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From Die Hard to Wolf of Wall Street: The films to watch on TV and Netflix if you're not feeling festive this Christmas

The Christmas period is brilliant for numerous reasons - namely good cheer, family time and fantastic food.

But sometimes it can all get a little much and a sickly sweet festive flick might be the last thing you need... Which is where this list comes in.

If multiple re-runs of A Christmas Carol make you want to scream, then may we suggest going for something completely different? Y'know, like the terrifying Netflix hit Bird Box.

Over the next two weeks, there are plenty of films airing which have very little to do with the festive season - and there are fantastic options on streaming services too.

Here are some suggestions of what to watch - some family-friendly, others not so much... - if you don't fancy feeling festive...

Get Out - Amazon Prime

Family fear: Daniel Kaluuya as Chris, whose girlfriend’s relatives are not what they seem ()
Family fear: Daniel Kaluuya as Chris, whose girlfriend’s relatives are not what they seem ()

There is nothing more opposing to yuletide than a Jordan Peele film.

The Oscar-winning Get Out reinvented the monstrous extremes of the horror genre. But with little blood or gore in sight, this was truly an attack on our minds.

The film, starring Daniel Kaluuya, has many laugh out loud moments, jump-inducing scenes and brilliant twists, as it explores a narrative centred on race in America.

And who knows, it could be a catalyst for some healthy - or heated - discussions at the Christmas dinner table.

Wolf of Wall Street - Channel 4 (Boxing Day)

The Wolf of Wall Street show (Helen Maybanks)
The Wolf of Wall Street show (Helen Maybanks)

Sick of festive cheer? In dire need of a movie that is the antithesis of goodwill and glad tidings? Channel 4 is airing the Oscar-winning Martin Scorsese drama on Boxing Day.

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie, The Wolf of Wall Street is sure to banish any festive feelings from even the happiest of souls.

Marriage Story - Netflix

One of Netflix’s latest additions, Marriage Story has already garnered six Golden Globe nominations and is also being tipped to make the Academy Awards shortlists.

The new film sees Star Wars’ Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson play a couple whose relationship is slowly but steadily disintegrating and Big Little Lies’ Laura Dern makes a star turn as a Hollywood divorce lawyer.

There are tears, a tough-fought custody battle and an incredibly vicious (and extraordinarily acted) spat. Bah humbug, indeed.

Die Hard - NOW TV or Sky Cinema

The annual debate on whether or not Die Hard is a Christmas film or not rises to surface the very minute the pumpkin patches for Halloween disappear.

We’ve made the executive decision and named the first in the Bruce Willis franchise a Christmas film - albeit a not very festive one. It's set in December so it counts, OK?

Lethal Weapon - Channel 4

Speaking of Die Hard, Lethal Weapon - starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover - did the whole festive action film thing a year before in 1987.

Clearly, Hollywood in the '80s got a kick out of filling up the big screens at the time with guns and violence as an alternative for jingle-bells and snow. But hey, we're not complaining.

Fun fac. Lethal Weapon 3 will also be airing on ITV4 on December 29.

Cool Runnings - Amazon Prime

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This sports movie - loosely based on the real-life 1988 Winter Olympics story - follows a Jamaican sprinter who enlists the help of a dishonoured coach to start the very first Jamaican bobsled team.

A family favourite, Cool Runnings marks one of the final film appearances from John Candy before his death in 1994.

Jurassic World - Netflix

Chris Pratt in Jurassic World
Chris Pratt in Jurassic World

If you loved the original dinosaur film, which was released in 1993, why not use the holidays to binge the sequels - released in 1997, 2001, 2015 and 2018 - in time for the next instalment set for 2021?

Bird Box - Netflix

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There’s nothing like literally sitting on the edge of your sofa while cowering behind a pillow because of a film. So if you're feeling Scrooge-y, you can always do that instead of singing Christmas carols.

The thriller, starring Sandra Bullock, was first released last December and captured the imagination of Netflix subscribers world wide, nabbing over 45 million views in its first week as well as a few famous fans.

It’s creepy and has left many a little scared to go outside – a lovely festive alternative.

Toy Story 3 - BBC One, 1.25pm on Christmas Eve

(Walt Disney/Pixar)
(Walt Disney/Pixar)

The third instalment of Disney and Pixar’s animated series is the perfect way to kick off the afternoon on Christmas Eve.

As with every Toy Story movie, there are enough colourful characters and action sequences to keep children enthralled and a handful of more sophisticated jokes for the grown-ups (plus the heartbreaking plotline which sees Woody’s owner Andy preparing to give up his toys as he heads off to colleague will surely move even the coldest of hearts to tears).

Shrek - Netflix

(DREAMWORKS ANIMATION LLC.)
(DREAMWORKS ANIMATION LLC.)

Unlike 2007’s Shrek the Halls, the very first Shrek movie has nothing to do with the nativity.

The 2001 computer-animated comedy film makes fun of many fairy-tale storylines making it suitable for both adults and children alike, giving the entire family a happy medium when selecting films to watch.

Annie - Netflix

This 2014 remake starring Jamie Foxx, Quvenzhané Wallis, and Cameron Diaz is available to stream to your heart's content.

It may have received negative reviews from critics but Annie was a box office success.

With its cheesy songs about joy and love, this is the perfect pick-me-up.

Watership Down - Netflix

Bunnie on the run: The 2018 BBC adaptation of Watership Down (Watership Down)
Bunnie on the run: The 2018 BBC adaptation of Watership Down (Watership Down)

The dark animation has become a popular Christmas tradition for many households, especially since the 2018 remake landed as a limited series on Netflix.

John Boyega, Daniel Kaluuya and James McAvoy lend their voices to some of the creatures.

Black Christmas - In cinemas now

This is technically a fully-fledged Christmas film but we promise it's not too festive. And if you need any proof of that, then there's this: the 1974 original even inspired John Carpenter’s Halloween.

Black Christmas is one the earliest slasher movies ever released and is still just as creepy forty years on. The horror film sees a particular psychopath stalking and murdering people (see what we mean?). It's been remade on a handful of occasions too, with the most recent version being released earlier this month.

If you are a total scrooge, this is the one for you.

Read more

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