AUSTIN – The big Christmas meal is not for everyone. For some people the best Christmas gift is no dirty dishes in the sink and a bag of popcorn while watching the latest theatrical release.

We have you covered with places to eat and movies that will be making their debut on Christmas Day.

Where to eat:

1.       Denny’s: Denny's has been open on Christmas Day for the past seven years, and this holiday season will not be any different. In fact, according to a 2016 press release, December 25 is one of the restaurant’s busiest days of the year.

2.       Morton’s  Steakhouse. The steakhouse, with locations across the country and in San Antonio, encourages families to make a holiday tradition of visiting the chain. 

3.       Dunkin’: While you may not be able to have your full Christmas Dinner here, at least you have the option to start the day with a coffee and doughnut.

4.       Panda Express: It is sometimes said that Chinese food and Christmas Day go together like two peas in a pod. If you feel the same way, most Panda Express locations will be open on December 25.

5.       Waffle House: It is commonly known as the restaurant that never closes, and Christmas Day is no exception.

6.       Five Guy’s: Simple meals can sometimes make for the best meals, and if a hamburger, milkshake, and fries is up your alley, then this restaurant has you covered on Christmas Day.

7.       IHOP: An alternative to Denny’s for a Christmas Day morning breakfast is a fluffy stack of pancakes. IHOP will be open to kick off the holiday with pancakes, coffee, and whatever else your heart may desire.

8.       Ruth’s Chris Steak House: If a holiday ham is not your style, you can have a steak at Ruth’s Chris Steak House. In Austin, the restaurant will be open from noon until 8 p.m. In San Antonio, the restaurant will be open from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m.

9.       Boston Market: The restaurant is best known for its rotisserie chicken, mashed potatoes, and overall comfort food. On Christmas, the restaurant often offers a special Christmas Day Menu. Diners are encouraged to review their store locator to find out if their local restaurant will be open.

10.   Wendy’s: Another option for a simple meal on Christmas Day is Wendy’s However, the restaurant advises customers to check its store locator to make sure your location is open.

Movies Released on Christmas Day:

1.    Holmes & Watson: This retelling of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson’s adventures, starring comedic duo Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly, has them working to stop an assassination attempt against Queen Victoria by rival James Moriarty (Ralph Fiennes).

2.    On the Basis of Sex: On the tails of the documentary RGB comes On The Basis of Sex, with Felicity Jones portraying Ginsberg. The movie is a biographical drama which follows Ginsburg as she teams up with her husband Marty (Armie Hammer) during a groundbreaking case fighting against gender-based discrimination and seeking equal rights for women.

3.     Vice: This biographical comedy-drama stars Chritian Bale as Dick Cheney, Steve Carell as Donald Rumsfeld, Sam Rockwell as George W. Bush, and Bill Pullman as Nelson Rockefeller. Follow Cheney as a bureaucratic Washington insider and CEO of Halliburton Co. all the way to becoming vice president.