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Boxing Day 2015: the best films and shows on TV

Fear ye not. Here's how to get through today's inevitable turkey coma. 

Clarisse Loughrey
Saturday 26 December 2015 09:52 GMT
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There are two kinds of people who exist on this planet. Those who rouse themselves bright and early on a Boxing Day, cheery and determined, to ferry themselves to the nearest sale of electrical goods and cashmere sweaters.

And then, there's the rest of us; who can barely make the trip from bed to couch as all the indulgences of Christmas Day catch up on our weak-willed souls, camped out in front of the television desperate for enough light, colours, and sound to carry our consciousness through the day. 

However, if you are wanting to snooze in front of something a little more engaging than the latest talking chipmunk-flick; peruse this selection of the finest Boxing Day television on offer. 

10am

If you can still bear the sight of food, chefs Eric Chavot and Pascal Aussignac are joining host James Martin on Christmas Saturday Kitchen on BBC One. Or chill out with everyone's least favourite instalment in the franchise, Back to the Future Part III on ITV. 

11am

A double-serving of critically-acclaimed animations featuring adorable animals here: Wes Anderson's delightful Fantastic Mr. Fox is on Channel 4, with Japan's own Kiki's Delivery Service bursting through Film 4. 

12pm

Dreams of Firths past; 2005's Pride and Prejudice is on More 4. Otherwise, maybe it's time to take a break for turkey sandwiches. 

1pm 

Just make sure you're back in time for ITV's showing of Jurassic Park. Particularly good warm-up if any of the family had Jurassic World slipped under their tree this year. 

2pm 

Obligatory Wallace & Gromit-time. Switch over to BBC One for what constituted the pair's debut appearance, Wallace & Gromit: A Grand Day Out. Then, stick around the premiere of A Grand Night In: The Story of Aardman, a documentary celebrating 40 years of the Aardman studios; featuring Julie Walters, Martin Freeman, Jane Horrocks, Hugh Grant, and David Tennant. 

3pm

Another block of films is gearing up; Puss in Boots (on BBC One) is significantly better than you're imagining it to be, or switch over to Film 4 for bird-based antics in Rio. 

4pm

A bit of a dead zone, here. Unless you're a major fan of classic films Holiday On the Buses (ITV3) and The Green Berets (ITV4). 

5pm

Relive your weird, uncomfortable sexual awakenings with David Bowie's codpiece and 5star's showing of Labyrinth. Or BBC One is showing The Croods if that's not something you want to revisit. 

6pm

There's more Aardman over on BBC One with Shaun the Sheep: The Farmer's Llamas. Otherwise, it's obligatory countdown shows: The Nation's Favourite Disney Song on ITV or Britain's Favourite Children's Books with David Walliams on Channel 4.

7pm

Finally, some original drama. BBC One kick starts their new series, Dickensian, which re-imagines the novels of Charles Dickens as taking place in an inter-connected universe. So, now we're giving the Marvel Universe treatment to classic Victorian novelists? 

8pm 

The nation awaits with baited breath to see whether BBC One's return to one of their most classic sitcoms is a roaring success or dismal grab for nostalgia, with the David Jason-starring Still Open All Hours. ITV's new take on J.M Barrie's classic tale premieres. Peter and Wendy also stars the legendary Stanley Tucci as Captain Hook and pop diva Paloma Faith as Tinkerbell. 

9pm

BBC One continues their admirable, solid block of new programming with a new Agatha Christia adaptation, And Then There Were None. This one's grabbed the talents of Anna Maxwell Martin, Charles Dance and The Hobbit's Aidan Turner. 

10pm 

ITV's The Jonathan Ross Show Christmas Special is promising a few surprises, with guests Ian McKellen, Downton Abbey's Lily James, Fiona Bruce, and Park and Recreation's Aziz Ansari.  

11pm

It's the hour for spies; ITV has From Russia With Love, ITV2 has The Bourne Ultimatum.

12pm 

TV officially gives up at this point. Go to bed. 

1am

OK, one last treat for night owls. BBC 2 is showing classic Hitchcock Marnie, starring Sean Connery and Tippi Hedren. But, seriously, you should be in bed. 
 

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