Best Christmas Movies, Specials & Shows on Disney+
Disney+ has dozens of Christmas movies, specials, episodes, and originals. This list compiles all of the winter-themed programming, our picks for the best of the service’s holiday content, along with a long at the “Season’s Streamings” collection on Disney Plus. (Updated November 7, 2023.)
For this Christmas, Disney+ is launching a bunch of new holiday content. The highlight of this, at least in this proud native Michigander’s opinion, is the second season of The Santa Clauses debuting tomorrow (Nov. 8). After 28 years, Scott Calvin reigns true as Santa Claus, leader of the North Pole and Christmas.
With his family by his side, and his elves at the reins, Santa contends with a changing world to keep the spirit of Christmas alive for a new generation. Obviously, this isn’t prestige TV or anything, but it’s a cute series about on par with Hallmark Channel productions, albeit with a way bigger budget for VFX.
There’s a good chance you already know about that, though, because Disney+ promotes the heck out of The Santa Clauses. A more under-the-radar addition for Disney diehards is “Christmas with Walt Disney,” coming on November 24, 2023. This is a Walt Disney Family Museum original production directed by Don Hahn, with holiday segments from Walt’s shorts, feature films, and vintage Disneyland footage.
It also includes Walt’s daughter, Diane, sharing her Christmas memories alongside Disney family home movies. The day was “centered on family,” as Diane recalled, with relatives enjoying quality time with one another. Walt and Lillian hosted Christmas dinner every year and the family would gather after the meal to sing Christmas carols together, while Walt loved “playing Santa.” Here are more details from the Walt Disney Family Museum. We cannot wait for this!
In addition to these two major additions for Christmas, there’s a ton of Disney+ original content the whole family can enjoy this holiday season. For that, check out the “Season’s Streamings” collection within Disney Plus, featuring holiday-themed episodes, films, shorts, and specials.
Subscribers can celebrate the holidays at home with new and classic content including the aforementioned Home Sweet Home Alone, Soul, Frozen, Home Alone, the Nightmare Before Christmas, the Santa Clause, Jingle All the Way, and much more.
More is coming throughout November and December 2023, including The Naughty Nine, Dashing Through the Snow, Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever, and much more. This includes Doctor Who: The Star Beast, which seems like a big deal to a lot of people. (Don’t hate, but Doctor Who is one of those things we never got into and somehow have almost zero awareness of.)
Below is a full list of content included in this year’s holiday collection now available to all Disney+ subscribers. Following that, we’ll pick some of our favorites.
Movies and Specials
- ‘Twas the Night
- A Christmas Carol (2009)
- A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa
- Arendelle Castle Yule Log
- Babes in Toyland
- Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas
- Christmas With Walt Disney – Streaming November 24, 2023
- CHRISTMAS…AGAIN?!?
- Cloud 9
- Cool Runnings
- Dashing Through the Snow – Streaming November 17, 2023
- Decorating Disney Holiday Magic
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever – Streaming December 8, 2023
- Disney Channel Holiday House Party
- Disney Channel’s Epic Holiday Showdown
- Disney Holiday Singalong
- DISNEY JUNIOR MICKEY & MINNIE WISH UPON A CHRISTMAS
- Disney’s Fairytale Weddings Holiday Magic
- Ernest Saves Christmas
- Feliz NaviDad
- Frozen
- Frozen 2
- Full-Court Miracle
- Godmothered
- Good Luck Charlie: It’s Christmas!
- Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas
- Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
- High School Musical: The Musical: The Special
- High School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special
- Home Alone
- Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
- Home Alone 3
- Home Alone 4
- Home Alone: The Holiday Heist
- Home Sweet Home Alone
- I’ll Be Home For Christmas
- Ice Age
- Jingle All The Way 2
- LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special
- Mickey & Minnie Wish Upon a Christmas
- Mickey Saves Christmas
- Mickey’s A Christmas Carol
- Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas
- Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas
- Miracle on 34th Street
- Navidad Para Chueco, Una – Streaming December 15, 2023
- Noelle
- One Magic Christmas
- People Presents: Once Upon a Main Street
- Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish
- Santa Buddies
- Santa Paws
- Santa Paws 2
- Snow Buddies
- Snowball Express
- Snowglobe
- Space Buddies
- The Christmas Consultant
- The Christmas Star
- The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
- The Muppet Christmas Carol
- The Naughty Nine
- The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
- The Santa Clause
- The Santa Clause 2
- The Santa Clause 3
- The Santa Con
- The Search for Santa Paws
- The Shepherd Movie – Streaming December 1, 2023
- The Ultimate Christmas Present
- Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
- Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along
- Togo
- While You Were Sleeping
- Winnie The Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year
- Wrapped Up in Christmas
Holiday Shorts
- Duck the Halls: A Mickey Mouse Christmas Special
- From Our Family to Yours: The Gift
- ICE AGE: A MAMMOTH CHRISTMAS
- Olaf’s Frozen Adventure
- Once Upon a Snowman
- Pluto’s Christmas Tree
- Prep & Landing
- Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice
- Prep & Landing: Operation Secret Santa
- Puppy for Hanukkah
- Santa’s Workshop
- The Small One
- Winter Storage
Disney+ Christmas Series
- Donna Hay Christmas
- Hawkeye
- Mickey’s Christmas Tales Shorts (Series) – Streaming November 29, 2023
- The Great Christmas Light Fight
- The Santa Clauses – Season 2 Streaming November 8, 2023
Simpsons Christmas Episodes
- Bobby, It’s Cold Outside
- Grift of the Magi
- Holidays of Future Passed
- I Won’t Be Home for Christmas
- Kill Gil, Volumes I & II
- Marge Be Not Proud
- Miracle on Evergreen Terrace
- She of Little Faith
- Simpsons Christmas Stories
- Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire
- Skinner’s Sense of Snow
- The Burns and the Bees
- The Fight Before Christmas
- The Nightmare After Krustmas
- ‘Tis the 30th Season
- ‘Tis The Fifteenth Season
- White Christmas Blues
Other TV Shows with Holiday-Themed Episodes
- Alice’s Wonderland Bakery
- America’s Funniest Home Videos
- Austin & Ally
- Avengers Assemble
- Big City Greens
- Bizaardvark: A Killer Robot Christmas
- Bizaardvark: Agh, Humbug
- Black-ish
- Bluey
- Bunk’d
- Chicken Squad
- Chip ‘n’ Dale: Park Life
- Disney Family Sundays
- Disney Junior Music Nursery Rhymes
- Disney Magic Bake-Off
- Doc McStuffins
- Ducktales
- Elena of Avalor
- Even Stevens
- Fancy Nancy Clancy
- Firebuds
- Gabby Duran & The Unsittables
- Ghost and Molly McGee – Streaming December 6, 2023
- Girl Meets World
- Glee
- Good Luck Charlie
- Good Luck Charlie: A Duncan Christmas
- Guardians of the Galaxy (Series)
- Hailey’s on It! – Streaming December 20, 2023
- Handy Manny
- Henry Hugglemonster
- High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
- Jake and the Never Land Pirates
- KC Undercover
- Kickin’ It
- Kim Possible
- Lilo and Stitch The Series
- Liv and Maddie
- Mickey and The Roadster Racers Chip ‘n Dale’s Nutty Tales
- Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
- Mickey Mouse Funhouse – Streaming December 13, 2023
- Mickey Mouse Roadster Racers
- Mickey’s Christmas Tales
- Minnie’s Bow-Toons: Camp Minnie – Streaming January 1, 2024
- Minnie’s Bow-Toons: Party Palace Pals
- Minnies Bow Toons
- Muppet Babies
- Phineas and Ferb
- Pickle and Peanut
- PJ Masks – Streaming December 613, 2023
- Playdate with Winnie the Pooh – Streaming December 27, 2023
- Puppy Dog Pals
- Pupstruction – Streaming December 20, 2023
- Raven’s Home
- Rolie Polie Olie
- Shake It Up: Jingle It Up
- Sheriff Callie’s Wild West
- Sonny with a Chance
- Spidey and His Amazing Friends
- Suite Life of Zack and Cody
- SuperKitties – Streaming December 6, 2023
- Sydney to the Max
- T.O.T.S
- Teacher’s Pet
- That’s So Raven
- The Lion Guard
- The Proud Family
- The Suite Life on Deck: A London Carol
- The Villains of Valley View – Streaming December 6, 2023
- The Wonder Years
- Ultimate Spider-Man
Best Disney+ Christmas Movies, Series & Specials
The Muppet Christmas Carol — This is the seminal and most faithful adaptation of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, which is surprising given that it stars the Muppets and is also an exemplar of their trademark humor. There are a number of reasons why the The Muppet Christmas Carol is #1 on our list of the best Christmas movies.
