7 best movies on BBC, ITV and more this Bank Holiday, including Michael Caine’s “wonderful” drama

If you’re not planning a trip to the cinema this Bank Holiday weekend for films like The Devil Wears Prada 2 or the scary movie Hokum, don’t worry – there are still lots of good options to watch on regular TV.

Because it’s a long weekend, we’ve got a special, expanded list of film recommendations – seven instead of our usual five! Plus, you can watch all of these movies without needing any streaming subscriptions.

This week’s recommendations include everything from a critically acclaimed war movie to a beloved sci-fi film from the 80s, plus a couple of projects starring the iconic Michael Caine. Let’s get started!

Point Break

While Kathryn Bigelow is now known for politically-focused thrillers like The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty, many consider Point Break to be a standout action film from the 1990s. The movie stars Keanu Reeves as Johnny Utah, an FBI agent who goes undercover to catch a team of bank robbers, but finds himself forming a complex connection with their leader, Bodhi, played by Patrick Swayze.

The movie wasn’t a huge hit when it first came out, but it’s become increasingly popular over time and now has a dedicated fanbase. If you’re familiar with Hot Fuzz, you might recognize a few nods to it as well.

Point Break airs on Saturday 2 May at 11.50pm on BBC One.

ET the Extra-Terrestrial

Steven Spielberg’s classic film is a touching story about growing up and an unlikely friendship. It centers on 10-year-old Elliott (Henry Thomas) and his connection with an alien (voiced by Pat Welsh).

The story starts with a group of small, cute aliens collecting plants from Earth. One of them gets left behind and unexpectedly befriends a boy named Elliott, beginning an adventure that will change both of their lives.

Steven Spielberg’s 1982 science fiction film, starring Dee Wallace and a young Drew Barrymore, quickly became the highest-grossing movie ever made. It’s filled with iconic scenes and is considered a true classic.

ET the Extra-Terrestrial airs on Sunday 3 May at 4pm on ITV1.

1917

I remember being totally blown away by Sam Mendes’s war movie! It really felt like you were in the war because of those incredible long shots. George MacKay, playing Lance Corporal Schofield, just seemed to be constantly moving across the Western Front, and it really drove home how endless and brutal World War I was.

He and Tom Blake are sent on a critical mission to Colonel Mackenzie, hoping to prevent an attack planned for the next day that could cost the lives of over a thousand soldiers.

When the film came out in 2019, critics loved it, especially the beautiful visuals created by Roger Deakins. Sam Mendes received awards for both Best Film and Best Director at the 2019 BAFTAs (where the film won a total of six awards), and it also earned three Oscars that same year.

1917 airs on Sunday 3 May at 10pm on BBC Two.

The Dark Knight

Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight is often hailed as the best superhero movie ever made. However, it’s as influenced by classic crime films like Heat and The Killing as it is by Batman comics themselves. It’s a powerful, epic film that draws inspiration from both worlds.

In The Dark Knight, Bruce Wayne, also known as Batman (played by Christian Bale), encounters a new enemy: the Joker (Heath Ledger, in an Oscar-winning performance). Instead of simply causing widespread destruction, the Joker focuses on corrupting the city’s promising district attorney, Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), as a way to bring Gotham to its downfall.

With strong performances from Gary Oldman and Michael Caine, this film is widely considered the best in the Batman trilogy and a true cinematic masterpiece. If you enjoy action set in Gotham City, you can watch the earlier film, Batman Begins, the night before.

The Dark Knight airs on Sunday 3 May at 10.25pm on ITV1.

The Kid Who Would Be King

Switching things up from Christopher Nolan’s darker crime films, Joe Cornish’s 2019 movie feels like a classic fantasy adventure, blending real-world city life with the legendary stories of King Arthur and Camelot.

The movie follows Alex, a 12-year-old boy, who unexpectedly finds King Arthur’s sword, Excalibur. Once he pulls the sword from the stone, he’s given the responsibility of stopping a wicked sorceress from conquering the world.

The fantasy-adventure film starring Rebecca Ferguson and Patrick Stewart received positive reviews when it came out and currently boasts a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 193 reviews.

The Kid Who Would Be King airs on Monday 4 May at 11.55am on Channel 4.

The Great Escaper

This biographical drama, another film showcasing Michael Caine, was his last before retiring in 2023. He delivers a powerful performance as a war veteran embarking on a significant journey.

The film stars Bernard Jordan, a World War II Royal Navy veteran. When the 70th anniversary of D-Day is commemorated in France, Bernard bravely leaves his care home to travel to Normandy and join the events.

Directed by Oliver Parker and starring the late Glenda Jackson, The Great Escaper was widely seen as a perfect final film for Michael Caine, with The Guardian calling it a “wonderful last hurrah” for both actors.

The Great Escaper airs on Monday 4 May at 10pm on BBC Two.

Mud

In Jeff Nichols’s 2012 film, Matthew McConaughey began to redefine himself as an actor, moving beyond romantic comedies to establish himself as a critically acclaimed dramatic performer. This transition ultimately led to his Oscar win for Dallas Buyers Club in 2014.

In Mud, Matthew McConaughey stars as the title character, a tough man on the run who’s found hiding on a remote island. Two teenage boys, Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and Neckbone (Jacob Lofland), discover him and decide to help him reconnect with his beloved, Juniper (Reese Witherspoon).

The film, starring Sarah Paulson and Michael Shannon, skillfully combines Southern Gothic traditions with its storytelling. It’s highly acclaimed, earning a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Mud airs on Monday 4 May at 11.30pm on BBC Two.

Okay, gamers, listen up! They just dropped a new issue of Living Legends, and it’s a total tribute to Sir David Attenborough – 100 pages of full colour goodness! You can grab a copy at most newsstands or order it online. Definitely worth checking out if you’re a fan!

2026-05-02 09:20