RTÉ unveils a festive feast of Christmas movies

10 Irish television network premieres on RTÉ this Christmas
Over 150 movies available to stream on RTÉ Player

In the third day of a week of Christmas programming announcements, get ready to nestle up on the sofa with a bowl of popcorn for an exciting lineup of movies across RTÉ to enjoy over the festive period. Throughout Christmas, RTÉ will air 10 Irish television premieres across RTÉ One, RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player including That They May Face the Rising Sun, Top Gun: Maverick and Soul. RTÉ Player will stream over 150 new and classic movies including Irish feature films So This is Christmas, Who We Love and Lies We Tell.  From festive favourites to new releases, there is something for all the family!

10 Irish television premieres

RTÉ is thrilled to announce an incredible lineup of critically acclaimed and beloved films, airing for the first time on Irish television. Prepare for some entertaining movie nights – from breathtaking action to heartfelt drama and animated releases.

Fresh from cinema screens, That They May Face the Rising Sun is among the movies premiering on Irish television this Christmas. Adapted from John McGahern’s celebrated novel, Joe and Kate Ruttledge leave London to live and work in a small lakeside community in Ireland.

The Crawley family and their entourage head to southern France in Downton Abbey: A New Era, when the Dowager Countess becomes heir to a villa.

Another recent release available on RTÉ this Christmas, Where the Crawdads Sing tells the story of Catherine, abandoned by her family at a tender age, she attempts to fend for herself.

Feel the need for speed? Maverick trains a group of elite Top Gun graduates to prepare for a high-profile mission in Top Gun: Maverick. 

Dinosaurs and humans collide in Jurassic World Dominion pushing humankind to its limits as it faces a new era where both species fight to survive in a shared world.

Spider-Man seeks the help of Doctor Strange to forget his exposed secret identity as Peter Parker in Spider-Man: No Way Home.

For those looking for an action-packed comedy, tune into The Lost City where a romance novelist Loretta Sage is kidnapped by a billionaire seeking a hidden treasure.

Also premiering on Irish television this Christmas are family favourites bound to captivate young audiences. Viewers meet Joe a middle-school band teacher whose true passion is jazz in Soul, before discovering the untold story of Gru, a 12-year-old with big dreams in Minions 2: The Rise of Gru. Helen sets off on a mission to restore public faith in superheroes Incredibles 2.  

Blockbusters 

RTÉ also announces a spectacular lineup of blockbuster hits to keep everyone entertained. Relive the thrilling adventures of Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull  or dive into the world of espionage with Bond classics including No Time to Die, Casino Royale and Skyfall. Get your heart racing with the action-packed holiday favourite Die Hard 2.

Enjoy family fun with animated gems like Finding Dory, Paddington and Toy Story 3. Or perhaps it’s time to rewatch old classics such as Casablanca or The Graduate, also available on RTÉ this Christmas.

Christmas Classics 

RTÉ brings a selection of Christmas classics to ignite the festive spirit. Enjoy the magic of White Christmas and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, fun-filled films perfect for all ages. Relive the timeless tale It’s a Wonderful Life, while Jack Frost delivers a touching story of family and second chances. For a hilarious holiday adventure, Jingle All the Way follows a father’s frantic quest to find the perfect Christmas gift. For the season romantics, Christmas at Maple Creek and Christmas Setup are the flicks for you.

RTÉ Player 

Not available to tune in live? Why not catch up on RTÉ Player where movies will be available to stream following television broadcast.  And if that’s not enough, a mix of Irish films and feature documentaries such as Brooklyn, Intermission, So This is Christmas, Who We Love, Lies We Tell and much more are also available on RTÉ Player.

For a detailed schedule and more titles to be announced, you can explore RTÉ’s Christmas content listing which will be available in the coming days.

-ENDS- 

For more information: 

Caoilinn Putti, RTÉ Press Officer | Caoilinn.putti@rte.ie
Maureen Catterson, RTÉ Communications Manager, TV, Radio and Online | maureen.catterson@rte.ie