Need a weekend watch? Here’s 5 great movies on TV – including a “compelling” British drama

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If you’re looking for something good to watch this weekend, then TV has plenty of movies on offer.

For your latest entertainment needs, whether it’s the newest James Bond film, an Aardman animation, or a captivating drama starring Benedict Cumberbatch, terrestrial television has got you covered!

Here, Digital Spy rounds-up five of the best.

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No Time to Die

As I, an avid gamer, immerse myself in the final mission of James Bond, portrayed by Daniel Craig, I find myself going head-to-head with a ruthless adversary wielding technology capable of wiping out countless lives, skillfully played by Rami Malek.

The film “No Time to Die” finally hit the screens in 2021, following production adjustments and hold-ups due to COVID-19, marking its release as the last one under longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson prior to Amazon’s recent acquisition.

The film garnered positive reviews from critics, boasting a commendable 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In our four-star assessment, Digital Spy described it as an “engaging, emotional, and daring end for Daniel Craig.

Airing Saturday on ITV1 at 8.30pm. Available on ITVX afterwards.

Lion

In a 2016 biographical drama, Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman take on lead roles. The film narrates the true story of Saroo Brierley, who got lost from his family in India during childhood and was eventually adopted by an Australian couple. As an adult, he embarks on a journey to reconnect with his birth family.

With an impressive 84% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film Lion was widely praised by critics. Empire magazine described it as a remarkable true story that was handled with a delicate and artistic approach, rather than being overly dramatic or heavy-handed.

In this rephrased version, both Patel and Kidman received Oscar nominations for their acting roles, while the film features Sunny Pawar, Rooney Mara from Women Talking, and David Wenham known for his work in Lord of the Rings.

This way, the sentence is easier to understand and more engaging, with a natural flow of language.

Airing Saturday on Channel 4 at 10pm. Available on Channel 4 afterwards.

Casablanca

Known as one of cinema’s all-time masterpieces, the 1942 drama revolves around a foreigner, portrayed by Humphrey Bogart, living in a Moroccan city who encounters an old love (Ingrid Bergman) and finds himself in a quandary over whether to aid her husband in evading the Vichy authorities.

The classic movie, Casablanca, boasts some of the most renowned dialogue in cinema, such as “Here’s looking at you, young man” and “I believe this marks the start of an enchanting camaraderie”, among others, and eventually took home the award for Best Picture at the Oscars.

If you haven’t seen it already or feel like watching it again, this film would make an excellent choice for your Sunday afternoon viewing – coincidentally, it airs this weekend.

Airing Sunday on BBC Two at 1.40pm. Available on BBC iPlayer afterwards.

Shaun the Sheep Movie

This weekend, before the release of the latest Shaun the Sheep movie, called “The Beast of Mossy Bottom”, fans have an opportunity to rewatch the initial film from the Shaun the Sheep spin-off series based on Wallace and Gromit, which is airing this Sunday.

In 2015, the movie was launched, featuring Wallace and his claymation friends, particularly Gromit, who finds himself in a bustling urban jungle. Amidst navigating through various sheep and city life, he’s relentlessly chased by a persistent animal control officer.

The movie titled “Shaun the Sheep” received widespread acclaim, boasting a virtually perfect 99% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. According to the London Evening Standard, it has the ability to stir childlike emotions in grown-ups and adult-like feelings in children.

Airing Sunday on BBC One at 3pm. Available on BBC iPlayer afterwards.

The Imitation Game

2014 film portrays Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing, a pioneer in computer science often referred to as its father. The movie delves into the story of his team’s efforts to crack the German Enigma code at Bletchley Park during World War II. It also sheds light on Turing’s struggle to conceal his homosexuality, which was against the law at that time.

The Imitation Game has been praised as “compelling” by the London Evening Standard and “superb” by Empire. On Rotten Tomatoes, it boasts a 90% positive rating.

As a devoted admirer, I’m thrilled to be part of the crowd that gets to witness the stellar performances of Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, and Rory Kinnear in the captivating drama that unfolds. This intriguing production is ingeniously crafted from Andrew Hodges’ masterpiece, “Alan Turing: The Enigma.” I can hardly wait to immerse myself in this fascinating journey!

Airing Sunday on BBC Two at 10pm. Available on BBC iPlayer afterwards.

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2025-08-09 09:49