Summary

• Disney+ has a vast holiday collection with classic movies and original films to get viewers in the holiday spirit.
• The platform boasts a wide range of Christmas-themed movies, from animated classics to modern hits and Disney Channel originals.
• Titles like "The Nightmare Before Christmas," "The Muppet Christmas Carol," and "The Santa Clause" are among the top holiday picks on Disney+.

More than almost any other streaming service, it seems that Disney+ is ready for the holiday season. The platform has a holiday collection full of movies, television episodes, specials, and more, ranging from iconic Disney productions to others that are great acquisitions from over the past few years. Every year, new movies are added or taken away depending on viewership but 2023 sees a lot of great projects available.

While Disney Channel Original Movies and episodes have plenty of holiday-related content, the movies on Disney+ get most of the viewership. After all, no matter how many times holiday aficionados have seen the best Christmas movies like The Santa Clause or Miracle on 34th Street, they never get old. Disney has even added some Disney+ originals to the holiday movie lineup.

Animated Christmas Movies

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of the best holiday movies on Disney+. The animated film was created by Tim Burton and shares voices from famous actors like Danny Elfman, Catherine O’Hara, and Chris Sarandon. The movie is based in Halloween Town and follows Jack Skellington as he ventures to Christmas Town.

Since Jack was used to all things dark and spooky, the enchantment of Christmas changed things for the better for him. However, things take a turn for the worse when he tries to abduct Santa Claus to bring him back to Halloween Town. It's one of the more tame horror movies that's fun for the whole family.

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Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas (1999)

Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas is everything to those who watched it as children. It was released in 1999 and became a staple for Disney fans in the 2000s. While it's not a movie per se, it's a special with three features in one.

Mickey and Minnie perform their own version of The Gift of the Magi, Goofy struggles to understand his tween son Max, and Donald tries to teach Huey, Dewey, and Louie about the true meaning of Christmas in a Groundhog Day-type way. The memorable stories are perfect for a rewatch this year.

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Disney's A Christmas Carol (2009)

Disney's 2009 A Christmas Carol is one of many takes on the classic Charles Dickens novel. Jim Carrey voices Ebenezer Scrooge, the miser who travels in time to his past, present, and future. There are countless movie adaptations of A Christmas Carol, but this one is one of the best animated versions.

The animated movie was directed by Robert Zemeckis and includes actors Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Daryl Sabara, Steve Valentine, and many others. Disney's A Christmas Carol is among some of the best Christmas-themed animated movies on Disney+.

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Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983)

With so A Christmas Carol out there, it only makes sense that the classic Disney gang would get to have their own take on the story. Appropriately enough, Scrooge McDuck steps into the role of Ebeneezer Scrooge for this retelling. It is a relatively short animated movie that features appearances from all the classic Disney characters like Mickey, Donald, and Goofy, all filling in the Dickens characters.

It is another example of just how impactful Dickens's story is that it doesn't lose its power even with so many versions being told.

While it doesn't necessarily give anything new to the classic story, it is a lot of fun seeing these characters adapt it with their own magical spirit and humor. It is another example of just how impactful Dickens's story is that it doesn't lose its power even with so many versions being told.

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The Small One (1978)

While most Christmas movies on Disney+ stick to the overall holiday season, the animated movie The Small One takes a look at the religious story behind the Christmas holiday. The movie follows a young boy who is tasked with selling his family's donkey. Devastated by losing his beloved pet, the young boy goes to the market in Nazareth to find an owner who will be gentle to the animal who is past its prime.

Based on the popular children's novel, the movie is a touching and emotional story of this friendship. It also has a very moving ending where the boy is able to find a new master for the donkey in the form of Mary and Joseph as they head out to prepare for the birth of their son. Even those who are uninterested in the religious messages will find a lot to like in the sweet Christmas story.

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Winnie The Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year (2002)

Winnie the Pooh is a beloved children's character and makes for a fun protagonist to follow on his charming holiday adventures. Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year is a special that follows Pooh and the other wonderful critters of the 100-acre woods as they make their resolutions for the new year.

While it is not technically a Christmas movie, the holiday spirit is certainly strong in this fun little story. What is great about the Winnie the Pooh adventures is how they are able to tell low-stakes stories and rely simply on the charm of these characters who generations of kids have grown to love.

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Beauty And The Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997)

While the direct-to-video sequels to classic Disney movies never managed to live up to the originals, Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas manages to capture the magic of the movie and use it to create a brand-new Christmas adventure. The movie is actually an untold story that happened within the timeline of the first movie when Belle was still a prisoner of The Beast.

