Happy holidays! Now that the holidays have arrived in Disney World and at Disneyland, it’s time to get that dose of cheer that only Disney holiday movies can provide!
So we’ve scoured Disney+ for all the holiday movies you can watch right now on the streaming subscription service. So put on your fluffiest pajamas and slippers and curl up on the sofa with a warm blanket and a hot cup of cocoa, and let’s get to it!
12 Dates of Christmas
Imagine Groundhog Day, but Christmas-themed and you’ve almost got the plot of 12 Dates of Christmas. The movie follows a young woman, Kate, who has a horrible blind date on Christmas Eve, and she gets forced to relive it over and over and over.
Yes, we know that almost sounds like a movie more suited for Halloween, but trust us — there is a perfect Christmas ending to this one. Plus it has Zack Morris as one of the lead actors. 😉
Disney’s A Christmas Carol
Disney’s A Christmas Carol is the traditional A Christmas Carol story we all know and love, but Disney’s version stars Jim Carrey as the crotchety Ebeneezer Scrooge, Gary Oldman as his faithful employee, and Colin Firth as his cheery nephew.
Follow this star-studded cast as Scrooge follows the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future through a journey that will change Scrooge forever. This one is always a heartwarming tale, so it’s a must-watch for the holiday season.
Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas
Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas is a direct-to-video sequel to Beauty and the Beast, and begins at a Christmas party at Beast’s castle after the spell on Beast has been broken. The film follows a story told by Mrs. Potts about the Christmas the year before — which means this film is basically an unseen tale that takes place during the course of events from the first movie. (Because seeing Beast in human form is kinda strange, right? It’s Beauty and the Beast. Not Beauty and the guy with nice hair formerly known as Beast!)
So the story of this movie is that Belle is trying to bring holiday cheer to the castle, but Forte, the pipe organ, isn’t having it — he doesn’t want the curse broken because he’s happier as an organ. So he and Fife, a flute, do everything they can to ruin Christmas.
The Christmas Star
The late Ed Asner stars in The Christmas Star as a two-time felon in prison for counterfeiting. He escapes from prison two weeks before Christmas dressed as Santa and hides out in a suburban neighborhood where two local children help him because they think he’s the real Santa.
Of course, this is a heartfelt holiday movie, so although he starts by taking advantage of the children’s kindnesses, he ends up learning about the true meaning of Christmas. It’s kinda like Bad Santa but for the whole family. This and Elf? Seriously, that man made an awesome Santa, didn’t he?
Frozen and Frozen 2
Okay, we know that maybe TECHNICALLY, Frozen and Frozen 2 aren’t exactly holiday movies, but they’ve got ice and snow — AND A SNOWMAN — and it makes us think of the holidays, so it totally counts. Plus they made a Christmas-themed short. Totally counts. We love watching the tale of two sisters, one cursed/gifted with ice magic and we will sing “Let It Go” and “Into The Unknown” along with Idina Menzel EVERY TIME.
So, don’t @ us for including this in our holiday movie list. It’s a must for the holiday season!
Home Alone, Home Alone 2, and Home Alone 3 (…and the new one, too)
On the other hand, all the Home Alone movies are Christmas movies because they take place on Christmas. They’re all about a young boy who gets left behind on the annual Christmas vacation, leaving him to defend his family’s house (or New York City?) against burglars. What’s not to love?
These movies are timeless, fun, and perfect for family viewing on the holidays! Granted, the first two movies are connected, but the third has a completely different cast and story, so if you’re planning on watching it, you’ll want to know that! The NEW Home Alone, Home Sweet Home Alone, is another beast entirely.
It’s kind of a reboot, kind of its own thing. We won’t spoil it for you but we will say we were VERY confused how to feel with this one. The kid you’re supposed to be rooting for you kind of…don’t. At all. And the “bad guys” actually got our sympathy. Give it a shot too, but we’re sticking with the classic McCallister clan on this one.
