Well, because we’re a little intense, we’re working on an index of every Christmas movie and other piece of seasonally appropriate holiday-themed film (including some lengthy TV episodes) available on U.S. streaming services. Just bookmark this page, scroll on through the alphabetical list, hit the links, and it can be Christmas whenever you need it to be! And if you spot some stuff that we missed, just let us know in the comments and we’ll see about getting it all added for you. Also, be advised that we’re going with paid subscription services like Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, and their peers. There are also plenty of Christmas movies on free streaming services like Crackle and Tubi. It’s just too overwhelming to include them all, quite frankly.
Black Mirror: White Christmas (2014)
Netflix Still, there is an audience out there that definitely wants this level of Scroogery. Plus it stars Jon Hamm! “White Christmas” follows three seemingly disparate stories. Jon Hamm is Matt, a mysterious man with a mysterious job who viewers watch in three different environments: once as a gross pick-up artist helper, once as a digital “cookie” salesman, and once as an occupant in a cozy cabin on Christmas Day. What do all of these have to do with Christmas? Watch and find out. Then weep for the collapse of humanity.
A Charlie Brown Christmas Special (1965)
Apple TV+ “A Charlie Brown Christmas Special” is one of the most enduring holiday classics in the pop culture canon. Originally airing in 1965 on CBS, it was an experiment from The Coca-Cola Company to see if Charles M. Schulz’s beloved Peanuts characters could carry their charm over to a new medium…and boy could they. The half-hour picks up with Charlie Brown down in the dumps and unable to capture the Christmas spirit. Thankfully, his friends know just what to do. Soon ol’ Chuck is directing the school Christmas play and nabbing a pitiful Christmas tree with Linus. This is “A Charlie Brown Christmas Special’s” first year as primarily a streaming entity, though Apple TV+ is allowing it to air on PBS on Dec. 13. If a Christmas movie is only as good as its Santa (surely someone out there abides by this rule), then Netflix’s The Christmas Chronicles is one heck of a Christmas movie. This family film produced by Chris Columbus features Kurt Russell ascending to his final form as Hot Santa Claus. The plot follows two children who are struggling to believe in the magic of Christmas after the death of their firefighter father. But the spirit of the season seizes them when they encounter the ultimate stand-in father figure: Kurt Russell Santa. The Christmas Chronicles is your classic, by-the-book family holiday yarn with a fun actor at the center and elevated production quality. Its sequel is also available to stream on Netflix.
Doctor Who Christmas Specials
HBO Max If the British know one thing, it’s tea. If they know two things, it’s tea and Christmas specials. Many big-time U.K. television shows have their own excellent holiday specials. Decades-old sci-fi institution Doctor Who, however, takes the cake when it comes to Christmas excellence. HBO Max has 12 seasons worth of Doctor Who Christmas specials dating all the way back to the modern continuation’s first Doctor, Christopher Eccleston. Each episode is an hour-long treat of Doctor Who and Christmas goodies and should the joy of watching them ever peter out, there are plenty of bonus materials to watch as well. Around the turn of the millennium, it seemed as though the Christmas movie canon was all set. After nearly 100 years of adapting the same concepts (snow, Santa, presents, cheer, peppermint, etc.) what could possibly be left to say? Thankfully director Jon Favreau and star Will Ferrell felt there was still some room on the Christmas movie bandwagon yet. In this instant classic, Ferrell stars as Buddy – a human being who was raised by elves in Santa’s workshop in the North Pole. When he discovers his birth father is on the naughty list, he heads to New York City to lend him a helping hand…and lots and lots of syrup.
