![[Clockwise L-R] Maestro, House of Gucci, Indiana Jones And The Dial of Destiny and Belfast : just some of the films available to watch this Christmas](https://www.rte.ie/images/001f51c8-800.jpg)
There's a plethora of new streaming films, TV premieres and of course, Christmas classics to be enjoyed across all stations and platforms this Yuletide. Here's our pick of the best...
Maestro, Netflix, available to stream from 20 December
One of the most-anticipated biopics of the year drops on Netflix just before Christmas. Maestro is billed as a "towering and fearless love story chronicling the lifelong relationship between the great American conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein.
"A love letter to life and art, Maestro at its core is an emotionally epic portrayal of family and love."
The film is already garnering positive reviews, with special praise for Bradley Cooper's virtuoso performance as Bernstein during the various stages of his life - some critics are hailing it the best acting of his career. Read Harry Guerin's review.
House of Gucci, Friday 22 December, 10.40pm, BBC Two
Ridley Scott's rendition of the rise and fall of the Gucci fashion empire, set between Milan and New York and centred around the marriage of Maurizio Gucci and Patrizia Reggiani, who notoriously hired a hitman to have her Maurizio killed in 1995.
"Patrizia Gucci was a lot like Meghan Markle," - watch our interview with Jeremy Irons
Frothy and fun, this melodrama features an accomplished performance from Lady Gaga as Reggiani.
Frothy and fun, this melodrama features an accomplished performance from Lady Gaga as Reggiani. Read Alan Corr's review.
Paddington, Saturday 23 December, 6.45pm, BBC One,
Paddington 2, Saturday 30 23 December, 6pm, BBC One,
One of the most universally-loved animated film series of recent years, it’s hard to find fault with these charming, emotional and clever movies with the adorable and innocent bear at their centre. Curl up; laugh, cry.
The Goonies, Sunday 24 December, 1.40pm, RTÉ One and RTÉ Player,
For a hefty dose of nostalgia on Christmas Eve, look no further than this hyperactive 1985 comedy action adventure that holds a special place in the hearts of those who grew up in the 90s.
With stars including Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen and Corey Feldman, this cult classic tells the story of a group of children from Oregon facing their last days together before a development paves over their homes. They stumble upon evidence of a pirate’s treasure and a chaotic adventure and chase ensues.
Home Alone, Sunday 24 December, 6.10pm, RTÉ2
Home Alone 2: Lost In New York, Christmas Day, 7.05pm, RTÉ2
Both Home Alone films will be broadcast on RTÉ this festive season. Thought by many as the ultimate Christmas movie experience, Home Alone (in case you’ve been living under a rock the last 30 years or so), follows the exploits of Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin, as he gets left behind by his family not once, but twice.
With emotive theme music and messages around the importance of family and forgiveness, there’s no better film duo to remind yourself of what’s important at Christmas.
The Young Offenders, Sunday 24 December, 9.10pm, RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
And now for something completely different. The antithesis of Home Alone airs on RTÉ2 on Christmas Eve, a film that initiated one of the most successful Irish comedy shows in recent times.
Two teenage boys from Cork steal bicycles and ride off on a quest to find a missing bale of cocaine worth €7 million. Completely original and absolutely daft. Read Harry Guerin's review.
Belfast, Christmas Day, 9.35pm, RTÉ One and RTÉ Player
A charming coming-of-age film that was nominated for seven Oscars in 2022, this semi-autobiographical movie was written and directed by Kenneth Branagh.
It tells the story of a nine-year-old boy growing up in a working class Protestant family in Belfast during the 70s.
With commanding performances from Caitríona Balfe, Judi Dench, Jamie Dornan and Ciarán Hinds, as well as newcomer Jude Hill, this is a funny, heart-warming and deeply tender piece, and a perfect choice for a post-Christmas dinner movie. Read Harry Guerin's review.
Abominable (Irish language version), Christmas Day, 2.45pm, TG4
The critically-claimed 2019 Dreamworks animation gets the Gaeilge treatment this Christmas day.
After discovering a Yeti on the roof of her apartment building, teenage Yi and her two friends embark on an epic quest to reunite the magical creature with his family.