First, the sprawling musical numbers, taking place in multiple settings and involving a variety of Muppets, with minor characters stealing the spotlight. Second, the performances of the three main characters: Gonzo, Rizzo the Rat, and Michael Caine. Having Gonzo play Charles Dickens was a bold move that paid off and provides several brilliant comedic moments. Finally, Brian Henson’s work as director is impeccable and worthy of his father’s legacy. I belabor these and several other points in my lengthy Muppet Christmas Carol Review, but suffice to say, this is the best Disney Christmas film by a wide margin.
Home Alone – Excellent how-to video for the amateur home security enthusiast, looking to put together their own system that can’t be hacked. Joking aside, we both have tons of nostalgia for Home Alone. Nowadays, the appeal for us is less about the hijinks and more about the Midwest setting, 1990s style, and charming characters.
Pluto’s Christmas Tree – One of Disney’s all-time great animated shorts, Pluto’s Christmas Tree is a 1952 Mickey Mouse cartoon in which Pluto and Mickey cut down a Christmas tree inhabited by Chip n’ Dale. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who someone hasn’t seen this, but hijinks ensue. Watching the beautiful animation, emotive characters, vibrant backgrounds, atmospheric lighting, etc. etc. makes me really wonder what people see in the new Mickey Mouse cartoons.
The Santa Clause — Another nostalgia pick. Growing up in Michigan, native son Tim Allen was a pretty big deal. My family watched Home Improvement religiously and went to see every film of his in theaters. This was one such film, and I absolutely loved it. I still find it to be a ton of fun and I think it has aged pretty well, all things considered.
I’ll Be Home for Christmas – While it gets off to a grating and arrogant start, I’ll Be Home for Christmas finds its food and offers sentimental comfort food. It’s thoroughly cliched, but performances by Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Jessica Biel make it worthwhile. Pretty similar to what you’d find on Hallmark Channel, but with 1990s Disney star power.
Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special – We have serious cases of MCU fatigue, but the Guardians of the Galaxy are one big exception to that. This features their trademark humor mixed with sentimentality and a ridiculous(ly awesome) plot that revolves around kidnapping Kevin Bacon. It’s way better than it sounds, or has any right to be–an annual must-watch for us.
Hawkeye – This is another one of the aforementioned exceptions for many of the same reasons. This isn’t a Christmas series per se, but the entirety of it is set at Christmas-time, and those visuals are key. It helps that we think both Clint Barton and Kate Bishop are great characters that are (unlike so many superheroes) grounded in reality; the show is heartfelt and wholesome without multiverse ridiculousness or dripping with CGI.
Noelle — Anna Kendrick and Bill Hader are both hilarious (who doesn’t love Stefon from SNL or Barry?!) and Noelle was the very first thing on Disney+ that we watched. It’s predictable from the first scene, derivative, and a bit cheesy. Noelle is also heartwarming, humorous, earnest, and endearing. It also makes the most of what’s clearly a healthy budget with some nice special effects and one of the most adorable CGI characters in recent memory.
With Noelle, Disney+ mixes the formulas of Elf and Hallmark movies to create something unique, memorable, and charming. Unlike Netflix, which gently skewers the holiday genre with films you can laugh at (such as A Christmas Prince or Christmas Chronicles), Noelle is a heartfelt and irresistible movie that you’ll also laugh with. Much like the Santa Clause, this is “Disney” at its heart—which is also evident from the outset, thanks to things like hidden Mickeys and Duffy plushes in the sets.
The Nightmare Before Christmas — I’ll admit that it wasn’t until fairly recently that I came around on Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. When I was younger, I never really got “into” this movie. I don’t know if it was too dark or just felt too Halloween-y, but it was a one and done for me as a kid. Now, I have a much greater appreciation for the artistic side of the film, and also like the characters and fairly unique concept.