Frozen (2013)
Disney+ Frozen, an animated movie you might have heard of, technically takes place during summer. But it sure doesn’t feel that way after Queen Elsa freezes the fjord and belts songs about the snowmen she and her sister want to build. Indeed, there is hardly a more festive film for the holidays than this celebration of self-love and familial love. Rather than being the story of a princess falling for a prince, Frozen is about the love between two sisters, Elsa (Idina Menzel) and Anna (Kristen Bell), and how that bond can transcend fear, isolation, and lifelong trauma like losing your parents at an early age. Fairly sophisticated stuff for an animated movie, Frozen became a bona fide classic in large part due to its songbook by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, with “Let It Go” standing out as an anthem for self-empowerment and the realization of identity. And if you overlook the fact you heard that song probably five thousand times, it still has that same resonance, which is why children are drawn to its message, as well as Elsa’ irresistible ice powers brought to dazzling life. When you factor in Anna’s own awkward charm, the power the two radiate together is warming in any season. Another holiday classic from Fox, Home Alone remains a millennial touchstone for this time of year, and a gift that keeps on giving. Yes, everyone remembers the end where Macaulay Culkin tortures two bumbling goons (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) as if they’re Elmer Fudd, but the movie has a lot more going for it than just slapstick sociopathy. Indeed, when Kevin McCallister isn’t being a sadist, this film has an earnest appeal about celebrating the fantasy of a kid living by himself at home. When his parents leave Kevin McAllister home alone for Christmas—it was an accident!—he has a luxury house to himself that he lounges about as if it were a giant playground with free ice cream, pizza, and R-rated movie viewing parties. Things go a little pear-shaped though when crooks try to rob the joint, but he handles that in glib fashion, all while sweetly pining for his mother. In fact, as you get older, Catherine O’Hara’s trials and tribulations to get back home to her baby boy in time for Christmas are as amusing as Kevin’s hijinks. (John Candy! Polka music!! Polka Christmas music!?!) But probably the reason this is a real classic has a lot to do with John Williams’ eternally heartwarming score.
Into the Dark: Pooka! (2018)
Hulu The concept of Hulu horror anthology series Into the Dark is a simple one. Starting in October, every month would see the release of a new horror movie, usually revolving around a theme or holiday within that month. So naturally December 2018’s entry, Pooka!, brings its chills to Christmas. Directed by Nacho Vigalondo from a script by Gerald Olson, Pooka! introduces one of the cutest creepiest critter since Gremlins. Struggling actor Wilson Clowes (Nyasha Hatendi) takes on a job operating a giant fur suit of a toy company’s upcoming holiday season to, Pookah. Pookah has two modes, naughty or nice. Soon Wilson comes to find that the suit is starting to effect his overall mood and the naughty mode may last outside the confines of the suit. If you haven’t watched this movie in a while, it can be surprising just how tenuously tied the whole thing is to Christmas. Though the story of George Bailey begins on Christmas Eve 1945, the movie takes audiences throughout the entirety of his life, Christmas Carol-style. But of course, in the end the angels have gotten their wings and Christmas is in full thrall. Certainly, It’s a Wonderful Life will be all over the traditional TV calendar, but it’s nice to know that it’s on streaming as well for those who just can’t wait.
Klaus (2019)
Netflix Since the hallowed days of Rankin/Bass stop-motion animated Christmas specials, there hasn’t been much movement or innovation in the realm of animated Christmas movies. Klaus, written and directed by Sergio Pablos, seeks to change all that in Klaus. This crisply animated feature serves as an alternative history version of the story of Santa Claus. Jesper (Jason Schwartzman) proves himself to be the worst student as a postal academy and is sent to the North Pole where his lack of letter-delivering abilities won’t do anyone any harm. There he discovers Klaus (J.K. Simmons), a mysterious carpenter who lives alone and likes to make handmade toys. Sounds pretty familiar.
The Santa Clause (1994)
Disney+ Tim Allen really was on top of the world in the 1990s, wasn’t he? The star of ABC’s popular Home Improvement sitcom, and just a year away from becoming a Pixar legend in Toy Story, Allen could get any family entertainment greenlit. Thus enters Disney’s The Santa Clause, a movie that posits “what if Tim Allen became Santa?” That’s pretty much what happens when Allen’s schmo-y Scott Calvin inadvertently is responsible for the death of the previous Santa who slips off his roof. The consequence of Scott’s mistake is he puts on the red and white outfit to finish Santa’s sleigh ride that night, much to the delight of his son Charlie (Eric Lloyd). Little does he know that by donning the suit, he has entered into a “Santa Clause” which means he becomes the big guy—literally so as he gains 100 pounds of weight and a white beard overnight. It’s still amusing now, but our favorite bit will always be David Krumholtz as the no-nonsense North Pole elf from Brooklyn.
