Films to watch at Christmas

It's Chriiiiissstmaaaass - well, almost. As a reprieve from the orgy of over-consumption that marks the season of goodwill, thoughtful moviemakers have offered up some seasonal fayre to whet the palate. From traditional kids' flicks to blockbusting adventures and high drama, we round up the highlights of this winter wonderland's cinema scape.

The Polar Express (out 3 December)
Featuring some of the most incredibly realistic computer animation so far seen on film, this warm-hearted tale features a little boy who doubts the existence of Santa Claus. On Christmas Eve, however, he is taken on a magical journey to the North Pole along with lots of other children to receive an extraordinary gift from the big man himself. Starring Tom Hanks (in five roles!) the buzz on this movie is white hot, with early reviews proclaiming it as a modern-day Christmas classic.

The Phantom of the Opera (out 10 December)
Musical fans were up in arms when Michael Crawford was passed over for the film version of this hit show, but with stars like Miranda Richardson, Simon Callow and Minnie Driver all taking part, this $40m extravaganza should still be a hot ticket. Set in 1800's France, the Phantom is a disfigured musical genius (Gerard Butler) who hides away in the Paris Opera House, longing for the love of beautiful young singer Christine (Emmy Rossum). It's also worth catching as Hell's Kitchen strumpet Jennifer Ellison’s big-screen debut!

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (out 17 December)
This quirky kids' flick is positively brimming with star turns: Jim Carrey, Jude Law, Billy Connolly and Meryl Streep all take part in this surprisingly dark tale. It's about three brothers and sisters who are sent to live with their horrible relative Count Olaf (Carrey) when their parents are killed in a fire. But they soon discover that the sinister Olaf is after their fortune... Based on the hit books of the same name, this is one Chrimbo flick that won't leave you feeling nauseous with candy-covered cheer.

The Aviator (out 24 December)
Film buffs have been feverishly anticipating this Scorsese/DiCaprio epic for months now, and will no doubt be the first in the queue to get a ticket in their hot little hands. And who can blame them? With DiCaprio as the eccentric film entrepreneur Howard Hughes, Kate Beckinsale as Ava Gardner, Cate Blanchett as Katharine Hepburn, Jude Law as Errol Flynn (grr) and Gwen Stefani as Jean Harlow, it's set to be a dizzying spectacle about the early life of one of Hollywood's greatest men.