I’ll Be Home For Christmas
This one’s for the 90s kids who grew up with the TeenBeat posters of JTT on their walls! This comedy is about a self-centered college student (Jonathan Taylor Thomas) who only wants to get home for Christmas so he can get a vintage Porsche his father promised him. And he’s on a deadline, which means that when he wakes up in the desert penniless with just a few days to go dressed in a Santa suit, he has to figure out how to still manage to make that trip home.
The closer he gets to home, though, the closer he gets to what Christmas is really about. We mean, that’s what Christmas movies are ALL about, right?
LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special
The LEGO Star Wars movies are already known for the humor, so if that’s up your lane, you’ll need to check out the LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special. Rey must leave her friends to prepare for Life Day, which takes her on an adventure to further discover the Force. But she inadvertently gets sent on a time-traveling adventure, that brings her face to face with some of the most iconic characters of Star Wars. And it is HILARIOUS.
But will Rey make it back to her friends in time for Life Day? You’ll have to watch to find out.
Mickey’s Christmas Carol
So how many versions of Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol can you watch this holiday season? As many as you want. And Mickey’s Christmas Carol features Scrooge McDuck (appropriately enough) as Ebeneezer Scrooge, with Mickey Mouse as Bob Cratchit. Talk about perfect casting.
Poor old Scrooge has some hard lessons to learn, though, and the story plays out with some of Disney’s most famous characters in these iconic roles.
Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas
Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas is an anthology of three Christmas stories. One tale is about how Huey, Dewey, and Louie learn why the holidays come once a year. The second is about how Goofy and his son, Max, discover the spirit of Santa.
Finally, the film closes with Mickey and Minnie reenacting a classic Christmas story of giving. This one is sure to hit you in the holiday feels!
Mickey’s Twice Upon A Christmas
And if that isn’t enough to get your holiday spirits flying, you can also watch the follow-up Mickey’s Twice Upon A Christmas! This anthology has Mickey, Minnie, and friends ALL stressed out about the holidays! First, a skating contest between Minnie and Daisy leaves the two friends jealous with hurt feelings. Then Huey, Dewey, and Louie try to figure out how to get on Santa’s good side by scheming.
Then Max finds himself embarrassed by his father’s silly holiday antics, followed by a story that sees Donald trying to resist holiday cheer. Finally, Mickey gets so obsessed with planning the perfect Christmas party that he ends up taking his frustrations out on Pluto (oh no!). Of course, in the end, everyone finds the true meaning and joy of Christmas.
Muppets Christmas Carol
Let’s just say we saved the best version of A Christmas Carol for last, because let’s face it — Muppets Christmas Carol is still the same heartwarming story we know, but it’s got all the funny antics and humor of the Muppets, and it just WORKS. This is of the biggest holiday movies you’ll likely watch EVERY year, and we can’t say we blame you.
In this version, Michael Caine (yes, THE Michael Caine) is Scrooge, with Kermit as his humble employee. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll be full of holiday joy by the end. Light the lamp, not the rat!
Noelle
In Noelle, when Santa decides to retire, his son, Nick, is supposed to take over the family business. Except that Nick gets cold feet and goes missing! It’s up to Santa’s daughter to go find him on a hilarious mission, and ultimately, they all discover what Christmas is all about.
And if that doesn’t sound delightful enough, check out the star-studded cast: Anna Kendrick, Shirley MacLaine, Bill Hader, Julie Hagerty, and more. This is a newbie to the Christmas movie lineup but it’s a solid addition! Kids and adults can enjoy this ne.
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
The classic ballet The Nutcracker is always a must for the holiday season, and the Disney film The Nutcracker and the Four Realms takes that story and builds upon the fantasy. It’s actually a retelling of the short story that inspired the ballet and is about a young girl who is gifted a locked egg from her deceased mother.
This girl sets off on an adventure across a magical land to find the key. The cast features some pretty big Hollywood heavy-hitters, too, including Keira Knightley as the Sugar Plum Fairy, Helen Mirren as Mother Ginger, and Morgan Freeman as Drosselmeyer.
Olaf’s Frozen Adventure
So maybe you could argue that Frozen isn’t a Christmas movie, but Olaf’s Frozen Adventure is 100% Christmas-themed (told ya!), so it’s ALL about the holidays. Olaf is on a merry mission to save Arendelle’s holiday traditions and make a perfect Christmas for Anna and Elsa.
