There is an abundance of TV shows on offer during the Christmas period, and with so many channels and streaming services available, it can be difficult to pinpoint what is on. Here we’ve rounded up what Sky has to offer by the way of Sky Cinema movie premieres and the popular Sky Max channel.
Sky customers have some free films and shows available this month, as well as some festive classics. Keep on reading to find out more. Also, check out our guide for the best Christmas TV.
Sky Christmas freebies
Before we look at some of the TV highlights, Sky has announced that How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Love Actually are free to stream for TV and broadband customers until 31 December 2022.
If you’d prefer to binge watch some series, then you can also sign up for six months of Apple TV+ at no extra cost via Sky’s free VIP scheme. This is free to sign up for – all you need is to own a Sky product. Apple TV+ includes Spirited, a new festive musical starring Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds.
You can watch the Sky Showcase channel for free from now until 27 December if you’re a TV customer (regardless of your package). This includes films such as Elf, The Polar Express and A Boy Called Christmas, as well as select sporting events such as the English Football League match Sunderland v Blackburn and the World Darts Championship.
In addition, on Christmas Day you can call your family and friends for free if you have a Sky Talk landline package. Sky Mobile video calls also cost nothing on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Sky Cinema Christmas movies 2022
Here’s a list of the premieres arriving on Sky Cinema throughout December. Available via Sky Q, Sky Glass, Sky Stream or on Now with a Sky Cinema Membership.
This typically costs £9.99 per month, but new customers can get some introductory discounts – including a bundle with an Entertainment Membership which grants access to shows available on Sky Max such as The White Lotus and House of the Dragon.
- 2 Dec – The Batman
- 3 Dec – Together Together
- 4 Dec – Prancer: A Christmas Tale
- 9 Dec – This is Christmas
- 10 Dec – The Nan Movie
- 11 Dec – The Inbetween Girl
- 16 Dec – The Amazing Maurice
- 17 Dec – Firestarter
- 18 Dec – Hell Hath No Fury
- 23 Dec – Der Kaiser
- 24 Dec – The Duke
- 25 Dec – Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
- 26 Dec – Boxing Day
- 26 Dec – The Bad Guys
- 31 Dec – Hounded
If you’re not in the UK, then you can still watch all of these films by signing up for Now with the help of a VPN. This stands for virtual private network, and helps you browse the internet as if you’re in another country. Our favourites are NordVPN and Surfshark.
Alternatively, you may be able to watch some of the above by signing up for HBO Max, which is available in the US and many other countries across Europe and Latin America. In the US, subscriptions cost $9.99 per month for the ad-supported version, and $14.99 per month for the ad-free one.
Sky Max Christmas TV highlights
Sky has a number of originals and specials airing this Christmas. Here are our picks of some of the best:
The Unofficial Science of Home Alone
Christmas Eve at 9:30am & Christmas Day at 1:30pm
Examine this Christmas classic from a new angle, with James Acaster and Guz Khan investigating the famous booby traps set by Kevin McCallister. Alex Brooker will also be paying a visit to those who made the film.
Rob & Romesh Vs Christmas On Ice
Christmas Eve at 5pm
Rob & Romesh are taking on their annual Christmas challenge, and this year fans have voted for them to strap some ice skates on and take to the rink with Mickey Mouse and friends.
Christmas Carole
Christmas Eve at 8pm & Christmas Day at 7pm
Suranne Jones stars in this twist of the iconic Dickens tale. Carole is a successful businesswoman, but the money she makes only causes her more misery. Can she finally discover the true meaning of Christmas?
Author: Chris Martin, Reviews Editor
Tech Advisor's Reviews Editor, Chris has been reviewing all kinds of tech for over 10 years and specialises in audio. He also covers a range of topics including home entertainment, phones, laptops, tablets and more.