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The Twelve Films of Christmas

Jo Whiley’s resident movie critic James King counts down the top twelve Christmas films of all time, as voted for by you! Which film will be given the tinsel crown?

Radio 2's resident movie critic James King counts down the top twelve Christmas films of all time, as voted for by you, the Radio 2 audience.

You had two weeks to vote and now the results are in. Twenty-five films made James' shortlist, but only one film will be given the tinsel crown. There were period dramas, romantic comedies, action classics and singalong musicals - because really any genre can be a Christmas film if it ticks the right boxes. Will it be a box office hit, a critical favourite or a cult classic that gets the top spot?

James is joined for the countdown by some of the people behind the films. He speaks to Love Actually's writer and director Richard Curtis; puppeteer and voice actor behind Kermit, Rizzo the Rat and more in The Muppet Christmas Carol, Steve Whitmire; singer of Santa Claus: The Movie's theme song, Aled Jones; the actress who played Zuzu in It's A Wonderful Life, Karolyn Grimes - famous for delivering the movie's iconic line "every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings". Plus he talks to Kelly Harcourt, daughter of Jimmy Stewart, the star of It's A Wonderful Life.

There will be the thoughts of some famous fans including Laura Whitmore, Joe Wicks and Zoe Ball, plus some of you telling James what you like about your festive favourite. All alongside loads of music from Christmas movies.

A ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Audio production.

6 days left to listen

1 hour, 57 minutes

On radio

Christmas Eve 2024 20:00

Music Played

  • Darlene Love

    All Alone On Christmas

    • Christmas Hits (Various Artists).
    • BMG.
  • Annie Lennox & Al Green

    Put a Little Love in Your Heart

    • Scrooged O.S.T. (Various Artists).
    • A&M.
  • Aled Jones

    Main Title: Every Christmas Eve & Santa's Theme

  • Tom Hanks

    Hot Chocolate

  • Bing Crosby

    White Christmas

    • That's Christmas (Various Artists).
    • EMI.
  • Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Peggy Lee & Trudy Stevens

    White Christmas

    • Selections From Irving Berlin's White Christmas.
    • Decca.
  • Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters

    Mele Kalikimaka

    • Christmas Memories (Various Artists).
    • Emporio.
    • 1.
  • Mavis Staples

    Christmas Vacation

    • National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation O.S.T. (Various Artists).
    • WEA.
    • 6.
  • The Beach Boys

    God Only Knows

    • The Best Of The Beach Boys (CD 1).
    • EMI.
    • 4.
  • Little Isidore and the Inquisitors

    Christmas Of Love

  • Zooey Deschanel & Leon Redbone

    Baby It's Cold Outside

  • John Williams

    Star Of Bethlehem (Orchestral Version)

  • Mykola Leontovych

    Carol of the Bells

    Lyricist: Peter J. Wilhousky. Music Arranger: John Williams.
  • Paul Williams

    Scrooge

  • Miles Goodman

    Christmas Morning

  • Paul Williams

    Overture (Instrumental)

  • Paul Williams

    Room In Your Heart

  • Kermit the Frog & Paul Williams

    One More Sleep 'Til Christmas

  • Vaughn Monroe

    Let It Snow

  • Έι³ά²Τ‐D.²Ρ.°δ.

    Christmas In Hollis

    • A Very Special Christmas (Various).
    • A&M.
  • Frank Sinatra

    Jingle Bells

    • Christmas Songs By Sinatra.
    • Columbia.
    • 2.

Broadcasts

  • Christmas Eve 2020 21:00
  • Sun 12 Dec 2021 02:00
  • Christmas Day 2023 00:00
  • Christmas Eve 2024 20:00

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