BING IT ON...
THERE’S A FEAST OF FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY IN OUR PICK OF THE BEST FILMS ON OFFER THIS CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMAS EVE
Scrooge Channel 5, 11.30am
Alastair Sim is perfect as the miser who is taught the error of his ways by three spirits in the definitive version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale.
White Christmas BBC2, 1pm
Set to the immortal music of Irving Berlin, this vintage classic from the golden era of Hollywood stars Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as a songand-dance act. They join forces with a sister act (Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen) to save a failing inn in Vermont.
The Grinch ITV1, 2.40pm
Benedict Cumberbatch goes green in this animated family adventure from the makers of Despicable Me. The Sherlock star voices the lonely Grinch, who hates Christmas and plans to ruin it for the happy townsfolk.
The Sound of Music BBC1, 2.50pm
Inspired by a true story, this muchloved musical follows novice nun Maria (Julie Andrews), who is employed as a governess to the seven Von Trapp children.
Their widowed father (Christopher Plummer) runs the house on military lines, but his new employee eventually brings fun and music back into his offspring’s lives and melts his heart in the process.
Miracle on 34th Street Channel 4, 5.45pm
The big day is looming and this is the perfect film to get you in the festive mood.
It tells the story of a woman (Elizabeth Perkins) who raises her daughter (Mara Wilson) not to believe in the magic of Christmas or the existence of Santa. However, they both question their beliefs when they meet a snowybearded pensioner (Richard Attenborough) who claims to be the man himself. When the kindly old fellow is put on trial, accused of being a fraudster, they come to his defence.
CHRISTMAS DAY
Toy Story 4 BBC1, 3.10pm
Woody and pals venture outside the toy box for a final time in a funny, joyous and beautifully animated adventure. The script quietly preaches the beauty of imperfection between breathless action setpieces and a barrage of visual gags.
The Wizard of Oz Channel 5, 3.10pm
This magical musical, starring a 16-year-old Judy Garland, remains one of Hollywood’s most iconic movies with its glorious use of Technicolor and Oscar-winning soundtrack.
Sing 2 ITV1, 4.30pm
Koala impresario Buster Moon (voiced by Matthew McConaughey) is hoping to make it into the big leagues. Sheep diva Nana Noodleman (Jennifer Saunders), inspires the bear to gatecrash Crystal Entertainment’s auditions hosted by Arctic wolf chief exec Jimmy
Crystal (Bobby Cannavale). Crystal is unimpressed until
Buster and his pals pitch the idea of a sci-fi extravaganza that would woo lion rock star Clay Calloway (Bono) back to the stage after a 15-year hiatus.
Forrest Gump Channel 4, 10pm
Tom Hanks stars as the prodigious hero who witnesses, and in some cases influences, some of the defining events of the latter half of the 20th century in the US.
Despite this, he can only think of his childhood love, and attempts to track her down.
BOXING DAY
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang ITV1, 3pm
Dick Van Dyke and Sally Ann Howes star in this musical fantasy about a flying car which whisks inventor Caractacus Potts, his two children, and his friend,
Truly Scrumptious, off to a world of pirates, castles and an evil Baron.
The Great Escape Channel 4, 3.30pm
Steve McQueen heads a stellar cast in this classic adventure about Allied prisoners of war who manage to flee a supposedly escape-proof camp during the Second World War.
The Lion King BBC1, 5.05pm
Director Jon Favreau employs the same photorealistic computer wizardry that served him well for The Jungle Book to transport viewers to the sun-baked savanna for Disney’s virtually word-for-word remake of its classic 1994 animation The Lion King. Donald Glover, Beyoncé and Chiwetel Ejiofor are among the new voice cast, with Darth Vader himself James Earl Jones as Mufasa.
NEW YEAR’S EVE
No Time to Die ITV1, 8.30pm
James Bond (Daniel Craig) bids adieu to active service at MI6, but a tranquil new life in Jamaica, nursing a broken heart away from Dr Madeleine Swann (Lea Seydoux), is threatened by the arrival of CIA
friend Felix Leiter (Jeffrey
Wright). He needs help to track down scientist Valdo Obruchev. The mission pits Bond against MI6 agent Nomi (Lashana Lynch) but inter-agency rivalries are put to one side to defeat Machiavellian mastermind Safin (Rami Malek).
Marry Me BBC1, 8.25pm
Shortly before pop diva Kat Valdez (Jennifer Lopez) is set to marry her boyfriend on stage in front of a livestreamed global audience of 20 million fans, she views leaked footage of her man kissing someone else.
Humiliated, Kat stares into the concert crowd and spots maths teacher Charlie Gilbert (Owen Wilson), who is holding a sign that reads “Marry Me”. Impulsively, Kat accepts Charlie’s proposal.
NEW YEAR’S DAY
Singin’ in the Rain Channel 5, 2.10pm
One of the greatest musicals ever made, Singin’ in the Rain is bursting with catchy songs and general joie de vivre. The dance numbers are superb, with a witty script and topnotch performances from the leading trio of Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor.
Moana BBC1, 2.20pm
Tapping into Polynesian folklore and boasting gorgeous CGI animation, this is must-watch family fun as a teenager voyages across the Pacific with a demigod (Dwayne Johnson) to lift an ancient curse.
Bonnie and Clyde BBC2, 10pm
Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty star in this Oscar-nominated film telling the true story of gun-toting US gangster couple Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, who roamed the Midwest during the Depression.