Christmas TV Recommendations 2020
For the past five years I’ve collated my recommend family Christmas TV viewing and shared it on radio. I won’t be on the radio this year but a number of people have asked me about my Christmas TV picks so I’ve put together a list here. I like to (and used to be asked to by the show I was on) to group them into types as opposed to on days as these lists can get a little overwhelming. So, here’s what I will be recording to watch over Christmas.
Drama
Black Narcissus BBC One Every year the BBC have a three part drama, this year’s is Black Narcissus, based on a novel about nuns living remotely in the Himalayas, but don’t let that description fool you, it sounds dark and exciting. Watch the trailer here.
Bridgerton Much anticipated period drama on Netflix produced by Shonda Rhimes of Greys Anatomy and starring Nicola Coughlan of Derry Girls, starts streaming Christmas Day, can’t wait for this one.
Documentaries
The Francis St Photographer Looks fascinating about a women who seeks to reunite people with precious family photos after she finds her photographer grandfather’s box of 70,000 negatives, capturing the pulse of life in the Liberties. RTE 1, Dec 29, 6.30pm
Fungie’s Kingdom Baz goes looking for Fungie 27th December 7.30pm RTE One.
Meerkats: A Dynasties Special Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a good nature documentary and you can’t do any better than a David Attenborough Dec 28th 7.30pm BBC One
For the Kids
Zog & the Flying Doctors is this year’s Magic Light offering, you can catch it on BBC One on Christmas Day 2.35pm on BBC one, set this one to record.
The other big animated one this year is Quentin Blake’s The Clown on Channgel 4 at 7.40pm on Christmas Day and repeated on St Stephen’s Day at 1.40pm
Angela’s Christmas Wish is a gorgeous cartoon that I’ve already watched on Netflix 3 times so far, you can find it there or on RTE 1 on Christmas Day at 5.15pm, repeated on St Stephen’s Day at 1.25pm. DO NOT MISS THIS
Jingle Jangle dtreaming on Netflix a musical, really well done, PG. On Netflix now
Soul the new Disney Pixar movie starts streaming on Disney Plus on Christmas Day
Peter Rabbit A lovely family movie 6.15 pm Christmas Eve RTE One
Christmas Chronicles 2 – even better than the original, starring Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, available on Netflix now
Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse. Starring Rob Bryden and Dawn French this is a really sweet looking film based on the meeting of Roald Dahl and his idol Beatrix Potter. Christmas Eve 8.15pm Sky One or on Now TV. I’ll definitely be recording this one
Trolls This is brilliant feelgood singalong movie 30th December BBC One 1.50PM
Zootropolis – may be a little scary in parts for younger kids but is a good show 29th December, 1.55pm BBC One
Frozen You know you’ll end up watching this 4pm RTE 1 St Stephen’s Day
Magic Light Repeats this make Christmas – Christmas morning on BBC One you can catch them all!
8.55am The Gruffalo
9.25am The Gruffalo’s Child
11.00am The Snail & The Whale
11.25am Zog
Christmas Day movies
The Greatest Showman RTE One 6.10pm A great one to watch with the whole family
Black Panther 10pm RTE 2 when the kids are gone to bed
A Star is Born RTE 10.20pm Sing along to Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper
See the ones you don’t want to miss below too
Every Christmas (RECORD THESE)
These are the ones that it wouldn’t be Christmas without seeing!
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Christmas Day 6.30pm RTE 2
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Christmas Day 2.25pm RTE 2
The Polar Express 23rd December 6pm Sky One
It’s a Wonderful Life – Christmas Eve 2.35pm Channel 4
Elf Yes, Elf is on TV this Christmas! It’s been YEARS! Sky One Christmas Eve 6.15pm
