RaiPlay Unveils 2025 Christmas Lineup Featuring Cillian Murphy Drama and Hollywood Classics

The Italian streaming service, RaiPlay, has officially announced its extensive film schedule for the 2025 Christmas season. This programming push is clearly designed to cement the platform's standing as a primary destination for holiday entertainment. The selection boasts significant genre diversity, skillfully balancing recent, critically acclaimed features with foundational masterpieces of global cinema. This strategic mix underscores RaiPlay's commitment to providing content that bridges European auteur cinema and essential Hollywood fare.

A major highlight dominating the December schedule is the premiere of the Irish-Belgian production, Small Things Like These, arriving on December 6th. This gripping historical drama stars Cillian Murphy and Emily Watson in leading roles. The film, which served as the opening feature for the 74th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) on February 15, 2024, delves into the dark secrets embedded in 1985 Ireland.

Directed by Tim Mielants and adapted by Enda Walsh from Claire Keegan's novella, the movie confronts the horrifying reality of the Magdalene Laundries—correctional facilities operated by the Catholic Church until 1996. Murphy portrays Bill Furlong, a coal merchant who finds himself compelled to challenge the deeply entrenched injustices overseen by the Church. The supporting cast also features Michelle Fairley and Eileen Walsh, adding further depth to this significant narrative.

Beyond this central dramatic offering, RaiPlay’s catalog incorporates several contemporary European successes recognized at international festivals. Among these is the successful 2024 French comedy, Bis Repetita, directed by Émilie Noblet. The film stars Louise Bourgoin as a literature teacher whose overly generous grading leads her students to compete in the World Latin Championship held in Naples.

Furthermore, the international award-winner Last Swim (2024) is also included in the lineup. Sasha Nathwani’s directorial debut earned the prestigious Crystal Bear for Best Feature Film in the Generation 14plus section at the 2024 Berlinale, alongside the AG Kino – Gilde – Cinema Vision 14Plus award. These additions demonstrate RaiPlay’s dedication to showcasing current, high-quality festival cinema.

For aficionados of cinematic history, RaiPlay is set to enrich its "Great Hollywood Classics" collection starting December 20th with the addition of eight landmark titles. This curated selection will feature enduring benchmarks such as the iconic 1946 film Gilda, starring Rita Hayworth, and the monumental 1953 epic From Here to Eternity, which secured eight Academy Awards. Incorporating these foundational works clearly emphasizes the platform's focus on content possessing deep historical and cultural resonance.

In summation, RaiPlay’s holiday programming for 2025 represents a carefully curated blend. It successfully marries a socially relevant drama celebrated at the Berlinale with international festival winners and cornerstones of American filmmaking. This comprehensive approach effectively positions the service as a culturally significant entity within the streaming market during the high-demand period of late 2025, offering viewers quality options for their home viewing.