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There’s nothing more important than sharing Christmas together, and there’s no better way to spend it than watching some new family Christmas films to add to the classics! Here are some of the best Christmas films on Netflix!
The Grinch (2018)
While the classic Jim Carrey version isn’t to every kid’s taste (that make up can be scary!), the animated remake is a much fluffier take on the story! Dr Seuss’ least festive character finds his Christmas spirit when he comes down from his mountain to spend a little time in Whoville. The slapstick comedy will have the kids laughing out loud.
Christmas Break-In (2018)
Ever been a few minutes late picking the kids up? This Home Alone inspired film sees nine year old Izzy stuck at school after hours while her parents battle through a blizzard to reach her. Stuck in the school, Izzy is forced to take on a couple of robbers trying to get in.
With lots of pranks, the kids will be creased, and you’ll get that nostalgic feeling of when you enjoyed films like Home Alone as a kid!
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Story (2020)
Who doesn’t love storytime? The singalong with original music from John Legend and Usher is an instant classic, as it tells us the tale of a grumpy toymaker who finds his Christmas spirit and tries to save his job with the help of his granddaughter.
The feel-good film with its catchy tune is one the kids will probably be putting on repeat!
The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
It’s Santa like you’ve never seen him before!
Every kid has the dream of meeting Santa, and Kate’s belief is still strong. Kate and her brother Teddy hatch a plan to catch Santa in the act as he delivers his presents, but get a lot more than they bargained for when they startle him and he crashes his sleigh.
The three race against time to get the sleigh up and running – will they make it for Christmas morning?
Arthur Christmas (2011)
Arthur Christmas is the ultimate family film as it’s told from the perspective of Santa’s clumsy son, Arthur!
The military operation of Christmas has a failure when a present doesn’t make it to its destination, putting a kid’s Christmas spirit in jeopardy. Arthur enlists the help of his grandfather and Santa’s dad, Saint Nick, to get the present home in time for Christmas morning – but the job just isn’t as simple as it seems.
If you miss seeing the streets of Manchester buzzing and filled with people, we’ve got an easy and safe solution. Head to your favourite streaming platform and experience Manchester in a completely new light.
From Marvel blockbusters to big Netflix productions, Manchester has a tendency to attract enormous film crews.
Sure, you may know that Manchester is often used to mimic the streets of Manhattan, but our rainy city has so much more to offer too!
To keep you company while social distancing, here are some top films and TV shows filmed right here, in the heart of the city we’re so proud to call home.
The Stranger
This mini-series is a mystery-thriller about how a revelation from a stranger unleashes a web of lies and secrets within his family, spiralling his life into turmoil. Scenes cut dramatically between Salford and Ancoats as the main character pursues a dramatic quest to discover the truth about the people in his life.
As a Mancunian, you’ll be able to spot The Central Library’s Archways, Bolton School, the Cathedral, Spinningfields, Ancoats Coffee Co, and a £1.5m house on Didsbury Park. Keep your eyes peeled to see where else you recognise, there are loads more.
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The Crown
Although currently unreleased, this crowd pleaser has used Stevenson Square and Dale Street to transform the Northern Quarter into New York City. Embellished with yellow cabs, entrances to the subway system and appropriate storefronts, Manchester was transformed into the city that never sleeps.
These scenes feature Princess Diana on a trip overseas, so keep your eyes peeled!
Captain America: The First Avenger
It was the 1940s and a barefoot “super-soldier” was running through the streets of Brooklyn.
Except. it’s actually 2010, the barefoot lad is Chris Evans (the American one), and they’re really in the Northern Quarter.
Like many movies before them, this Marvel favourite chose Manchester’s Northern Quarter to depict New York City. Between all the explosions and fast-paced chase scenes, you’ll be able to recognise Dale Street and although the film is suited with fake storefronts, you’ll be able to spot Finlay’s Warehouse and restaurant, Tariff & Dale early on.
Peaky Blinders
Despite being set in Birmingham, this period piece is now synonymous with Manchester. The series films across Greater Manchester’s boroughs and has been a welcome addition to the city.
Starring Cillian Murphy, the show follows a criminal gang avoiding the police’s pursuits. Victoria Baths in Chorlton-on-Medlock has become familiar in the series for many tense scenes as well as the Northern Quarter’s Dale Street, Mangle Street, and Back Piccadilly. If you’re looking for a show to binge-watch, you won’t run out of Manchester locations to spot.
Shameless
This show was not only filmed in Manchester but based here too! This comedy series follows the Gallagher family on their questionable escapades for eleven seasons.
Despite being shut down by the council in 2013, The Wellington Inn, on Clowes Street in West Gorton was used as “The Jockey”, a staple pub in the series.
While in-studio filming took place at The Pie Factory in Salford, you’ll still be able to spot some local backdrops like Wenlock Way in West Gorton and Miles Platting. Scatter!
Queer as Folk
Here’s another Manchester-based classic! This time following the daily lives of three gay men. Honouring Manchester’s buzzing gay culture, this 1999 series shows off Canal Street and the LGBTQ+ community we’re proud to have in our city.
Morbius
Still yet to be released, this Marvel film starring Jared Leto gives the back story to one of Spiderman’s enemies. Naturally, their choice to film in the Northern Quarter only means one thing – transforming our city into the Big Apple once again.
With such a big budget, this summer blockbuster is expected to release on July 31st. So when we’re allowed to open our doors, we’ll see you at Vue on opening night for popcorn and a Tango Ice Blast!
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Manchester’s best-loved entertainment complex, Printworks has commissioned renowned artist, Justin Eagleton to create a lasting piece of nostalgic artwork, celebrating the city’s rich and vibrant history.