A Very Brady Christmas (1988)
Hulu A Very Brady Christmas was a 1988 made-for-TV movie that brought together the entire original cast of The Brady Bunch save for Susan Olsen (Cindy Brady). Olsen was on her honeymoon at the time and I cant’ figure out if that’s a great reason or a weird reason to miss a once-in-a-generation TV event. And here’s the complete list, just in case you don’t like our choices! 5 Star ChristmasNetflix 8-Bit ChristmasHBO Max 12 Dates of ChristmasHBO Max 12 Days of Christmas EvePeacock 12 Dog Days Till ChristmasHulu 12 Pups Of ChristmasHulu 1000 Miles from ChristmasNetflix Alien XmasNetflix All Hallows EvePeacock Alone for ChristmasPeacock An American Christmas CarolPeacock Angela’s ChristmasNetflix Angela’s Christmas WishNetflix Arendelle Castle Yule LogDisney+ Arendelle Castle Yule Log: Paper EditionDisney+ Back to ChristmasHulu Black ChristmasHBO Max, Peacock Blown Away ChristmasNetflix Bob the Builder: A Christmas to RememberParamount+ BoJack Horseman Christmas SpecialNetflix A Boy Called ChristmasNetflix A California Christmas: City LightsNetflix Candified: Home for the HolidaysHulu A Carol for Another ChristmasHBO Max A Castle for ChristmasNetflix Charlie’s Colorforms City: Snowy StoriesNetflix A Child’s ChristmasPeacock Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: A Mid-Winter’s TaleNetflix Christmas…Again?!Disney+ Christmas with the AndersonsHulu Christmas BelleHulu Christmas Break-InNetflix The Christmas CabinPeacock The Christmas CalendarHulu A Christmas Carol (1938)HBO Max The Christmas Carol (1949)Peacock A Christmas Carol (2019)Hulu The Christmas ChroniclesNetflix The Christmas Chronicles: Part TwoNetflix Christmas Comes Home to CanaanPeacock Christmas Comes to Willow CreekPeacock Christmas CrushHulu Christmas CruisePeacock Christmas Eve on Sesame StreetHBO Max Christmas FlowNetflix Christmas in the HeartlandHulu, Peacock, Paramount+ Christmas Inheritance Netflix A Christmas Kiss IIHulu Christmas MatchmakersPeacock A Christmas Movie ChristmasHulu A Christmas Miracle for DaisyPeacock Christmas on my BlockPeacock Christmas MysteryPeacock A Christmas in New YorkParamount+ Christmas PerfectionHulu A Christmas Prince: The Royal WeddingNetflix A Christmas PrincessPeacock The Christmas Project ReunionPeacock A Christmas ProposalPeacock, Paramount+ A Christmas in Royal FashionPeacock Christmas on Salvation StreetPeacock A Christmas SoloHulu A Christmas StoryHBO Max A Christmas Story 2HBO Max A Christmas SwitchHulu Christmas Takes FlightParamount+ The Christmas That Almost Wasn’tPeacock Christmas TwisterPeacock A Christmas Village RomancePeacock A Christmas Wedding TailHulu, HBO Max A Cinderella ChristmasHulu Curious George: A Very Monkey ChristmasHulu Dash & LilyNetflix David and the ElvesNetflix A Dennis the Menace ChristmasHBO Max Disney Channel’s Epic Holiday ShowdownDisney+ Disney Channel Holiday House PartyDisney + Disney Holiday Magic QuestDisney+ A Dogwalker’s Christmas TaleHulu The Dog Who Saved Christmas VacationPeacock Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the SquareNetflix Dragons: Rescue Riders: Huttsgalor HolidayNetflix Dreamworks Happy Holidays from MadagascarNetflix Dreamworks Holiday ClassicsNetflix Dreamworks Home For the HolidaysNetflix ElfHBO Max Elf DayPeacock Elfette Saves ChristmasPeacock Elf Pets: Santa’s Reindeer RescueNetflix The Elf Who Didn’t BelievePeacock Elmo Saves ChristmasHBO Max ElvesNetflix Every Other HolidayHulu A Fairly Odd ChristmasParamount+ Father Christmas is BackNetflix Four ChristmasesHBO Max Free Rein: The Twelve Neighs of ChristmasNetflix A Frozen Christmas 2Peacock A Frozen Christmas 3Peacock Getting to the NutcrackerPeacock Girlfriends of Christmas PastHulu A Go! Go! Cory