Christmas Outdoor Cinema: Naughty or Nice edition

Family comedy based on the beloved Dr Seuss children’s book of the same name, starring Jim Carrey as the Grinch and directed by Ron Howard. High atop Mount Crumpit lives the Grinch, a grouchy, green creature with a heart ‘two sizes too small’, who despises the joy and cheer of Christmas in nearby Whoville. Determined to ruin the holiday for everyone, he hatches a plan to steal every decoration, gift, and treat on Christmas Eve. But when he encounters the kind-hearted Cindy Lou Who, his icy heart begins to thaw.

Cult black comedy horror, about the dangers of not reading the label correctly. When young Billy receives a mysterious creature called a Mogwai as a Christmas gift, he’s warned to follow three simple rules: don’t expose it to bright light, don’t get it wet, and never feed it after midnight. But when those rules are accidentally broken, chaos erupts as the Mogwai spawns mischievous, destructive gremlins that wreak havoc across his small town.

Oscar® nominated animated comedy, directed by Despicable Me co-creator Sergio Pablos. When Jesper (Jason Schwartzman) distinguishes himself as the postal academy’s worst student, he is stationed on a frozen island above the Arctic Circle, where the feuding locals hardly exchange words let alone letters. Jesper is about to give up when he finds an ally in local teacher Alva (Rashida Jones), and discovers Klaus (Oscar® winner J.K. Simmons), a mysterious carpenter who lives alone in a cabin full of handmade toys. These unlikely friendships return laughter to Smeerensburg, forging a new legacy of generous neighbours, magical lore and stockings hung by the chimney with care.

Christmas comedy horror featuring Adam Scott and Toni Collette. When his dysfunctional family clashes over the holidays, young Max loses his festive spirit and inadvertently summons Krampus – a dark, ancient figure from folklore who punishes those who have lost their Christmas cheer. As a blizzard traps the family inside their home, Krampus and his army of twisted holiday creatures begin their terrifying assault. What follows is a chilling, darkly comedic tale where the family must band together to survive the night and rediscover the true meaning of Christmas.

Christmas family favourite, featuring Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf. One Christmas Eve a long time ago, a baby crawled into Santa’s bag of toys… Raised as an elf, Buddy grows into an adult three times larger than the biggest elf and realises that he will never truly fit in at the North Pole. This holiday season, Buddy goes looking for his true place in the world – in New York City. Buddy finds his workaholic father – who’s on Santa’s ‘naughty’ list, a new mother and a 10-year-old brother who doesn’t believe in Santa Claus or elves. Here, now, Buddy discovers his destiny – to save Christmas for New York and the world!​

Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) is determined to deliver the perfect old-fashioned family Christmas – but nothing goes according to plan. From a house overloaded with holiday lights to surprise visits from eccentric relatives, a disastrous turkey dinner, and a squirrel-infested tree, chaos reigns as Clark’s festive dreams unravel.

Topping the American Film Institute’s list of most inspiration American films of all time, Frank Capra’s beloved Christmas classic is loosely based on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. George Bailey (played by silver screen legend James Stewart) has spent his life putting others before himself, but when a financial crisis pushes him to the brink, he begins to believe the world would be better off without him. On Christmas Eve, an angel named Clarence intervenes, showing George how profoundly he’s impacted the lives of those around him.

American romantic comedy by Nancy Meyers, starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black. Two women from opposite sides of the world – Amanda from Los Angeles and Iris from England – swap homes for the holidays to escape heartbreak. What they find instead are unexpected romances, personal growth, and a renewed sense of joy.