Let's be honest. Of course, Christmas is about the Christ child or Santa Claus, about family and the celebration of love. But what would the holidays be without the “Sissi” films or “Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella”? For many people, it's only really Christmas when it's not the candles on the tree, but also “The Little Lord” or the chaotic Griswolds that flicker on the screen. The children also want to sweeten the time until the presents are received by watching children's films. And on the holidays you finally have time to comfortably watch a film. To mark this occasion, the broadcasters traditionally throw top-class blockbusters and larger-than-life classics under the tree.
We present the TV highlights of the Christmas holidays, from Christmas Eve to December 26, 2024. Only the best and most Christmassy of the best and most Christmassy.
TV program on Christmas Eve 2024
Three hazelnuts for Cinderella (Das Erste, 1.40 p.m.)
Cinderella (Libuše Šafránková) shoots better than the King's Guard (Rolf Hoppe), rides faster than a cowboy and climbs higher than any boy. When she isn't invited to the king's feast, she simply decides to crash the party and hook the dashing prince (Pavel Trávnícek) herself. She is helped by three nuts, a symbol of knowledge… The Czech-German version of Cinderella is simply unsurpassed.
The Grinch (RTL, 3 p.m )
The Grinch (Jim Carrey) doesn't feel like Christmas and is annoyed by all the magic surrounding it. The green Grantler leaves his hiding place and makes his way to the village and really shakes up the preparations there. The residents are in a state of excitement when they discover the little green man, except for Cindy Lou (Taylor Momsen).
The three hours a day in the mask were worth it for Jim Carrey. The result is a modern Christmas classic that is still worth watching and should put a smile on the faces of even Christmas skeptics.
Kevin – Home Alone (Sat.1, 8:15 p.m.)
As soon as the McCallisters get on the vacation plane, mom realizes that son Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) is missing. He's having fun – until crooks try to break into the supposedly empty house. The 33-year-old classic will be shown on Sat.1 at 8:15 p.m. and the remake will be available on Disney+
“Not home alone again” .
The Feuerzangenbowle (Das Erste, 9:45 p.m.)
The Nazis wanted to ban the film in 1944 because it was considered an “unwanted scolding of educators,” but then the main actor Heinz Rühmann personally intervened. After that, the “Feuerzangenbowle” developed into a Christmas classic.
Dr. Pfeiffer decides to go to school again during a fun evening with his friends. With classmates like “Bömmel” (Paul Henckels) and “Schnauz” (Erich Ponto), he really puts the teachers on the spot.
The Polar Express (Sat.1, 10:15 p.m.)
A boy boards a mysterious train: “The Polar Express” tells the magical journey of a boy to the North Pole, where he discovers the belief in Christmas and experiences magical adventures together with other children. The magical story beautifully covers up the somewhat outdated look.
“The Polar Express” remains a Christmas classic.
The television program on Christmas Day
A magical nanny (4:15 p.m., VOX)
So far, widower Cadric (Colin Firth) has had no luck with the nannies, or at least his seven children have always scared away the previous ones. That could now change with Nanny McPhee (Emma Thompson).
The children really thrive with the oddball nanny because she keeps them entertained with humor and magic. The result is a wonderful mix of touching history and fairy tales. Actually perfect for the Christmas holidays.
Sissi (The First, 3:50 p.m.)
Every year, Karlheinz Böhm and Romy Schneider look for and find the dream couple of all German-speaking monarchists. At Christmas 1955, the film “Sissi” was a cultural event and grossed more money in Austria and Germany than “Gone with the Wind”.
Sissi, the Young Empress (Das Erste, 5.30 p.m.)
Because it was so nice, the second part of the sophisticated tearjerker: The dream wedding is followed by a rude awakening: Sissi (Romy Schneider), now the wife of Emperor Franz Joseph (Karlheinz Böhm), suffers from the strict court ceremonies. Her mother-in-law also makes her life difficult… Hardly any time to get tissues
“Sissi, the young empress” .
Kevin – Alone in New York (Sat.1, 8:15 p.m.)
Christmas is just around the corner, reason enough for the McAllisters to pack their bags and go on a trip. This time with Kevin, at least for the time being, but of course the boy gets lost again. This time he ends up stranded in New York, where he has a blast and meets two old acquaintances. The crooks Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern) are already vowing revenge.
This will be on TV on Boxing Day 2024
The Little Lord (The First, 2:35 p.m.)
“The Little Lord” is a heartwarming classic about the spoiled but lovable boy Cedric (Ricky Schroder), who suddenly becomes the heir to a British noble title. With charm and optimism, the little lord manages to win the hearts of his strict relatives and bring about positive change in their lives. A feel-good story about friendship, family and of course Christmas.
Sissi – Fateful years of an empress (Das Erste, 4.15 p.m.)
A lung problem brings Sissi's (Romy Schneider) trip to the Balkans to a dramatic end. Far away from her beloved “Franzl” (Karlheinz Böhm), she seeks relief in Madeira and Corfu. During a state visit to Italy, there was a scandal: in Milan's Scala, the nobility was represented by their servants. But don't worry: Venice sinks into tears just in time for the happy ending…Part four was planned, but Romy Schneider had had enough.
Crime Scene: Made in China (Das Erste, 20.15)
A bloodied young woman with a knife in her hand is picked up in an Asian store in Dortmund. At the station she stammers something about a murder, but can't remember anything – not even her identity. The woman later turns out to be Vanessa Haiden (Klara Lange), scion of the steel dynasty of the same name. DNA testing of the blood on her clothing indicates that the victim must be a close male relative. Since Vanessa doesn't have a son, everything points to her father Jo (Gerhard Roiss) as the victim. But where is his body?
The Dream Ship: Hudson Valley (ProSieben, 8:15 p.m.)
Every Boxing Day there is also a new episode of “The Dream Ship”. Captain Parger (Florian Silbereisen) heads for New York state. The passengers include the family of shipowner Hendrik Hansen (Peter Kremer). He himself is expecting his loved ones in the Hudson Valley and is not yet on board for the outward journey. Staff captain Martin Grimm (Daniel Morgenroth) is happy about this because he and Hansen have had professional differences for years. Meanwhile, ship hotel manager Hanna Liebhold (Barbara Wussow) meets her childhood sweetheart.
