Disney+ launched just in time for the holiday season, which gives us another option for finding Christmas movies to watch! So what are the best Christmas movies on Disney+?
You’d think hitting the search icon and typing “Christmas” would give you all your options, but you’d be wrong. Disney still has a few things to work out with its interface. But have no fear, we’ve compiled a list for you!
Christmas Movies on Disney+
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
In this Christmas classic, an old man going by the name of Kris Kringle fills in for an intoxicated Santa in Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day parade. Kringle proves to be such a hit that he is soon appearing regularly at the chain’s main store in midtown Manhattan. When Kringle surprises customers and employees alike by claiming that he really is Santa Claus, it leads to a court case to determine his mental health and, more importantly, his authenticity.
There are arguably only a few Christmas movies that are more classic than “Miracle on 34th Street”. Imagine our surprise to find the original 1947 version on Disney+!
Noelle (2019)
Kris Kringle’s daughter is full of Christmas spirit and holiday fun, but wishes she could do something “important” like her beloved brother Nick, who will take over for their father this Christmas. Nick is training to be Santa, but is failing miserably. When Nick is about to crumble like a gingerbread cookie from all the pressure, Noelle suggests he take a break and get away to clear his head…but then he doesn’t return.
“Noelle” is a Disney+ exclusive and was the first thing we Disney Plussed. Is that a term? Anyway, you get what we mean. It checked all the boxes for a Christmas movie with plenty of humor and just the right amount of heart.
The Santa Clause (1994)
Divorced dad Scott has custody of his son on Christmas Eve. After he accidentally kills a man in a Santa suit, they are magically transported to the North Pole, where an elf explains that Scott must take Santa’s place before the next Christmas arrives. Scott thinks he’s dreaming, but over the next several months he gains weight and grows an inexplicably white beard. Maybe that night at the North Pole wasn’t a dream after all — and maybe Scott has a lot of work to do.
The Santa Clause is a modern favorite of ours. It’s full of laughs and is just a fun Christmas movie once it gets going.
The Santa Clause 2 (2002)
Scott Calvin has been in the role of Santa for the past eight years, and his loyal elves consider him the best one ever. But the world of the “Merry Old Soul” turns upside down when he’s dealt a double whammy of news: Not only has his son, Charlie, landed on this year’s naughty list, but Scott discovers that he must marry by Christmas Eve — just a month away! — or he will stop being Santa Claus forever.
Though it gets a bad rap from critics, I thought the follow-up to the original was still pretty solid.
While the last movie doesn’t make our list, it’s worth noting that all three movies from “The Santa Clause” trilogy are available on Disney+!
Home Alone (1990)
When bratty 8-year-old Kevin McCallister acts out the night before a family trip to Paris, his mother makes him sleep in the attic. After the McCallisters mistakenly leave for the airport without Kevin, he awakens to an empty house and assumes his wish to have no family has come true. But his excitement sours when he realizes that two con men plan to rob the McCallister residence, and that he alone must protect the family home.
Home Alone is every kid’s dream and worst nightmare put together… and then gift-wrapped. We all secretly wish to open a can of DIY whoop-ass on a couple of would-be thieves.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
After snarky youth Kevin McCallister loses track of his father at the airport, he mistakenly gets on a plane headed for New York City — while the rest of the McCallisters fly to Florida. Now alone in the Big Apple, Kevin cons his way into a room at the Plaza Hotel and begins his usual antics. But when Kevin discovers that the Sticky Bandits are on the loose, he struggles to stop them from robbing an elderly man’s toy store just before Christmas.
If you enjoyed Macaulay Culkin out-witting the wet bandits in the original, the sequel gives you more of that, plus a little New York City to go with it.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The film follows the misadventures of Jack Skellington, Halloweentown’s beloved pumpkin king, who has become bored with the same annual routine of frightening people in the “real world.” When Jack accidentally stumbles on Christmastown, all bright colors and warm spirits, he gets a new lease on life — he plots to bring Christmas under his control by kidnapping Santa Claus and taking over the role. But Jack soon discovers even the best-laid plans of mice and skeleton men can go seriously awry.
What’s this? A Halloween movie? No, it’s also a great Christmas movie! A must-watch at least twice every year!
Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983)
Based on the Charles Dickens novel, only with a Disney twist. In dreary London, on Christmas Eve, miserly Scrooge goes to work in his counting house, where also resides his only employee, Bob Cratchit. Through the course of the cold workday, Scrooge is visited by several people.
“Mickey’s Christmas Carol” is one of three versions on Disney+ alone. And what’s not to like about a classic tale told with beloved Disney characters playing all of the roles?
A Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
The Muppets perform the classic Dickens holiday tale, with Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit, the put-upon clerk of stingy Ebenezer Scrooge played by Michael Caine. Other Muppets — Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear and Sam the Eagle — weave in and out of the story, while Scrooge receives visits from spirits of three Christmases — past, present and future. They show him the error of his self-serving ways, but the miserable old man seems to be past any hope of redemption and happiness.
The second version of Dickens’ immortal classic on our list. This time, it’s told using mostly muppets. Who doesn’t love the muppets?!
Babes in Toyland (1961)
Mary Contrary is set to marry Tom Piper when he is kidnapped by Roderigo and Gonzorgo, two goons working for the evil Barnaby. Barnaby wants to marry Mary for her inheritance. Instead of killing Tom as instructed, Roderigo and Gonzorgo sell him to Gypsies, which allows Tom to rescue Mary. Soon afterward, Tom and Mary encounter the odd Toymaker, who becomes a pawn in Barnaby’s new scheme.
Seeing “Babes in Toyland” on Disney+ was very nostalgic. I can remember watching this movie as a kid.
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas (1999)
“Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas” tells three holiday stories: “Donald Duck: Stuck on Christmas”, “A Very Goofy Christmas”, “Mickey and Minnie’s Gift of the Magi”.
Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas (2004)
The followup to “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas” features three new Christmas stories: “Belles on Ice”, “Christmas: Impossible”, and “Christmas Maximus”.
Bonus: The Sound of Music (1965)
“The Sound of Music” is based on the real life story of the Von Trapp Family singers, one of the world’s best-known concert groups in the era immediately preceding World War II. Maria is a tomboyish postulant at an Austrian abbey who becomes a governess in the home of a widowed naval captain with seven children, and brings a new love of life and music into the home.
I’m throwing this one on the list because somewhere, somehow, this became a movie that’s on TV every Christmas. And “My Favorite Things”is constantly in the Christmas music that takes over the radio for the holiday season. Consider this your Christmas bonus!
Other Christmas Movies/Shows on Disney+
There are several other Christmas movies I’ve found on Disney+. Some are made-for-TV specials, direct-to-DVD movies, and others were theatrical releases.
- The Santa Clause 3
- Home Alone 3
- ‘Twas the Night
- The Christmas Star (1986)
- Disney’s A Christmas Carol (Jim Carrey version 2009)
- I’ll Be Home for Christmas (1998)
- One Magic Christmas
- The Ultimate Christmas Present (2000)
- Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997)
- A Very Merry Pooh Year (2002)
- Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups
- Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish (1998)
- Good Luck, Charlie, It’s Christmas (2011)
- 12 Dates of Christmas (2011)
- The Mistle-Tones (2012)
- Snowglobe (2007)
- Santa’s Workshop (Silly Symphony short 1932)
- Pluto’s Christmas Tree (Animated short 1952)
- Olaf’s Frozen Adventure (Animated Short 2017)
- Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic (TV Special 2017)
Not on Disney+ Yet
Due to existing agreements or even reasons we don’t know, not every Disney-owned Christmas movie is available on Disney+ right now. Here’s a few notable ones that are missing.
- Prep & Landing
- Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice
- Ernest Saves Christmas
- The Search for Santa Paws (October 1, 2021)
- Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws (November 1, 2021)
- The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (November 28, 2020)
TV Series Christmas Episodes
There are too many for me to list right now, but fans of Disney Channel or Disney-owned series can rejoice in finding their favorite Christmas episodes to binge during the holiday season. Some examples are the Phineas & Ferb Christmas Vacation, or all the Christmas episodes of The Simpsons.
These can’t be found by search, so you’ll need an idea of the season and/or episode. A good resource for this is the Christmas Specials Wiki.