Settle in folks, there’s a long day ahead.
But with the right combination of military-level planning, sufficient snacks and beverages and allowing time for toilet breaks, we reckon you could easily fit in five of the selections below before the clock strikes midnight.
Here we go…
Kung Fu Panda – BBC One – 9am
Great animation, great cast and great early morning viewing on Christmas Eve.
Hook – Sky One – 9.25am
Delightful adventure romp starring Robin Williams as an aged Peter Pan reconnecting with the days of his youth.
Scrooge – BBC Two – 9.35am
There’s so many movie editions of A Christmas Carol that this commendable effort, featuring Alec Guinness and Albert Finney, is in danger of being overlooked.
Kung Fu Panda 3 – BBC One – 10.45am
BBC One decided to skip Kung Fu Panda 2 and head straight for the third edition in the series, which continues to deliver the goods.
Santa Claus: The Movie – UTV – 11am
It’s far from perfect, but it does feature Dudley Moore and John Lithgow and if you’re looking for an early delivery of Christmas spirit on Christmas Eve, it will do the trick.
Stuart Little – E4 – 11.55am
A young mouse struggles to adapt to his new family but eventually wins them over in a charming tale.
Oliver Twist – Virgin Media Two – 12.05pm
“Please sir, can I have some more?”
Moana – BBC One – 12.35pm
You can pretend you’re watching it for the kids, but anyone can enjoy this visually stunning and highly entertaining adventure.
A Christmas Carol – Channel 4 – 12.40pm
Yet another edition of Dickens’ famous tale which fails to live up to the real standard bearer: The Muppet Christmas Carol.
Ice Age – Film4 – 1.05pm
Nearly 20 years old at this stage, but still holds up pretty well.
Cars 3 – BBC One – 2.15pm
Despite the danger of running out of road three movies in, there’s plenty to enjoy here as Owen Wilson reprises the role of Lightning McQueen.
Finding Dory – RTÉ One – 2.30pm
Finding Nemo deserved a good sequel and it certainly got one.
It’s a Wonderful Life – Channel 4 – 2.35pm
The quintessential Christmas movie.
Madagascar – Film 4 – 2.45pm
Escape from New York, only this time with animals.
Singin’ In The Rain – RTÉ2 – 3.45pm
Famous 1950s musical that delivers on the promise in the title as well as much, much more.
Happy Feet Two – TG4 – 3.45pm
The second one.
The Grinch – ITV2 – 4.05pm
Benedict Cumberbatch assumes the role of the archetypal Christmas villain with a fair degree of success.
Deck The Halls – RTÉ One – 4.10pm
Forgettable Christmas fare.
Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa – Virgin Media One – 4.10pm
A second dose of Madagascar for anyone who didn’t get enough earlier in the afternoon.
Paddington 2 – BBC One – 4.15pm
We didn’t think the original could be topped. How wrong we were.
Megamind – Film4 – 4.30pm
Will Ferrell voices a brilliant but struggling supervillain constantly being foiled by Brad Pitt’s Metro Man. Tiny Fey, Jonah Hill and Ben Stiller are also part of a heavyweight cast in a tale that packs a decent punch.
Shrek – TG4 – 5.25pm
The franchise ended up being milked for all its worth but the original still stands the test of time.
How To Train Your Dragon – E4 – 6pm
A 99% Rotten Tomatoes rating says it all.
Elf – Sky One – 6.15pm
“Santa! I know him!”
Star Wars: The Last Jedi – RTÉ One – 6.20pm
Any excuse to see the glorious Skellig Micheal on the screen again.
The Commitments – Virgin Media One – 9pm
Easily one of the best Irish movies of the last 30 years.
Gremlins – Sky One – 9.45pm
Did we say It’s a Wonderful Life was the quintessential Christmas movie? Screw that, we really meant Gremlins.
The Flag – RTÉ2 – 11.15pm
Pat Shortt goes in search of a flag raised by his father in the 1916 Easter Rising. Decent fare but no more.
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