Cillian Murphy's Oscar-winning biopic Oppenheimer is one of seven huge movies airing on the BBC and iPlayer over the festive period - because nothing says Christmas like a bit of drama! If you're fed up of endlessly scrolling on streaming services for something to watch, why not let the TV guide take the reins this December?
Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer stars Murphy as J Robert Oppenheimer, the theoretical physicist who developed the atomic bomb in the 1940s. Taking place during World War II, the movie depicts how Oppenheimer's nuclear weapon changed the course of history, with devastating and lasting consequences.
The movie received huge critical acclaim when it was released in 2023, and still holds an impressive 93% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes from 513 reviews. Furthermore, it won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor (for Murphy).
In our four-star review, Digital Spy described Oppenheimer as "an astonishing technical feat and an immersive theatrical experience like no other", adding: "In any other hands, a three-hour biopic about the 'father of the atomic bomb' would sound like a bore."
"In Nolan's hands, however, it transforms into a biopic as a thriller, a countdown to a moment that genuinely could have ended the world and had ramifications that continue today," the review continues.
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Another biopic airing over Christmas is Austin Butler's 2022 movie Elvis, which chronicles the life of iconic rock and roll star Elvis Presley. Butler stars alongside Tom Hanks, who plays his manager Colonel Tom Parker. Together, the duo achieve huge success - but Elvis soon learns that stardom comes at a heavy cost.
The movie is directed, written and produced by Baz Luhrmann and boasts a 77% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes from 400 reviews, with Butler being widely lauded for his charismatic central performance.
Fancy another one? Well, you're in luck. A third biopic will also be hitting our screens this December, as Marisa Abela appears as Amy Winehouse in Sam Taylor-Johnson's Back to Black. The 2024 movie tells the emotional story of the singer's rise to fame, her tumultuous relationships and her well-known struggles with addiction which led to her untimely death.
Back to Black also stars Jack O'Connell, Eddie Marsan and Lesley Manville, and currently holds a disappointing 35% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes from 184 reviews.
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Next up is an animation for adults and children alike. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish puts Shrek's lovable sidekick back into the spotlight for his second spin-off adventure.
Antonio Banderas returns as the voice of the feisty cat, who is on a quest to restore eight of his nine lives. But as he hunts for the coveted Wishing Star, Puss is forced to re-evaluate his true priorities.
The spin-off proves there is still an enthusiastic audience for the ever-growing Shrek franchise, which has been going strong since 2001. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish has an incredible 95% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes from 195 reviews, with Empire Magazine noting its "considerable style, rapier wit and surprising substance".
Meanwhile, another animated sequel swinging onto the BBC is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which boasts an all-star cast featuring Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Vélez, Jake Johnson and Daniel Kaluuya.
Released in 2023, the movie follows everyone's favourite friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man, as he and countless multi-dimensional Spider-People join forces to keep their respective worlds safe.
While the first instalment is still the best-rated Spider-Man movie ever on Rotten Tomatoes, its hugely-anticipated sequel holds a very impressive second position with a 95% critics' score from 397 reviews. Now's your chance to catch up on the action or refresh your memory, before the threequel Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse hits cinemas.
World War II drama Operation Mincemeat is also on the TV schedule this Christmas. Based on true events, the 2021 movie follows Ewen Montagu (Colin Firth) and Charles Cholmondeley (Matthew Macfadyen), two intelligence officers who devise a cunning plan to spread misinformation to the Nazis.
Adapted from Ben Macintyre's book, Operation Mincemeat currently has a very respectable score of 83% from 115 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. The Hollywood Reporter described the movie as "a classy production with a first-rate ensemble cast, splicing the story's intrigue with a poignant vein of melodrama".
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Finally, it wouldn't be Christmas without some unhealthy competition, and Luca Guadagnino's Challengers certainly fits the bill. The 2024 hit drama follows Tashi Duncan (Zendaya), a former tennis prodigy who tries to revive her husband Art's (Mike Faist) tennis career.
But things get heated when Art faces off against his former best friend Patrick (Josh O'Connor) - who also happens to be Tashi's ex-boyfriend.
The movie holds an 88% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes from 380 reviews, with Digital Spy branding it "a sweaty, wicked three-way thriller exploring the intersection between power, sex, desire and starving ambition".
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Divya is a freelance writer with experience in entertainment and lifestyle news. Described as a "telly addict" since childhood, Divya was able to translate her interests into a BJTC-accredited, Honours degree in Journalism and Media. After working in communications and marketing, Divya joined Digital Spy as a Freelance News Reporter. She has also written for various publications including Metro, Asian World News and TwitCelebGossip; as well as interviews, features and reviews on her own blog. Divya prides herself on her TV, film and showbiz knowledge, always offering (not so) fun facts to her long-suffering friends and family. From soaps to superheroes, Divya is the go-to person for tailored recommendations and up to date information.
