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A fun way to spend family time

A fun way to spend family time

There are films and TV series for everyone on Virgin, from Toy Story 4 and The Lion King, to The Adventures Of Paddington and Arrow

We’ve got all the family entertainment you could possibly need, right at your fingertips… 

By Laura Rutkowski, Staff Writer

Whatever your family wants to watch, Virgin Media’s got you covered. From the latest releases, most talked-about plots and award-winning acting, must-watch documentaries, brilliant animation and all-around amazingness, that little box under your telly has it all.

 

So, sit back, relax and enjoy the show inside your own home cinema… with no interruptions (hopefully), lots of snacks (essential) and tonnes of wow-worthy moments you’ll want to share. Watch whatever you want, whenever you want.

Spend time with the ones you love, watching things you love – live, in On Demand, Catch Up, or with the Virgin TV Go app. Here, we break down our top picks…
 

Sky Cinema
 

Toy Story 4

Available in Sky Cinema on demand. Cert U

Just when you thought the Toy Story franchise was finished, wrapped up neatly with no possible chance of topping what came before… Toy Story 4 came out. These movies are like a safety blanket, or a nightlight during the dead of a dark winter’s night.

 

Let Woody (Tom Hanks) and friends take you to infinity and beyond as they come to terms with Bonnie (Madeleine McGraw) becoming older and more independent. And give it up for everyone’s new favourite character, Forky the spork (Tony Hale, Arrested Development), who is in a constant state of existential angst about why he’s alive when really he’s “traaaash”.

 

The Lion King

Available in Sky Cinema on demand. Cert PG

It’s been 25 years since the animated version captured our imaginations and now Disney has done it again. Directed by The Jungle Book’s Jon Favreau, The Lion King shows Simba asserting his top-dog (cat) status in lovely, furry, live-action form.

 

The star-studded voice cast includes Donald Glover as Simba, Beyoncé as Nala, Chiwetel Ejiofor as the evil Scar and Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen as the lovable meerkat/warthog duo Timon and Pumbaa. And – drum roll please – James Earl Jones returns to voice Mufasa. Our hearts can hardly take it!

 

Mary Poppins Returns

Available in Sky Cinema on demand. Cert U

Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt) brings back her magic in this sequel – released 54 years after the original film. Set in 1930s London, it finds siblings Michael (Ben Whishaw) and Jane Banks (Emily Mortimer) all grown up, and worlds away from when Ms Poppins was their nanny – until she floats into their lives once more.

 

The Secret Life Of Pets 2

Available in Sky Cinema on demand. Cert U

If you’ve ever wondered what your pets do when you’re not home, this film might give you an idea (although you might not like what you see). Following on from the first film, we revisit Max the terrier (Patton Oswalt), who is living in NYC with his owner Katie (Ellie Kemper) and his best friend Duke (Eric Stonestreet), a shaggy-haired Newfoundland mix. When Katie gets married and has a baby, everything changes for Max and he becomes incredibly protective of the tot.

 

ITV
 

Saturday Night Takeaway

Saturdays, 7pm, ITV/HD (CH 103/113). Also available for 30 days in Catch Up > Channels > ITV

Over a decade of high jinks and hundreds of episodes, Ant and Dec have redefined Saturday night entertainment. After a year off in 2019, the series returned with a bang this year. The show is packed with stars, side-splitting challenges and pranks – pretty much everything goes.

 

CITV
 

The Epic Tales Of Captain Underpants

Available on CITV (CH 734)

Based on the popular children’s books, this series follows friends and wannabe comic-book artists George and Harold, who have dreamt up superhero Captain Underpants, whose “suit” consists of… yup, his underpants, and a red makeshift cape. George and Harold hypnotise their principal Mr Krupp, who brings Captain Underpants to life, with high-flying adventures, plenty of mischief and no shortage of hilarity.

 

National Geographic

 

Running Wild With Bear Grylls

Available for 30 days in Catch Up > Channels > National Geographic

They might be used to red carpets, endless perks and star treatment, but things get wild in the great outdoors when ten celebrities battle the elements and unforgiving terrain alongside survivalist Bear Grylls.

