Where to watch Christmas films in Dubai and Abu Dhabi this week

Get a fix of all things festive at outdoor cinemas around town in the next seven days

Zero Gravity in Dubai is showing Christmas classic 'Home Alone' at its Cinema on the Sand. Courtesy Zero Gravity 
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In the run-up to December 25, gathering to watch Christmas movies is a tradition for many. Whether you want to catch a festive screening of Home Alone, Elf or It's A Wonderful Life at one of the UAE's pop-up theatres, or fancy sitting back and relaxing with a holiday movie at home, here is a round-up of all the festive flicks to watch in the UAE this week...

'Nutcracker and the Four Realms' at The Pointe 

The al fresco cinema at The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah is showing 2018 Christmas movie, Nutcracker and the Four Realms, starring Keira Knightley and Helen Mirren. Popcorn and cinema snacks are available to buy at the outdoor screening.

Saturday, December 21, 7pm; free; Zero Gravity, The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai; 0-gravity.ae

'Home Alone' at Zero Gravity, Dubai 

Dubai beach club Zero Gravity is playing Macaulay Culkin classic Home Alone at its Cinema on the Sand on Sunday, December 22. Last year the al fresco cinema welcomed more than 750 guests, so it is worth getting there early to guarantee a spot to see Kevin McCallister take on the Wet Bandits.

Sunday, December 22, 7pm; Dh50 (which includes a Dh50 F&B voucher); Zero Gravity, Skydive Dubai Drop Zone, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, Dubai; 0-gravity.ae

'It’s a Wonderful Life' at Cinema Space, Abu Dhabi

Catch a family-friendly afternoon screening of the Christmas classic It's a Wonderful Life as presented by Cinema Space. The 1946 Frank Capra film is about George Bailey (James Stewart), a struggling businessman who meets his guardian angel, who shows him his true impact on the community.

Monday, December 23, 7pm; free with registration; Cinema Space, auditorium, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi; register at cinemaspace-abudhabi.splashthat.com

'Home Alone' at Cinema Akil, Dubai 

Macaulay Culkin in 'Home Alone'. Courtesy 20th Century Fox
Macaulay Culkin in 'Home Alone'. Courtesy 20th Century Fox

Arthouse theatre, Cinema Akil is also showing Home Alone. Catch the flick at the Alserkal Avenue space on Monday, December 23. Events app Surkus is offering members the chance to attend the special screening in return for engagement. For free entry to the screening, users need to complete two in-app tasks: an Instagram post and in-app check-in. The Surkus app is available for free on all app stores now.

Monday, December 23, 7pm; free with Surkus app; Cinema Akil, Warehouse 68, Alserkal Avenue, Street 8, Al Quoz, Dubai; www.cinemaakil.com

'Elf' at Urban Outdoor Cinema, Dubai 

A handout movie still of "Elf" showing Will Ferrell (Courtesy: New Line Cinema) NOTE: For Chris Newbould's feature about film sequels *** Local Caption ***  elf_8fed5eee.jpg
A handout movie still of "Elf" showing Will Ferrell (Courtesy: New Line Cinema) NOTE: For Chris Newbould's feature about film sequels *** Local Caption *** elf_8fed5eee.jpg

The Urban Outdoor Cinema at Habtoor Grand Resort, Dubai Marina is showing Will Ferrell's Elf on Monday, December 23. As well as showing the movie on the lawn, there will be food served from the hotel's pizza restaurant.

Monday, December 23, 7.30pm; Dh75; Urban Outdoor Cinema at Habtoor Grand Resort, Dubai Marina; urbanoutdoorcinema.com

Christmas movies at Home 

If you don't make it to one of the UAE's outdoor screenings to catch a festive flick, there are plenty of ways to get your Christmas movie fix at home:

OSN's Christmas Movies 

OSN Movies is screening a host of festive flicks on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 24 and 25. Added to its movie schedule is:

  • The Grinch
  • The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
  • The Man Who Invented Christmas
  • A Bad Moms Christmas
  • Christmas in the Smokies
  • Shelby: The Dog Who Saved Christmas
  • The Christmas Project
  • The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
  • A Magic Christmas
The grinch, played by Jim Carrey, conspires with his dog Max in How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Bloomberg News
The grinch, played by Jim Carrey, conspires with his dog Max in How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Bloomberg News

Starzplay festivities 

Steaming service Starzplay has added more than 10 festive flicks to its movie roster, to keep viewers entertained. As well as The Holiday and Love The Coopers, Starzplay viewers can now watch The Santa Clause 1, 2 and 3; The Nightmare Before Christmas and Santa Paws. 

The full list of Starzplay festive films: 

  • Almost Christmas
  • Love the Coopers
  • A Royal Christmas
  • The Holiday
  • The Night Before
  • The Santa Clause 1
  • The Santa Clause 2
  • The Santa Clause 3: Escape Clause 
  • Santa Buddies
  • The Nightmare Before Christmas 
  • One Magic Christmas 
  • I'll Be Home for Christmas 
  • The Muppet Christmas Carol 
  • Santa Paws 1
  • Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups

Christmas on Netflix 

Netflix is fast becoming known for churning out Hallmark-style cheesy Christmas films, and 2019 is no exception. This year the streaming site has released The Knight Before Christmas, A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby and Holiday in the Wild. However, it also has a few new top-quality releases on the roster, including Klaus, Jack Whitehall: Christmas With My Father and teen favourite, Let It Snow. Plus, there are plenty if festive favourites including The Polar Express, Shrek The Halls and Office Christmas Party; as well as seasonal specials of Friends, Nailed It and Sugar Rush. 

‘Klaus’ tells an origin story of Santa Claus. Netflix
‘Klaus’ tells an origin story of Santa Claus. Netflix

A selection of Netflix's festive offerings: 

  • Elf 
  • Four Christmases
  • The Polar Express
  • Shrek The Halls
  • Office Christmas Party
  • Klaus 
  • The Christmas Chronicles 
  • A Christmas Prince
  • A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding
  • A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby
  • Holiday in the Wild
  • Holiday Secrets 
  • Jack Whitehall: Christmas With My Father
  • Let It Snow
  • The Knight Before Christmas
  • A Very Murray Christmas 
  • Nativity 
  • The Holiday Calendar 
  • Christmas Wedding Planner 
  • Christmas With a View 
  • The Princess Switch 
  • A Wish for Christmas 
  • 48 Christmas Wishes 
  • A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish 
  • I'll Be Home For Christmas 
  • Holiday Rush 
  • You Can't Fight Christmas 
  • Angela's Christmas 
  • Miss Me This Christmas 
  • Home For Christmas 
  • Super Monsters Save Christmas 
  • Three Days of Christmas 
  • Free Rein: The 12 Neighs of Christmas 

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Read more:

All I Want for Christmas is Mariah?: How Carey has dominated the festive jingle landscape for 25 years

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