Disney+ at Christmas: the best Christmas films streaming on Disney Plus this year

Muppet Christmas Carol

Credit: Disney

Under Her Eye


Disney+ at Christmas: the best Christmas films streaming on Disney Plus this year

By Kayleigh Dray

3 years ago

6 min read

Exhausted Netflix’s array of Christmas films? Luckily, there’s a whole world of festive viewing available on Disney Plus. And trust us: from Home Alone to Godmothered, there truly is a Christmas movie for everyone to enjoy.

Christmas is widely professed to be the most wonderful time of the year, so it’s unsurprising that so many people associate the holiday with Disney, aka the happiest place on earth.

With that in mind, then, we’ve rounded up some of the most magical Christmas movies on Disney Plus, for all your seasonal streaming needs. So all that’s left for you to do is pour yourself a glass of mulled wine (or a hot gin toddy, if you prefer), grab an armful of snacks, settle down into a pile of cosy blankets, and choose a film from this list.

As Moana’s Maui would say, you’re welcome.

The Muppet Christmas Carol (Extended Edition)

We’re just going to come out and say it; this is easily our favourite adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. How could it not be? Michael Caine takes on the role of a lifetime in the miserly Ebeneezer Scrooge, and he’s basically surrounded by Muppets for the entirety of his (at times incredibly emotional) performance. There’s catchy musical numbers, plenty of brilliantly quotable one-liners, and we STILL get an important lesson about the true meaning of Christmas.

This version of the iconic 90s film is even better, because it includes the long-lost tearjerker of a song, When Love is Gone. Which, as many fans of the OG movie will no doubt recall, was infamously cut for being “a little too adult-emotional for little kids to stay connected.” So make sure you grab a box of tissues before settling down to watch this one, OK?

The Muppet Christmas Carol (Extended Edition) will become available for streaming on 9 December.

The Santa Clauses

Scott Calvin is on the brink of his 65th birthday and realising that he can’t be Santa forever. He’s suddenly starting to lose his Santa magic, and more importantly, he’s got a family who could benefit from a life in the normal world, especially his two kids who have grown up at the North Pole. With a lot of elves, children, and family to please, Scott sets out to find a suitable replacement Santa while preparing his family for a new adventure in a life south of the pole.

The Santa Clauses begins streaming weekly from 16 November.

The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special

This one does exactly what it says on the tin, offering up a Christmassy adventure for Marvel’s ragtag band of intergalactic heroes. And it’s bringing together some big names, too; think Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, and Kevin Bacon.

The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special will become available for streaming on 25 November.

Home Sweet Home Alone

As you’ve probably guessed, this one’s a Home Alone reboot, making it the sixth instalment in the Home Alone franchise. Like the films that have come before, we can expect a lot of action, a lot of laughs and a serious amount of mischief. With Max Mercer, a boy who just so happens to have been left at home as his family goes on holiday, left to defend his family home from robbers, all we can say is: grab the popcorn.

Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe

Snow! Turkish delight! Father Christmas! Lions and fauns and ice queens, oh my! What’s not to love about this long, lush, lovely fantasy, eh? Grab your furriest coat and step inside the wardrobe with Lucy, Peter, Susan, and Edmund Pevensie, and experience the magic all over again.

While You Were Sleeping

Forced to work over Christmas, lonely transit worker Lucy (Sandra Bullock) finds herself in the right place, right time to save her longtime crush, Peter (Peter Gallagher), from the path of an oncoming train. At the hospital, doctors report that he’s in a coma, and a misplaced comment from Lucy causes Peter’s family to assume that she is his fiancée. When Lucy doesn’t correct them, they take her into their home and confidence. And, yeah, you better believe that things get even more complicated when she finds herself falling for Peter’s sheepish brother, Jack (Bill Pullman).

Noelle

If you’re in the mood for an entirely new Christmas comedy, then you should definitely check out Anna Kendrick’s Noelle

In it, our Pitch Perfect princess plays Noelle, the daughter of Kris Kringle who is full of Christmas spirit and holiday fun. However, she wishes she could do something ‘important’ like her brother Nick (Bill Hader), who is set to take over the family business from their father this Christmas.

Unable to cope with the pressure, though, Nick does a runner. It’s up to our girl Noelle, then, to find her brother, bring him home, and save Christmas. All in a day’s work, eh?