As their relationship began to improve, Belle introduced the castle to the celebration of Christmas with the spirit of the season bringing everyone together. While the fact that Belle is a prisoner takes away some of the charm of seeing everyone embrace Christmas, it is still a beautiful adventure with all the beloved returning characters as well as a memorable new villain voiced by Tim Curry.

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Christmas Family Movies

The Ultimate Christmas Present (2000)

While most holiday movies that involve kids meeting Santa Claus after being naughty aren’t shy about being morality tales, the Disney Channel Original Movie The Ultimate Christmas Present is unique in how it approaches that. Kids usually play pranks or take presents, but here, a young girl takes a magical weather machine from Santa in order to give herself a snow day.

Stealing the weather machine leads to an unexpected snowstorm that the young girl and her new friend can’t control. It also puts them at odds with some elves on their trail, but it provides a fun and unique take on a holiday movie.

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One Magic Christmas (1985)

One Magic Christmas was released in the ‘80s and is still one of the better-rated movies on Disney+. Produced by Disney, the movie is about Ginnie Grainger and her hatred for all things Christmas. With no faith in the holiday (or people), an angel named Gideon visits her to restore her faith in the Christmas spirit. The spirited film is underrated as far as Christmas movies are concerned and embodies the true meaning of Christmas.

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The Naughty Nine (2023)

This 2023 DCOM was added to the streamer the day after airing on the Disney Channel. Like many of the DCOMs, it also involves stealing from Santa. The Naughty Nine, however, is a heist movie for younger viewers. When a boy and his friends find themselves ed over by Santa Claus on Christmas, they decide to find proof that Santa’s workshop is at the North Pole and steal the presents they believe they were owed.

The “Naughty Nine” form a unique team that involves a reckless getaway driver, an animal whisperer, and one of the best gymnasts in their town. The movie also sets up a sequel with its ridiculous and fun premise.

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The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

The Muppets' 1992 take on A Christmas Carol combines human actors with Jim Henson's stable of characters, like Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog. Michael Caine plays the infamous Scrooge, and he is guided through the pivotal moments of his life.

Gonzo gets to play Charles Dickens, and Kermit is the meek Bob Cratchit (among other characters). Between the best characters from The Muppets and the classic tale of finding what's important in life, this family-friendly movie is one of the best Christmas films on Disney+.

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Christmas... Again?! (2021)

The classic time loop genre gets a holiday twist with Christmas... Again?! The family-friendly comedy follows a young girl whose Christmas does not go as planned leading to her asking Santa for a chance to do it all over again. Much to her surprise, she finds her wish come true only to be trapped in an unending day of Christmas celebrations.

The movie follows the standard time loop format of the trapped person getting used to repetition and having fun with knowing how everything plays out. However, the Christmas setting allows for the sweet message about what is really important about Christmas and how people should appreciate the season with its flaws and all.

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Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas (2011)

Good Luck Charlie was one of the most popular Disney Channel series which led to it getting its own Christmas movie. The show follows the Duncan family and their dysfunctional misadventures raising a family of four. The Christmas movie follows the Duncans as they set out on a road trip to spend Christmas with their relatives only to encounter one roadblock after another.

Fans of the series will love seeing these wonderful characters together in their own holiday story. Even those who are not familiar with the series will also find a lot of fun in the movie's zany humor, the loveable family, and the relatable message that the holidays don't always go as planned.

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Christmas Comedies

I’ll Be Home For Christmas (1998)

I’ll Be Home For Christmas gives Disney+ a classic ‘90s flick in its holiday lineup. The movie stars Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Jessica Biel, both of whom were big names in family TV shows at the time of the movie. While Thomas starred in Home Improvement and Biel starred in 7th Heaven, the two also starred in several family movies at the time, including this holiday comedy.

Thomas is a young man who is promised an expensive car if he can get home in time for Christmas. He winds up in a Santa suit with no money on the other side of the country while his girlfriend is on her way to their hometown with someone else. What results is a road trip comedy of errors as he tries to get to his girlfriend and get the new car.

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Home Alone (1990)

Kevin McCallister finds himself left at home on the morning of his family's flight to their European vacation. The young boy must defend his home when burglars Marv and Harry threaten to destroy his first Christmas alone. Although Kevin was initially sick of his family, being alone taught him that they weren't as bad as he thought.

There are some lovable quotes in Home Alone, making it a holiday tradition, through and through — and its high rating proves that.

