Festive films for all
Our resident movie addicts, Lifestyle Editor, Lara Nugent, and Deputy Features Editor, Louise Bulgin, give a rundown of the best Christmas flicks to watch this year…
1 Last Christmas
(CINEMAS NATIONWIDE)
While this will never be as magical as Love Actually, if you love festive films with unbelievable plots, it’s worth a trip to the cinema. Emilia Clarke stars as Kate, who is recovering from a mystery illness and keeps making bad life choices, until she meets the mysterious Tom, played by Henry Golding. They eventually fall for each other and Kate’s illness is revealed. Emma Thompson, who co-wrote the film, shines as Kate’s long-suffering mother. All set to the music of George Michael and Wham! – you’ll be left feeling festive!
2 Jingle Around the Clock
(CHRISTMAS 24)
She’s a regular on this channel and Brooke Nevin stars as Elle, who, after losing her family, has big plans for a Christmas reunion with friends, only her arrangements are dashed by work. Competing for a life-changing promotion, she’s forced to team up with advertising campaign ‘fixer’ Max (Michael Cassidy) who is after the same position. Will they find a way to work things out?
3 The Polar Express
(SKY CHRISTMAS)
This festive film is one for all of the family and tells the tale of a young boy who boards a magical train and embarks on an adventure to the North Pole. Along the way he learns about bravery, friendship and the true spirit of Christmas during a journey of self-discovery. With Tom Hanks voicing most of the characters, we defy you not to love it!
4 The Christmas Train
(CHANNEL 5)
Watch this while wrapping your presents and you’ll feel super festive! Packed with a first-class cast, including Dermot Mulroney, Danny Glover, Joan Cusack and Kimberly WilliamsPaisley, The Christmas Train takes you on a delightful journey. A disillusioned, Tom Langdon (Mulroney), boards a train from Washington DC to Los Angeles to get inspiration for a story. Along the way he bumps into an old flame and gets to know the passengers, who have colourful stories. Will romance blossom? Tune in to find out…
5 White Christmas
(SKY CHRISTMAS)
An oldie, but such a goodie! If you’ve never seen this timeless classic, we urge you to tune in this year. Starring musical greats, Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen, this movie is packed with iconic songs and toe-tapping dance numbers. The story follows musical duo Bob Wallace (Crosby) and Phil Davis (Kaye) who follow the Hayne Sisters to a lodge in Vermont run by Wallace and Davis’ General from World World II. The General has fallen on hard times and the musical duo hatch a plan to save the day. Bing Crosby’s crooning voice singing White Christmas is guaranteed to melt any Grinch’s heart!
6 Holiday in the Wild
(NETFLIX)
Starring dashingly handsome Rob Lowe and the beautiful Kristin Davis, this film follows Kate (Davis) who is jilted by her husband on the eve of a safari adventure. Determined not to miss out, and needing a change of scenery, Kate (a trained vet) embarks on the journey alone and meets Derek (Lowe), an elephant conservationist. Their journey unfolds, all while helping animals at a conservation camp. We loved it.
7 Let It Snow
(NETFLIX)
New to the streaming service, this movie centres around a group of young people in a small town who are trying to deal with their various problems and struggles – be it caring for an ill mother, worrying about whether a partner is being unfaithful and complex friendships – it’s a heart-warming flick. Joan Cusack stars in a supporting role.
8 Christmas Pen Pals
(CHRISTMAS 24) Definitely one for any die-hard rom-com fan! Following a breakup just before Christmas, Hannah (Sarah Drew), tech wiz and creator of a dating app, heads back to her childhood home for the holidays. There she runs into her high school boyfriend, Sam (Niall Matter). Disillusioned with her life, her dad convinces her to sign up to the holiday pen pal service. With each letter she receives she starts to believe her Christmas pen pal could be her soul mate. It’s super slushy, but utterly charming!