THE DINNER HAS been eaten. You’ve a box of chocolates on your lap. The big question now: What to watch?

Let us help with our pick of the latest films on streaming. These have all come out recently, or are due out during the Christmas and New Year break.

Oh. What. Fun

Prime, available now

Let’s kick things off with a Christmassy film that sums up how a lot of mothers (or parents in general) feel about the season: it’s a load of bloody work and no one says thanks.

Michelle Pfeiffer stars as an under-appreciated mother who goes on the run in this film from Michael Showalter (The Big Sick). Yes, it is a little cheesy, but it might go down well while you’re digesting the turkey and resenting your beloved offspring.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

Netflix, available now

This is set mostly in a church, so could it still count as a Christmas film? Perhaps not, but don’t blame us for trying. Josh O’Connor stars as a priest who finds himself embroiled in a murder mystery in the latest installment of the Knives Out franchise.

If you weren’t a fan of the previous one, Glass Onion, rest assured this is tons better, and that Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) dons a series of fetching 70s-style suits. Plus, it has two Irish stars – Andrew Scott and Daryl McCormack – and Josh Brolin doing his best fire-and-brimstone acting.

Goodbye June

 Netflix, 24 December

Ok, so you can file this under ‘sentimental’, but what is Christmas if not a sentimental time of year?

Kate Winslet directs and stars in this film about a mother named June (played by Helen Mirren) who is in her last few days of life. Her family don’t always get on, so how will they cope with this saddest of times? Interestingly, this is written by Winslet’s son, Joe Anders.

Train Dreams

Netflix, available now

Another one for those who like a bit of a cry at Christmas time. This is based on the Denis Johnson novel, and is about the life of an American railroad worker at the start of the 20th century.

Joel Edgerton plays the sensitive, quiet Robert Grainier, and Felicity Jones his wife Gladys, with whom he tries to build a beautiful life. This has many sad moments, but it’s a really beautiful watch – both emotionally and visually.

Sinners

St Stephen’s Day, Sky Cinema Premiere & NOW

A big hit in the cinema earlier this year, and a critical hit too, this is a compelling and very entertaining horror film from Ryan Coogler (Black Panther).

At the centre are twin brothers, both played by Michael B Jordan, who return to their hometown to try and make a fresh start, only discover a dangerous evil waiting for them. A truly original watch, with plenty of music thrown in.

The Phoenician Scheme

27 December, Sky Cinema Premiere & NOW

Wes Anderson fans rejoice – his latest is finally going to be available to stream. Wealthy businessman, Zsa-Zsa Korda (Benicio del Toro) appoints his only daughter, a nun, (played by Kate Winslet’s daughter, Mia Threapleton) as sole heir to his estate.

But soon they become the target of scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists, and assassins. Expect the usual impeccable visuals and quirky behaviour that you expect from Anderson.
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Friendship

30 December Sky Cinema Premiere & NOW

Anything that involves Tim Robinson can be an acquired taste, but his fans go loopy for his work.

In this he plays the reclusive Craig Waterman, a man who forms an unexpected friendship with his new neighbour, Austin Carmichael (Paul Rudd – I mean, you would want to be friends with him, wouldn’t you?). But soon this friendship turns into an obsession…
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Safe House

3 January, Sky Cinema Premiere & NOW

Safe House is about six armed operatives who get stuck together in a a safe house after the US vice president’s motorcade is attacked.

Coming from the Secret Service, CIA, Department of Defense, and Homeland Security, they’re all suspicious of each other – especially when they discover that the detonator signal that triggered the attacks was traced to their location.