ten films to watch as a family on television during the first week

“Puss in Boots 2”, “A Boy Called Christmas”, “The Wing or the Thigh”, but also a Hitchcock and a John Wayne… An eclectic selection drawn from the program schedules for December 21 and 27.

CThis year, we swear, we won't watch for the hundredth time Sissi et Santa Claus is trash (or we will do it in secret from the children)! We will choose different… depending on what the channels offer. We preferred family evenings or afternoons that were sometimes more original (but without forgetting the essentials, obviously) with a western, a peplum or a suspense film, just to introduce the children to other cinephiles. Because John Wayne or Louis de Funès can also be superheroes!

“Night at the Museum” (2006)

Newly hired at the museum, a guard discovers that, at night, all the residents come to life. Funny comedy where, casually, we review our story. Since this film, trips to museums with children have taken on a different flavor, thank you Ben Stiller and Robin Williams!

By Shawn Levy. December 21 at 2:05 p.m. on France 2. + 9 years old. Read the review of Night at the museum.

“A Boy Named Christmas” (2021)

In Finland, in the 18th century, a boy sets off for the Far North in the footsteps of his father, who himself set out in search of the legendary land of elves. Adapted from the delightful novel by Matt Haig, this magical fable relates the not always cheerful childhood of Santa Claus. Pompom on the hat: Maggie Smith in one of her last roles.

“Ulysses” (1954)

Reader's Digest version of the Ulyssesan epic. We didn't skimp on the means, costumes, sets, nothing but luxury. Kirk Douglas as a skillfully oiled Ulysses and Silvana Mangano as a wise Penelope who resists the attacks of her suitors. And Anthony Quinn. A delicate odyssey.

By Mario Camerini. December 22 at 1:30 p.m. on Arte. + 9 years old. Read the review ofUlysses.

“The Hand in the Collar” (1955)

Spicy police comedy on the very chic Riviera. With a hot couple of burglars – Grace Kelly, the fire under the ice, and Cary Grant, a charismatic Arsène Lupine – who play cat and mouse. Class!

By Alfred Hitchcock. December 22 at 1:35 p.m. on Arte. + 9 years old. Read the review of The Hand in the Collar.

“Life is Beautiful” (1946)

Well come on, a Christmas without Capra is not possible! We always find with emotion Clarence, the second-class angel who comes to the aid of a desperate person by making him understand that, without him, the lives of many people would not have been what they were… A leader -work of tenderness and humanism.

By Frank Capra. December 23 at 8:55 p.m. on Arte. + 8 years old. Read the review of Life is beautiful.

“The Prisoner of the Desert” (1956)

Ethan finds his niece, kidnapped as a child by the Comanches… John Wayne as a fallen and racist hero, Indian murderers and victims: all the ambiguity of the West in the burning sun of Monument Valley. Western monument, then.

“Puss in Boots 2: The Last Quest” (2022)

By playing too much with fire, the intrepid “gatito” ended up burning his papattes. He tries to regain his lost lives during a thrilling and exciting quest, in magical worlds, but also darker ones.

“Wing or Thigh” (1976)

Duchemin is the slayer of junk food. His opponent: Tricatel. Rather than the wing or the thigh, it is more cassoulet or confit. A little rich, therefore, and fatty, but seasonal! And the Louis de Funès-Coluche duo puts on the show. Let’s take a piece of it again, come on…

By Claude Zidi. December 26 at 9:10 p.m. on France 3. + 6 years. Read the review of Wing or Thigh.

“Encanto, the fantastic Madrigal family” (2021)

This new enchanted fable, with a false air of genius Coco (2017), takes up residence in the Madrigal casita, an improbable residence nestled in the depths of Colombia, where the tenants all have a magical gift… except one!

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“Vice-Versa 2” (2024)

Nine years after the first part, this sequel reaches new heights. Moving, it paints a caring portrait of the world of teenagers, plagued by doubts and physical transformations. Breathtakingly beautiful animation.

By Kelsey Mann. December 27 at 9:10 p.m. on Canal+. + 9 years old. Read the review of Vice-Versa 2.