Jingle All The Way – Another mid-1990s tentpole Christmas movie, this one capitalizing on the star power of Arnold Schwarzenegger. I don’t think this has aged nearly as well as the Santa Claus, but it’s relatable to anyone who has wanted to be the ‘hero’ of Christmas morning by finding that elusive toy. A fun stroll down memory lane.
Mickey’s Christmas Carol — How many versions of A Christmas Carol do you need to watch each holiday season? At least 2, probably more like 4. This is a time-honored classic with great animation, character design, and more. It’s also a relatively short special, making it well worth a watch every Christmas.
Prep & Landing (Both) – These specials tell the modern-day story of what goes on behind the scenes before Santa Claus arrives at a child’s house. It follows members of the Prep and Landing team, Santa’s stealthiest unit. Their mission: “Get In. Get Out. Never Be Noticed.” The two episodes (for lack of a better term) tell different stories involving this team, both of which are incredibly solid Christmas specials.
Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas — We aren’t the biggest fans of this direct to video sequel of the animated classic Beauty and the Beast. The plot is flimsy, the animation is sub-par, and a lot of the humor is suspect. However, it also features some beautiful scenery, familiar and beloved characters, and a sufficient dose of yuletide glee. It’s pretty far from being a classic, but the Enchanted Christmas has its moments and is worth putting on in the background while you’re preparing a Christmas feast.
Ernest Saves Christmas – This comes with the colossal caveat that I haven’t watched this since I was around 8 years old, at which time it was a veritable masterpiece. So was Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. Sometimes it’s best to leave the past in the past.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you think of our list of the “best” Christmas movies, specials, shorts, episodes, and Disney+ originals? Any non-obvious movies or shows you’d recommend? Underrated or overlooked holiday gems? Favorites that are set during winter but not the holiday season? Overrated Christmas content that you would not recommend? Agree or disagree with any of our picks? Any questions? We love hearing from readers, so please share any other thoughts or questions you have in the comments below!
I agree with most of your choices but would add:
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas and Twice upon a Christmas as must watch.
In Twice, when Max comes home with his girlfriend and is at first embarrassed by his dad Goofy but comes to see Goofy’s charms through his girlfriend’s eyes by the end of the scene/song? Tears every time! Goofy is just SO good.
And almost as good is in Once when Max is little and he and Goofy both lose their belief in Santa and try to help each other through their disappointment and with Santa coming through in the end. Oh and in this one, it starts by Goofy playing Santa for a needy family. Seriously, who is the best of the fab five?
Looking at the comments, it’s nice to know I’m not the only one who grew up loving A Muppet Family Christmas! Also concur with the votes for Christmas Eve on Sesame Street, Mickey’s Christmas Carol, and Pluto’s Christmas Tree – and while they’re not specifically Christmas-themed, I also grew up watching Donald’s Snow Fight and The Art of Skiing (with Goofy) every holiday season. Home Alone is probably the movie I’ve seen the most in my life, holiday or otherwise – I believe the John Williams soundtrack helped make it a classic.
I’m SO HAPPY you included Ernest Saves Christmas! We watch that movie every year and quote it constantly! There are SO MANY smart jokes in this seemingly stupid movie that you don’t notice on first watch. Example:
Girl: I think red meat is terrible
Ernest: You’re right as rain, puddin! Pork’s my meat! (classic Ernest joke)
In the next scene, the girl is eating a hamburger. (subtle joke I didn’t catch at first)
ONE MAGIC CHRISTMAS should come with a warning label! It is truly god-awful bad and quite creepy. No movie on this list is less worthy of the Disney name! Be certain you know what the movie is about before letting your kids watch it unattended.
A way bigger budget doesn’t mean that it’s several notches better than a good Hallmark movie. I’ll give you a few notches. But because of the budget, that’s why I felt it could have been so much better and frankly should have.
Muppet Christmas Carol is just so wonderful. But I’m very pleased to say that I still have that one on VHS, so I can watch “The Love Is Gone” in the film, as it was intended and always should be!
Absolutely agree that Muppet Family Christmas (1987) is the best of the Muppet Xmas offerings.
