On these cold, dark nights, there's nothing more enjoyable than getting cosy on the sofa, with a nice steaming cuppa, and settling down to watch a Christmas film or a festive telly special. This year, there are lots of new Christmas movies streaming, and plenty on TV to keep you entertained. Here's what to watch this Christmas...
Candy Cane Lane
Eddie Murphy stars as Chris Carver in this Christmas comedy film - a man determined to win the neighbourhood's annual Christmas decorating contest. Desperate to succeed, Chris makes a pact with an elf named Pepper for the use of magic to make his home the most festive. But the evil elf casts a spell that brings the 12 days of Christmas to life and Chris must rally his family to help break the deal before he loses everything. Available from 1 December, on Amazon Prime Video.
Best. Christmas. Ever!
Every year, Jackie, played by singer/songwriter Brandy, sends out a Christmas newsletter to all her friends, boosting about her perfect family. It enrages former university friend Charlotte, played by Heather Graham, who's sceptical that anyone's life could be so idyllic. And when a twist of fate lands Charlotte on Jackie's doorstep just days before Christmas, she vows to get to the truth. This is a new Christmas comedy film, available from 16 November, on Netflix.
Dashing Through the Snow
This is funny and touching film about a divorced social worker for the Atlanta police department who despises Christmas due to a painful childhood memory. When sent on a call while spending Christmas Eve with his nine-year-old daughter, he inadvertently evokes the wrath of a local politician but meets a mysterious man in a red suit who helps him understand the joy and magic of Christmas. Available from 17 November, on Disney+.
Family Switch
In this Netflix Christmas movie, starring Jennifer Garner, a family descends into chaos days before Christmas, when a rate cosmic event causes the parents to swap bodies with their teenage kids. The family is forced to help each other navigate landing a promotion, college interview, record deal and football tryout. Available from 30 November, on Netflix.
The Naughty Nine
When Andy wakes on Christmas morning and finds Santa hasn't left him anything under the tree, he realises his mischievous behaviour has landed him on the 'naughty list'. Feeling unfairly treated, Andy pulls together a team of the 'naughty listers' to carry out a heist in Santa's Village at the North Pole to get the presents they feel they deserve. But on their story journey, the kids begin to realise that Christmas is more about giving than taking. Available from 22 November, on Disney+.
Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas
Filmed at the London Coliseum in front of a live audience, this musical event promises a cosy night as Hannah Waddingham, Emmy Award winning star of Ted Lasso, performs Christmas classics accompanied by an 18-piece band. Available from 22 November, on Apple TV+.
Genie
The King of Christmas Movies, Richard Curtis (Love Actually, Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill) is back this year with a fairytale comedy. Flora, played by Melissa McCarthy, is a genie trapped for more than 2,000 years inside an antique jewellery box because of a little misunderstanding with a sorcerer. After millennia of being summoned to grant the wishes of greedy men, Flora is accidentally called on by Bernard Bottle, whose life is unraveling around him. In the process of trying to get his family back, Bernard and Flora will discover that love, and an unexpected friendship, can unleash a special holiday magic all of its own. Available from 1 December, on Sky Cinema and NOW.
Nigella's Amsterdam Christmas
Nigella has been going to Amsterdam at this time of year for decades and her Amsterdam Christmas Special will explain her love for this beautiful city. Join her, as she visits Christmas fairs, artisan food shops and some of her favourite architectural spots. She'll pick up ingredients for festive food, influenced by the Dutch and Indonesian cultures of the city, and offer tips to upgrading your festive food offerings. On 21 December, at 8pm, on BBC1 and BBC iPlayer.
Call the Midwife
Call the Midwife Christmas special 2023 promises to be another telly festive highlight. All the well-loved regular cast return for series 13, and in the first episode, Nonnatus House kicks off a new pupil midwife-training scheme, welcoming pupil midwives Joyce Highland and Rosalind Clifford. Both are excited by this new stage in their careers and move into Nonnatus House, sharing a room. Joyce hails from Trinidad. She's hardworking, bright, and deeply kind, but has a traumatic past that she cannot conceal forever. Rosaline is young, warm, passionate, and funny. She may seem naive at times, but has an inner steeliness that will lead her to making some life-changing decisions. It's now 1969 and more babies are being born in hospital than ever before. This series will see stories from within the Sylhet and Nigerian communities and from around the docks. Poor housing continues to blight areas of Poplar, presenting complex social and health challenges to the Nonnatus team. Available on BBC1, date TBC.
A Ghost Story for Christmas: Lot No. 249
Sherlock co-creator Mark Gatiss will be adapting Arthur Conan Doyle's short story Lot No. 249 for Christmas, starring Kit Harington and Freddie Fox. The story revolves around a group of Oxford students, one of whom undertakes research into the secrets of Ancient Egypt, which become the talk of the college. Available on BBC2, date TBC.
Death in Paradise Christmas special
As we return to Sant Marie, plenty of familiar faces, including Patsy Kensit, Doon Mackichan and Youssef Kerkour join the beloved regular cast. Entrepreneur and family man, Gerry, is found dead in a ravine. His family, wife Bella, children Benjamin and Mariana, and niece Riley, are left in shock. As DI Neville Parker, DS Naomi Thomas, officer Marlon Pryce and trainee officer Darlene Curtis set to work on cracking this mysterious death, things take a turn as the family's visiting digital marketing guru, Debbie, suddenly disappears. Her helpless partner, Dave, is determined to find out what happened to her. Meanwhile, Neville, still grappling with the betrayal of last season and believing that some people just aren't meant to find love, is visited by his larger-than-life mother. Available on BBC1, date TBC.
Brassic Christmas special
The Brassic gang plan to kick back, relax and enjoy Christmas to the max. But then comes a call from Dr Chris, saying his aunt is in crisis and needs looking after, and a robbery at Tyler's school ruins the nativity. Vinnie, Erin, Tommie, Cardi, Carol, Ashely and JJ must bring their A-Game and help save Christmas the Brassic way. This extra special Brassic Christmas episode also stars Imelda Staunton and Greg Davies. Available on 21 December, 10pm on Sky Max and Now.