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Showcase Cinemas let it snow for film fans at an early screening of the iconic Christmas blockbuster Home Alone.

Moviegoers to the festive film screening at Showcase Cinema de Lux Bluewater couldn't believe their eyes when they arrived for the screening to find snow falling inside the auditorium.

Christmas really had come early as the immersive winter wonderland experience, complete with a Santa sleigh, reindeer, candy canes and a giant nutcracker, was put on two months ahead of the big day.

And even TV star Keith Lemon turned up on the day to enjoy an authentic taste of Christmas early.

After a year like no other, Showcase Cinemas wanted to start the season of goodwill a little early, by screening the earliest Christmas film of 2020 in its cinemas across the UK.

The one-off screenings sold out in minutes, proving just how much the nation is in need of some escapism right now.

The cult festive hit from 1990 - which is still just as popular 30 years on - stars a young Macaulay Culkin as eight-year-old Kevin McCallister, who's mistakenly left at home, alone, while his family go on holiday.

Kevin must protect the family home from a couple of con men (played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) who plan on robbing the McCallister residence.

On screening the festive film, Showcase UK general manager Mark Barlow said: “With 2020 being such a tough year for everybody, we wanted to kickstart the festive season early at our cinemas and knew that Christmas comedy, Home Alone, would be the perfect way to do that.

"The big screen experience has the power to transport you anywhere, but we wanted to give it some extra Christmas sparkle.

“We pulled out all the stops at our Bluewater screening to make it a truly magical experience complete with falling snow, and seeing the look of pure happiness on the faces of our guests was just wonderful. We’re pleased we were able to offer guests a chance to escape the outside world, if just for a little while.”

All Showcase sites have a thorough cleaning regime in place, plus multiple hand sanitising stations for guests to use.

For the full list of films, to book tickets and watch the Be Showcase Safe video, visit showcasecinemas.co.uk