Second only to John Denver and the Muppets – A Christmas Together (1979).
Can’t believe that those, Emmet Otter (1977) and Christmas Eve on Sesame Street (1978) aren’t available on Disney+.
Despite the list, i think the holiday offerings are poor. How about the
Walt Disney Christmas, Disney Christmas Gift and/or every Walt Disney World Xmas from the past 20 years? No reason they can’t pop that content up there.
I strongly agree with the Muppet Christmas Carol – the best take on Dickens out there. I’m not particularly a fan of any live-action Christmas movies for whatever reason, but I enjoy all the animated stuff – both old and new. I really enjoy the music in the Frozen Christmas special.
Am I the only one who watched The Muppets “The Christmas Toy” as a kid? It’s included with Amazon Prime. It’s basically Toy Story, Christmas themed, with Muppets. There’s a nostalgia factor for me but I still recommend.
As a child and as an adult, I consistently love Mickey’s Christmas Carol, Muppet Christmas Carol, Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas, Santa’s Workshop, and Pluto’s Christmas Tree.
I enjoyed these titles when I was younger: Santa Clause movies, Home Alone 1 & 2, and Ernest.
Babes in Toyland, the Small One, and the Santa/Snow Buddy movies are underrated.
Hopefully, Disney+ can add these Jim Henson movies: Muppet Family Christmas (no songs cut), Emmett Otter, and Mr. Willowby.
Notable missing titles: Night Before Christmas (the 1930s), Mickey’s Good Deed, Toy Tinkers, various House of Mouse Christmas episodes, From All of Us to All of You, Magic Kingdom Yuletide Special, and Holiday Time at Disneyland.
Hidden Duffys is the only reason I watch Noelle.
Oops, forgot to say description says necklace takes 2 batteries. Hubby opened one and it takes 3.
For a charming and heartwarming holiday movie I love “While You Were Sleeping”! Sandra Bullock wears giant cosy sweaters in icy Chicago and falls in love with her crush’s family. Watch it with hot cocoa and marshmallows.
Saving this list for Christmas weekend. Hubby on call so can end up alone a lot. Needing a little holiday nudge.
Now just 6 days till we head to WDW. For others reference: hubby called Animal Kingdom Lodge to inform them we are not coming Magic Express, but car service; the roll in shower does have a shower seat 🙂 ; and coffee machine in room is a Keurig so if you have favorite pods at home you can bring some & not count on liking their’s. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters is hubby’s favorite.
Batteries for light up necklaces not as easy to find as we thought. Not at Walmart. Hubby going to Batteries Plus tomorrow. ( Patriots football got in way today) lights look nice.
I love all the really old Disney Christmas cartoons like Santa’s Workshop.
Although it isn’t available on Disney Plus, A Muppet Family Christmas (1987) is the absolute best!
Totally agree. That, Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas and Christmas Eve on Sesame Street.
Sorry to stray from Christmas theme, but its “holiday-ish” timing of release is sort of on-topic…The Beatles: Get Back. Thank you Disney+ (Iger). What a ride. One of the most satisfying documentaries (indulgent voyeurism for a lifelong fan) I’ve ever seen.
Have heard a lot of good things about that, but haven’t had a chance to watch yet. Definitely seems like a passion project that got pushed through thanks to Iger!
I was slightly disappointed in Noelle. While it’s not a bad movie, it’s not a great one either. It could have been so much better. i put it on the level of a decent Hallmark Christmas movie…something worth watching but not something I’m going to look for to watch again, though if it shows up on ABC on a night I’m looking for something to watch I’ll watch it.
I think it’s several notches above a good Hallmark Christmas movie (way bigger budget and not quite as formulaic), but it’s definitely in that same style–you’re right about that!
Obviously this is subjective but Home Sweet Home Alone is quite a bit better than it has any right to be considering what it is. Decently funny cast making the best of a meh situation. 12 Dates of Christmas is a fun cheesy movie with an interesting premise that’s also better than it needs to be. Maybe I’m setting the bar too low after too many Hallmark movies.
Re: Muppets Christmas Carol. Absolutely one of the best, and Disney+ has included the deleted scene/song “When Love is Gone” in the “Extras” section. Makes a good film even better.