The best films to watch on TV this Christmas

For those who couldn't bear another run of Love Actually...

Michael Caine stars in the Muppet’s take on Dickens’ tale, 'A Christmas Carol'. Keeping the morals of the original story the Muppet’s add a touch of light-hearted frivolity to an enjoyable family film. (Flickr (Eustace) )

If we’re honest, the best thing about Christmas probably isn’t the presents, the food or seeing your family – but getting time off work, watching TV and eating huge amounts of leftovers.

The Christmas week kicks off with Toy Story, a film designed to bring your childhood bouncing back as well as easing you into the festive spirit.

It’s the first in a host of brilliant children’s films that have been quietly hijacked by adults. The best of the bunch is Up, playing a few days after Christmas and guaranteed to cheer even the most miserable individual.

If you’ve had enough of all the Christmas cheer being flung about, there are plenty of non-festive offerings on the box.

The latest remake of Jane Eyre, starring Michael Fassbender, is a beautifully slow film – with not a mention of Christmas.

Casablanca is being shown on Christmas Day, and the bittersweet epic love story is a sure-fire winner for the anti-Christmas brigade.

Finally, if you’re really set against Christmas cheer, there’s always Independence Day: a luridly jingoistic succession of explosions which makes surprisingly enjoyable viewing.