Printworks has been at the heart of the city for over one hundred years, and part of Manchester’s entertainment scene for nearly twenty. The mural, which stands at 4.8m wide by 2.4m high, will take pride of place on Dantzic Street, and looks back at Manchester’s diverse heritage, celebrating the people and places that make the city what it is.
The artwork includes famous landmarks including Belle Vue Circus, Beetham Tower, the Royal Exchange and the cotton mills that famously dot the city’s landscape. Music heroes and comedians such as The Stone Roses, Oasis, Victoria Wood and Steve Coogan are also featured.
There is a nod to some of the most influential Mancunians such as Emmeline Pankhurst, Professor Brian Cox and Alan Turing, referencing the city’s rich political and scientific heritage. But the mural wouldn’t be complete without including the city’s famous symbol, the Manchester bee.
Printworks has also partnered with Forever Manchester, the only charity that raises money to fund and support community activity across Greater Manchester; working with local people in communities to inspire and encourage projects that they want to see, to make their neighbourhoods happier and safer places to be. All of the money raised for Forever Manchester is used to fund and support over 1,000 community projects in Greater Manchester each year.
Fred Booth, Printworks’ Centre Director, said “Printworks has a long-standing heritage across Greater Manchester, so what better way to celebrate this than with a mural of memories, showcasing the people and places that have carved their own place in our city’s history.
“We want the people of Manchester to visit our fantastic mural and share in the memories of our great city!”
Justin Eagleton explained, “Printworks is an iconic venue in the heart of the city and the perfect place to feature a mural celebrating all things Manchester. This city means so much to so many and I hope everyone will be able to relate to an image, or see something that makes them smile within the mural. I’d like to thank Printworks for allowing me to create this wonderful piece of nostalgia for the city to enjoy.”
Nick Massey, Chief Executive at Forever Manchester explained, “Forever Manchester is delighted to be the chosen charity for the launch of this fantastic mural which celebrates this city’s heritage, history and its people.
“We’re thrilled that our Manchester super hero, Captain Manchester is included in the mural. Every penny raised from the sale of artwork of the mural will go directly to supporting grassroot community projects across Greater Manchester reflecting the rich social backbone of local community activity in and around this great city.”
In 2018, Printworks teamed up with Justin for the Bee in the City campaign, commissioning him to create a charity Hac-BEE-enda bee installation, which took pride of place in the Printworks and was later auctioned off for charity, with over £20,000 going to the We Love MCR Charity.
Renowned photographers, Paul Husband, Ian Tilton, Paul Wolfgang Webster and Jill Furmanovsky allowed their iconic images to be used on the mural.
The mural is now on display at the Printworks on Dantzic Street.
Celebrate the festivities in legendary fashion with Hard Rock Cafe!
Choose from a 2 or 3-Course meal with limited edition menu items including a Blue Cheese Chopped Salad, One Night In Bangkok Shrimp Burger, and a delicious Holiday Brownie with peppermint white chocolate sauce and crushed candy cane!
- 2-Courses from £22.95
- 3-Courses from £25.95
- Full exclusive venue hire, or Rock Lounge hire available with bespoke packages.
Book ahead to avoid disappointment! Click here to book your table.
Tired of the turkey dinners? Chiquito’s Christmas menu is packed with festive flavours with a kick!
Enjoy dishes including cranberry and chorizo nachos, piri piri chicken fajitas and mouthwatering Mexican yule log.
Don’t forget those Crimbo cocktails including the Sleigh Bell-ini and Snowflake Martini.
Back in November 2017 we put our 60,000 bees up for adoption and the interest from you all was staggering! We love bees, Manchester loves bees, the world loves bees, such a small creatures have a huge impact on the worlds ecosystem so it makes sense for us to show them some love.
“The bee is an iconic symbol in Manchester so we wanted to give people the[br] chance of owning their own, whilst raising money for some special causes,”
Printworks director Fred Booth.
What you raised
We are pleased to announce that thanks to your kind donations (and imaginative bee names!) we have completely filled three walls with bee stickers. The mural can be seen in the window opposite Hard Rock Cafe Manchester.
Your kind donations have meant that all this money has been given to our charity partners which is just brilliant.
The Booth Centre: £737.50
Forever Manchester: £1,359.50
From The Printworks and our charity partners we say a massive THANK YOU!!
About our bees
The Printworks bees have provided a bumper yield of honey from the four beehives on the roof with some of the best honey to date.
As part of the #LiveFromTheHive project, a collaboration between The Printworks and Hard Rock Cafe, the honey has been extracted and bottled to sell to the public.
All the money raised from the £10 jars of limited edition honey goes to The Booth Centre and Forever Manchester.
The first batch of honey which had bespoke labels designed by Mancsy sold out in a week back in 2014. Jars signed by the Manchester artist sold for as much as £75.
The 2015 yield was just as popular and the project has managed to raise over £2,000 to date for the two charities and another sell-out year is expected.
“Bees are amongst the most important creatures to humans on earth,” says The Printworks’ beekeeper Adrian Rhodes. “These amazing insects pollinate over 80% of all flowering plants including 70 of the top 100 human food crops. One in three bites of the food that we eat is derived from plants pollinated by bees.”
The Printworks rooftop garden is home to 20 species of fruit and vegetables, creepy-crawlies and fauna. Over the past three years it has grown everything from lettuce to strawberries, beetroot to potatoes, and mint to radish, and even boasts a beetle hotel.
The scheme recently received a Green Apple award for its environmental commitment. The accolade recognises, rewards and promotes environmental best practice around the world.