Entertaining and at times moving, with voicework by Áine Ní Laoghaire, Fionn Foley and Dean Ó Riada. Read Nicolette Lennox's review.
Toy Story 4, Christmas Day, 3.10pm, BBC One
Sure to draw huge audiences this Christmas Day is the latest instalment of the immensely-popular Toy Story franchise.
It's a film series that has been warming hearts since bursting onto the scene in 1995, with not a dud in the quartet to date.
Released in 2019, this film see Woody, Buzz and the gang join Bonnie on a road trip with her new craft-project-turned-toy, Forky.
With a fifth Toy Show film in the works, it’s the perfect time to remind ourselves of these much-loved – some might say almost perfect - characters. Read Sinead Brennan's review.
The Lion King, Christmas Day, 6.15pm, RTÉ One and RTÉ Player
This version of the classic film, released in 2019, uses photorealistic computer animation to reimagine the story of the original much-loved Disney favourite.
While certainly not universally adored by critics, audiences have been more favourable, with viewers giving it a rating of 88% on review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes.
Expect stunning visuals, a soundtrack that blends both old and new [including some Beyoncé] and the same heart-breaking story that only someone with a heart of stone wouldn’t shed a tear at.
Sing Street, Tuesday 26 December, 10.50pm, TG4
One of the best films to come out of Ireland in recent years, this 2016 musical comedy has the perfect blend of light and shade, with stark contrast drawn between the bleakness of 1980s Dublin with its stiflingly strict schools and the hope and verve of the thriving new wave music scene, which underpins the movie.
Starring Ferdia Walsh-Peelo as 14-year old Conor, who tries to win the heart of the über-cool and beautiful Raphina, played by Lucy Boynton. The film’s tagline says it all, "Boy meets girl. Girl unimpressed. Boy starts band."
Featuring music from Duran Duran and The Cure, as well as fantastic original songs, this film is a total tonic.
Featuring music from Duran Duran and The Cure, as well as fantastic original songs, this film is a total tonic. Read Harry Guerin's review.
Spider-Man: Far From Home, Thursday 28 December, 6.40pm, RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
This much-lauded 2019 Spider-Man live-action film hits RTÉ screens on 28 December.
Starring real-life couple Tom Holland and Zendaya as Peter Parker and MJ, the teenage superhero encounters four destructive monsters called Elementals while on a school trip to Italy.
Add in sub-plots about fake news and teenage romance, glorious locations such as Venice, Prague, Berlin and London, and it's end-to-end entertainment. Read our review.
1917, Thursday 28 December, 9pm, RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
A British World War I film directed by Sam Mendes, this tense and immersive movie tells the story of two soldiers who receive seemingly impossible orders.
In a race against time, they must cross over into enemy territory to deliver a message that could potentially save 1,600 of their fellow comrades -- including one of their own brothers.
1917 was nominated for ten academy awards and was praised by critics for its impressive technical achievement.
Starring George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman, with turns from Colin Firth and Andrew Scott. Read Harry Guerin's review.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, from Saturday 30 December, Virgin Media on demand
It wouldn't be Christmas without an Indiana Jones film.
This fifth instalment of the iconic film series was released in June of this year and saw the daredevil archaeologist race against time to retrieve a legendary dial that can change the course of history.
The filmmakers have impressively harnessed de-ageing technology on 80-year-old lead Harrison Ford for a portion of the movie, which also stars Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Jones’ estranged goddaughter Helena, and Mads Mikkelson as a German scientist and former Nazi.
While not the strongest Indiana Jones’ film ever made, this is a fun and bittersweet send-off to the much-loved franchise and a breezy two-and half-hours of gleeful escapism. Read Alan Corr’s review here.
Foscadh, Monday 2 January, 9.30pm, TG4
The TV premiere of 2021 Irish language film Foscadh ("Shelter") will hit screens in the new year. A delayed coming-of-age tale based in Connemara mountains, it tells the story of naïve recluse John Cunliffe who is suddenly propelled into manhood at the age of 28 when his over-protective parents pass away.
John inherits mountain land that sits in the way of a lucrative wind-farm development. He is forced to navigate the choppy waters of trust, vengeance and romance for the first time.
A captivating and challenging film.
