With tomorrow being the start of the festive month, and the first day of advent opening. We at Voice of London ask, what are the streaming services giving us this Christmas?
Everyone knows the greatest and most beloved films are played at Christmas time, whether its Shrek or the Harry Potter films, blockbuster movies are featured heavily over the festive season. However, unless you live under a rock, chances are you’ll have and mainly use a streaming service for all your television and movie needs. So while the BBC and ITV will be providing you with blockbusters to watch while you eat yourself into 2019, with less than I month till the big day, what are the streaming services giving you this Christmas?
Hulu
Friday the 13th (1980)- Friday the 13th Part VIII: Manhattan (1989) December 1st
Hula will be starting the festive season with a throwback to Halloween giving viewers not just one Jason movie but ten years’ worth spanning from the original Friday the 13th, made back in 1980 all the way to the eighth instalment Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan made in 1989. Created by Victor Miller and one of the founding works of the slasher sub-genre, Friday the 13th is a horror series about a boy named Jason Voorhees who drowns at Camp Crystal Lake and goes on serial rampages across the franchise. Famously known for his iconic hockey mask, the Friday the 13th franchise is one that is loved by many and an odd but great watch this Christmas.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqqej9T2gqI]
Daddy’s Home (2015)- December 10th
Another film coming to Hulu this Christmas is Daddy’s Home. Originally released exactly three years before its arrival on the streaming site, Daddy’s Home is about stepdad Brad Whitaker, played by comedy legend Will Ferrell. Whitaker wants more than anything to be a good stepdad, but when biological bad boy Dusty played by action man Mark Wahlberg comes home for Christmas, Brad must step up his game and win over the whole family. With an A-list cast and perfect to watch as a family. Daddy’s Home is a must watch this Christmas.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeknNwE4e1E]
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016)- Christmas Eve
2016s Whisky Tango Foxtrot is Hulu’s major gift this Christmas, dropping on the site on Christmas Eve. Based on a true story, Whisky Tango Foxtrot is a journey of self-discovery, following Kim Baker, played by Tina Fey. Baker is a news producer who is looking to escape her mundane lifestyle and so goes on an assignment in Kabul, Afghanistan. Finding herself in an out of control war zone, Baker befriends follow a journalist, Tanya Vanderpoel played by Margot Robbie. Featuring soldiers, warlords, partying and a healthy helping of comedy. This is a feel-good film to watch this Christmas.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V8V6-VjnWw]
Amazon Prime
A Clockwork Orange (1971)- December 1st
Loved by critics and fans alike, the strange 1971 drama film, A Clockwork Orange is one of the first films coming to Amazon Prime this Christmas. Amazon is starting the season with a strange futuristic story in which protagonist Alex played by Malcolm McDowell gets jailed and agrees to behaviour modification technique to gain his freedom. Directed by the man who brought you 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Shining and this very movie. While it’s not a film to watch with the younger members of the family. This is a classic Christmas gift.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vN-1Mup0UI0]
Groundhog Day (1993)- December 1st
A later classic coming to Amazon Prime is Groundhog Day, a film with a deeper lesson. Groundhog Day sees a weatherman repeating the same day over and over again. Trying to get the day right over and over again, Phil Connors must find his way out of Pennsylvania, out of the Groundhog Day festival and out of the storm he finds himself in. One to watch with the family. This one is a must see this holiday.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GncQtURdcE4]
Iron Man 2 (2010)- Christmas Day
Coming out on Christmas Day and one everyone can enjoy. Part of the huge Marvel Cinematic Universe. One of the early movies of the franchise. Robert Downey Jr stars as the iconic character of Iron Man. With Mickey Rourke starring as the villain Whiplash. With everyone now knowing billionaire inventor Tony Stark is Iron Man. Stark is under pressure to give the military his super suits. With a budget of $200 million, this is a must see Marvel movie.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoohRoVA9WQ]
Netflix
Shaun of the Dead (2004)- December 1st.
The streaming giants are starting the festive season with a brilliant British comedy. Created by Hollywood actor Simon Pegg and Baby Driver director Edgar Wright. Shaun of the Day is an end of the world movie in which zombies have taken over. A story that finds Simon Peggs character Shaun having to go with his flatmate Ed played by Nick Frost to get his mum and girlfriend and get to The Winchester, get a cold pint and wait for this all to blow over.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIfcaZ4pC-4]
The Theory of Everything (2014)- December 16th
A week before Christmas Day, Netflix is gifting us with the story of recently passed, renowned physicist Stephen Hawking. Starring new Harry Potter frontman Eddie Redmayne as the physicist and Star Wars lead actress Felicity Jones as Jane Wilde, Hawking’s university love. Following his groundbreaking discoveries and his passion to study time. The Theory of Everything is an inspirational movie that you can enjoy with the whole film and reflect on the year that we lost an iconic man.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Salz7uGp72c]
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)- Christmas Day
One of the biggest movies of 2018 is coming to Netflix on Christmas Day. The movie to watch this Christmas if any is Avengers: Infinity War. The conclusion to a ten-year franchise of films, from Iron Man to Guardians of the Galaxy. Bringing the characters from the ten years of the franchise together into this giant film. In the third of the Avenger films, the superheroes face off with their most deadly foe yet. Played by Josh Brolin, Thanos is after the infinity stones to fulfil his destiny and wipe out half the universe. The only people to stand against him is the avengers of the universe. The biggest conclusion to a long line of films, if you’re a Marvel fan, this is the film to watch this Christmas.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZfuNTqbHE8]
Words: Jake Woods | Subbing: