What To Watch This Christmas

Here are TV shows you won’t want to miss this Christmas …

From laugh-out-loud comedies and heart-warming family favourites to gripping thrillers and unmissable festive specials, this Christmas is packed with brilliant TV and film to curl up with. Whether you’re looking for something joyful, dramatic, nostalgic or downright escapist, here’s our guide to the shows and movies you won’t want to miss over the festive season.

Out of Order:Christmas Special – Monday 22nd December @ 9pm | Comedy Central

Rosie Jones brings festive chaos, as two teams led by Katherine Ryan & Judi Love judge members of the public, and each other. Guests include Josh Widdicombe and Jon Richardson.

In the new-year series two will feature appearances from Layton Williams and Kiell Smith-Bynoe each bringing their own brand of anarchic humour to the show’s uniquely unfiltered format.

Celebrity Mastermind – Monday 22nd December @7:35pm | BBC Two & iPlayer

Join Clive Myrie for a brand-new series of Celebrity Mastermind, a British television staple, with the 14 new episodes featuring 56 celebrities taking their place in the iconic black chair under its forbidding quizzing spotlight!

Your favourite stars have lined up once more to be tested on a specialist subject of their choice, going on to tackle a variety of general knowledge questions – all in a race against the clock…

Richard Osman’s House of Games – Monday 22nd December @ 7pm | BBC Two

In this brand new series of Richard Osman’s Festive House of Games, two groups of famous faces go toe-to-toe testing their general knowledge in a variety of fun trivia-based games.

With Charles Venn and Molly Rainford.

Mammoth: Christmas Special – Monday 22nd December @ 10pm | BBC Two

It’s Tony Mammoth’s first Christmas since coming back from the dead and he’s determined to make it a special one with his family. Through his own thoughtlessness and selfishness, he’s on the brink of ruining Christmas for himself and those around him. Meanwhile, Mel tries to contain her anger towards a perfectly nice woman at the homeless shelter and love is in the air for Theo.

With Joseph Marcell.

Hostages – Monday 22nd December | Available on Digital HD

A British comedy thriller about five people caught in an unfolding terrorism situation, after an explosion in a London hotel. A fresh take on the 24hr news cycle and whether or not social media is more important than people’s lives.

Starring Tanya Moodie.

The War Between The Land And The Sea – Tuesday 23rd December @ 7:05pm | BBC Three & iPlayer

Barclay is a low-level UNIT staff member whose ordinary life becomes a world of terror when an ancient species rises from the sea. He becomes humanity’s ambassador when the mysterious Salt emerges from the Tank at a summit on the Thames. And UNIT, led by Kate Lethbridge-Stewart, fights for control as humanity faces destruction.

With Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Colin McFarlane, Catherine Garton, Ann Akinjirin, Cat Gannon, Lachele Carl and Delroy Brown.

Goodbye June – Christmas Eve | Netflix

Takes place just before Christmas, when an unexpected turn in their mother’s health thrusts four adult siblings and their exasperating father into chaos as they navigate messy family dynamics in the face of potential loss. But their quick-witted mother, June, orchestrates her decline on her own terms — with biting humour, blunt honesty, and a lot of love.

With Fisayo Akinade.

The Great British Sewing Bee: Celebrity Christmas Special – Christmas Eve @ 7.25pm | BBC One and iPlayer

The Great British Sewing Bee is returning with a Christmas Celebrity Special, which will see Susan Wokoma abd other celebrities test their crafty skills in a series of Christmas-themed tasks.

Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit -Christmas Day @ 12:55pm | Channel 4

Las Vegas singer Deloris returns undercover as Sister Mary Clarence to save a failing school. Discovering students’ musical talent, she forms a choir that overcomes doubt, defies authority, wins a major competition, and keeps the school open through confidence, discipline, and belief.

With Whoopi Goldberg, Lauryn Hill, Ryan Toby, Bill Duke, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Monica Calhoun & more.

The Scarecrow’s Wedding – Christmas Day @ 3.10pm | BBC One

When Harry insists on leaving the farm to collect one last thing for their big day, a smooth-talking scarecrow named Reginald Rake swoops in with plans of his own. Chaos ensues, and soon Betty’s in danger and everything’s at risk. Can Harry get back in time and save the day? Full of heart, humour and adventure, this is the joyful tale about loyalty, love and learning that the most important thing isn’t a grand gesture, it’s simply being together.

Sophie Okonedo as the Narrator.

The Little Mermaid – Christmas Day @ 6:30pm | E4

Ariel the mermaid is captivated by the world above the waves, much to the consternation of her father, King Triton. After saving a prince from drowning during a storm, Ariel makes a pact with a sea witch to become human for three days to win the prince’s heart.

Starring Halle Bailey, Noma Dumezweni, Daveed Diggs, Martina Laird, Jude Akuwudike, , Sienna King & more.

