Once the Christmas shopping is done - and your gifts are wrapped and sitting pretty under the tree - the only thing left to do is nestle down on the sofa in front of a movie.

But forget the channel surfing this year and follow our guide to the film highlights of the holidays.

As well as magical festive offerings there's also action, comedy and drama to choose from.

Here's our top picks.

Saturday, December 17

Arthur Christmas Channel 4, 5.40pm

While Santa (voiced by Jim Broadbent) oversees the delivery of presents in his hi-tech spacecraft, his youngest son Arthur (James McAvoy) excitedly answers children's letters, including one from a girl called Gwen (Ramona Marquez). A malfunction in the loading bay goes unnoticed by the elves and Gwen doesn't receive her pink bicycle. With time running out until Gwen's Christmas is ruined it's up to Arthur to deliver her gift using the old sleigh and a team of retired reindeers.

A Christmas Carol BBC 2, 8.55pm

Disney brings this classic yuletide story to life with a 3D animated version. Set in Victorian London, miserable miser Scrooge hates the festive season but all this changes when he is visited by three ghosts - Christmas past, Present and Yet To Come. When he wakes up on Christmas morning he realises the error of his ways and vows to change. There is an all-star cast with actors Jim Carrey, Colin Firth and Gary Oldman lending their voices to the retelling.

Tuesday, December 20

Rise of the Guardians BBC One, 1.45pm

A festive action-packed children's film - Santa Claus (voiced by Alec Baldwin), the Easter Bunny (Hugh Jackman) and the Tooth Fairy (Isla Fisher) fight to protect children around the world. In a bid to further their forces the team take on Jack Frost (Chris Pine) to help defeat the bogeyman Pitch Black (Jude Law) who wants to replace kids hopes and dreams with fear. Although there are some scary scenes the movie is full of thrills, excitement and plenty of laughs for all the family.

Wednesday, December 21

Puss in Boots BBC One, 1.45pm

A suave and stylish Spanish cat is on a quest to find magic beans and a goose that lays the golden eggs. The plot line closely follows the fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk. The real laughs come from the characters with Antonio Banderas voicing Puss and Selma Hayek lending hers to slinky Kitty - a cat versed in thieving.

The Borrowers Channel 5, 3.50pm

A charming fantasy tale starring Harry Potter's Jim Broadbent and Dinnerladies Celia Imrie as the parents of a tiny family who live in secret under the floorboards of a house. When an evil estate agent threatens to take away their home they must fight to save it.

Thursday, December 21

James and the Giant Peach Channel 5, 12.20pm

Animated version of the classic Roald Dahl story. James (voiced by Paul Terry) is an orphan who lives with his two aunts (Joanna Lumley and Miriam Margoyles). One day a huge giant peach grows in their garden and the little boy decides he's going to escape into the centre of the enormous fruit and embark on an amazing adventure. The fantasy tale includes giant insects and skeleton pirates.

Friday, December 23

Saving Mr Banks BBC2, 8.30pm

Emma Thompson in Saving Mr Banks

The film tells the real life story of the writer of the Mary Poppins stories PL Travers. The British novelist goes to LA to meet with Walt Disney who has been pursuing the children's tales for over 20 years. The real life tug-of-war between the writer and the Hollywood filmmaker is recreated in this movie. There are elegant and witty performances from Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, ITV 8pm

The second instalment of the fantasy trilogy starring British actor Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins. The unassuming hero and his band of dwarf companions continue on their quest to reclaim the kingdom of Erebor - the rightful home of the dwarves. Director Peter Jackson - who was also responsible for the Lord of the Rings movies - provides a tense and gripping experience for audiences in this adaptation of Tolkien's The Hobbit. Expect plenty of drama, violence and curious beasts and creatures. Benedict Cumberbatch provides the voice of Smaug.

Christmas Eve Saturday, December 24

The Lady in the Van BBC2, 9pm

Playwright Alan Bennett (Alex Jennings) moves into a new house and soon after a woman called Miss Shepherd (Dame Maggie Smith) settles in the same street in her ramshackle van. Alan foolishly agrees to let her temporarily live on his driveway in her vehicle but months turn into years. The playwright despairs as he becomes Miss Shepherd's guardian and suffers regular visits from interfering social services worker Miss Briscoe (Cecilia Noble). The Lady In The Van is an entertaining screen adaptation of Bennett's award-winning 1999 play of the same name.

Zootropolis, Sky Premiere, 6pm

A hilarious children's film set in a world only animals live in. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed rabbit Judy Hopps (voiced Ginnifer Goodwin) is desperate to become the first bunny police officer in the city of Zootropolis. Set on solving a series of mysterious disappearances she convinces a con-artist fox called Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) to help her. There are a few grown-up jokes slotted in here and there to make this movie appealing for both kids and adults.

Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25

It's a Wonderful Life Channel 4, 2.20pm

It just wouldn't be Christmas without Frank Capra's life-affirming 1946 fable. James Stewart stars as family man George Bailey, who is convinced his beloved wife Mary (Donna Reed) and their four children would be better off without him. Poised to jump off a bridge in New York George is rescued by guardian angel Clarence (Henry Travers), who has been shown flashbacks of the father's past. "You see George, you've really had a wonderful life," says the spirit, "Don't you see what a mistake it would be to just throw it away?" It's A Wonderful Life is a perfect festive treat.

Frozen BBC One, 3.10pm

As children, princesses Anna (voiced by Kristen Bell) and Elsa (Idina Menzel) loved to play together, taking full advantage of Elsa's ability to create ice and snow from her fingertips. But when an accident almost ends in disaster, the King (Maurice LaMarche) agrees to wipe Anna's memory so she forgets about her sibling's talents. Elsa begins to hide away fearful that she will hurt someone else with her powers. When the King and Queen get lost at sea Elsa becomes the ruler. Unfortunately on her coronation day her gloves come off and the locals witness her skills.

The Jungle Book Sky Premiere, 8pm

Disney's live-action remake of Rudyard Kipling's story about a boy raised by animals in the jungle. The movie is visually spectacular making it a magical watch for all the family. The talking CGI creatures might take a few minutes to adjust to but the characters and excellent performances will suck you in in no time. 10-year-old American actor Neel Sethi takes on the role of Mowgli - the boy raised by wolves - whilst his panther companion is voiced by British actor Sir Ben Kingsley.

Monday, December 26 Boxing Day

How to Train Your Dragon 2 BBC1, 4.30pm

This soaring sequel to 2010's enchanting fantasy follows the life of Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) a misfit viking boy. The youngster is forced to put his world travels on hold to defend his homeland when the evil Drago Bludvist plots to conquer the world with a band of wicked dragons in tow. Hiccups love-interest Astrid (America Ferrara) joins him in his battle.

Captain Phillips ITV, 9.00pm

Captain Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks) kisses his wife Andrea (Catherine Keener) goodbye and takes charge of his cargo vessel, the Maersk Alabama, bound for Kenya. Somali pirates led by Muse (Barkhad Abdi) board the vessel and Phillips hides his crew below deck in the engine room while he takes charge of the situation. Faced with threats of violence from Muse, Phillips puts himself in harms way to ensure the safety of every man on board but the stand-off spirals out of control. Based on the book by Richard Phillips and Stephan Talty, Captain Phillips is a nerve-racking thriller that fully deserved its six Oscar nominations.

Deadpool Sky Premiere, 9pm

Wade Wilson (played by Ryan Reynolds) is a former Special Forces operative but his world comes crashing down when an evil scientist tortures him and he turns into a super hero called Deadpool. His powers include the ability to heal and a twisted sense of humour.

Tuesday, December 27

Labyrinth Channel 5, 4.10pm

Quite a few children of the 1980s first became fans of the late David Bowie after seeing him in this fantasy adventure. Even though it was a flop on its release, Labyrinth went on to become a cult favourite thanks to the impressive puppetry, memorable songs and Bowie's charisma. Jennifer Connelly co-stars as Sarah, a teenager who wishes for her baby brother to be taken away, little expecting a band of goblins and their sinister king Jareth (Bowie) will take her at her word. She sets out to rescue the child but to reach him she must first make her way through a magical maze filled with strange creatures.

Kung Fu Panda 3 Sky Premiere, 7.15pm

Roly-poly martial arts hero Po (voiced by Jack Black) is back for his third screen outing which sees him striving to step up from warrior to teacher, which is not without its challenges. But his biggest challenge comes in the form of supernatural villain Kai (JK Simmons) who escapes from the spirit realm. Can Po and his group of trainee fun-loving, clumsy pandas save the day?

Wednesday December, 28

Muppets Most Wanted BBC One, 3.35pm

Ricky Gervais stars as shifty Dominic Badguy who hoodwinks the muppets to go on a global tour to act as a front for his planned series of heists. Hapless Kermit finds himself banged up in a Siberian gulag with Tina Fey as his prison boss. It is silly but great fun. A post festive treat for all the family.

Thursday, December 29

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 ITV, 5.50pm

A second outing for Andrew Garfield as the webbed super hero and he makes a decent job of it too with his then real-life love interest Emma Stone as his girlfriend Gwen. Here Spidey faces a new set of super villains – including Jami Foxx’s mutant monster Electro.