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

On By Littum

Christmas is a time for family, partying and movies, and all the classics are available this year

‘Tis the season to sit down and watch some of the Christmas movie classics we know and love.

Whether you prefer the American staples Alone at home and Elf or the very British Love actually and Birth!, there will be opportunities to indulge in some movie magic.

And if none of them are your favorite festive film, there are many more on offer.

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

Where can I watch Love Actually this Christmas?

Movie: 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)

Richard Curtis’ 2003 romcom may be more than 20 years old, but its appeal hasn’t actually waned.

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

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

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

Where can I see Elf this Christmas?

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

2003 turned out to be a vintage year for Christmas movies like Elf also made its debut that year.

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

And the family favorite 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 the Nativity! this christmas?

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

British school-based Christmas comedy Birth!starring Martin Freeman, has also become a staple of the celebratory film awards.

Action snowballs after a little white lie told by Freeman’s teacher character Paul Madden.

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

And it will be on BBC Three on Saturday 21 December at 19 and BBC iPlayer.

Where can I watch Home Alone this Christmas?

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

This 1990 Christmas comedy spawned a number of sequels, but the original has stood the test of time.

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

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

It will also be shown on Kanal 4 on Christmas Eve at 18.05.

What other Christmas classics can I watch on UK TV?

Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye, Bing Crosby, Vera-Ellen and children pose for a picture in a scene from the film 'White Christmas', 1954. (Photo: Paramount/Getty Images)
‘White Christmas’ is a festive film favorite from 1954 (Photo: Paramount/Getty)
  • White Christmas – BBC 2 Christmas Eve at 14.15, with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video and NOW and for a fee to Apple TV, Sky Store and Google Play Movie.
  • It’s a wonderful life – ITV Christmas Eve at 14.30, with a subscription to NOW and Amazon Prime Video and for a fee on Apple TV, Sky Store and Google Play Movie.
  • Holiday – Channel 5 on Sunday 22 December at 18.30, with subscription to 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 kanal4.com or with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video.
  • The Muppet’s Christmas Carol – it can be streamed with a subscription to Disney+ and for a fee on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movie and Sky Store.