THE RUN UP

The Six Triple Eight, Netflix, Fri 20 Dec

Kerry Washington, Ebony Obsidian, Kylie Jefferson, Moriah Brown, Susan Sarandon, Dean Norris, Sam Waterston and Oprah Winfrey all star in Tyler Perry’s latest movie missive, The Six Triple Eight. It tells the important story of the only Women’s Army Corps unit of colour to serve in WWII, who were tasked with delivering over 17 million backlogged letters from soldiers on the frontline to their families- talk about a mission like no other! Overcoming the odds, this gives all kinds of inspiring, heartwarming, festive feels and a top cast to boot.

Strictly Come Dancing: 20 Years Fabulous, BBC One, Sat 21 Dec

This year’s winner may have already been crowned (congrats Chris McCausland) but Strictly fans don’t get their Saturday nights back just yet. This one-off special takes a look back at the last two decades of the show. From Natasha Kaplinsky’s first win and John Sergeant’s dragging paso doble to the late great Bruce Forsyth and Len Goodman and every cursed couple, crazy outfit and glitter ball winner in-between. A joyous, sequin-clad sashay down memory lane.

Katy Perry: Night of a Lifetime, ITV1, Sat 21 Dec

Your Saturday night festive party vibes come courtesy of Katy Perry – go on give us a Roar! This star-studded spectacular filmed at Westminster’s Central Hall marks her first UK performance for six years. Expect to hear all her best bops, some incredible outfit changes, special guests and a bit of banter with her A-list audience. Armchair disco, anyone?

Casualty: All I want for Christmas, BBC One, Sat 21 Dec

Casualty is back with a bang in this “format-breaking” festive spacial which shines a light on dwindling blood donations. An emotionally-charged watch that sees patients flooding the ward on Christmas Day amid the shortage, with real-life testimonials woven into the soap amping up that drama. A powerful watch if you need a break from all the usual Christmas cheese.

Paul Simon: In Restless Dreams, Sky Documentaries, Sat 21 Dec

Give the kids a lesson in music with this riveting documentary about Paul Simon. The iconic American songwriter invited Oscar-winning filmmaker, Alex Gibney, into the studio while he recorded his 2023 album, Seven Psalms. Punctuated by archive footage, Gibney and Simon discuss his early years, relationship with Art Garfunkel and astonishing career. You’ll be busting out Graceland after watching this.

A Christmas Carol: The Read with Anne-Marie Duff, BBC Four, Sun 22 Dec

A Christmas Carol: The Read with Anne-Marie Duff

Christmas isn’t Christmas without a chain-rattling ghost and a bah humbug or two, so this gorgeous, one woman reading of the Charles Dickens classic by Bad Sister, Anne-Marie Duff, is right up our street. In this 90-minute special, she will bring Bob Cratchit, Ebenezer Scrooge and all his ghostly visitors to life. Perfect festive fodder.

Bad Tidings, Sky Max, Sun 22 Dec

Like a mash up between Home Alone and Deck the Halls, Bad Tidings ticks the Christmas comedy caper box. Comics Lee Mack and Chris McCausland play warring neighbours, but when their pretty, suburban street comes under threat from a criminal gang, they’re forced to team up to save Christmas. Brought to you by the BAFTA-winning team behind Ghosts and Horrible Histories, this makes for a funny, slapstick happy, family watch.

Death in Paradise, BBC One, Sun 22 Dec

Death in Paradise is as soft and frothy as a piña colada at dusk, but it’s a strangely hypnotic show, and makes perfect post-Christmas party viewing. Don Gilet makes his detective debut as Mervin Wilson and, after two Santas are shot dead on sunny Saint Marie, it looks like he has his work cut out for him. Jim Howick (Ghosts), Steven Hartley (Happy Valley) and Angela Griffin join cast regular Don Warrington for another tropical whodunnit.

