Christmas TV 2017: The best films to watch on BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Film4
Cool Runnings
This sports movie - loosely based on a true story - follows a Jamaican sprinter who enlists the help of a dishonoured coach to start the first Jamaican Bobsled Team. A family favourite, Cool Runnings marks one of the final screen appearances from John Candy before his death in 1994.
23 December, BBC1, 1.15pm
The Great Gatsby
Baz Luhrmann's 2013 adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel - widely considered one of the greatest of all time - stars Leonardo DiCaprio as the mysterious title character and Joel Edgerton as the outsider drawn to the past and lifestyle of his new neighbour.
Christmas Eve, BBC2, 9.30pm
Singin' in the Rain
This classic musical follows three stars caught up in the transition from silent films to 'talkies' Hollywood when silent. Beloved by all, Singin' in the Rain is filled with charming performances, heartwarming dance sequences and songs you'll be singing along to for days.
Christmas Day, 1.05pm, Channel 5
School of Rock
Richard Linklater's beloved comedy follows Jack Black's substitute teacher who forms a band of fourth-graders in a bid to win the forthcoming Battle of the Bands to pay off his rent.
Boxing Day, 9.00pm, Film4
Ex Machina
Alex Garland's directorial debut is as assured as they come, telling the story of a programmer (Domhnall Gleeson) invited by his CEO (Oscar Isaac) to administer the Turing test to an intelligent humanoid robot (Alicia Vikander). Watch ahead of Garland's forthcoming feature, Annihilation, starring Natalie Portman.
Boxing Day, 9.00pm, Film4
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
This beloved John Hughes comedy tracks the escapades of three truant teens led by the titular Bueller (Matthew Broderick).
Boxing Day, ITV1, 9.25am
Song of the Sea
Song of the Sea - a hand-drawn animation from Irish studio Cartoon Saloon - follows a 10-year-old Irish boy's adventure with his mute sister Saoirse to free fairies from a Celtic goddess named Macha.
Boxing Day, Channel 4, 6.40pm
Big Hero 6
This charming Disney animation is perfect for all the family tracking the special bond that develops between inflatable robot Baymax and prodigy Hiro Hamada, who both team up with a group of friends to form a band of high-tech heroes.
27 December, BBC1, 4.10pm
Supersonic
A must for any music fan, Oasis documentary Supersonic - from director Mat Whitecross - is both a cinematic tale about two warring brothers and a paean to an era-defining chapter of music.
27 December, BBC1, 10pm
Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa
Steve Coogan gave his fictional disc jockey the feature-length treatment with Alpha Papa, a comedy which sees Partridge caught up in a violent siege at the Norwich radio station where he works.
28 December, BBC2, 11.30pm
Gone Girl
David Fincher's adaptation of Gillian Flynn's mystery novel is as dark as they come. It follows Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) as he becomes the primary suspect in the sudden disappearance of his wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike who earned an Oscar nomination for the role). It'll claw its way under your skin and stay there well into the new year.
29 December, BBC1, 9.15pm
Speed
What Christmas would be fulfilled without a re-watch of this high-octane action film starring Keanu Reeves as an LAPD cop who attempts to rescue civilians - including Sandra Bullock - on a bus rigged with a bomb programmed to explode if the bus goes below 50 mph.
30 December, Channel 4, 11.20pm
Mrs Doubtfire
One of Robin William's best-loved films is this often moving comedy following a divorced actor who dresses up as a female housekeeper to be able to interact with his children.
New Year's Day, Channel 4 5.30pm
Spectre
The most recent Bond outing is getting its television debut this Christmas with an adventure following Daniel Craig's 007 who must attempt to thwart the plan of megalomaniac Blofeld (Christoph Waltz).
New Year's Day, ITV1, 8pm
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