There are beautiful moments in this movie, such as Kevin's conversation in the church with Old Man Marley, his mother's return home in time for Christmas, and Marley's reunion with his granddaughter. There are some lovable quotes in Home Alone, making it a holiday tradition, through and through — and its high rating proves that.

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Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (1992)

It's hard to forgo Home Alone 2 after watching Home Alone. Kevin McCallister's second Christmas extravaganza is just as satisfying as the first, but it takes place in New York City instead of Chicago. With his legendary booby traps and sophisticated tricks, Kevin protects himself after being separated from his family again and saves the New York toy store that Marv and Harry were trying to rob.

The store donates its Christmas money to children in a hospital, and Kevin is moved to stop the villains from jeopardizing that. Throw in The Plaza Hotel, a limo, and a kind bird lady, and it's a Christmas movie like no other. To get in the holiday spirit, fans can visit iconic New York City landmarks that were in the movie this December.

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Home Sweet Home Alone (2021)

More than 30 years after the first movie was released, the Home Alone franchise continued with Home Sweet Home Alone. The movie takes a different approach to the format of the other movies with the story being more focused on the burglars who have a more sympathetic story than Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern's cartoonish villains of the original movie.

Because of this change, it is a lot less fun seeing the new young home protector (Archie Yates) brutalize the burglars with wild traps. However, there is still a lot of fun to be had in this new story. While it is a standalone story, it is also technically a sequel to the original Macaulay Culkin movies, including some fun references.

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‘Twas The Night (2001)

Another Disney Channel Original Movie that premiered for the holiday season, ‘Twas The Night is another DCOM that features the message that stealing gets kids on the naughty list. This time around, however, the kids are trying to do the right thing. Bryan Cranston stars as Nick, the black sheep of a family who finds himself owing criminals a lot of money just in time for Christmas.

He escapes to his brother’s house and gets roped into watching his niece and nephews on Christmas Eve. A meeting with Santa gives him the chance to steal from houses using Santa’s magic while the kids try to make sure everyone around the world gets their Christmas presents.

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Noelle (2019)

Noelle was released directly to Disney+ in 2019 and stars Anna Kendrick as Santa's daughter, Noelle. Part Santa story, part female empowerment tale, Noelle chronicles Noelle's journey to her father's former job when her brother, Nick Kringle, panics about becoming the next Santa.

When he can't handle the pressure, Noelle steps in to save Christmas. The whimsical adventure is a fun twist on the old North Pole genre. Noelle also has some funny quotes and is great for the whole family.

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The Santa Clause (1994)

The Santa Clause started a great tradition in 1994. The movie turns Scott Calvin into a snarky Santa who must juggle the demands of the job with his complicated family life. As a divorced, cynical, single dad, Scott cannot believe his new reality and has a hard time coming to with it in time for Christmas.

Santa/Scott Calvin teaches some unlikely adults how to believe in the magic of Christmas, and he becomes closer to his young son in the process. Scott Calvin eventually becomes a great dad thanks to being Santa. The first film spawned two sequels and a series that are also on Disney+.

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The Santa Clause 2 (2002)

A few years after the release of The Santa Clause, a sequel was created to continue Scott Calvin’s tale as Santa and a single dad. This time, in order to remain Santa Claus (a job he ended up loving), he had to marry someone in a short amount of time in order to invoke the Mrs. Clause. The only problem was he wasn’t dating, and the mission seemed impossible.

With his son being older, Scott does his best to be a present father while also having one of the busiest jobs in the world. While some fans didn’t think The Santa Clause 2 always made sense in comparison to the first movie, it’s still a beloved Christmas classic.

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Dashing Through The Snow (2023)

One of the newest holiday movies on Disney+, Dashing Through The Snow is exclusive to the streamer. It features Ludacris as a social worker and crisis counselor who isn’t a fan of Christmas. When he and his daughter encounter a man who claims to be Santa on Christmas Eve, however, he has to reevaluate his belief in the man with the bag.

The movie is a great adventure for the audience that takes Christmas movie tropes and “Santa facts” and makes them feel fresh. Some things, like Santa sweating glitter, are new for the movie, while others, like belief being needed to power Santa’s magic, are old standards.

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Godmothered (2020)

Jillian Bell and Isla Fisher are the stars in Disney’s Godmothered. The movie follows a fairy godmother in-training, Eleanor Fay Bloomingbottom, who escapes to the Earth realm to finally fulfill her dream of being a little girl’s fairy godmother. The only problem is she got to little Mackenzie a few years too late because Mackenzie was now a woman and a single mother of two.

