If you’re looking for a bit of respite from the endless Christmas get-togethers, you might turn to Netflix for a bit of Yuletide company on your rare nights in.
Now, you’d think that your favourite streaming service would have your back for the festive period, but I am here to tell you that it is slim pickings out there. May I draw your attention to A Christmas Detour starring no one you've ever heard of, or A Royal Christmas with Lacey Chabert. There’s actually something called Mandie and the Forgotten Christmas. Reader, I despair.
But it’s not all bad news. There are actually some decent offerings among the smörgåsbord of straight-to-video to help you get in the seasonal spirit. Lacking a Sky Movies Christmas-style special sub-category, you'll need my help to seek out the best UK Netflix has to offer you this December.
Scrooged (1988)
In this modern retelling (well, not so much, it was made in 1988) of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Bill Murray plays a cynical television exec who hates Christmas. Can he be taught about the season of goodwill by three ghosts who come to haunt him? What do you think!
Happy Christmas (2014)
Happy Christmas is that most rare of beasts: the independent Christmas film. Directed by Joe Swanberg of Drinking Buddies and Hannah Takes The Stairs fame, it stars Anna Kendrick as a boozy twentysomething who goes to stay with her brother and his wife at Christmas, much to their annoyance. Further indie points for having Lena Dunham in a supporting role.
Jingle All The Way (1996)
OK so this is basically a pretty terrible movie but worth watching on the off-chance it ignites some nostalgia for your childhood Christmases. It’s certainly disconcerting to see the Terminator play a dad determined to secure his son a popular action figure for Christmas but it’s not as surreal as the time he went into politics.
A Very Murray Christmas (2015)
While not strictly a film, it would be churlish not to point you in the direction of this Sofia Coppola-directed treat. Murray is hosting a Christmas Eve show when a blizzard shuts down the city and makes it impossible for all his guests to arrive. Cue pulling favours from the likes of Miley Cyrus and George Clooney. And being a Netflix-commissioned exclusive, it almost makes amends for Mandie and the Forgotten Christmas.
Home Alone(1990)
The original Home Alone is the best Christmas film ever to be made (sorry, Frank Capra) so hats off to Netflix. Everyone knows the story: young Macaulay Culkin must deter some comedy burglars hell-bent on robbing his house after his parents accidentally go on vacation without him.
Deck The Halls (2006)
A crowd-pleasing Christmas comedy movie with a cast led by Danny DeVito. Sarah Jessica Parker's real-life hubby Matthew Broderick plays the husband of her Sex and the City co-star Kristin Davis (Charlotte). We're pretty sure those are the only similarities. Expect good, clean fun.
Arthur Christmas (2011)
Every bit as entertaining for adults as it is for children, this animated feature from Aardman Animations (the team behind Wallace and Gromit) boasts vocal talent from James McAvoy and Hugh Laurie.
All I Want For Christmas (1991)
A brother and sister conspire to get their separated parents back together in time for Christmas. Think The Parent Trap with added candy canes.
Mandie and the Forgotten Christmas (2011)
Just kidding! But, really, any excuse to post this trailer.
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