Matthew Bourne’s Edward Scissorhands, Sky Arts, Sun 22 Dec

Tim Burton’s eccentric tale of the shy boy with scissors for hands has been given the Matthew Bourne ballet treatment and, like everything Bourne does, it’s spellbinding. Filmed live in March of this year at Cardiff’s Millennium Centre, the stunning production features hauntingly beautiful music by Danny Elfman and Terry Davies, amazing costumes and breathtaking choreography. Even if you have managed to see this on stage before, it’s worth revisiting again. Just gorgeous.

All Creatures Great and Small Christmas Special Channel 5, Mon 23 Dec

For a cosy hug-in-a-mug of a watch while you are wrapping your pressies, we’re tuning in to All Creatures Great and Small. Cast favourites Nicholas Ralph, Rachel Shenton, Samuel West, Callum Woodhouse and Anna Madeley all return for this special episode which sees everyone in the Skeldale House prepare for Christmas and baby Jimmy’s first birthday. But, some unexpected news means all is not as festively twee as usual. Gulp.

The Famous Five, BBC iPlayer, Mon 23 Dec

One for the kids, yet we can see the whole fam tuning in to this romp down memory lane with The Famous Five. It’s the summer of 1940 and the Five are reunited with an old foe who this time needs their help with solving a murder. With a host of likely suspects, each with a motive, can the Five figure out whodunnit? We’re betting they can! Though not a strict retelling of the Enid Blyton book series, it still makes a great festive family watch.

CHRISTMAS EVE

The Great Christmas Bake Off, Channel 4

The Great Christmas Bake Off celeb contestants

Nothing like watching some hapless celebs blunder a trifle to make you feel better about your own cooking this Christmas. This year’s festive Bake Off edition sees well known soap stars – hello Dean Gaffney, Natalie Cassidy, Shobna Gulati, Sheree Murphy and Chris Bisson – take to the tent with Prue Leith, Paul Hollywood, Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond.

The Repair Shop at Christmas, BBC One

Keep the tissues handy, things are bound to get emosh in this festive edition of The Repair Shop. In keeping with the time of year, the experts will try and fix festive items including a magic lantern projector which has been at the centre of a family’s Christmas Eve tradition for years. We’re welling up already.

Doctor Who at the Proms 2024, BBC Two

Aside from Ncuti Gatwa taking over the TARDIS as the current Doctor, 2024 also saw another monumental event for Whovians and that was this special BBC Proms performance at the Royal Albert Hall. The celebratory event saw Catherine Tate aka Donna Noble hosting while Alistair King conducted a full orchestra to the many tunes of Doctor Who. A must for fans of the show and a nice little warm up for the big Christmas episode.

A Ghost Story for Christmas: Woman of Stone, BBC Two

A Ghost Story for Christmas: Woman of Stone

One for all you ghouls out there. Mark Gattiss’ festive fright is now as much a part of Christmas as mulled wine, mince pie and the sniffles. This year’s offering is Edith Nesbit’s Victorian chiller, Woman of Stone, which sees newlyweds Jack (Éanna Hardwicke) and Laura’s (Phoebe Horn) honeymoon period overshadowed by superstition. For legend has it that the two marble tomb effigies in the local church rise on Christmas Eve. Celia Imrie, Monica Dolan and Mawaan Rizwan also star in this unashamedly Victorian (quivering moustaches and all) creepy caper.

CHRISTMAS DAY

Gavin & Stacey: The Finale, BBC One

Oh, what’s ocurrin’? They left us hanging on the ultimate cliffhanger back in 2019, and now *finally* James Corden and Ruth Jones are giving us the ending to Gavin & Stacey we all need, nay, deserve. Aside from a couple of unanswered questions (did Smiffy accept Nessa’s proposal? What the hell happened on that fishing trip?) it seems not much has changed since we last saw the gang – Gavin and Stacey are exploring ways to spice up their 17-year marriage, Brynn is packing the Picasso for Billericay and Pam is practising her hosting duties. The crowning glory of your Christmas Day viewing. Tidy!

