Santa Buddies

9.35-11am RTE2

PREMIERE The talking puppies meet the son of Santa's dog, who has grown bored with Christmas, and go on a magical journey to the North Pole to save the festive season. Family adventure, starring Christopher Lloyd, George Wendt and the voice of Tom Bosley. (2009/U)

Abby in wonderland

9.45-10.25am TG4

PREMIERE Sesame Street musical, in which trainee fairy Abby Cadabby has a strange dream that she has been spirited away into a magical world inhabited by bizarre characters. To get back home, she must recover her missing wand, learning valuable lessons along the way. With the voices of Leslie Carrara and Kevin Clash. (2008/U)

WALL.E

12.40-2.10pm RTE1 In the far future, waste collection robot WALL.E is the only unit left to clean up a desolate and dilapidated Earth. But when a survey droid arrives to search for any signs of life, WALL.E is lovestruck and hitches a ride on the spaceship sent to collect her, embarking on a journey that could determine the future of the human race. Pixar animated sci-fi adventure, with the voices of Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, Fred Willard and Sigourney Weaver. (2008/U)

High School Musical 3: Senior Year

1.05-2.55pm RTE2

PREMIERE The all-singing, all-dancing students eagerly look forward to graduating from high school. But for basketball player Troy and his brainy girlfriend Gabriella, the celebration is a bittersweet one as they prepare to head off to different colleges and live separate lives. Teen musical sequel, starring Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale. (2008/U)

Bolt

2.10-3.40pm RTE1

PREMIERE The canine star of a TV show about a dog with superpowers thinks his onscreen adventures and abilities are all real. When he accidentally gets mailed across America, he sets off on a frantic journey to the battle against evil he thinks is waiting for him – but along the way, he comes to realise he is just a normal dog. Animated adventure, with the voices of John Travolta and Miley Cyrus. (2008/PG)

Monsters vs Aliens 3.10-4.35pm BBC1; Also on St Stephen's Day: 6.55-8.40pm RTE1

PREMIERE A weather presenter is exposed to radiation from a meteorite that causes her to grow to an enormous size right in the middle of her wedding. She is captured by the military and held prisoner with an assortment of strange creatures – but when aliens invade, these freaks of nature are the only ones capable of saving the world. Animated sci-fi comedy, with the voices of Reese Witherspoon and Hugh Laurie. (2009/PG)

Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince

3.40-6pm RTE1

PREMIERE The young wizard is given the task of uncovering the secrets of the dark lord Voldemort's past as the evil sorcerer's henchmen cause havoc in both the magical and mundane worlds. However, Voldemort's influence extends closer to home than expected, as Harry's rival Malfoy is chosen to carry out a sinister mission. Fantasy adventure sequel, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Michael Gambon, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint. (2009/12)

Ratatouille

4.50-6.30pm BBC1

PREMIERE A rat's love of fine food has made him an outcast to his less discerning family. Finally separated from his fellow rodents by a storm, he winds up in a famous French restaurant, where he helps an incompetent kitchen assistant become the greatest chef in Paris. Pixar animated comedy, from the director of The Incredibles, with the voices of Patton Oswalt, Ian Holm, Lou Romano and Peter O'toole. (2007/U)

The Baader Meinhof Complex

11.20pm-1.45am RTE2

PREMIERE Fact-based drama telling the story of the left-wing German militant group formed by activist Andreas Baader and journalist Ulrike Meinhof in late 1960s Germany. Fearing Western imperialism would cause a resurgence of fascism, they embarked on a campaign of terrorist activity through the 1970s, culminating in an infamous plane hijacking. Starring Martina Gedeck and Moritz Bleibtreu. In German, English, French and Swedish. (2008/18)

ST STEPHEN'S DAY

Beverly Hills Chihuahua

11.10am-12.35pm BBC1

PREMIERE A pampered pet dog gets separated from her owner, and is left stranded in Mexico struggling to avoid a dognapper and a ferocious Doberman, who are after her diamond collar. Luckily, a courageous German shepherd is on hand to help her get back home. Comedy, starring Piper Perabo and Jamie Lee Curtis. (2008/U) The Crimson Wing: Mystery of the Flamingos

11.30am-12.45pm BBC2

PREMIERE Documentary following a flamingo colony as it flocks to a breeding ground at Lake Natron in northern Tanzania. The birds engage in elaborate mating rituals and survive on a diet of algae that creates their distinctive pink colouring. Once their chicks have hatched, they must remain constantly vigilant for predators. (2008/PG)

A Little Princess

1.00-2.45pm TG4 A wealthy English girl is sent to an austere New York boarding school where she charms the other youngsters with her stories of life in India – until her father goes missing in action, leaving her destitute and in the hands of the wicked headmistress. Drama based on Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic novel, with Eleanor Bron, Liesel Matthews and Liam Cunningham. (1995/U)

