Christmas wouldn't be the same without a mega movie binge in the company of a selection box! Here's our pick of the best movies to watch over the festive season, featuring some holiday classics as well as some more non-traditional options.
Saturday December 21
Liar Liar (1997) 16.25 ITV2
Who can resist '90s Jim Carrey? This incredibly entertaining fantasy/comedy sees the actor on top form and contains some good life lessons to boot.
Men in Black (1997) 19.30 Channel 4
Will Smith's sci-fi comedy is as funny now as it was back when it was released in 1997. Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones stars as two top-secret agents whose job it is to supervise aliens living on earth and hiding their existence from humans. It's sharp, witty and a slickly done story that never fails to please.
Sunday December 22
Scrooged (1988) 11.00 Comedy Central
Bill Murray's take on A Christmas Carol is a highly entertaining modernisation of the Dickens' classic. Murray plays a selfish, cynical television executive who is haunted by three spirits bearing lessons on Christmas Eve.
Toy Story (1995) 13.50 BBC One
You'd be hard pressed to find better family entertainment than Toy Story. We're now four movies into the franchise with the release of Toy Story 4 earlier this year, but the 1995 original is still the best.
Sister Act (1992) 15.00 Channel 5
Another '90s classic that stands up to repeat viewing, Sister Act stars Whoopi Goldberg as a Reno lounge singer who enters a witness protection programme at a San Francisco convent after she witnesses a mob crime.
Elf (2003) 17.10 ITV 2
One of the funniest Christmas movies going with some of the most quotable lines to boot. ("SANTA! Oh my God! Santa, here?! I know him! I know him!") Will Ferrell is side-spittingly funny as the eponymous elf, who leaves the North Pole for New York to be reunited with his father, played with panache by James Caan.
Paddington (2014) 19.15 Channel 4
It seemed like a nigh-on-impossible task to do justice to one of the world's most iconic bears, the institution that is Paddington, by adapting Michael Bond's splendid creation for the big screen - but they have.
It seems that this same magic, which has been sprinkled throughout millions of unforgettable bedtime readings between mums, dads and children everywhere, has jumped from page to big screen.
Monday December 23
The Princess Bride (1987) 15.15 RTÉ 2
This cult classic never fails to entertain. Filled with hilariously quotable lines, The Princess Bride is smart, funny and brilliantly tongue-in-cheek.
Casino Royale (2006) 21.00 RTÉ 2
Daniel Craig's first mission as 007 was in 2006's Casino Royale and it's a rollicking good watch to see the British actor take on the iconic role.
Love Actually (2003) 21.30 RTÉ One
Simply the best of its kind, Love Actually is a shameless tear jerking, clichéd dramedy with more celeb cameos than the Oscars. The film offers a sleigh-load of festive feel-good factor and a poptastic sing-a-long too.
Christmas Eve, Tuesday December 24
Frozen (2013) 15.00 BBC One
Yes the songs might drive you insane, but the kids love this Disney animation which tells the story of a fearless princess who sets off on an epic journey to find her estranged sister. All together now "Let it gooooo.....".
Home Alone (1990) 15.50 RTÉ One
Could this be the Christmas movie to end all Christmas movies? Macauley Culkin stars as Kevin McCallister, a quick-thinking kid who gets left alone during the festive season when his family fly off on holidays without him. This one never gets old.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) 18.20 RTÉ 2
JJ Abrams artfully brings together the old and the new is his brilliant Star Wars reboot and while it often seems like one long homage, The Force Awakens remains true to the spirit of the original. It's all here - the look, the action, and the humour. The story centres on Daisy Ridley as a hard ass scavenger called Rey and John Boyega as a disillusioned stormtrooper who is given the name Finn.
Planes Trains & Automobiles (1987) 21.00 Sky One
This slapstick '80s road comedy features the dream comedy duo of Steve Martin and the late, great John Candy. They share a three-day odyssey of misadventures trying to get home to Chicago in time for Thanksgiving.
Casablanca (1942) 02.10 RTÉ One
Oh, Casablanca. About as perfect as a film can be. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman light up the screen in this 1942 classic which is rightly considered one of the greatest films ever made. If you haven't seen it, get on it, if you have, you've probably already marked this in your RTÉ Guide for a re-watch.
Christmas Day, Wednesday December 25
Matilda (1996) 08.30 RTÉ One
This 1996 adaptation of the Roald Dahl book has so many iconic moments and characters. An odd but charming offering from director/star Danny DeVito.
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) 13.20 RTÉ One
For many people Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is THE Christmas must-watch. It's a flawless adaptation of Roald Dahl's novel which sees the sadly departed Gene Wilder in the titular role. It's incredibly inventive, funny, compelling and also, at times, quite dark and unsettling. A must see.
Back to the Future (1985) 14.35 Channel 4
Another 80s hit that never fails to impress and just demands repeat viewing at Christmas. Michael J Fox stars as Marty McFly who is accidentally sent back in time with eccentric scientist Doc (Christopher Lloyd) and then has to make sure his parents still meet and fall in love.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) 14.55 RTÉ One
One year after Kevin McCallister was left home alone and had to defeat a pair of bumbling burglars, he accidentally finds himself stranded in New York City - and the same criminals are not far behind. A thoroughly enjoyable follow-up to the 1990 Christmas classic.
The Young Offenders (2016) 22.40 RTÉ One
We're two seasons into the brilliant Young Offenders spin-off TV series, so it's about time to rewatch the hilarious film that introduced us to the loveable Corkonians Conor and Jock. This cocaine caper follows their adventures as they embark on a road trip in an attempt to 'liberate' a bale of Class A drugs from a crime scene.
St Stephen's Day, Thursday December 26
The Jungle Book (2016) 15.45 BBC One
You may have thought that a new version of the Disney classic The Jungle Book sounded like, if you'll pardon the pun, a giant banana skin. Well, the only slip here would be in not seeing director Jon Favreau's film because he proves that there's plenty of room in the jungle - and hearts - for the 1967 happy-clappy animated classic and his darker tale too. Don't worry, the tunes make an appearance, but the movie is so strong that it didn't need them.
Skyfall (2012) 21.00 RTÉ 2
This is possibly Daniel Craig's best Bond outing and has plenty of moments of breath-holding brilliance that will keep you on the edge of your seats throughout. Definitely one to set a reminder for.
Bridesmaids (2011) 21.00 ITV2
A stellar cast, featuring our very own Chris O'Dowd in his breakthrough role alongside Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne and Jon Hamm, and a razor-sharp script combine to make this one of the funniest comedies of recent times. Worth rewatching!
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) 23.05 Channel 4
It's loud, it's brash, it's unapologetic and it's ruthlessly entertaining. Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street sees the director on scathing form as he takes on greed, excess and the American Dream-turned bad. Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie light up the screen.
Friday December 27
Cardboard Gangsters (2017) 22.00 Virgin Media One
This is possibly the least Christmassy movie you could imagine, but this gritty Irish crime drama from director Mark O'Connor and starring John Connors is a gripping cautionary tale that feels completely authentic.
Ant-Man (2015) 23.00 BBC One
More caper than cape and super-heist than superhero, Ant-Man is fast and funny, with the quirkiness of Edgar Wright and co-writer Joe Cornish's script setting this apart from other Marvel movies. Paul Rudd's Ant-Man talks about calling The Avengers, but there's no need for them.
Dancing at Lughnasa (1998) 23.45 RTÉ One
Here's a blast from the past. The film adaptation of the Brian Friel play from director Pat O’Connor features an impressive cast including Meryl Streep, features Michael Gambon, Sophie Thompson, Catherine McCormack and Kathy Burke. It tells the story of five Donegal sisters and their missionary brother eking out a living in Glenties in 1936.
Saturday December 28
My Girl (1991) 13.00 RTÉ One
This early '90s tearjerker stars Macaulay Culkin and Anna Chlumsky as two kids on the brink of becoming teens, navigating life in suburban Pennsylvania in the early '70s. A must-see coming-of-age tale.
Inside Out (2015) 15.00 BBC One
This glorious, life-affirming Disney-Pixar creation is a spectacular watch. There have always been relationship lessons and real world wisdom nuggets galore for grown-ups in Pixar movies, but Up! director Pete Docter and his team have outdone themselves with Inside Out. There's so much going on here that one watch now won't be enough.
Sunday December 29
Saving Mr Banks (2013) 15.00 BBC Two
Outwardly, Saving Mr Banks tells the magical tale of a singing nanny with a flying umbrella who likes to eat spoonfuls of sugar. But when you read between the lines, this movie bookmarks pages of darkness and heartache in a story that has been longing to be told. The movie details how Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) attempts to charm author PL Travers (Emma Thompson) into signing over the rights to her precious Mary Poppins character.
The Lego Movie (2014) 18.00 Sky One
If you only see one animated film this festive period, make it The Lego Movie. It's clever, funny, charming and moving all rolled into one, and makes for essential viewing.
Monday December 30
Pitch Perfect (2012) 21.00 ITV2
Rebel Wilson steals the show in this delightful musical comedy that kicked off a franchise.
The Shawshank Redemption (1995) 22.00 Sky One
This all-time film favourite sees Tim Robbins playing a banker wrongly jailed for his wife's murder. Over the course of a life sentence he forms a close friendship with a fellow inmate, played by Morgan Freeman.
New Year's Eve Tuesday December 31
Mrs Doubtfire (1993) 18.25 RTÉ 2
This is a gem of a family film. Robin Williams plays an actor who disguises himself as a female housekeeper to spend time with his children held in custody by his former wife. Pierce Brosnan is delightful as the ex-wife's new boyfriend.
Back to the Future II (1989) 15.50 RTÉ One
It might not be quite as good as the original, but this sequel is a solidly enjoyable watch, as Michael J Fox's Marty McFly must repeat his visit to 1955 to prevent disastrous changes to 1985...
New Year's Day Wednesday January 1
The Sound of Music (1965) 14.30 BBC One
Robert Wise’s musical, starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer won five Oscars including Best Picture and, is currently celebrating its 45th anniversary. The fact-based film is based on 'The Story of the Trapp Family Singers’ published in 1949 by the real Maria Von Trapp.
As enjoyable today as the day it was released. The music, drama, cinematography and performances combine to make this a great family film.
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) 21.00 Sky One
This John Hughes classic sees the irrepressibly charming Matthew Broderick play our titular hero, a high schooler who is determined to have the day off from school. High jinks ensue!