 

From Panama’s crocodile-infested waters and Arizona’s red-hot canyons to underwater caves in Sardinia and freezing temperatures in Iceland, these celebs will need all their skill, resourcefulness and good old-fashioned determination to make it out the other side. If nothing else, it’ll make you realise how much we rely on our navigation apps.

 

National Geographic WILD
 

Frozen Islands

Available for 30 days in Catch Up > Channels > National Geographic

The sub-Antarctic region is made up of a series of tiny islands with hostile climates and landscapes, but there are some unique animals that have adapted to survive here. Discover the fascinating lives of seals, penguins, albatrosses and southern right whales as they breed, feed and thrive in these seemingly inhospitable environments.

 

On Demand
 

Arrow

Season 8, available in On Demand > Box Sets

Back in 2012, Arrow was the new superkid on the block – paving the way for all DC TV franchises to follow and gifting fans the awesome comic book crossover-concept of the Arrowverse.

 

After revealing his super-identity in season 6, hero Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell), whose weapon of choice is a bow and arrow, was locked up in a maximum-security prison at the start of season 7. Hopefully he gets back on the straight and (n)arrow in series 8, aided, of course, by his trusty sidekicks, including Black Canary (Juliana Harkavy), Wild Dog (Rick Gonzalez, Reaper) and Mister Terrific (Echo Kellum).

 

Marvel’s Runaways

Seasons 1 & 2, available in On Demand > Box Sets

This TV series from marvellous Marvel, based on the comic of the same name, is all about teenagers taking control and putting a stop to the activities of their nefarious parents, by using their… superpowers!

 

The cast includes Greg Sulkin (Pretty Little Liars), James Marsters (Buffy The Vampire Slayer), Kip Pardue (But I’m A Cheerleader), Annie Wersching (24) and Kevin Weisman (The Blacklist).

 

Doom Patrol

Find it in On Demand > Box Sets

Get ready to meet your new favourite (if slightly unconventional) superheroes: a band of misfits known as the Doom Patrol. They all received superpowers through traumatic life events, and are generally looked down upon in society. Most of the team have been treated by the Chief (Timothy Dalton, Licence To Kill), a medical doctor who lets them stay in his mansion to shield them from the outside world. Sounds like the X-Mansion has some competition!  

 

Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure

Season 3, available in On Demand > Kids

Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi reprise their roles voicing their Tangled characters Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, although the latter goes by the name Eugene Fitzherbert now. The series takes place sixth months after Rapunzel escaped Mother Gothel’s clutches and was reunited with her birth parents.

 

Rapunzel is struggling to adapt to her new royal lifestyle and goes on a new journey of discovery. Oh, and don’t worry – there’s plenty more action involving the lovable Pascal the chameleon and Maximus the horse.

 

The Adventures Of Paddington

Series 1, available in On Demand > Kids

The little bear from deepest Peru, with an even deeper love of marmalade, gets the CGI treatment in this new series. Join a young Paddington (voiced by Ben Whishaw) as he writes letters to his aunt Lucy to tell her all about the exciting things he’s been up to.  

 

Also look out for a host of new characters, voiced by Darren Boyd, Noel Clarke, Phyllis Logan, David Schofield, Reece Shearsmith and more! The new theme song, “Paddington Bear”, is written and performed by Take That’s Gary Barlow.

 

PJ Masks

Find it in On Demand > Kids

Amaya, Connor and Greg are just your typical six-year-olds – until, that is, they turn into their superhero alter egos Owlette, Catboy, and Gekko! At night, they use their powers to fight villains including Romeo, Luna Girl and Night Ninja. Everybody, now: “PJ Masks, we’re on our way. Into the night, to save the day!”

 

Vampirina

Season 2, available in On Demand > Kids

Growing up and trying to fit in is tough enough, but when you add being a vampire into the mix, it’s an even steeper learning curve. The Hauntley family has traded one sylvania (Transylvania) for another (Pennsylvania) to open a bed and breakfast catering for ghouls and goblins.

 

Vampirina, or Vee, and her parents Oxana and Boris are more friendly than fearsome, but you’ll have to watch to see how the rest of the residents react to their new neighbours!

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