
● Frozen (BBC1, Christmas Eve at 1.30pm) - We still can’t quite let this modern Disney favourite go, with its shockingly catchy tunes and endearing ensemble.
● Kingsman: The Golden Circle (Film4, Christmas Eve at 9pm) - The cast has swelled from its predecessor as a trip to the US allows some familiar Hollywood names to get in on the Brit-joke.
● The Children (Horror Channel, Christmas Eve at 9pm) - If you’ve got young kids it might be best to give this one a miss, but those who stick it out will be on the edge of their seats before Santa’s arrival.
● How to Train Your Dragon (Channel 4, Christmas Day at 11am) - The perfect backdrop to present opening, DreamWorks’ original - and best - tale of Hiccup and Toothless is energetic, touching and full of action.
● Mary Poppins Returns (BBC1, Christmas Day at 3.10pm) - Emily Blunt and Ben Whishaw are in first-class form, with director Rob Marshall bringing the necessary magic and new tunes that pack an emotional punch.
● Anna and the Apocalypse (Horror Channel, Christmas Day at 9pm) - Marvellous music and zombies trying to lay waste to Christmas, what’s not to like about a sensational Scottish slice of comedy-horror?
● Slumdog Millionaire (Channel 4, Christmas Day at 12.20am) - Torture mixed with heart-warming romance may sound like a mish-mash but it works well and helps give Danny Boyle’s movie an unpredictable feel.
● Beauty and the Beast (BBC1, Boxing Day at 2.20pm) - Bill Condon’s live-action take on the fairytale is spellbinding, enchanting filmmaking with impressive visuals.
● The Thing (Horror Channel, Boxing Day at 9pm) - The original and best take on the invasive alien horror is a masterclass in tension, paranoia and seminal practical effects from genre maestro John Carpenter.
● The Suicide Squad (Sky Cinema Premiere, Boxing Day at 8pm) - Much like helmer James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy, the anti-heroes here are an oddball collection of misfits that soon win our hearts and minds.
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