It’s nearly Christmas and to get us into festive mood, Sky have launched a dedicated movie channel that will be transmitting some of our favourite Yuletide movies, from classics to modern greats on Sky Movies Christmas. There’s literally dozens of movies in store over the holidays and we’ve picked a selection of our favourites that we hope you’ll enjoy with your family, friends and loved ones, whether you’re home in the UK or abroad.
Here’s the rundown of great Christmas movies we recommend you tune into currently rotating on Sky:
Elf
Comedian (and occasional buffoon) Will Ferrell stars in the classic Christmas comedy as Buddy, a human raised as an elf in the North Pole but, having outgrown his surroundings, returns to New York to find his true identity.
Unfortunately, his Dad is a greedy children’s book publisher who landed himself on Santa’s naughty list. Zooey Deschanel is the shop assistant who becomes Buddy’s little helper while Peter Dinklage is at his scene-stealing best as an arrogant author.
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Michael Caine stars as Ebenezer Scrooge in the Muppet’s adaptation of the classic tale of an old miser’s redemption on Christmas Eve. Despite being labelled a kids’ film, there’s plenty for us adults too that harks back to our childhood using familiar characters such as the Great Gonzo, Kermit and Miss Piggy in traditional roles such as Charles Dickens, Bob and Emily Crachit.
The Grinch
Whacky comic Jim Carrey stars as Dr Seuss’s fun-hating grouch. Only content when he’s grumpy, the Grinch lives in solitary splendour but finds himself dragged into the Christmas spirit by the cheerful, snub-nosed residents of the nearby town of Whoville. Oscar-winning make-up from latex-legend Rick Baker puts extra grinchiness into director Ron Howard’s festive family fantasy.
Disney’s A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens’ classic tale of a penny-pinching money counter realising the joyless error of his ways is rendered beautifully for the big screen in stunning CGI. Versatile comedian Jim Carrey provides the voice of wizened Yuletide miser Scrooge whilst Gary Oldman is both his beleaguered clerk Bob Cratchit and Scrooge’s deceased partner Jacob Marley.
Director Robert Zemeckis, famous for classics such as Back to the Future I & II, Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Forest Gump, faithfully adapts the 1843 story using stunning computer technology that serves the story rather than overwhelming it. A visual Christmas banquet, its stark rendering of the ghosts haunting the old meanie may be a bit much for younger kids.
Bad Santa
Not one for the kids, Billy Bob Thornton plays an alcoholic safecracker who takes a job as a department store Santa in order to rob the place. Seedy, foul-mouthed and totally lacking in festive spirit, Thornton’s character Willie Stokes is humbug personified. But the gloriously offensive script ensures the kids give as good as they get in this uproarious cult comedy.
The Three Dogateers
It’s all for one and festive cheer for all when fearless furballs Wagos, Barkos and Arfamis unite to retrieve the family’s stolen Christmas presents. But as the intrepid trio sniff out the thieves, with a little help from Santa Claus, they must also evade the mean-spirited dogcatcher who’s hot on their tails. Dean Cain is the human star but we all know who’s top dog in this seasonal family adventure.
Shelby
When brainy beagle Shelby escapes from the pound on Christmas Eve, he’s taken in by aspiring young magician Jake. He’s just the assistant Jake is looking for… but with dogged Doug the dogcatcher, played by Tom Arnold on his tail, Shelby and his new best friend are going to need a little Christmas magic to keep their partnership intact. Festive family fun with Rob Schneider as the voice of Shelby and added sparkle from comedy legend Chevy Chase as Jake’s grandpa.
Jingle All The Way 2
Two desperate dads compete in a no-holds-barred battle to be the best father in a Christmas contest for the best toy. Fun-loving, laid-back dad Larry is having a tough time finding the perfect Christmas gift for his eight-year-old daughter, Noel. The season’s must-have “Harrison Bear” is sold out, and so Noel’s new stepfather wants to keep it that way, so he can be the one to make her holiday wish come true. Jingly sequel to the 1996 Arnold Schwarzenegger hit.
