TONIGHT'S MIGHT-SEE

While kids fidget on Christmas Eve, families can settle in for a bedtime film. At 7 p.m., ABC has "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" (2005); it's a huge fantasy epic, limited only by its episodic, stop-and-go nature. NBC counters with the classic "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946). Cable channels add more. It's the delightful "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (1971), 6 p.m., AMC, and at 8, both "The Santa Clause 2" (2002) on Disney and the "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" movie (2000) on ABC Family. Also, TBS launches its 24-hour marathon of "A Christmas Story" (1983), with its darkly nostalgic look at a 1940s holiday.

TODAY'S MIGHT-SEE

Cartoons all day. ABC Family starts its marathon at 1 p.m. Don't expect anything great at first (it starts with "Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July"), but this wraps up with "The Year Without a Santa Claus" at 6 p.m. and its fun new sequel, "A Miser Brothers' Christmas," at 7. Then switch channels. FX starts a marathon of "Ice Age 2: The Meltdown" (2006) at 6 p.m. To counter, CW (Oceanic Digital Channel 93) has the new Finnish cartoon "The Flight Before Christmas" at 7 and "The Story of Santa Claus" at 8; Andy Griffith and Ed Asner, respectively, are the voices of Santa.

OF NOTE

"A Season for Miracles" (1999), 5 p.m., Hallmark Channel. Trying to rescue her niece and nephew, a young woman (Carla Gugino) ends up in a strange town with the kids. Then surprises happen. That may sound contrived, but this is a former "Hallmark Hall of Fame" film, beautifully written, directed and acted.

"Merry Christmas, Drake and Josh" (2008), 5 p.m., Nickelodeon. The guys are court-ordered to give a little girl her best Christmas ever. The humor here is so broad that only the most forgiving young viewers will stick with it. Providing counterpoint is a guest appearance by Miranda Cosgrove in her former "Drake and Josh" role as the droll Megan. Her response when the naked Drake and Josh are on her doorstep: "Either put some clothes on or join a gym."

"Spider-Man" (2002), 5 and 7:30 p.m., TNT. OK, everything doesn't have to be about Christmas. Here's a first-rate action film, with some warm moments from Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst.