Wondering where to catch your favourite Christmas films this month? Never fear, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of every festive flick from now until the 25th!
Toddling Tales
Gentle films of festive cheer, suitable for all.
The Snowman and The Snowman and The Snowdog
In a nutshell: The beautiful wordless 1982 film and 2012 sequel based on the beloved Raymond Briggs picture book. (runtime approx. 50 minutes all together)
Where it’s playing: Vue, Odeon George St, Odeon Magdalen St
The Santa Clause
In a nutshell: After a wacky accident, Tim Allen must step into Santa Claus’ boots. Goofy, nineties fun.
Where it’s playing: Vue - Saturday 10th, 10.30am - part of their ‘Mini Morning’ series
The Gruffalo’s Child
In a nutshell: Animated adaptation of Axel Scheffler and Julia Donaldson’s Gruffalo Sequel. Take the kids to see The Gruffalo live at The Mill Theatre, Banbury first for the ultimate Gruffalo experience! (runtime approx. 35mins)
Where it’s playing: Phoenix Picturehouse - Thursday 15th, 11.30am - part of their Toddler Time series (exclusively for parents/carers and preschool age children)
Stick Man
In a nutshell: More Donaldson-Scheffler inspired delight arrives in the form of Stick Man, about a little branch trying to find his way home. (runtime approx. 27mins)
Where it’s playing: Phoenix Picturehouse - Thursday 22nd, 11.30am - part of their toddler time series (exclusively for parents/carers and preschool age children)
Crowdpleasers
Friendly enough for the kids, complex enough for the adults
The Muppets Christmas Carol
In a nutshell: Literally A Christmas Carol, performed by The Muppets. And arguably one of the best Christmas films ever made.
Where it’s playing: Phoenix Picturehouse, Odeon George St, Ultimate Picture Palace, Vue
In a nutshell: Will Ferrell is Buddy, a human-raised-by-elves. When he goes searching for his biological father, all manner of chaos ensues. A wholesome and delightful modern classic.
Where it’s playing: Phoenix Picturehouse, Odeon George St, Odeon Magdalen St, Vue
Home Alone
In a nutshell: After being accidentally forgotten by his vacationing family, Kevin - a bratty but clever child - revels in solitude. Meanwhile, two bumbling burglars scheme to rob Kevin’s house, but quickly find their plans going awry.
Where it’s playing: Odeon George St, Odeon Magdalen St, Vue
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
In a nutshell: Kevin finds himself alone again (!) - this time in New York. Hijinks ensue. A surprisingly good sequel, and features Tim Curry (always a plus).
Where it’s playing: Odeon George St, Odeon Magdalen St, Vue
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
In a nutshell: 2000s-era Jim Carrey does his thing in Ron Howard’s campy, big budget Grinch film.
Where it’s playing: Ultimate Picture Palace
Gremlins
In a nutshell: A mischievous family pet wreaks havoc in this scary/silly eighties classic.
Where it’s playing: Phoenix Picturehouse - Monday 19th, 8.30pm
Spirited (singalong)
In a nutshell: A singalong showing of the new musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol. Starring Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell, with slapstick and light swearing, this is primarily aimed at young teens/mature tweens.
Where it’s playing: Vue
The Nightmare Before Christmas
In a nutshell: Spry and spooky Henry Selick-helmed (Tim Burton produced) Halloween-to-Christmas classic - great songs and surprisingly thrilling.
Where it’s playing: Vue
The Polar Express
In a nutshell: Computer-animated fantasy adventure about a boy boarding a train to the north pole. Long and cosy, with several different Tom Hanks cameos. Technically suitable for all ages, but will likely bore adults and very young children to tears.
Where it’s playing: Phoenix Picturehouse - Christmas Eve, 11am - part of their Kids Club series (exclusively for parents and children)
Grown-up Delights
Viewer discretion advised - may be too scary and/or saucy for the kids, but great fun for adults!
Die Hard
In a nutshell: Beloved Bruce Willis/Alan Rickman action thriller set on Christmas Eve.
Where it’s playing: Phoenix Picturehouse, George St Odeon, Vue
Love Actually
In a nutshell:Richard Curtis’ sappy - and surprisingly raunchy - ensemble rom-com, feat. the good and great of 2000s British cinema.
Where it’s playing:Vue - Thursday 22nd 7.30pm
Violent Night
In a nutshell:Brand new Christmas movie - When a wealthy family is taken hostage by deadly mercenaries, a salty Santa Claus (Stranger Things’ star David Harbour), arrives to deliver some ‘season’s beatings’. Gory and joyfully irreverent.
Where it’s playing:Phoenix Picturehouse, Curzon, Odeon George St, Ultimate Picture Palace, Vue
Carol
In a nutshell: Todd Haynes’ sapphic romance drama. Christmas time in the early 1950s, a shopgirl begins a forbidden affair with an older woman going through a difficult divorce.
Where it’s playing: Phoenix Picturehouse - Sunday 11th 3pm
Almost Christmas
In a nutshell: 2016 American dramedy about a family reuniting after their matriarch’s death.
Where it’s playing: Odeon George St Tuesday 13th 7.50pm
Black Christmas (1974)
In a nutshell: Terrifying Christmas slasher about an anonymous killer preying on a sorority.
Where it’s playing: Odeon George St Wednesday 14th 7.50pm
Batman Returns
In a nutshell: Acclaimed 1992 Tim Burton Batman flick with Keaton, Pfieffer and Devito - what more could one want?
Where it’s playing: Phoenix Picturehouse, Odeon George St
The Holiday
In a nutshell: Nancy Meyers two-for-one house swap rom-com - festive, feelgood, early noughties vibes.
Where it’s playing: Vue - Friday 9th 7.30pm
Classic Chrismas
Old-School Cosy Merriment
Fanny and Alexander
In a nutshell: Ingar Bergman’s lush, moving family chronicle.
Where it’s playing: Phoenix Picturehouse, Ultimate Picture Palace
It’s a Wonderful Life
In a nutshell: Jimmy Stewart discovers the meaning of life is in how you live it, in the holiday classics to end all holiday classics.
Where it’s playing: Phoenix Picturehouse, Odeon George St, Odeon Magdalen St, Ultimate Picture Palace
The Bishop’s Wife
In a nutshell: 1947 Christmas rom-com. Cary Grant plays an angel who advises a Bishop on his personal and professional problems.
Where it’s playing: Odeon George St
Little Women (1994)
In a nutshell: Beloved coming-of-age drama follows the March sisters, growing up in the mid-19th century.
Where it’s playing: Ultimate Picture Palace
Something Special
An awe-inspring show for those who love dance.
The Royal Ballet Live: The Nutcracker
In a nutshell: If you love ballet and Christmas, don’t miss this festive treat.
Where it’s playing: Phoenix Picturehouse, Odeon George St