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Where to watch Love Actually, Elf and other classic Christmas films in the UK

Christmas is a time for family, feasting and film-watching, and all the classics are available this year

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Bill Nighy stars in the Christmas favourite ‘Love Actually’ (Photo: Rune Hellestad/Corbis/Getty)
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‘Tis the season to sit down and binge-watch some of the Christmas film classics we know and love.

Whether you prefer the US staples Home Alone and Elf or the very British Love Actually and Nativity!, there will be opportunities to indulge in some movie magic.

And if none of those are your favoured festive film, there are plenty more on offer.

We take a look at the Christmas classics on the televisual menu this season.

Where can I watch Love Actually this Christmas?

Film : Love Actually (2003). Pictured: THE PRIME MINISTER (HUGH GRANT), KEITH (BILLY CAMPBELL), NATALIE (MARTINE McCUTCHEON). Photo Credit: Peter Mountain. Copyright: 2003 Universal Studios. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Love Actually will be on over the Christmas period (Photo: Peter Mountain/Universal Pictures/Getty)

The 2003 Richard Curtis romcom may be more than 20 years old but its appeal has actually not waned.

With a stellar cast and some iconic scenes including Hugh Grant dancing in Downing Street, it has has become a seasonal regular.

This year viewers can catch up with all the couples and their varying forms of love on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies and Sky Store for a fee.

It will also be shown on Sky Cinema and Now, for those who have a subscription.

Where can I watch Elf this Christmas?

One Christmas Eve a long time ago, a baby crawled into Santa's bag of toys... Raised as an elf, Buddy (Will Ferrell) grows into an adult three times larger than the biggest elf--and realizes that he will never truly fit in at the North Pole. This holiday season, Buddy goes looking for his true place in the world--in New York City. Buddy finds his workaholic father (James Caan)--who's on Santa's "naughty" list, a new mother (Mary Steenburgen) and a 10-year-old brother who doesn't believe in Santa Claus or elves. Here, now, Buddy discovers his destiny--to save Christmas for New York and the world! Elf Film still Image from SEAC
American Christmas comedy ‘Elf’ has become a go-to classic (Photo: SEAC/Warner Brothers)

2003 proved a vintage year for Christmas movies as Elf also made its debut that year.

Will Ferrell’s Buddy the elf is everything naughty and nice about Christmas.

And the family favourite has something for every generation.

It is available for a fee on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movie, Sky Store and for those with a NOW Sky cinema pass.

Where can I watch Nativity! this Christmas?

Nativity! film still Martin Freeman in Nativity. ??E1 Entertainment
Martin Freeman stars in Nativity! (Photo: E1 Entertainment)

British school-based Christmas comedy Nativity!, starring Martin Freeman, has also become a staple of the festive film fare.

The action snowballs after one little white lie told by Freeman’s teacher character Paul Maddens.

It is currently available to watch on Netflix for subscribers and on Sky Store for a fee.

And it will be on BBC Three on Saturday 21 December at 7pm as well as the BBC iPlayer.

Where can I watch Home Alone this Christmas?

Home Alone Malcaulay Culkin ?? 20th Century Fox Film still Image from SEAC Film still SEAC
Malcaulay Culkin stars in ‘Home Alone’ (Photo: SEAC/20th Century Fox)

This 1990 Christmas comedy spawned a slew of sequels but the original has endured the test of time.

Macauley Culkin is left behind one Christmas as his family head to Paris, forcing him to fend for himself and fight off burglars.

Disney+ subscribers will be able to keep Culkin company and for a fee viewers can also watch chaos ensue at the Chicago home on Sky Store, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video and Google Play Movie

It will also be shown on Channel 4 on Christmas Eve at 6.05pm.

What other Christmas classics can I watch on UK TV?

Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye, Bing Crosby, Vera-Ellen and children pose for picture in a scene from the film 'White Christmas', 1954. (Photo by Paramount/Getty Images)
‘White Christmas’ is a festive film favourite from 1954 (Photo: Paramount/Getty)
  • White Christmas – BBC 2 Christmas Eve 2.15pm, with a subscription on Amazon Prime Video and NOW and for a fee on Apple TV, Sky Store and Google Play Movie.
  • It’s a Wonderful Life – ITV Christmas Eve 2.30pm, with a subscription on NOW and Amazon Prime Video and for a fee on Apple TV, Sky Store and Google Play Movie.
  • Holiday – Channel 5 Sunday 22 December 6.30pm, with a subscription on Netflix, NOW, Amazon Prime Video and Sky Go and for a fee on Apple TV, Google Play Movie and Sky Store.
  • The Snowman – it can be streamed for free on channel4.com or with a subscription on Amazon Prime Video.
  • The Muppet Christmas Carol – it can be streamed with a subscription on Disney+ and for a fee on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movie and Sky Store.

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