Josh Gad returns as the voice of Olaf, and that alone should put it on your “must watch” list.
One Magic Christmas
You want to get up in all your Christmas feelings? Then watch One Magic Christmas, which is about a little girl named Ginny Grainger. Ginny is a cynic and hates Christmas. But Santa sends a Christmas angel to Ginny and her family (who have been suffering from hard times).
And yes, bring the tissues, because this one will make you cry as you watch Gideon try to convince Ginny that, yes, Christmas is real.
Prep and Landing and Prep and Landing: Naughty or Nice
The short film Prep and Landing is about a high-tech organization of elves called “Prep and Landing” from an elite North Pole unit that ensures that homes around the world are ready for Santa’s visit. But one elf, who’s been working for the unit for over 200 years, gets passed up for a promotion and ends up getting assigned to work with an idealistic rookie. Yeah, he’s not happy about that.
In the sequel, Prep and Landing: Naughty or Nice, Wayne and his idealistic rookie buddy are at it again as they go search for a kid who’s been hacking the North Pole. These are really cute and fun. Be sure to check them out!
Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish
Most kids might not remember Richie Rich, but the whole family will still appreciate Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish. In this story, Richie finds himself wrongfully accused of something he didn’t do, so he makes a wish that ends up trapping him in an alternate reality where everyone in town is suddenly against him and he’s no longer rich. (UGH. I mean, can’t we all relate to that? 😂)
It’s up to Richie, his loyal personal valet, and a professor to make things right to save Christmas for everyone.
Santa Clause, Santa Clause 2, and Santa Clause 3
It’s Christmas Eve in Santa Clause (yes, with an “e”) when a man, Scott Calvin (Tim Allen), scares a strange large man in a red suit on his roof — the man falls and disappears, leaving behind his reindeer, a sleigh, and a suit with instructions. Wanna guess who the man on the roof was? Scott ends up donning the suit which lands him a brand new job — he’s now Santa.
Santa Clause 2 and Santa Clause 3 continue Scott’s adventures as Santa, and all three movies are worth a marathon watch to get into the holiday spirit. Who doesn’t love Santa with a heavy hand of Home Improvement-style jokes to go with him?
The Search for Santa Paws and Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups
If you’re a dog lover, you’ll have to add these two movies to your watch list. In The Search for Santa Paws, Santa arrives in New York City but loses his memory. It’s up to a puppers named Paws, an orphan named Quinn, and her friend Will PLUS a group of magical talking dogs (and that should immediately sell you on this movie) to save Christmas!
In Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups, a brand new litter of talking and mischievous puppies must help Mrs. Clause to save Christmas when the Christmas spirit begins to disappear from the world.
Snowglobe
In Snowglobe, Angela wants nothing more than to have a perfect holiday world like the one that exists inside a Christmas snowglobe. One night, she is magically transported to that world, and later learns that it was not a dream. She continues to return to that world over and over until she realizes that she’s having a negative effect on it.
Angela must do what she can to fix what she’s broken in that world while trying to find the magic in her regular life.
The Ultimate Christmas Present
In The Ultimate Christmas Present, two girls stumble upon a weather-making machine left behind by Santa. They use the machine to make it snow…in Los Angeles. Needless to say, chaos ensues and the result is that Christmas might just be ruined.
It’s up to the girls to team up with Santa to save the day!
Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year
What’s better than a holiday story starring that silly old bear, Winnie the Pooh? In Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year, Rabbit plans a New Year’s Eve party, but he gets annoyed when Pooh and the others start to bother him (not that it takes much to bother Rabbit, right?). He even threatens to move away!
Everyone makes a New Year’s resolution to change to make Rabbit happy, but things get even nuttier when Piglet takes to bouncing to conquer his fear and Pooh becomes gloomy after giving up honey and Tigger becomes unbouncy! The horror!
So there you have it — massive list of what you should add to your watch list to guarantee you’ll be in the holiday spirit! So deck the halls with Disney magic!
Here’s WHERE to Eat with Mickey and Minnie in Disney World This Holiday Season!
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