In Daniel Sawka’s super-timely “Icebox” (HBO, 8 p.m.), Anthony Gonzalez portrays a 12-year-old Honduran boy forced to seek asylum in the U.S., only to be apprehended by the Border Patrol and placed in a detention facility with scores of other kids. Matthew Moreno, Omar Leyva and Johnny Ortiz also star in the film, produced in part by James L. Brooks.
It’s more timely than a more expensively made story about a mop haired kid on the run. The streaming “Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle” (Netflix, streaming), a new take on Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book”is live action and CBI, directed by motion-capture veteran Andy Serkis. The big stars are in the voices of the animals thus animated, and they include Benedict Cumberbatch, Cate Blanchett, Matthew Rhys and Christian Bale.
In the new movie “Dumplin’” (Netflix, streaming), Danielle Macdonald (“Patti Cake$s”) plays a plus-sized Texas teen who is daughter to a former beauty queen (Jennifer Aniston) and signs up to be in a pageant as a protest.
In the Italian import “Natale A 5 Stelle” or “5 Star Christmas” (Netflix, streaming), two members of an official holiday delegation to Hungary have their tryst complicated by finding a corpse in their hotel suite.
The violent life of Death Row Records co-founder Suge Knight is the subject of the hip hop documentary “American Dream / American Nightmare” (Showtime, 9 p.m.). It’s followed by a documentary about an epidemic of porn addiction, “Porndemic” (Showtime, 10:30 p.m.).
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” (VH1, 8 p.m.) returns for a holiday episode.
“Mike Judge’s Tales from the Tour Bus” (Cinemax, 10 p.m.) concludes its animated two part story of James Brown, who died 12 years ago this Christmas.
Greg makes a surprising return to West Covina on “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” (CW, 9 p.m.) and he doesn’t quite look the same. Skylar Astin has replaced Santino Fontana, Darren Stevens style.
Back for a third season is the sitcom Western “The Ranch” (Netflix, streaming) with Ashton Kutcher, Sam Elliott, Debra Winger and Elisha Cuthbert.
Diane Ladd and Tiya Sircar star in the made for TV “Christmas Lost and Found” (Lifetime, 8 p.m.), about a returning grandchild who accidentally throws out the family heirloom ornaments.
Not holiday related is the film “Your Baby is Mine” (Lifetime Movie Channel, 8 p.m.) is about a new mother who is stalked by a woman seeking revenge. Linsey Godfrey, Jordi Vilasuso, and Alicia Leigh Willis star.
There are a couple of popular series about marrying people you don’t know, including “90 Day Fiance” (TLC, 8 p.m.). But here’s one where the twist is one of them is in jail: “Love After Lockup” (WeTV, 9 p.m.).
In the imported Australian dramatic series “Pine Gap” (Netflix, streaming), Aussies work with Americans at a defense facility where spies abound. Parker Sawyers, Jacqueline McKenzie and Steve Toussaint star.
The animated “Neo Yokio” (Netflix, streaming), from Ezra Koenig of the band Vampire Weekend, which is about rich kids in the big city, done up in Japanese anime style, gets a Christmas special titled “Pink Christmas” with voices again provided by Jaden Smith, Susan Sarandon, Jude Law, Jason Schwartzman, Jamie Foxx and Desus & Mero, among others.
On “MacGyver” (CBS, 8 p.m.), Matty reveals she has a husband who has been working undercover in a crime organization.
“Hawaii Five-0” (CBS, 9 p.m.) takes a trip to Montana.
Hank starts dating a much younger woman on “The Cool Kids” (Fox, 8:30 p.m.).
On “Fresh Off the Boat” (ABC, 8 p.m.), Matthew quits the restaurant to take a job at Dollywood.
Kenneth helps JJ prepare for college on “Speechless” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.).
All the secrets of “Midnight, Texas” (NBC, 9 p.m.) may be revealed by an unknown force.
Gordon Ramsay gets the final 10 to throw a Sweet 16 party for his daughter on “Hell’s Kitchen” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
Terrible holiday bakers compete on the special “Nailed It Holiday” (Netflix, streaming) hosted by Nicole Byer and Jacques Torres.
A video proves officer entrapment on “Blue Bloods” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
The ZIP poisoning is worsening for Remi on “Blindspot” (8 p.m.).
Chuck and Joe file a complaint against Mike on “Last Man Standing” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
Fallon’s mother helps with wedding plans on “Dynasty” (CW, 8 p.m.).
ABC ruins its TGIF by rerunning “The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Holiday Special” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
Mariah surprises Lauren with a new wardrobe on “Married to Medicine” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
The Ted Bundy story is on “World’s Most Evil Killers” (Reelz, 8 p.m.).
Making its return is “A Christmas Story” (7 and 9 p.m.). Also: “Bad Santa” (WGN, 7 and 9 p.m.).
Steve Carrell, Dawn French, Michael B. Jordan and Ruth Wilson join “The Graham Norton Show” (BBC America, 11 p.m.).
Rocker Chris Isaac helps introduce a Friday night series this month on Turner Classic Movies about how songs are used in film. It begins with “The Graduate” (8 p.m.), “The Thomas Crown Affair” 910 p.m.) and “Thunder Road” (midnight). Then comes a couple of horror films: “Death by Invitation” (2 a.m.) and “Horror Hotel” (3:30 a.m.).
NHL action has Philadelphia at Detroit (ESPN, 7 p.m.) and Golden State at Milwaukee (ESPN, 9:30 p.m.).
Hockey has St. Louis at Winnipeg (NHL, 8 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes Massachusetts at Providence (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.), TCU vs. USC (fox Sports 1, 9:30 p.m.) and Nevada vs. Arizona State (ESPN2, midnight).
College football includes Maine at Weber State (ESPN2, 8 p.m.).
Men’s college soccer has Akron vs. Michigan (ESPNU, 8 p.m.) and Indiana vs. Maryland (ESPNU, 10:30 p.m.).
In the women’s college volleyball regional semifinals, it’s Marquette vs. Illinois (ESPNU, noon), Kentucky vs. Nebraska (ESPNU, 2 p.m.), Michigan vs. Texas (ESPNU, 4 p.m.) and Washington vs. Penn State (ESPNU, 6 p.m.).
In the Curling World Cup, it’s China vs. U.S. (NBC Sports, 8:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Shania Twain, Patrick Wilson. The View: Daniel Krauthammer. The Talk: Dolly Parton, Sean Hayes. Ellen DeGeneres: Margot Robbie, Sinbad. Wendy Williams: Victoria Rowell. The Real: Giuliana Rancic.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Kathy Griffin, Emma Willmann. Jimmy Fallon: Ice Cube, Amber Heard, Elvis Duran. Seth Meyers: Daniel Daniel Radcliffe, Arjen Lubach, Antoni Porowski (rerun). James Corden: Riz Ahmed, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Phosphorescent (rerun). Carson Daly: Jameela Jamil, Brett Gelman, Family of the Year, Alex Wolff (rerun).