Christmas Movies: A Complete Holiday Streaming Guide
Not enough holiday cheer on TV? We have a complete guide to streaming Christmas movies right here for you!
So, maybe there isn’t enough Christmas and holiday programming on TV for your liking. We get it. You can’t be stuck at the mercy of broadcasters and cable networks all the time, not when there are so many Christmas movies to watch, right?
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)
Those looking for Christmas cheer won’t find it here. Black Mirror isn’t necessarily known for its happy endings and it’s 2014 Christmas special, “White Christmas” is no different.
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)
“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.
The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
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
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.
Elf
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)
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.
Home Alone (1990)
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)
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.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Now if you could only watch one Christmas movie every holiday season, it’s gotta be this one, right? It’s a Wonderful Life has been a winter staple ever since…shortly after its 1946 release. The film infamously took a little while for audiences to catch on they they were in the presence of a classic. And now it lives on Amazon for the time being as the go-to spot for holiday cheer.
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)
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.
Klaus is both a technical marvel and an effective little Christmas story.
The Santa Clause (1994)
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)
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.
A Very Brady Christmas centers on a very simple and very relatable concept: getting the whole family back together for Christmas. This is a hard enough logistical challenge for a “normal” family, and a damn near impossible one for a family with six kids. Will the Bradys be able to pull it off? Watch and find out!
And here’s the complete list, just in case you don’t like our choices!
5 Star Christmas
Netflix
8-Bit Christmas
HBO Max
12 Dates of Christmas
HBO Max
12 Days of Christmas Eve
Peacock
Chico Bon Bon and the Very Berry Holiday
Netflix
A Child’s Christmas
Peacock
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: A Mid-Winter’s Tale
Netflix
Christmas…Again?!
Disney+
Christmas with the Andersons
Hulu
Christmas Belle
Hulu
Christmas Break-In
Netflix
The Christmas Cabin
Peacock
The Christmas Calendar
Hulu
Christmas is Canceled
Amazon
A Christmas Carol (1938)
HBO Max
The Christmas Carol (1949)
Peacock
A Christmas Carol (2019)
Hulu
The Christmas Chronicles
Netflix
The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two
Netflix
Christmas Comes Home to Canaan
Peacock
Christmas Comes to Willow Creek
Peacock
Christmas Crush
Hulu
Christmas Cruise
Peacock
The Christmas Dragon
Amazon
Christmas Eve on Sesame Street
HBO Max
Christmas Flow
Netflix
Christmas in the Heartland
Hulu, Peacock, Paramount+
Christmas on Holly Lane
Amazon, Hulu
Christmas Inheritance
Netflix
A Christmas Kiss II
Hulu
The Christmas Lodge
Amazon
Christmas Matchmakers
Peacock
A Christmas Movie Christmas
Hulu
A Christmas Miracle for Daisy
Peacock
Christmas on my Block
Peacock
Christmas Mystery
Peacock
A Christmas in New York
Paramount+
Christmas Perfection
Hulu
Christmas with a Prince
Amazon
A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding
Netflix
A Christmas Princess
Peacock
The Christmas Project Reunion
Peacock
A Christmas Proposal
Peacock, Paramount+
The Christmas Ride
Amazon
A Christmas in Royal Fashion
Peacock
Christmas on Salvation Street
Peacock
A Christmas Solo
Hulu
A Christmas Snow
Amazon
A Christmas Star
Amazon
A Christmas Story
HBO Max
A Christmas Story 2
HBO Max
A Christmas Switch
Hulu
Christmas Takes Flight
Paramount+
The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t
Peacock
A Christmas Tree Miracle
Hulu, Amazon
Christmas Twister
Peacock
A Christmas Village Romance
Peacock
A Christmas Wedding Tail
Hulu, HBO Max
Christmas in Wonderland
Amazon
A Cinderella Christmas
Hulu
Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas
Hulu
Dash & Lily
Netflix
David and the Elves
Netflix
Dear Santa
Amazon
A Dennis the Menace Christmas
HBO Max
Disney Channel’s Epic Holiday Showdown
Disney+
Disney Channel Holiday House Party
Disney +
Disney Holiday Magic Quest
Disney+
A Doggone Christmas
Amazon
A Dogwalker’s Christmas Tale
Hulu
The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation
Peacock
Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square
Netflix
Dragons: Rescue Riders: Huttsgalor Holiday
Netflix
Dreamworks Happy Holidays from Madagascar
Netflix
Dreamworks Holiday Classics
Netflix
Dreamworks Home For the Holidays
Netflix
Elf
HBO Max
Elf Day
Peacock
Elfette Saves Christmas
Peacock
Elf-Man
Amazon
Elf Pets: Santa’s Reindeer Rescue
Netflix
The Elf Who Didn’t Believe
Peacock
Elmo Saves Christmas
HBO Max
Elves
Netflix
Every Other Holiday
Hulu
A Fairly Odd Christmas
Paramount+
Father Christmas is Back
Netflix
Four Christmases
HBO Max
Free Rein: The Twelve Neighs of Christmas
Netflix
A Frozen Christmas 2
Peacock
A Frozen Christmas 3
Peacock
Getting to the Nutcracker
Peacock
Girlfriends of Christmas Past
Hulu
A Go! Go! Cory Carson Christmas
Netflix
The Great British Baking Show: Holidays
Netflix
Grumpy Christmas
Netflix
Happy Christmas
Paramount+
The Heart of Christmas
Hulu
High School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special
Disney +
Holidate
Netflix
Holiday Affair
HBO Max
Holiday Baggage
Peacock
The Holiday Calendar
Netflix
Holiday Home Makeover with Mr. Christmas
Netflix
Holiday Road Trip
Peacock
Holiday Rush
Netflix
Holiday in the Wild
Netflix
Home Alone
Disney+
Home Alone 2
Disney+
Home Alone 3
Disney+
Home Alone 4
Disney+
Home Alone: The Holiday Heist
Disney+
Home Sweet Home Alone
Disney+
Home For Christmas
Netflix
How to Ruin Christmas
Netflix
Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas
Hulu
Inspector Gadget Saves Christmas
Paramount+
Into the Dark: Pooka!
