For those of you who can’t be bothered to buy a Radio Times but don’t want to miss out on the best films and TV shows on the small screen this Christmas, Impact has got you covered! Here’s our pick of the best on the box…
CHRISTMAS EVE
TV
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
Channel 4: 7:30pm
Animation starring Olivia Coleman, Pam Ferris and Mark Williams about some kids and their adventure to find some bears. Great to watch with the family and guaranteed to make you smile.
Michael MacIntyre’s Big Show
BBC1: 7:25
Last in the series, live from Theatre Royal and featuring Alfie Boe and Michael Ball. This will undoubtedly give you a laugh.
Gogglesprogs
Channel 4: 8pm
Not the same as the adult version, but features some damn cute kids expressing their opinions on Strictly and First Dates.
Grantchester
ITV: 9pm
A chance to see the gorgeous James Norton wearing a dog collar, need I say more?
David Walliams celebrates Dame Shirley Bassey
BBC1: 9pm
If you’re not interested in Grantchester, this is a nice alternative and might be quite funny (providing you like Walliams…).
FILM
Despicable Me
ITV: 11:20AM
If you haven’t seen this film, what have you been doing? Not only is it funny, it’s adorable and will make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
A Christmas Carol
BBC1: 11:30AM
Animated film starring Jim Carey based on the Dickens’ classic. You can’t really make it to Christmas without seeing A Christmas Carol in some form or another so take up the chance!
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
ITV: 1:30pm
Okay, it’s the first one, but it’s still Harry Potter so don’t complain! Plus, you’ve got the cute scenes of Hogwarts covered in snow to make you feel festive.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
BBC1: 2:15pm
The lesser known film in the Narnia series but still a good opportunity to be transported back to Narnia.
One Hundred and One Dalmatians
ITV: 4:20pm
The animated classic – completely unmissable.
Shrek the Halls
BBC1: 4:30pm
Festive short featuring everyone’s favourite ogre!
The Snowman
Channel 4: 4:45pm
A chance to hear that infamous track and ignore Storm Barbara with all the snow.
Penguins of Madagascar
BBC1: 4:50pm
Animated comedy spin-off from Madagascar, following those penguins, which will undoubtedly give you a laugh.
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Channel 4: 5:50pm
Now this is a classic! If you haven’t seen it, you absolutely have to: it features Kermit, the source of many a meme this year.
The Lady in the Van
BBC2: 9pm
The television premiere of this film that garnered rave reviews on the big screen. Starring the great Maggie Smith, and will probably make you cry.
CHRISTMAS DAY
TV
The Great British Bake Off
BBC1: 4:45pm
The last ever GBBO on BBC *sob* featuring old contestants, and of course, Mary Berry. What could be better?
Doctor Who
BBC1: 5:45pm
Doctor Who fans rejoice, the Christmas special is here! Set in New York, the Doctor faces a deadly alien and other scary monsters.
Strictly Come Dancing
BBC1: 6:45pm
Glitter, sparkle and a few hunky men – the perfect evening viewing!
Call the Midwife
BBC1: 8pm
The return of Call the Midwife! Expect plenty of cute babies and screaming mums. This year it’s set in South Africa, which should provide a change.
Maigret
ITV: 9pm
This is the first year without Downton Abbey, so ITV are putting Rowan Atkinson on our screens to make up for this sizeable loss. There was an episode of Maigret at Easter time, but for those who missed it, it follows a French detective solving murders.
Gogglebox
Channel4: 9pm
Back to the normal version, for a look back at the show’s best bits from 2016.
Mrs Brown’s Boys
BBC1: 10:30pm
Not to everyone’s taste, but if this is your thing then it should provide you with a good laugh.
FILMS
Despicable Me 2
ITV: 9:55am
If you watched the first one the day before, here’s the opportunity to watch the sequel. Just as good, if not better than its predecessor.
Bee Movie
BBC1: 10:20am
The source of many a YouTube video this year, Bee Movie follows the life of Barry B Benson, as he tries to stop humans eating honey.
The Croods
BBC1: 11:50am
An animated film about a prehistoric family made homeless by an earthquake
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
ITV: 11:55am
ITV is clearly intending to get through them all! It’s not our favourite, but the trio look cute so that’s all that matters really.
Frozen
BBC1: 3:10pm
Let it go, let it go….
The Lion King
ITV: 3:10pm
A lovely film but it does tend to make the more sensitive of us cry, so avoid if you’ve had one too many glasses of wine at lunch.
Home Alone
Channel 4: 6pm
It’s not really Christmas without a Home Alone film, is it?
BOXING DAY
TV
The Witness for the Prosecution
BBC1: 9pm
Following on from last year’s success with ‘And Then There Were None’, this Agatha Christie adaptation is set to be fantastic.
Outnumbered
BBC1: 10pm
The nation’s favourite kids are back (and looking much older). Expect much hilarity and familiar scenes of ridiculousness.
FILMS
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn
BBC2: 11am
As someone who’d never watched Tintin before I sat down with my cousins, I was pleasantly surprised by the charm and fun that this film has. Definitely one to watch.
Brave
BBC1: 2:40pm
Animated Pixar film about Merida, a Scottish tomboy princess.
Sleeping Beauty
ITV: 2:40pm
The original Sleeping Beauty…will she ever learn not to touch a spinning wheel?
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
ITV: 4:10pm
This is when it starts to get exciting…not one to miss.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Channel 4: 4:10pm
On at the same time as Harry Potter, so you have to choose which fandom to side with. A sweet and classic film nonetheless.
How to Train your Dragon 2
BBC1: 4:30pm
A sweet animation that promises to make you smile. Featuring the voices of Cate Blanchett and Gerard Butler.
Captain Phillips
ITV: 9pm
A true story starring Tom Hanks about a ship hijacked by Somali Pirates and the stand-off that ensues. Promises to be gripping.
Emily Harbottle
Click here for more TV & Film Reviews
Get in touch with us via Facebook and Twitter, or leave a comment below.
Featured image: Wonderlane via Flickr
