Feast your eyes
Break out the candy canes and shortbread: it’s time to celebrate Christmas on the couch. Unashamedly schmaltzy, romantic, merry and a little bit naughty, pick your Santa-themed viewing to be as sweet as you desire. rounds up the best of the box’s Christma
The Santa Clauses
After three movies and more than 15 years, Tim Allen reprises his career-defining guise as the accidental Santa Clause. From veteran producer Jack Burditt
(30 Rock), this six-episode adventure is stuffed with goofy shenanigans after Santa retires to live a normal family life. The problem? It turns out he “hired the wrong guy”. With his family in tow, Santa must race back to his old digs at the North Pole to save Christmas.
It’s heartwarming silliness. Streaming, Disney+
Spirited
One for the big kids at heart, Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds are a comedic, singing double act in this spectacular retelling of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. It’s a modern, music-and-dance spin on the classic morality tale, ornamented with slapstick, adult humour and grand sets. The actionpacked story brims with high-octane energy, and Ferrell is a delight as the Ghost of Christmas Present. Streaming, Apple TV+
Rebecca Balloch
Christmas with the Campbells
A cookie-cutter Christmas is gift-wrapped with raunchiness and quirk in this rom-com co-written by Vince Vaughn. Brittany Snow (Pitch Perfect) is wonderfully deadpan as a woman who is unceremoniously dumped by her boyfriend (Alex Moffat, SNL) just before Christmas. Nonetheless, she agrees to holiday with his wine-swilling parents, and serendipitously meets their handsome-buteccentric family member (Justin Long). Tune in for the hilarious asides and situations. Streaming, AMC+
Who Killed Santa? A Murderville Mystery
Will Arnett’s clumsy, gravel-voiced homicide detective Terry Seattle is a riot in this free-wheeling cop spoof, which features a different guest star in each episode playing along without a script. Expect Grinchlike behaviour from Arnett in this Christmas
special with top-notch guests Jason Bateman (Ozark) and Maya Rudolph (Loot) gifting viewers bemused looks and offbeat capers as they try to solve Santa’s murder. Streaming, Netflix
Carols in the Domain
Set to feature The Wiggles, Leo Sayer and Samantha Jade – as well as Andrea Bocelli performing with his young daughter Vivienne
via satellite – Seven’s 40th anniversary Christmas concert is its biggest yet. Back to a fullcapacity crowd, veteran hosts Natalie Barr and David Koch will be dressed to impress, but they could be sprinkled with snow thanks to the giant snow machine invited to dazzle the live audience. Friday, 7.30pm, Seven
Carols by Candlelight
Christmas is all about rituals and what could be more traditional than zealously singing along to Nine’s musical spectacular on Christmas Eve? From Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl, hosts David Campbell and Brooke Boney welcome performers including Marina Prior, Denis Walter, David Hobson, Silvie Paladino and Rob Mills. The medley of modern, classic and sentimental Christmas tunes will no doubt light up viewers’ hearts. Christmas Eve, 8pm, Nine