Carson ChristmasNetflix The Great British Baking Show: HolidaysNetflix Grumpy ChristmasNetflix Happy ChristmasParamount+ The Heart of ChristmasHulu High School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday SpecialDisney + HolidateNetflix Holiday AffairHBO Max Holiday BaggagePeacock The Holiday CalendarNetflix Holiday Home Makeover with Mr. Christmas Netflix Holiday Road TripPeacock Holiday RushNetflix Holiday in the WildNetflix Holly’s HolidayHulu, Peacock Home AloneDisney+ Home Alone 2Disney+ Home Alone 3Disney+ Home Alone 4Disney+ Home Alone: The Holiday HeistDisney+ Home Sweet Home AloneDisney+ Home For ChristmasNetflix How to Ruin ChristmasNetflix Ice Age: A Mammoth ChristmasHulu Inspector Gadget Saves ChristmasParamount+ Into the Dark: Pooka!Hulu Jingle Bell PrincessPeacock Jingle Jangle: A Christmas JourneyNetflix KlausNetflix The Knight Before ChristmasNetflix LEGO Star Wars Holiday SpecialDisney+ Let it SnowNetflix London Mitchell’s ChristmasHulu A Loud House ChristmasParamount+ Love HardNetflix Man Who Invented ChristmasHulu The March Sisters at ChristmaHulu Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas SpecialApple TV+ Married by ChristmasHulu Mercy ChristmasParamount+ Merry Happy WhateverNetflix Merry KissmasPeacock Mickey’s Once Upon a ChristmasDisney+ Mickey’s Christmas CarolDisney+ Mickey’s Twice Upon a ChristmasDisney+ Mickey & Minnie Wish Upon A ChristmasDisney+ Mighty Express: A Mighty ChristmasNetflix The Mistle-TonesHulu A Muppets ChristmasDisney+ My Dad is ScroogeHulu My Gift: A Christmas Special from Carrie UnderwoodHBO Max My Little Pony: A Very Minty ChristmasHulu My SantaHulu, Peacock Nailed It! Holiday!Netflix A Nanny for ChristmasHulu Naughty and NiceHulu A Nasty Piece of WorkHulu National Lampoon’s Christmas VacationHBO Max Neo Yokio: Pink ChristmasNetflix New Year, New YouHulu A New York Christmas WeddingNetflix Nickelodeon’s Ho Ho Holiday SpecialParamount+ The Nightmare Before ChristmasDisney+ The Nutcracker and the Four RealmsDisney+ Once Upon a Sesame Street ChristmasHBO Max Operation Christmas DropNetflix Prep & LandingDisney+ Prep & Landing: Naughty v. NiceDisney+ Prep & Landing: Operation Secret SantaDisney+ Prince of Peoria: A Christmas Moose MiracleNetflix A Prince for ChristmasPeacock The Princess Switch: Switched AgainNetflix The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the StarNetflix A Puppy for ChristmasHulu, Peacock Puppy for HannukkahDisney+ Rare ExportsHulu Robin RobinNetflix Rock N’ Roll ChristmasHulu Rodeo & JulietHulu A Royal Christmas BallPeacock Santa BuddiesDisney+ The Santa ClauseDisney+ The Santa Clause 2Disney+ The Santa Clause 3: The Escape ClauseDisney+ Santa Claus is Comin’ to TownPeacock Santa Pac’s Merry Berry DayNetflix Santa GirlNetflix Santa Inc.HBO Max School of ChocolateNetflix Scooby-Doo! Haunted HolidaysHBO Max Second Chance ChristmasHulu The Secret of the NutcrackerHulu, Peacock Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before ChristmasNetflix Single All the WayNetflix Sonic’s Christmas BlastParamount+ So This is ChristmasHulu StarBeam: Beaming in the New YearNetflix A StoryBots ChristmasNetflix Sugar Rush ChristmasNetflix Super Monsters: Santa’s Super Monster HelpersNetflix Super Monsters Save ChristmasNetflix Super Monsters and the Wish StarNetflix Surviving ChristmasParamount+ Tim Janis’ All Is BrightPeacock Tiny ChristmasParamount+ True: Winter WishesNetflix The Truth About ChristmasHulu Top ElfParamount+ Trolls Holiday in HarmonyHulu A Very Murray ChristmasNetflix Waffles + Mochi’s Holiday FeastNetflix A Wedding for ChristmasPeacock A Winter WeddingHulu WORST. CHRISTMAS. EVER.Peacock Yes Virginia, There Is a Santa ClausPeacock You Make It Feel Like Christmas Peacock
