There’s nothing better than grabbing a warm bag of popcorn and snuggling up to watch a Christmas classic on the big screen.

Whether you’re into holiday romances, family favourites or heart-pounding Christmas adventures, you can catch these 12 festive films in Kent cinemas this winter…

ARTHUR CHRISTMAS (U)

When Santa’s clumsy son, Arthur, realises that there’s a little girl out there who might not get her Christmas gift, he sets off on a mission to deliver her present before sunrise. The cast features some familiar voices, including James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Bill Nighy, Jim Broadbent and Imelda Staunton.

Showing at: The Light in Sittingbourne

DIE HARD (18)

While the debate as to whether this action-packed blockbuster is truly a festive film rattles on, there’s no denying it has become a favourite with adrenaline junkies who like to spend Christmas on the edge of their seats. Bruce Willis stars as John McClane, a police detective who gets caught up in a terrorist takeover of a Los Angeles skyscraper on Christmas Eve.

Showing at: Cineworld in Ashford and Rochester, The Light in Sittingbourne, Maidstone Museum and Odeon in Chatham, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells.

ELF (PG)

When Buddy the elf is told by his adoptive father that he is, in fact, a human, he decides it’s time to set off on an adventure from the North Pole to New York City to find his real family. The family favourite has inspired a Broadway and stop-motion animated television special since its release more than 20 years ago.

Showing at: Folkestone Harbour Arm, The Light in Sittingbourne, Maidstone Museum, Odeon in Chatham, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells and Showcase Cinema de Lux in Bluewater.

GREMLINS (15)

One of the earliest feature films from Chris Columbus, who went on to direct Home Alone and the first two Harry Potter movies, is back in cinemas to celebrate its 40th anniversary. The comedy-horror is set in Kingston Falls, a quiet American town that gets overrun by a hoard of violent monsters the night before Christmas.

Showing at: The Ashford Cinema, The Light in Sittingbourne and Odeon in Chatham, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells.

THE HOLIDAY (12A)

Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law and Jack Black star in this festive rom-com. The heartwarming film about two lovelorn women from opposite sides of the Atlantic who decide to swap homes for the holidays also boasts a stellar supporting cast including Eli Wallach and Rufus Sewell.

Showing at: The Ashford Cinema and Folkestone Harbour Arm.

HOME ALONE (PG)

Since its release in 1990, the story of a young kid left alone in an empty house over Christmas has become a hit with viewers of all ages. Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin, is forced to fend for himself when his family forget to take him on holiday and, when two robbers target the house, he sets up a series of booby traps to protect himself.

Showing at: Folkestone Harbour Arm, The Light in Sittingbourne, Odeon in Chatham, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells, Showcase Cinema de Lux in Bluewater, and Vue in Broadstairs.

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (PG)

This fantasy film, based on Dr. Seuss’ children’s book and directed by Ron Howard, won an Academy Award for its makeover of Jim Carey, turning the actor into the green and grouchy Grinch. When the cheery citizens of Whoville are terrorised by the Grinch, it’s up to a little girl, Cindy Lou, to see if she can make the Grinch see the true meaning of Christmas.

Showing at: Cineworld in Ashford, Dover and Rochester, Folkestone Harbour Arm and Vue in Broadstairs.

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (U)

It’s the oldest Christmas film on the list, but It’s a Wonderful Life has stood the test of time for a reason. When struggling family man George Bailey finds himself standing on the edge of a bridge at Christmas, he is visited by a guardian angel who shows him what the town of Bedford Falls would have looked like if it hadn’t been for his good deeds over the years.

Showing at: Cineworld in Ashford and Rochester, Gulbenkian Arts Centre in Canterbury, The Light in Sittingbourne, and the Quarterhouse in Folkestone.

LOVE ACTUALLY (15)

Richard Curtis weaves weddings, affairs, first dates and workplace romances into one big Christmas blockbuster with Love Actually. The rom-com first burst onto our screens in 2003 and stars some big names, including Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth and Laura Linney.

Showing at: Cineworld in Ashford, Dover and Rochester and Vue in Broadstairs.

THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL (U)

It’s the first Muppet film to be produced following the death of creator Jim Henson but, with his son, Brian Henson, in the director’s chair and Michael Caine in front of the camera, the film has become a family favourite. Follow the cast of The Muppets as they recreate A Christmas Carol, one of the most famous festive tales ever told, with plenty of comedy and musical numbers.

Showing at: The Ashford Cinema, Cineworld in Ashford, Dover and Rochester, The Light in Sittingbourne and Vue in Broadstairs.

THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (PG)

It feels like we were only just putting this film on our list of must-see Halloween movies, but there’s no reason that Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas can’t crossover the seasons. The stop-motion animation follows Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, as he tries to take over the Christmas season. It features a soundtrack by Danny Elfman and was nominated for an Academy Award in 1993.

Showing at: The Ashford Cinema, Cineworld in Ashford, Dover and Rochester and The Light in Sittingbourne.

THE POLAR EXPRESS (PG)

It’s been 20 years since Tom Hanks first whisked audiences away on the Polar Express. The film sees a young boy who is starting to have doubts about whether Santa Claus really exists invited aboard the Polar Express and taken to the North Pole where he meets ghosts, elves and reindeer and discovers how magical Christmas can be when you truly believe.

Showing at: Folkestone Harbour Arm and Showcase Cinema de Lux in Bluewater.