Doctor Who: Joy to the World, BBC One

What’s better than one Ncuti Gatwa? A whole bunch of them bursting through doors offering you ham and cheese toasties and pumpkin spiced lattes, that’s what. In this year’s festive episode, the Doctor must learn the secrets of the mysterious Time Hotel in order to save the world (and Christmas). The wonderful Nicola Coughlan joins him in this cracking Christmas Day staple.

Wallace and Gromit: Revenge Most Fowl, BBC One

Pass the Wensleydale! Lancashire’s finest double act are back at it for the first time since (gulp) 2008, in another charming caper which sees the return of Feathers McGraw, the cunning penguin from The Wrong Trousers. In a bid to exact some Vengeance Most Fowl, McGraw tampers with Wallace’s latest invention, a “smart” gnome, cue calamities, mishaps and ultimately Gromit saving the day, again. Though the voice of Wallace might have changed (Ben Whitehead takes over from the late, great Peter Sallis), expect the same levels of clever humour in another heartwarming Nick Park classic.

The Piano at Christmas, Channel 4

Here’s a treat for the eyes and the ears – Claudia Winkleman’s wardrobe and some lovely festive tunes from the stand-out stars of this year’s ivory-tinkling series. Along with playing winter classics like Walking in the Air and O Holy Night, judges Mica and Lang Lang will play a cool Beatles number. Perfect food coma viewing.

Strictly Come Dancing, BBC One

Chris McCausland may have only just lifted the Glitterball trophy, but Strictly’s back on the silver screen again for its festive special, and like those Sunday results shows, this too is pre-recorded. This year, comedian Josh Widdicombe, actress Tamzin Outwaite and the shows first drag artist, Tayce, are among the celebs being put through their paces and hoping to score a 10 from Craig.

Tiddler, BBC One

Kid’s driving you up the wall? Settle them down in front of Julia Donaldson and Alex Scheffler’s cute fish, Tiddler, whose big imagination gets him into all sorts of mischief. Boasting quite the star-studded cast of voices including Hannah Waddingham, Lolly Adefope, Jayde Adams and Rob Brydon, it has dead cert written all over it.

From Roger Moore with Love, BBC Two

Arguably the suavest Bond (sorry Daniel Craig!), this gorgeous tribute takes a look back at Roger Moore’s life and career. Narrated by Steve Coogan and featuring interviews with Christopher Walken, David Walliams and Joan Collins, along with Moore’s family, you’ll be swept back to the golden age of cinema, tracing Moore’s unlikely rise from a South London working class boy to an era-defining global icon.

Call the Midwife, BBC One, Christmas Day & Boxing Day

Is it even Christmas without a visit to those midwives and a festive baby or two? This year’s episode (a double bill) sees the influenza plague Nonnatus House, an impoverished family out on their ear alongside a mince pie competition, a funfair and carol concert – it was certainly all going on in Christmas 1969.

BOXING DAY

Outnumbered, BBC One

The Brockman family are making a comeback just in time to make you feel good about your own family chaos at this stage in the Christmas holidays. The children Jake (Tyger Drew-Honey) Ben (Daniel Roche) and Karen (Ramona Marquez), now grown up, are back at the considerably downsized homestead for Christmas. Clare Skinner and Hugh Dennis return as relatably bemused parents in this funny, witty, hit of a show. Let the craziness commence.

The Festive Pottery Throw Down, Channel 4

Martin Kemp, Rachel Riley, Babatunde Aleshe and Tom Rosenthal take to the pottery wheel in this seasonal edition of the popular show. They are tasked with building a Winter Wonderland by hand and throwing as many wine coolers on the wheel as possible (way harder than it sounds!). As usual we’re watching for Siobhán McSweeney’s commentary and what we’re sure will be a lot of clay slung at the wall.