Going through a hard time as a single mother, Eleanor goes above and beyond to make Christmas for herself and her family special. There are laughs, there are tears, and it’s one of Disney’s better Christmas movies in recent years.

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Jingle All The Way (1996)

Though he is an action movie icon, Arnold Schwarzenegger has proven time and time again that he is also a very talented comedic actor. Seeing him as the lead in a family-friendly holiday movie might be a bit strange for fans of his Terminator and Predator movies, but him as the leading man in Jingle All the Way makes the movie an even stranger and fun ride.

Schwarzenegger plays a workaholic father who attempts to make up for his absence over the holidays by buying his son the most popular action figure of the holiday shopping season. The movie becomes a wacky misadventure about the commercialization of Christmas and the lengths people will go to for the hottest new toy.

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The Christmas Star (1986)

The Christmas Star is a Disney movie that has a little more edge than some of the other comedies on Disney+. The movie follows a con man who escapes from prison by posing as Santa Claus. When he runs into a group of children who believe he is the real Santa himself, the criminal enlists them to help him with his latest scheme.

Despite the somewhat darker storyline, this is a fun family-friendly adventure with a very entertaining premise. Ed Asner once again proves he makes for a terrific Santa as this was decades before he took on the Santa role in Elf. While it is not quite like Bad Santa, he is a lot of fun as a less-than-jolly Saint Nick.

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Christmas Classics

Babes In Toyland (1961)

While most of the Christmas movies on Disney+ are from the modern era, Babes In Toyland is a holiday classic. The movie has been remade several times, but this version is one of the best-ed of the story. Using characters from Mother Goose stories, a Christmas story plays out with a Toymaker trying to get enough toys made in time for Christmas.

The Toymaker’s job is interrupted, however, when an evil man named Barnaby plots to steal Mary Contrary away from Tom Piper. There’s a romance for the grown-ups, fairy tale characters for the kids, and adventure for both.

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Miracle On 34th Street (1947)

The film is an emotional glimpse into the act of believing.

Disney+ has the 1947 version of Miracle on 34th Street, and viewing it is a holiday tradition that many families prioritize along with their annual cooking and baking. The film is an emotional glimpse into the act of believing. Susan Walker (Natalie Wood) believes that her mother's Santa for Macy's department store is truly Kris Kringle.

The problems caused by Santa's insistence on his identity are hard to watch, but he manages to brighten the season for everyone while bringing loved ones closer together. Miracle on 34th Street is a true holiday classic and the best Christmas movie on Disney+.

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Christmas Rom-Com

While You Were Sleeping (1995)

Disney+ is a great place to find movies that embrace the magic of Christmas, but there are also a lot of more grounded stories that simply take place during the holidays. Such is the case with the unique and charming rom-com While You Were Sleeping. The movie stars Sandra Bullock as a woman who saves a man's life as he falls into a coma. When his family comes to visit, they mistake her for his girlfriend which she doesn't correct them on.

This is one of the movies that helped to cement Sandra Bullock as a legitimate movie star and remains one of her best rom-coms. It is a hilarious holiday story of hijinks and secrets with things getting further complicated when Bullock begins to fall for her fake boyfriend's brother.

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Marvel Christmas Movies

Iron Man 3 (2013)

Though superhero movies aren’t often thought of as Christmas movies, Iron Man 3 is set during the holiday season. The movie is an exploration of Tony Stark’s PTSD from his time as a hero, and his attempt to distance himself from the hero’s life, but being unable to do so. Superhero fans will likely continue to debate whether Iron Man 3 should qualify as a Christmas movie, but it fits into the subgenre of movies.

The backdrop to Tony’s struggle is the holiday season as a “ghost of Christmas past” enters his life in the form of Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce) and exacerbates the problems he’s facing. Tony struggles, but ultimately, sees the wrongs he committed in the past and tries to right them - which is often the subject of many holiday dramas.

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The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special (2022)

Holiday Specials are not necessarily feature-length, but they do qualify as Christmas movies. That’s especially true when the holiday special in question is a one-off experience that fits into a superhero sci-fi movie trilogy like The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.

Exclusive to Disney+, the special sees Drax and Mantis want to cheer Peter (Chris Pratt) up after losing Gamora. They decide the best way to do that would be to bring him his hero - Kevin Bacon. It features just the right amount of Drax and Mantis antics to keep it entertaining without getting stale, and it features a fantastic soundtrack to boot. It's one of only a handful of MCU projects set during the holidays.

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