STOCKING THRILLERS: SAVE ON YOUR FESTIVE STREAMING WITH 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS FILMS
STOCKING THRILLERS: SAVE ON YOUR FESTIVE STREAMING WITH 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS FILMS FROM USWITCH
With Christmas fast approaching, millions of Brits will be busy planning their festive viewing.
The growth of streaming services, and arrival of new platforms like Paramount Plus, means picking out your favourite yuletide movies can be tough without taking out extra subscriptions.
To unwrap your Christmas film schedule and choose crackers (not turkeys) without breaking the bank, “Saint” Nick Baker, TV and streaming expert at Uswitch.com is on hand to help.
With a little help from the Ustream tool, here is his guide to enjoy 12 days of the best seasonal films, while making the most of special streaming offers and trial subscriptions.
DAY 1
Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)
Nick says: “The hilarious combination of Steve Martin and John Candy make this comedy about heading home for the holiday season a festive classic.”
How to watch: This is showing on Paramount Plus, which has a free seven-day trial for new customers. After that it will be £6.99 a month. It is also available on Prime Video.
DAY 2
The Holiday (2006):
Nick says: “A romantic feel-good movie, packed with an A-List cast of Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Kate Winslet and Jack Black, this seasonal staple has more warmth than a mug full of mulled wine.”
How to watch: Available on BritBox, this can be watched as part of a seven-day trial for new customers of ITVX’s premium service, which now includes BritBox content. After that it will be £5.99 a month. The Holiday is also available on Prime Video.
DAY 3
It’s a Wonderful Life (1947):
Nick says: “Even 75 years after it was first screened, this yuletide fantasy, celebrating the impact of good deeds, still packs an emotional punch. Keep those tissues handy.”
How to watch: Newcomers to Amazon Prime Video will be able to get 30 days’ free access to the streaming platform. After that it will be £8.99 a month.
DAY 4
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000):
Nick says: “If you’re looking for something slightly less feel-good for your festive viewing, this bittersweet tale, featuring Jim Carrey as the grumpy Grinch, could be just the ticket.”
How to watch: Sky now includes a Netflix subscription with most of its TV packages. If you’re on a rolling deal for their Pay-TV services, you should be able to add it on without paying more, or save if you’re currently paying for both separately. This is also available on Prime Video.
DAY 5
Spirited (2022):
Nick says: “Alongside the classics, it’s worth finding room in your viewing schedule for the new generation of Christmas films. Spirited, a musical reworking of A Christmas Carol, is likely to be a seasonal staple in the years to come. This Apple TV+ exclusive also gives viewers the chance to see Ryan Reynolds in holiday mode and Will Ferrell without an elf in sight.”
How to watch: Newcomers to Apple TV+ will be able to get a week’s free trial of the streaming service. After that a subscription costs £6.99 a month. Most new Apple devices come with free trials of its services, so if you’re set to unwrap one on Christmas Day, bear that in mind as a way to save.
DAY 6
Home Alone (1990):
Nick says: “One of the highest-grossing comedies of all time, Home Alone made a global star out of Macauley Culkin. He plays resourceful eight-year-old Kevin McAllister, protecting his home from bungling burglars after his family fly to France for Christmas without him.”
How to watch: This is showing as part of Disney Plus’s festive line-up. While there are no longer trials for new users of the streaming service, anyone who is on a mobile contract with O2 should check their tariff as some include a one, three or six-month pass to Disney Plus as an extra. Samsung also includes Disney Plus membership with selected smartphones.
DAY 7
Love Actually (2003):
Nick says: “Richard Curtis’s Love Actually is nearly 20 years old but it still makes for great comfort viewing, especially at this time of year. The comedy is also a veritable Who’s Who of British acting talent with stars including Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Bill Nighy and the late Alan Rickman.”
How to watch: This is available on BritBox via ITVX, as well as Prime Video.
DAY 8
Arthur Christmas (2011):
Nick says: “From the Aardman Animations team that created Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep, Arthur Christmas is a masterpiece that is as funny as it is festive. A stellar voice cast including James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Imelda Staunton and Jim Broadbent, help make this a great one for the whole family to enjoy.”
How to watch: This is available on Prime Video.
DAY 9
The Santa Clause (1994):
Nick says: “Spawning two sequels and a new Disney Plus series, The Santa Clause franchise has shown there’s plenty of life in tales of Father Christmas. Tim Allen plays Scott Calvin who unexpectedly transforms into Saint Nick after the previous Santa falls off his roof.”
How to watch: This is available on Disney Plus.
DAY 10
Krampus (2015):
Nick says: “If you’re in the mood for something darker to watch once younger family members have gone to bed, make sure you don’t miss this horror comedy. Based on European folklore, Krampus tells the tale of a horned demon who delights in punishing naughty children at Christmastime.”
How to watch: This is available on Netflix
DAY 11
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992):
Nick says: “Arguably the best — and certainly the most fun — adaptation of Dickens’ classic tale. Michael Caine gamely plays second fiddle to Kermit, Gonzo, Miss Piggy and co as Ebeneezer Scrooge.”
How to watch: This is available on Disney Plus.
DAY 12
The Christmas Chronicles (2018):
Nick says: “Another recent seasonal streaming hit, this Netflix release stars Kurt Russell as Santa Claus whose Christmas duties get derailed when a couple of curious children sneak into his sleigh. This was so popular, a sequel followed in 2020.
How to watch: This is available on Netflix.
To plan your own festive film line-up, try the Ustream tool.