A Christmas Carol

Everyone knows Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas tale by heart at this point. But, as you asked, Disney’s animated version of A Christmas Carol sees Jim Carrey take on the role of spiteful old Ebenezer Scrooge. As ever, he encounters three spirits on Christmas Eve, who show him the folly of his ways. As ever, he is prompted to become a better man. 

And the result? Well, it’s probably one of the coolest and scariest big-screen adaptations of this novel to date. But, if you’re in the mood for something a little softer, then don’t despair: both Mickey’s Christmas Carol and The Muppet Christmas Carol are available to stream on Disney Plus, too.

Babes In Toyland

Whether you love or loathe this campy adaptation of Victor Herbert’s 1903 operetta, there’s no denying that it’s become something of a Christmas staple over the years. It tells the story of Mary Contrary (Annette Funicello), who is all set to marry Tom Piper (Tommy Sands) until he’s unexpectedly kidnapped. Cue a deliriously-upbeat adventure, packed to the brim with catchy musical numbers.

Home Alone (and Home Alone 2)

In this totally endearing – albeit surprisingly violent – film, Macaulay Culkin’s Kevin is accidentally left ‘home alone’ at Christmas when his haphazard family hop on a plane to Paris without him. At first, he revels in having the house to himself. But, once he’s gorged himself silly on massive cheese pizzas, he starts missing his mum (Catherine O’Hara). And then two crooks break into the McAllister mansion, and it’s up to Kevin to save the day.

Fans of the franchise will be pleased to know that Home Alone 2, which sees Kevin board the wrong plane and wind up embarking on a luxury NYC holiday by himself, is also available to stream via Disney Plus.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Jack Skellington is a big deal in Halloweentown, but he’s grown tired of the holiday. And so, when he accidentally stumbles into the snow-covered Christmastown, he makes it his mission to kidnap ‘Mr Sandy Claws’ and steal his holiday for himself. Too bad, then, that Jack’s rival, the vile Oogie-Boogie Man, has his own twisted plans for merry old St Nick…

Iron Man 3

Oh you better believe it’s a Christmas movie, alright! In the third of Marvel’s Iron Man movies, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) find himself all alone and without his suit at the merriest time of year, facing down a frightening new foe. But, when he meets a young boy (Ty Simpkins), the self-described “genius billionaire playboy philanthropist” finds a way to put aside his demons and unleash the spirit of generosity within. 

The Nutcracker & The Four Realms

On Christmas Eve, Clara (that’s Twilight’s Mackenzi Foy) realises her late mother has left her with an inheritance to a magical world of fairies and toy soldiers that are alive. And, on top of all that, she holds the key to the fate of this world. No biggy, eh? 

As sweet as a sugarplum, this adaptation of the classic ballet may have failed to win critics over, but there’s no denying that it is an absolute feast for the eyes.

Godmothered

Set at Christmas time, new Disney movie Godmothered sees Eleanor, a young, inexperienced fairy godmother-in-training (Jillian Bell), take it upon herself to show the world that people still need fairy godmothers. Finding a mislaid letter from a 10-year-old girl in distress, Eleanor tracks her down and discovers that the girl, Mackenzie, is now a 40-year-old single mom (Isla Fisher) working at a news station in Boston.

Having lost her husband several years earlier, Mackenzie has all but given up on the idea of “happily ever after,” but Eleanor is bound and determined to give Mackenzie a happiness makeover, whether she likes it or not. Meaning that, yes, this is the sort of film that’s guaranteed to have you reaching for the tissues before too long…

No Sleep ‘Til Christmas

Looking for a relatable Christmas film? Well, it doesn’t get much more relatable than not being able to sleep, which is what this 2018 romantic comedy is all about. Billie (Dave Annable), a bartender and Lizzie (Odette Annable), an events planner bond over the fact they both struggle with insomnia but they discover they can both sleep if they sleep next to each other. The problem? Lizzie is engaged. The film sees the pair navigate their complicated relationship in the lead-up to Christmas, as Lizzie plans her extravagant wedding to her fiancee. No Sleep ‘Til Christmas will land on the streaming platform on 10th December.

The Santa Clause 1, 2 and 3

When he helps St Nick with a Christmas crisis, Scott (Tim Allen) unknowingly agrees to become the next Santa Claus. The result of this mishap? Well, he has to deal with a suspicious former wife while desperately trying to keep his secret safe, of course! If you enjoy the first film, why not settle in for a movie marathon? All three movies are available to stream on Disney Plus now.

LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special

LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special

Credit: Disney Plus

The much-anticipated LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special reunites Rey (Daisy May Ridley), Finn (John Boyega), Poe (Oscar Isaac), Lando (Billy Dee Williams), Rose (Kelly Marie Tran), Chewie, and the droids, all so that they can take you to a festive galaxy far, far away.

The official synopsis for this sci-fi adventure reads: “Rey sets off on a new adventure with BB-8 to gain a deeper knowledge of the Force. At a mysterious Jedi Temple, she is hurled into a cross-timeline adventure through beloved moments in Star Wars cinematic history, coming into contact with Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Yoda, Obi-Wan and other iconic heroes and villains from all nine Skywalker saga films. 

“But will she make it back in time for the Life Day feast and learn the true meaning of holiday spirit?”

12 Dates Of Christmas

Ideal viewing for all those who like their festive romcoms on the frothy side, 12 Dates Of Christmas tells the story of Kate (Amy Smart), who unexpectedly finds herself reliving the same first date on Christmas Eve over and over again. Y’know, Groundhog Day-style. Why? Because, in an attempt to win back her ex-boyfriend, Kate ruined her blind date with a handsome guy she’s been set up with – and the gods of fate aren’t happy about it, at all.

Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year

Winnie the Pooh and all his friends from The Hundred Acre Wood are back in this made-for-TV special. Go in expecting nothing but delight, whimsy, and nostalgia: you won’t be disappointed.

I’ll Be Home For Christmas

Basically a Hallmark card come to life, I’ll Be Home For Christmas is all about self-involved college student Jake (Jonathan Taylor Thomas), who, estranged from his father (Gary Cole), is lured home to New York for Christmas with the promise of receiving a classic Porsche as a gift. 

However, when the bullying football team dumps him in the desert in a Santa suit, Jake is left without identification or money to help him make the journey. Will he be reunited with his family and girlfriend, Allie (Jessica Biel), in time for 25 December? Almost definitely, but it’s a fun story all the same.

Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas

For anyone who’s ever wanted more from Disney’s Beauty & The Beast, this TV special (set during the period of Belle’s imprisonment in the Beast’s castle), takes a look at how the duo celebrated their first Christmas together, despite the best efforts of Tim Curry’s Forte.

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas and Twice Upon A Christmas

If you prefer your festvie entertainment to come in bite-sized portions (much like a Christmas cheeseboard), then check out this anthology of short stories about Mickey and co. Each is as heartwarming as the last, and each sheds some light on the true meaning of Christmas. If you’re a fan of the first movie, Disney Plus has got you covered as Mickey’s Twice Upon A Christmas is also ready to stream on the platform too.

The Mistle-Tones: A Musical

Sister Sister is trending again, so it makes sense that we’re 100% into this ABC Christmas special, starring Tia Mowry herself!

Starring as Holly, Mowry’s character is all set to audition for the newly vacated spot in a local Christmas group founded by her late mother. When the slot goes to the best friend of the group’s leader, Marci (hey there, Tori Spelling!), Holly sets out to create her own musical group – The Mistle-Tones.

One Magic Christmas

Ginny (Mary Steenburgen) is tired, she’s stressed, and she doesn’t believe in Father Christmas, thank you very much. It’s up to Gideon, an angel, to give her a customised It’s A Wonderful Life experience and teach her all about the true meaning of Christmas. But, rather than show her what life would be like without her, he decides to give her a world without her husband and children. Gulp.

Christmas Again

This Disney Channel Original film, out on 3rd December, is the Groundhog Day of Christmas films. It follows Rowena, known as ‘Ro’ (Scarlett Estevez) as she struggles with her parents divorce over the festive season. The teenager tells a neighbourhood Santa that she wants a do-over of Christmas day and unexpectedly finds herself living Christmas day over and over again. To break the loop, she must learn to appreciate her family and understand the true meaning of Christmas.

Olaf’s Frozen Adventure

Who doesn’t love a dash of Frozen fun? In this mini-movie, Olaf (Josh Gad) and Sven (Jonathan Groff) set out on a mission to visit every household in Arendelle to find a new Christmas tradition for Elsa (Idina Menzel) and Anna (Kristen Bell). It’s a guaranteed recipe for cuteness, right?

Once Upon A Snowman

Another one for Frozen lovers everywhere, this special Disney Plus original movie chronicles the previously untold origins of Olaf, the innocent and insightful, summer-loving snowman who has melted hearts since his first appearance in 2013’s Frozen. This film follows Olaf’s first steps as he comes to life and searches for his identity in the snowy mountains outside Arendelle.

Images: Disney Plus/20th Century Fox

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