What to watch: Best movies new to streaming from Genie to Candy Cane Lane

Wondering what to watch? Well this week's UK schedule has seen an array of festive films that are perfect for the whole family to enjoy.

Read more: Richard Curtis explains secret to Christmas movies and dashes hopes for Blackadder return

Prime Video, Sky Cinema, NOW and Paramount+ are each bringing something new to the table this week, including the newest film from Richard Curtis and a celebration of Michael Jackson's Thriller.

Here is Yahoo's guide to the best movies new to streaming this week.

Genie | Sky Cinema and NOW (pick of the week)

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It wouldn't be Christmas without Richard Curtis, the filmmaker has long delighted viewers with his touching movies like Notting Hill and festive favourite Love Actually — and now the auteur is reimagining an old story for a new generation with Genie.

The film follows workaholic dad (played by Paapa Essiedu) be faced with Christmas alone, only to be given a second chance to make things right with his family after discovering a genie (Melissa McCarthy).

Candy Cane Lane | Prime Video

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Eddie Murphy leads this fun family film about Chris, a man who is determined to win his neighbourhood's Christmas home decoration contest, and will go to the limits to make it happen.

Love Again | Sky Cinema and NOW

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Sam Heughan and Priyanka Chopra Jonas are ready to make viewers swoon with their sweet rom com about grief and finding love again as Mira Ray deals with the loss of her fiancé by texting his old number only for it to have been reassigned to a man named Rob Burns (Heughan).

Thriller at 40 | Paramount+

Michael Jackson was an icon of the music scene, and Thriller is one of his best loved albums which is turning 40 and is being celebrated with a new Paramount+ documentary full of never-before-seen footage and candid interviews to bring new insight to viewers about the subject.

The best films to watch on TV this weekend

Not everyone has a streaming subscription, of course. But not to worry there is plenty of films to enjoy on terrestrial TV on both Saturday and Sunday.

Anthony Hopkins gave an Oscar-winning performance in The Father, which is set to be shown on Saturday on Channel 4, and other highlights of the day include Independence Day.

Sunday will see some great films be screened on TV including the hilarious teen comedy Booksmart directed by Olivia Wilde, and Christmas classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Here are Yahoo's picks of the weekend:

Saturday, 2 December

• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 - ITV1, 5.30pm

• Independence Day - Film4, 6.10pm

• The Father - Channel 4, 9.25pm

Sunday, 3 December

• How the Grinch Stole Christmas - ITV2, 6.50pm

• Mission: Impossible - Film4, 9pm

• Booksmart - BBC One, 11.55pm