Call The Midwife: Christmas Special – Christmas Day @ 8.15pm | BBC One

In the first of two episodes, the residents of Poplar are preparing for Christmas while Fred and Violet get ready to fly to Hong Kong to visit her son.

On arrival and carrying parcels for the sisters, they head to the Branch House in Kowloon, but discover that it has collapsed and there are many fatalities. A rescue mission is hastily organised, and a team from Nonnatus make emergency plans to head out to Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, Cyril receives an unexpected request from a Mr Fischer who wants to rent his flat for an unspecified amount of time and at any price

Amandaland: Christmas Special – Christmas Day @ 9:15pm | BBC One and iPlayer

Amanda and the family head to Aunt Joan’s country house, but the plans change when Mal and Anne tag along and she struggles to recreate the magical Christmases she spent there as a child. Anne’s in despair at being separated from her family, and Felicity is increasingly irritated by her sister’s constant high spirits. Meanwhile Mal sees a hidden photo that seems to reveal a deep family secret…

With Samuel Anderson, Ekow Quartey and Rochenda Sandall.

My Life at Christmas with Anita Rani – Christmas Day | BBC One & iPlayer

Anita Rani pays a Christmas visit to Baroness Floella Benjamin, a pivotal figure to generations of young TV viewers. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Floella arrived in London at the age of ten as part of the Windrush generation.

Together, they retrace that journey and reflect on Dame Floella’s extraordinary life shaped by faith and the festive season: from stage actor and iconic Play School presenter to businesswoman, child rights campaigner, dame and baroness, and even playing a role in King Charles III’s coronation.

Anita Rani meets Paralympian and broadcaster Ade Adepitan to hear his inspirational life story and how sport, spirituality and the festive season have shaped him, from contracting polio as a toddler in Nigeria, to growing up with a disability in east London in the 1970s, to the rocky road that led to Paralympic glory with the British wheelchair basketball team.

Stranger Things: 5 (Final Season) – Boxing Day | Netflix

After a boy vanishes into thin air, his close-knit group of friends and family search for answers and are pulled into a high-stakes and deadly series of events. Beneath the surface of their ordinary town lurks an extraordinary supernatural mystery, along with top-secret government experiments and a dangerous gateway that connects our world to a powerful yet sinister realm. Friendships will be tested and lives will be altered as what they discover will change Hawkins and possibly the world forever.

With Caleb McLaughlin and Priah Ferguson

Death in Paradise: Christmas Special – Sunday 28th December @ 8.30pm | BBC One and iPlayer

The office Christmas party of a lifetime takes a dark turn when four co-workers wake up to find a stranger dead in the pool of their villa. DI Mervin Wilson and the team identify the murder weapon, but they’re left baffled when they find that it was locked in a drawer when the murder took place… thousands of miles away from the crime scene, in Swindon!

Meanwhile, Mervin’s anxiously waiting to hear back from his newly discovered brother, which prevents him from embracing Saint Marie’s Christmas celebrations. Can Mervin resolve his family situation and get into the festive spirit – for the sake of his team and the island?

Starring Don Gilet, Shaquille Ali-Yebuah, Shantol Jackson, Ginny Holder, Pearl Mackie, Oriana Charles and Alix Serman.

The Famous Five: Big Trouble on Billycock Hill – Streaming Now | BBC iPlayer

In this adventure, the Five work together to discover the truth behind a mysterious plane crash. When a Spitfire crashes near Kirrin Cottage, the Five must work together to save the injured pilot and find out the truth of what happened to him, before his enemies strike again.

Starring Diaana Babnicova and Ann Akinjirin.

The Apprentice: Celebrity Special – Monday 29th December @ 9pm | BBC One

Part one of two. AJ Odudu, Eddie Kadi, JB Gill and Kadeena Cox compete to raise money for Children in Need. Lord Sugar splits the celebrities into two teams, under the watchful eyes of Karren Brady and Mike Soutar, and sends them to Lapland to create their own twist on the classic gingerbread biscuit before producing an advert and jingle, and pitching to retailers. For the first time in Celebrity Apprentice history, the products will be on sale to the public to raise money for Children in Need.

Hidden Figures – Tuesday 30th December @ 5:40pm | Channel 4

Three female African-American mathematicians play a pivotal role in astronaut John Glenn’s launch into orbit. Meanwhile, they also have to deal with racial and gender discrimination at work.

Starring Taraji P Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe, Mahershala Ali, Aldis Hodge, Zani Jones Mbayise, Saniyya Sidney, Ariana Neal, Lidya Jewett & more.

Top of The Pops: Review of The Year 2025 – Wednesday 31st December @ 6pm | BBC One

Hosted by Clara Amfo. This celebratory look back at the last 12 months will revisit the biggest music moments of the year, highlighting the standout stories and featuring performances from some of 2025’s most talked-about artists.