The Masked Singer, ITV1

Not had your annual argument with the inlaws yet? Disagreeing over who is the singing Nutcracker or Turkey Crown in The Masked Singer Christmas spesh should just about do it. Comedian Joel Dommet presents this special episode with guest judges Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders adding a layer of comedy to proceedings.

Paul McCartney and Wings: One Hand Clapping, Sky Arts

Another lesson in music for the kids – David Litchfield’s lost 1974 film captures Paul McCartney and his post-Beatles band, find and define their sound at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. Featuring intimate footage of the band recording, interview snippets and never before seen performances, this is a must-watch for Beatles, Macca and music fans.

Squid Game, Netflix

Ready to reenter the dark, dystopian world of Squid Game? Because one round of this brutal, survival, Korean, breakout hit horror wasn’t enough, apparently. We meet Player 456 again who has decided against a fresh start in the States risking it all for another life or death game. His aim, to bring down the people responsible for the cruel competition and make them pay for their atrocities. Yeesh. Emmy-award winning director Hwang Dong-hyuk is back at the helm along with a colourful cast of characters in this weirdly fitting watch for the Boxing Day blues.

The Road Trip, Paramount+

For a touch of escapism, how’s about a two day road trip trapped in a camper van with your ex? We know, it’s the stuff of nightmares brought hilariously to life by Emma Appleton, Laurie Davidson, David Jonsson and Angus Imrie in this charming comedy drama. Based on Beth O’Leary’s popular 2021 novel (she of The Flat Share fame), the couple in question are forced to look back at what went wrong for them. Awkward indeed, but makes for some terrific telly!

BETWIXMAS

Beyond Paradise, BBC One, Fri 27 Dec

For another seasonal spot of cosy crime it is down to Devon we go, Beyond Paradise. Humphrey (Kris Marshall) is left to investigate a widower’s ghostly visions while some pesky scamp is stealing the Virgin Mary from the church Nativity scene. Will Humphrey and co sort it all out before Christmas? You can bet your baubles they can!

The Split Barcelona, BBC One, Sun 29 & Mon 30 Dec

We love a Christmas comeback, and two years on from the series ending and the Dafoe sisters are back with a double bill and in Barcelona. Hannah (Nicola Walker) and Nathan (Stephen Mangan) are still awkwardly navigating post-divorce life while trying to see their daughter, Liv, down the aisle, but it’s not just their estranged vibes which threaten to derail the wedding. Yikes. Tense, funny, relatable and as bittersweet as you remember.

Becoming Madonna, Sky Documentaries, Mon 30 Dec

Get into the groove with this riveting new documentary all about the Queen of Pop. Based on recently uncovered tapes, this immersive film charts Madonna’s rise from shy outsider to one of the world’s most famous female pop icons. Featuring interviews with her friends, collaborators and family – some of whom have never spoken out before – giving fans a fresh perspective. Fabulous stuff.

Michelle Buteau: A Buteau-ful Mind at Radio City Music Hall, Netflix, New Year’s Eve

Laugh your way out of 2024 with the hilarious, inspiring Michelle Buteau. The comedy queen riffs on motherhood, marriage and Lenny Kravitz following her on Instagram (not us jealous over here). The first female comic to have a special filmed at the iconic Radio City Music Hall, this is not to be missed.

Sophie Ellis Bextor’s NYE Disco, BBC One, New Year’s Eve

Queen of the dancefloor, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, brings all the fun and energy of her fab kitchen discos to New Year’s Eve in this glitzy, sequin clad show, and let’s be honest is there any other way to bring in the New Year? Punctuated by the fireworks display, she’ll be belting out her back catalogue along with some surprise numbers and celebrity guests.

NEW YEAR’S DAY

The Great New Year Bake Off, Channel 4

For those still suffering from the night before (no judgement), here’s something a bit gentler – The Great New Year Bake Off which sees some of the series favourite contestants returning to the kitchen for another crack at impressing Prue Leith, Paul Hollywood, Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding.

