David Farnor | On 29, Nov 2015

Forget the turkey. Forget the presents. Christmas means one thing: The Muppet Christmas Carol. Amazon, luckily, knows that only too well, breaking out the blue, furry Charles Dickens for the big day itself. Before then, though, Christmas comes early for Prime members with the second season of the marvellous, Golden Globe-winning Transparent.

Here’s what’s coming soon to Amazon Prime Video UK in December 2015:

Scandal: Season 4 – 1st December

Olivia Pope and her gladiators in suits return for another season of gossip and fixes.

The Island – 3rd December

Michael Bay’s underrated thriller stars Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson as a couple who break out of a top-secret compound, only to stumble into a deceptively smart sci-fi B-movie plot about stem-cell research.

Se7en – 3rd December

“Ernest Hemingway once wrote, ‘The world is a fine place and worth fighting for.’ I agree with the second part.” David Fincher’s second film may still be his best, following Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt’s odd-couple detectives investigating a string of horrifying, religious killings.

Happy Feet Two – 4th December

George “Mad Max” Miller goes back to the world of dancing penguin for this animated sequel, complete with Brad Pitt and Matt Damon as pair of existentially confused krill.

Horrible Bosses – 4th December

Jason Bateman, Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis play three put-upon workers who plan to kill their cruel bosses in this comedy that is far funnier than it should be.

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole – 9th December

Already re-watched Episodes I to VI in anticipation of The Force Awakens? Try Legend of the Guardians. Essentially Star Wars but with owls, Zack Snyder’s family adventure trades in cliches, but its excellent visuals (and a healthy dose of slow-mo) make for an undeniably fun ride.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – 10th December

Amazon gives its seasonal selection a much-needed boost with National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

The Wizard of Oz – 10th December

What else is there to say about Victor Fleming’s 1939 masterpiece about Dorothy (Judy Garland), who finds herself blown away in a storm to the merry, brightly coloured world of Oz.

National Treasure – 11th December

Nicolas Cage goes into Indiana Jones mode for Jon Turteltaub’s entertaining adventure.

Transparent: Season 2 – 11th December

Amazon’s Golden Globe-winning series returns for another bout of soul-searching, as the Pfefferman family continue to react to their father (Jeffrey Tambor) coming out as Maura. Season 2 begins with a big, white wedding for Sarah and Tammy, but happy ever after is far from likely, as Sarah gets in touch with her deeper desires, Maura discovers the hardest part of her transition is still ahead, and Josh and Rabbi Raquel navigate their new relationship.

The whole of the original cast returns for the new season, including Judith Light as Shelly, Amy Landecker as Sarah, Jay Duplass as Josh and Emmy-nominated Gaby Hoffmann as Ali.

Tumble Leaf: Season 2 – 11th December

Amazon’s stop-motion-filled kids’ original follows Fig, a delightfully curious blue fox, and his best, wiggliest caterpillar friend Stick, as they embark on nature-filled adventures and discover science through play. The preschool series picked up four Daytime Emmys and the Daytime Emmy for Best Preschool Series for Season 1, not to mention the 2015 Annie Award for Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production for Preschool Children.

Nativity 3: Dude, Where’s My Donkey?! – 11th December

Martin Clunes replaces Martin Freeman and David Tenant as the latest hapless teacher in Debbie Isitt’s semi-improvised festive franchise, which deals with memory loss as well as a missing donkey.

Wild Tales – 15th December

Damián Szifron’s wicked anthology of Spanish comedy shorts is dark, violent and hilarious.

Peppa Pig: Seasons 3 and 4 – 15th December

Who could say no to more Peppa Pig? Certainly not parents with Prime subscriptions, who will be pleased to see their kids’ options expanded in time for the school holidays.

The Fall: Season 2 – 19th December

Season 2 of The Fall sees Gillian Anderson reprise her role as Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson, who’s continuing her increasingly desperate hunt for the serial murderer Paul Spector (Jamie Dornan).

The Muppet Christmas Carol – 25th December

The Muppets give Dickens a hefty injection of fuzzy humour without losing the story’s dark edge. From Gonzo as Charles himself and Rizzo’s jelly bean-eating sidekick providing the post-modern narration to Michael Caine’s surprisingly moving turn as Ebenezer, this is not only a fantastic, family-friendly adaptation of A Christmas Carol; it’s arguably the definitive version.

Ironclad – 29th December

This indie Brit hack-and-slash flick is a wonderfully hammy affair, with a cast that includes Paul Giamatti and Brian Cox. They slice each other up during a medieval siege with impressive special effects and a rompingly fast pace. Helm’s cheap? Hell yes.

Foxcatcher – 31st December

Channing Tatum delivers a knock-out performance as real life wrestler Mark Schultz, who is taken under the wing of Steve Carrell’s eccentric millionaire, John du Pont. Supported by Mark Ruffalo as Mark’s generous older brather, director Bennett Miller captures the shifting power balance of the trio with a chilling detachment.

Other new releases coming soon to Amazon Prime Video UK in December 2015

1st December
The Call
Private Practice: Seasons 1 to 6
Teen Titans Go!: Season 2

2nd December
A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song
Lego Batman: The Movie – Dc Super Heroes Unite
Miral

4th December
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Snow Dogs

8th December
Cleanskin

16th December
Arthur

19th December
Body of Lies

18th December
Snow Buddies

29th December
The Ward
You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger

30th December
Hereafter
Mirror Mirror

31st December
Blow
The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death

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