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)
Netflix
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)
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.
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.
Get the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!
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.
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)
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.
Read more
Frozen 2: ‘Show Yourself’ Song Was Almost Cut from Movie
Frozen 2: How to Subvert Expectations for Darker Animated Sequels
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.
Latest Movie reviews
Knock at the Cabin Review: Top Shelf M. Night Shyamalan Horror
Teen Wolf: The Movie Review — Is There Any Bite Left?
M3GAN Is Horror Fans’ 2023 Must-Have Holiday Item
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
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)
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 ChristmasNetflix
8-Bit ChristmasHBO Max
12 Dates of ChristmasHBO Max
12 Days of Christmas EvePeacock
The 12 Dogs of ChristmasPeacock
12 Dog Days Till ChristmasHulu
12 Pups Of ChristmasHulu
1000 Miles from ChristmasNetflix
Alien XmasNetflix
All Hallows EvePeacock
The All-Star Nickmas Spectacular SpecialParamount+
Alone for ChristmasPeacock
An American Christmas CarolPeacock
Angela’s ChristmasNetflix
Angela’s Christmas WishNetflix
Angels in the SnowHulu
Arendelle Castle Yule LogDisney+
Arendelle Castle Yule Log: Paper EditionDisney+
Back to ChristmasHulu
Black ChristmasHBO Max, Peacock
Black Mirror: White ChristmasNetflix
Blown Away ChristmasNetflix
Bob the Builder: A Christmas to RememberParamount+
BoJack Horseman Christmas SpecialNetflix
A Boy Called ChristmasNetflix
A California Christmas: City LightsNetflix
A Carol for Another ChristmasHBO Max
A Castle for ChristmasNetflix
Charlie’s Colorforms City: Snowy StoriesNetflix
Chico Bon Bon and the Very Berry Holiday Netflix
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 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
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 Road TripPeacock
Holiday RushNetflix
Holiday in the WildNetflix
Holly’s HolidayHulu, Peacock
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