Gladiators Celebrity Special, BBC One

Rob Beckett, Joel Dommett, Ellie Taylor and Louise Minchin are you ready? The brave foursome go head-to-head with the Gladiators in classic challenges including the iconic Eliminator (rather them than us). Bradley and Barney Walsh are back on presenting duties, but really what we’re all watching for is Beckett’s funny commentary on squeezing into a lycra bodysuit.

Missing You, Netflix

Perfect New Year’s Day viewing incoming! Harlan Coben’s latest thriller to be adapted for TV, Missing You, which sees Rosalind Eleazar, Ashley Walters, James Nesbitt, Jessica Plummer, Richard Armitage and Lenny Henry join forces to keep you on the edge of your seat. Detective Kat Donovan’s (Eleazer) world crumbled when her fiancé, Josh (Walters) disappeared without a trace. After 11 years, she’s ready to move on, but who does she stumble across on a dating app (gasp!). Trust no one as you tumble down a rabbit hole of unsolved murders and conspiracies.

SAS Rogue Heroes, BBC One

Steven Knight’s SAS Rogue Heroes are back with a bang. The explosive series, depicting the adrenaline-fuelled origins of the fearless, reckless SAS picks up where season one left us, with David Stirling (Connor Swindells) in a prisoner of war camp and Paddy Mayne (Jack O’Connell) and the rest of the SAS wreaking havoc during WWII. Dominic West and Sofia Boutella also return with Con O’Neill, Mark Rowley and Jack Barton joining this rip-roaring, riot of a watch.

The Traitors, BBC One

Start 2025 as you did 2024 (and 2023 for that matter) absolutely addicted to The Traitors .The ultimate game of trust and treachery returns and with it 22 unwitting strangers, £120,000 up for grabs, an imposing Scottish castle and Claudia Winkleman’s enviable wardrobe. Delicious.

NEED A BREAK FROM YOUR SOFA?

Mufasa: The Lion King (U), in cinemas now

Beyoncé, Blue Ivy Carter, Donald Glover, Thandiwe Newton, Seth Rogen, Mads Mikkelsen and Tiffany Boone are just some of the stars attached to this Lion King prequel. Told through flashbacks, Rafiki recounts how Mufasa became king. From orphaned cub to protector of everything that the light touches, it’s a rags to riches tale on safari. Though the original Lion King movie is a certifiable classic and you’d be forgiven for thinking whether we need another, Mufasa features new music from Lin Manuel Miranda and some seriously cool cinematography (never mind the celeb roll call) so we’re here for it.

Better Man, in cinemas Boxing Day

A biopic all about Robbie Williams (yes please) only the role of Robbie is played by a CGI chimp (come again?). We kid you not! But, if you look past the ape of it all, Better Man is an absolute rip-roaring rollercoaster of a watch. Charting Robbie’s meteoric rise to fame and every up, down, high and low along the way. Perhaps it would be less shocking if we hadn’t gotten into bed with Robbie in his 2023 Netflix doc and recounted it all, but his life story and career is perfect big screen material. What’s more it features new music from the monkey man himself, wahoo!

We Live in Time (12A), Wed 1 Jan

Ditch the hangover and start 2025 balling like a baby courtesy of Florence Pugh, Andrew Garfield and their new, heartbreaking, romantic drama. Almut (Pugh) and Tobias (Garfield) meet when Almut hits him with her car (talk about a meet cute!). From there We Live in Time follows their decade-spanning, unconventional love story, through sickness, health and everything in between as they learn to cherish every moment knowing tomorrow is never guaranteed. It’s giving One Day vibes which is only a bad thing if you aren’t packing enough tissues at the cinema!

Need more inspiration?

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43 cheesy and dairy-free Christmas films

The best movies to see in cinemas right now

Incoming! Your bumper guide to what to watch this Christmas & New Year

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