‘Sense and Sensibility’
Saturday 20 December, 2.50pm, BBC Two
Ang Lee’s 1995 version of Sense and Sensibility is one of the very best screen adaptations of Jane Austen’s work. Starring Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson (who also wrote the Oscar-winning screenplay) as sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, it tells a classic Austenian story of marriage markets and family misfortune. And with Harriet Walter as the evil Fanny and a love interest with bumbling charm in the form of a young Hugh Grant, no wonder it’s still retained its title as a British period drama classic.
‘Oppenheimer’
Sunday 21 December, 9pm, BBC Two
Last year’s Best Picture winner runs at almost three hours long, but is so arresting that you won’t even notice – even when there aren’t explosions going off. Cillian Murphy plays J Robert Oppenheimer as he develops the world’s first nuclear bomb during the Second World War, otherwise known as The Manhattan Project. It’s an epic in all senses of the word, as Oppenheimer and his team race to complete their weapon before the Nazis – without stopping to think about the devastation the new bomb will unleash.
‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’
Christmas Eve, 2.55pm, BBC One
Thought Spider-Man was for children? Think again. The Spider-Verse branch of films are nothing less than works of art, with a singular animation style that makes it look like a comic book has come to life. In this second instalment, Spider-Man Miles Morales reunites with Gwen Stacey to take on a new villain, The Spot, in an adventure that catapults him through the Multiverse.
‘Red One’
Christmas Day, 11.10pm, ITV1
A Christmas film with a twist, Red One is an action-packed comedy that kicks off when Santa Claus is kidnapped by a black ops team just before the big day. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is Head of North Pole Security Callum Drift, the no-nonsense tough guy who takes it upon himself to track down Saint Nick. He’s helped along the way by ethical hacker Jack “The Wolf” O’Malley (Chris Pine) – but as a Santa skeptic can he really be trusted?
‘Paddington 2’
Boxing Day, 5.20pm, BBC One
Paddington fever has taken over the country since the West End debut of the Peruvian bear’s musical, so it’s no wonder the BBC have scheduled in a showing of the best film of the franchise. Paddington has his eye on the perfect gift for Aunt Lucy’s birthday – an antique pop-up book of London – but becomes a suspect when it’s stolen. The real culprit is flamboyant actor Phoenix Buchanan, played by Hugh Grant, in the best performance of his career. Trust me.
‘Elvis’
Saturday27 December, 7.45pm, BBC One
Baz Luhrmann’s bombastic directing style isn’t for everyone, but when it comes to telling the life story of The King, it fits perfectly. Told through the eyes of his manager Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks, buried under a mountain of prosthetics), it explores how Elvis’s immense success came at an equally enormous cost. Beginning with his humble beginnings in the Mississippi backstreets, Elvis follows his path to superstardom via his doomed marriage with Priscilla, his drug addiction and – eventually – his iconic Vegas residency.
‘ET the Extra-Terrestrial’
Tuesday 30 December, 2.40pm, ITV1
Even if you’ve seen Steven Spielberg’s family masterpiece a hundred times, it still hits like an emotional tonne of bricks – in the best way. When an alien lands on Earth with no way of finding his way home, a young boy called Elliott (Henry Thomas) takes him in and protects him from government agents who see ET as a threat. If you happen to have any children in the house who are yet to discover the magic, then what better time than Twixmas to pop on this classic?
‘Marcel the Shell with Shoes On’
New Year’s Eve, 9.35am, BBC One
Another film that will delight adults and children alike is Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, largely thanks to the cute eponymous shell Marcel, voiced by Jenny Slate. Filmed in mockumentary style and blending stop motion with live action, we see Marcel gain millions of fans after a video of him goes viral online. Marcel uses his popularity to ask for help in reuniting with his family, making for a sweet, surprisingly profound and introspective film. You’ll never look at a shell the same way.
‘West Side Story’
New Year’s Eve, 1.10pm, BBC Two
The festive season is the perfect excuse to watch musicals 24/7, and there’s none better than this 1961 version of West Side Story. Set amid a gang war between the American Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks, this is a story of star-crossed lovers Maria and Tony, whose romance is forbidden by their warring families. The tragedy of their doomed love is balanced with some of musical theatre’s best numbers – including the iconic dance at the gym. Mambo!
‘The Great Escape’
New Year’s Day, 9pm, BBC Four
Despite its status as a Second World War classic, reviews of The Great Escape weren’t entirely favourable upon its release in 1963, with one critic even calling the use of colour (as opposed to black and white) “unnecessary”. But this story about allied soldiers escaping a Nazi POW camp has certainly stood the test of time – particularly Steve McQueen’s unforgettable motorcycle jump, which has gone down as one of the greatest stunts in cinematic history.
