Big movies often come out at Christmas, but only in the COVID era does that happen on TV. Today’s big premiere is Adam McKay’s dark comedy “Don’t Look Up” (Netflix, streaming) about an impending comet whose disastrous course is ignored by the media and government. Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence lead a cast that also includes Meryl Streep, rob Morganm Jonah Hill, Mark Rylance, Tyler Perry, Timothée Chalamet, Ron Perlman, Ariana Grande, Cate Blanchett and Michael Chiklis.
The night includes the traditional screenings of “It’s a Wonderful Life” (NBC, 8 p.m.) and “A Christmas Story” (TBS, 8 p.m.), beginning its annual 24 hour marathon. (On TNT the marathon begins at 9 p.m., so the 1983 comedy starts every hour on the hour through Christmas Day.
From India, the long delayed Malayalam language superhero film “Minnal Murali” (Netflix, streaming), makes its debut, with Tovino Thomas in the title role.
From Spain comes the romantic holiday comedy “100 Miles from Christmas” (Netflix, streaming) starring Tamar Novas.
The South Korean sci-fi series “The Silent Sea” (Netflix, streaming) is set on the moon.
“The Wheel of Time” (Amazon Prime, streaming) has its season one finale.
After three seasons, the final episode comes for “Dickinson” (Apple TV+, streaming).
A new “How to With John Wilson” (HBO, 10 p.m.) gives tips on how to remember dreams.