Spider-man

3.05-5.25pm TV3 A clumsy teenager develops superhuman powers after a genetically engineered spider bites him. At first his fantastic skills delight him, but his elation is prompting severely tempered him to dedicate by a family his talents tragedy, to combating fire in the form evil. However, of crazed villain he faces the a Green baptism Goblin. of Comic-book Maguire, Kirsten superhero Dunst, adventure, Willem Dafoe, with James Tobey Franco and Rosemary Harris. (2002/12)

Jonas Brothers: The Concert Experience

3.35-5.05pm RTE2

PREMIERE Documentary feature following Kevin, Joe and Nick on their 2008 Burning Up tour. The film features highlights from the concerts, along with behind-the-scenes footage of the band and previously unseen material including the song Love is on Its Way. Featuring guest appearances by Demi Lovato and Taylor Swift. (2008/U)

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

6.10-7.30pm BBC1

PREMIERE The escaped zoo animals discover a plane and, following a swift repair job by the penguins, manage to escape the desolate shores of Madagascar. However, they crash-land on the plains of Africa and find themselves face-to-face with their wild counterparts for the first time. Animated adventure, with the voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer and Jada Pinkett Smith. (2008/PG)

The Proposal

9.40-11.45pm RTE1

PREMIERE A Canadian publishing editor working in New York faces deportation to her own country. Desperate to stay in the US she offers her assistant a promotion if he will marry her. However, an immigration official becomes suspicious and the pair are forced to go to desperate lengths to look like a happy couple. Romantic comedy, starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. (2009/12)

Gladiator

11.15pm-2.05am Ulster Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius is a casualty of a power struggle between the corrupt Emperor Commodus and the senate. Ordered to be put to death along with his family, he escapes his would-be killers and is sold into slavery, only to become a gladiator and seek revenge for the murder of his wife and child. Oscar-winning period epic, with Russell Crowe. (2000/15)

Downfall

11.30pm-2.20am RTE2 Fact-based drama re-creating the claustrophobic events in Hitler's bunker during the final days of the Second World War. As the Fuehrer struggles to deal with the collapse of the Third Reich, his most loyal followers face the dilemma of whether to flee, kill themselves or face capture. Starring Bruno Ganz, Juliane Kohler and Ulrich Matthes. In German and Russian. (2004/15)

The Godfather

1.00-4.05am C4 The patriarch of the Corleone crime family is hospitalised after an attempt on his life and entrusts control of his business to his three sons – the violent and unpredictable Sonny, the weak-willed Fredo, and Michael, the youngest brother, who reluctantly takes up the reins but proves to be the most ruthless of them all. Francis Ford Coppola's gangster drama, starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, John Cazale, Talia Shire, Robert Duvall and Diane Keaton. (1972/15)

TUESDAY DEC 27

Hotel for Dogs

11am-12.35pm BBC1

PREMIERE An orphaned brother and sister face losing their beloved dog when they go into a foster home that does not allow pets. The kids find the ideal hiding place in an abandoned hotel, and set about transforming it into luxury canine accommodation for not just their beloved pet, but every stray in town. Family comedy, starring Emma Roberts and Lisa Kudrow. (2009/U)

Penelope

2.15-4pm C4

PREMIERE An heiress is born with the nose of a pig due to a curse on her family – an enchantment that can only be lifted by finding a man who loves her. As she reaches adulthood, her story piques the interest of a tabloid reporter, who, determined to get a photograph of her nose, hires a down-on-his-luck gambler for the task. However, the desperate hack fails to count on romance getting in the way. Romantic fantasy, starring Christina Ricci and Peter Dinklage. (2006)

Bedtime Stories

3.50-5.20pm BBC1

PREMIERE A downtrodden handyman is forced to look after his niece and nephew. He soon wins them over with his knack for telling exciting stories, but to their surprise the tall tales start coming true – and as the kids make their own suggestions, the results become even more fantastical. Fantasy comedy, starring Adam Sandler and Russell Brand. (2008/PG)

Star Trek

9.00-11.15pm RTE2

PREMIERE The trainee crew members of the starship Enterprise embark on their maiden flight, which pits them against a Romulan commander from the future who is planning a horrific revenge on those he blames for a tragedy in his own time. Sci-fi adventure based on the original TV series, starring Chris Pine. (2009/12)

The Queen

10.30pm-12.25am RTE1 Oscar-winning fact-based drama, examining the events surrounding the death of Princess Diana. The relationship between Elizabeth II and prime minister Tony Blair is revealed as they struggle to reach a compromise in dealing with the situation. Starring Helen Mirren in an Oscar-winning role, alongside Michael Sheen. (2006/12)

Tropic Thunder

10.45pm-12.25am BBC1

PREMIERE

behind schedule A director's and over epic budget. Vietnam Taking picture the is advice the film of is the based, grizzled he drops war veteran the actors on into whose a jungle life with the intention of filming them fighting guerrilla-style – but the cast is unaware the surrounding warfare is genuine. Comedy, directed by and starring Ben Stiller, with Jack Black, Steve Coogan and Robert Downey Jr. (2008/15)