The Big Day.
Happy Christmas, one and all.
It is indeed the big day.
Taking a breather on the couch or simply glueing oneself to the thing once the evening fully kicks in is a pretty essential aspect of Christmas Day.
Luckily, there’s a rake of movies available for company. Let’s get to it…
Moana – BBC One – 12.55pm
Lively animation that boasts the vocal talents of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory – RTÉ One – 1.20pm
Gene Wilder really was a legend.
The Sting – ITV4 – 1.35pm
Robert Redford and Paul Newman lead the way in this conman comedy-drama.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas – ITV2 – 2pm
The one with Jim Carrey beneath the green make-up.
Some Like It Hot – RTÉ 2 – 2.05pm
Vintage comedy with Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe.
The Phantom – SyFy – 2.10pm
Billy Zane IS The Phantom.
Romancing the Stone – More4 – 2.15pm
A grand adventure.
Turner & Hooch – Film 4 – 2.25pm
There’s a TV remake coming so catch up with Tom Hanks and his canine pal for now.
Back to the Future – Channel 4 – 2.35pm
The first one.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York – RTÉ 2 – 2.55pm
In which Kevin ups the violence ante to a terrifying degree.
Finding Dory – BBC One – 3.15pm
The follow-up to Finding Nemo.
The Magnificent Seven – RTÉ One – 4.05pm
The original and best.
The Searchers – TCM – 4.10pm
John Wayne goes searching.
Elf – ITV2 – 4.10pm
You know this one.
Spartacus – ITV4 – 4.10pm
I’m Spartacus! That’s a lie. I’m Dave. Hello.
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – SyFy – 4.20pm
Angelina Jolie IS Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.
Ice Age: Collision Course – Film 4 – 4.25pm
The fifth one. Yes, we had to look that up.
The Wizard of Oz – Virgin Media One – 4.45pm
A truly iconic fairytale.
Beauty and the Beast – RTÉ 2 – 4.45pm
Ferociously popular recent live action remake.
The Longest Day – More4 – 5.25pm
Epic war encounter that lives up to its name.
Shrek – TG4 – 5.30pm
No introduction needed, surely.
How to Train your Dragon – E4 – 6pm
Because you really do need instructions for this kind of thing.
Uncle Buck – ITV2 – 6pm
It’s just not Christmas without a John Candy movie.
Raiders of the Lost Ark – RTÉ 2 – 6.10pm
Indiana Jones makes a name for himself.
Independence Day – Film 4 – 6.15pm
Will Smith welcomes visitors to Earth.
Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life – SyFy – 6.30pm
That would be the sequel.
Gremlins – TCM – 6.45pm
Creature feature that appears to have replaced Die Hard in the ‘Is it a Christmas film?’ debate.
Into the West – TG4 – 6.55pm
Beloved Irish adventure with Gabriel Byrne.
Paddington 2 – RTÉ One – 7pm
The return of the most adorable CGI bear in the game.
Home Alone 3 – E4 – 7.55pm
A lesser-celebrated Home Alone movie.
Rocky II – ITV4 – 8pm
The second one.
Dolly Parton – Here I Am – BBC Two – 8.30pm
Feature-length documentary on the life and times of the legendary country star.
The Beatles: Eight Days a Week… – More4 – 9pm
Another music doc, this time with Ron Howard at the helm.
Training Day – TCM – 9pm
In which Ethan Hawke could really benefit from a human resources department.
Deadpool – Film 4 – 9pm
Ryan Reynolds quips his way to box office fortune.
The Other Guys – Virgin Media Two – 9pm
Wahlberg and Ferrell get silly as two cops finally given their shot.
Ghost – SyFy – 9pm
Pottery never looked so sensual.
Coyote Ugly – Universal TV – 9pm
Can’t fight the moonlight.
Jurassic World – RTÉ 2 – 9pm
Nostalgia overload for ’90s dinosaur enthusiasts.
Tremors – ITV4 – 10.25pm
Kevin Bacon tackles underground terrors.
The Hangover – RTÉ 2 – 11pm
You may have one of your own for most of this week.
Midnight Run – Film 4 – 11.10pm
One of the great Robert De Niro performances.
The Fugitive – TCM – 11.20pm
Harrison Ford says he didn’t kill his wife. Tommy Lee Jones does not care.
Perrier’s Bounty – TG4 – 11.30pm
Under-seen crime caper with Cillian Murphy and Brendan Gleeson.
Event Horizon – SyFy – 11.30pm
Because nothing says Christmas Day like ‘haunted spaceship’, eh?
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – RTÉ One – 12.05am
The second one, oddly enough.
The Great Gatsby – RTÉ 2 – 12.45am
Leonardo DiCaprio charms his way through an ill-fated romance.
Slumdog Millionaire – Channel 4 – 1am
Danny Boyle directs a dramatic Oscar-winning tale.
Candyman – Film 4 – 1.45am
Saying his name three times into a mirror is not encouraged.
Dog Day Afternoon – RTÉ One – 2am
Classic Al Pacino thriller should you find yourself awake in the early hours.
Mortdecai – RTÉ 2 – 2.50am
Abysmal Johnny Depp ‘comedy’ should you find yourself awake in the early hours.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