Hulu
Jingle All the Way
Amazon, Disney+
Jingle All the Way 2
Amazon, Disney+
Jingle Bell Princess
Peacock
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
Netflix
Joy for Christmas
Amazon
Klaus
Netflix
The Knight Before Christmas
Netflix
LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special
Disney+
Let it Snow
Netflix
London Mitchell’s Christmas
Hulu
A Loud House Christmas
Paramount+
Love Hard
Netflix
Man Who Invented Christmas
Hulu
The March Sisters at Christma
Hulu
Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special
Apple TV+
Married by Christmas
Hulu
Mercy Christmas
Paramount+
Merry Happy Whatever
Netflix
Merry Kissmas
Peacock
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas
Disney+
Mickey’s Christmas Carol
Disney+
Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas
Disney+
Mickey & Minnie Wish Upon A Christmas
Disney+
Miracle on Christmas
Amazon
Mighty Express: A Mighty Christmas
Netflix
Mistletoe Mixup
Amazon
The Mistle-Tones
Hulu
A Muppets Christmas
Disney+
My Dad is Scrooge
Hulu
My Gift: A Christmas Special from Carrie Underwood
HBO Max
My Little Pony: A Very Minty Christmas
Hulu
Nailed It! Holiday!
Netflix
A Nanny for Christmas
Hulu
Naughty and Nice
Hulu
A Nasty Piece of Work
Hulu
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
HBO Max
Neo Yokio: Pink Christmas
Netflix
New Year, New You
Hulu
A New York Christmas Wedding
Netflix
Nickelodeon’s Ho Ho Holiday Special
Paramount+
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Disney+
A Norman Rockwell Christmas Story
Amazon
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
Disney+
Once Upon a Sesame Street Christmas
HBO Max
Operation Christmas Drop
Netflix
Prep & Landing
Disney+
Prep & Landing: Naughty v. Nice
Disney+
Prep & Landing: Operation Secret Santa
Disney+
Prince of Peoria: A Christmas Moose Miracle
Netflix
A Prince for Christmas
Peacock
A Princess for Christmas
Amazon
The Princess Switch: Switched Again
Netflix
The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star
Netflix
A Puppy for Christmas
Hulu, Peacock
Puppy for Hannukkah
Disney+
Rare Exports
Hulu
Robin Robin
Netflix
Rock N’ Roll Christmas
Hulu
Rodeo & Juliet
Hulu
A Royal Christmas Ball
Peacock
Santa Buddies
Disney+
The Santa Clause
Disney+
The Santa Clause 2
Disney+
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
Disney+
Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town
Peacock
Santa Pac’s Merry Berry Day
Netflix
Santa Girl
Netflix
Santa Inc.
HBO Max
School of Chocolate
Netflix
Scooby-Doo! Haunted Holidays
HBO Max
Second Chance Christmas
Hulu
The Secret of the Nutcracker
Hulu, Peacock
Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas
Netflix
Single All the Way
Netflix
Sonic’s Christmas Blast
Paramount+
So This is Christmas
Hulu
StarBeam: Beaming in the New Year
Netflix
A StoryBots Christmas
Netflix
Sugar Rush Christmas
Netflix
Super Monsters: Santa’s Super Monster Helpers
Netflix
Super Monsters Save Christmas
Netflix
Super Monsters and the Wish Star
Netflix
Surviving Christmas
Paramount+
Tim Janis’ All Is Bright
Peacock
Tiny Christmas
Paramount+
True: Winter Wishes
Netflix
The Truth About Christmas
Hulu
Top Elf
Paramount+
Trolls Holiday in Harmony
Hulu
A Very Country Christmas
Amazon
A Very Murray Christmas
Netflix
Waffles + Mochi’s Holiday Feast
Netflix
A Wedding for Christmas
Peacock
A Winter Wedding
Hulu
WORST. CHRISTMAS. EVER.
Peacock
Yes Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus
Peacock
You Make It Feel Like Christmas
Peacock
Written by
TV Editor at Den of Geek and Television Critics Association member. Based in Cleveland, Ohio. Very upset about various sporting events.