The Best Christmas Movies on Disney+
The holidays call for a little nostalgia — and Disney+ is here to deliver. Here are the 20 best Christmas movies to snuggle up with this holiday season.
The holidays always call for a little nostalgia—and Disney+, the brand-new streaming service by Disney, is here to deliver. Few things go together as well as Christmas and Disney, and so Disney+ boasts a ton of holiday-friendly movies, from old favorites like Home Alone to new releases like Anna Kendrick's Noelle. Ahead, the 20 best Christmas movies to snuggle up with, hot cocoa in hand, family members lined up next to you on the couch, and stream this holiday season.
1. 'Home Alone'
Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, and Catherine O’Hara
The plot: You know the story: Eight-year-old Kevin is left home alone by his family and has to defend himself against two rambunctious, and hilarious, burglars.
2. 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'
Starring: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, and Catherine O’Hara
The plot: In this Tim Burton classic, Jack Skellington, king of Halloween Town, comes to shake things up in Christmas Town. But when he tries to take over Christmas, things don't exactly go as planned.
3. 'A Christmas Carol'
Starring: Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, and Robin Wright
The plot: Jim Carrey shines in this animated retelling of the classic Charles Dickens novel. (Otherwise known as a the "BAH! Humbug!" movie.)
4. 'I’ll be Home for Christmas'
Starring: Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Jessica Biel
The plot: When a college student named Jake is left stranded for the holidays, he has to figure out a way to get home in time for Christmas.
5. 'The Muppet Christmas Carol'
Starring: Michael Caine, Dave Goelz, and Steve Whitmire
The plot: Also adapted from a Charles Dickens' novel, The Muppet Christmas Carol follows the classic story, but this time, with Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy in the lead roles.
6. 'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York'
Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, and Catherine O’Hara
The plot: One year after the events of the first Home Alone, Kevin is left... again. Now stranded in New York, he has defend himself against the same burglars that terrorized him last year.
7. 'Miracle on 34th Street'
Starring: Maureen O’Hara, Mara Wilson. John Payne, and Edmund Gwenn
The plot: Some might say this is the ultimate Christmas classic: When a man playing Santa Claus at the Macy's parade is found out to be a drunk (oof), a lawyer and a little girl work to prove that he's the real thing.
8. 'Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish'
Starring: David Gallagher, Eugene Levy, and Keene Curtis
The plot: When the richest kid in the world wishes he was never born, it ends up coming true. Now trapped in a parallel universe, he has to find the wishing machine and return back home before it's too late.
9. 'Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas'
Starring: Kelsey Grammer, Wayne Allwine, and Russi Taylor
The plot: In this three-part anthology, Mickey and the gang enjoy the holiday season and get into a little mischief along the way.
10. 'The Santa Clause'
Starring: Tim Allen, Wendy Crewson, and Eric Lloyd
The plot: When Scott Calvin accidentally causes Santa fall off of his roof, he then has to take his place for Christmas. Hilarity and utter chaos ensues.
11. 'Beauty and the Beast: the Enchanted Christmas'
Starring: Paige O’Hara, Robby Benson, and Tim Curry
The plot: Bet you didn't know this little gem existed. When Belle finds out that the Beast hates Christmas, she makes it her mission to change his mind.
12. 'The Santa Clause 2'
Starring: Tim Allen, Spencer Breslin, Wendy Crewson, and Eric Lloyd
The plot: In the sequel, Scott is back as Santa and is now on the search for his Mrs. Claus. (Aren't we all?)
13. 'Noelle'
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Bill Hader, and Shirley MacLaine
The plot: A Disney+ original, Noelle finds Santa's daughter (Anna Kendrick) tasked with taking over her father's business. We love a female entrepreneur!
14. 'The Nutcracker and the Four Realms'
Starring: Mackenzie Foy, Keira Knightley, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman
The plot: Based on the iconic ballet you may or may not have sat through as a kid, a girl is transported to a magical world filled with gingerbread soldiers and a winter wonderland. Plus, who doesn't love a movie with Morgan Freeman?
15. 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe'
Starring: Tilda Swinton, James McAvoy, and Anna Popplewell
The plot: Four siblings travel through a wardrobe into the world of Narnia, where they meet defeat an evil witch. Bonus points for James McAvoy as the weirdly adorable Mr. Tumnus.
16. 'The Christmas Star'
Starring: Edward Asner, Jim Metzler, and Karen Landry
The plot: A man named Horace escapes from prison by pretending to be Santa. When he meets two local kids who actually believe he's the real deal, chaos and crime ensue.
17. 'Olaf's Frozen Adventure'
Starring: Josh Gad, Idina Menzel, and Kristen Bell
The plot: Calling all Frozen fans! In this 21-minute featurette, the cast of Frozen team up for this Christmas-themed holiday special. Might we suggest a triple feature now that Frozen II is out?
18. 'The Ultimate Christmas Present'
Starring: Brenda Song, Spencer Breslin, Hailee Hirsh, and Hallie Todd
The plot: In this Disney Channel classic, two girls try to cancel school by making it snow in Los Angeles with the help of Santa's weather machine.
19. 'The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause'
Starring: Tim Allen, Spencer Breslin, Abigail Breslin, Wendy Crewson, and Martin Short
The plot: In the final movie of the trilogy, Scott (aka Santa) has to stop the mischievous Jack Frost from ruining Christmas. Come for the finale to an epic Christmas trilogy, stay for Martin Short's terrifyingly ice-y eyebrows.
20. 'Twas the Night'
Starring: Bryan Cranston, Josh Zuckerman, and Brenda Grate
The plot: A 14-year-old boy and his wacky uncle almost ruin the holidays when they take Santa's sleigh for a spin.
...
For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter (subscribe here).
