Y’all know I love movies. Going to the theater, munching on popcorn, experiencing a story with a room of strangers. But did you know I also love watching movies from the comfort of my home, wrapped in a cozy blanket, a mug of tea next to me? I do!
We have a rule in my family. No Christmas movies until after Thanksgiving. That means on Black Friday, I’m fluffing up my fluffiest blanket, the kettle is on, and I am scrolling through the channels because it is CHRISTMAS. MOVIE. TIME.
This year I had an extra treat, because Disney+ was up and running, ready and waiting with over 20 Christmas movies. I’ve spent the last few days binging hard, and I’m here with my totally subjective picks for the 7 best Christmas movies on Disney +. Ho ho ho and happy watching!
Best Christmas Movie that’s Really a Halloween Movie
The Nightmare Before Christmas
It’s a debate that rages in the Disney community to this day. Is The Nightmare Before Christmas a Christmas Movie or a Halloween movie? Could you split the difference and say it’s a Thanksgiving movie? As in, boy am I thankful I am not being held captive by Oogie Boogie?
Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloweentown has grown bored with the same old spooky and scary, so he decides to take over Christmas. It goes how you would expect.
This ground breaking stop motion animated film has a huge following of both Halloween fans and Christmas lovers and might be a very merry way to celebrate Halloween or a frightfully fun way to get ready for jingling bells. You choose.
Best Throwback
Miracle on the 34th Street
The original from 1947! Oh man, what a gem. You’ve got precocious young Natalie Wood in the classic tale of a store Santa named Kris Kringle who just might be the real deal. This delightful holiday icon won 5 Academy Awards, has been preserved in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, and was one of the first films shot in black and white to be colorized. An American classic.
Best Hallmark Christmas Movie that’s Not Actually a Hallmark Christmas Movie
12 Dates of Christmas
Hallmark runs the game when it comes to Christmas romantic comedies, but don’t count out FreeForm (formerly ABC Family)! They’ve had some really fun, really sweet romantic comedies. And this beauty? This is the gold standard. This is the movie I watch every Black Friday to kick off my holiday season.
Kate, a Type A type whose 5 year plan isn’t going to plan at all, bumps her head on Christmas Eve and relives the day 12 times. There are partridges, there are golden rings, there are drummers drumming, there are chocolate cherry chip loaves, and there is Mark Paul Gosselaar. This romantic comedy is warm, fuzzy, and my fave.
Best Original Disney+ Christmas Content
Noelle
Okay, the pickings are slim when it comes to Christmas specific Disney + Original programming, but even if The Mandalorian had a Christmas special, I think this sweet little holiday film about finding your purpose in life would be my favorite.
Anna Kendrick is Noelle, sister to Nick, the newest Santa in a long line of Kringle Santas. When Nick tries to quit being Santa, it’s up to Noelle to save Christmas. A lot of the most famous holiday heroes tend to be dudes (Rudolph, Frosty, Buddy the Elf) so I really love that little girls get a female holiday heroine! Noelle is smart, she’s enthusiastic, she’s capable, she cares about people, and she’s willing to own her mistakes. She’s like the Captain Marvel of Christmas, and I’m here for it.
Best Bet You’ve Already Watched It
The Santa Clause
Runner Up: The Santa Clause 2
Third Place: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
There was no way Disney+ was launching near the holidays and NOT including these super popular movies. Be honest, they were the second thing you watched after the Forky shorts, right?
Scott Calvin accidentally becomes Santa and holly jolly chaos ensues, as well as a sweet moment or two about the magic of Christmas and the joy and wonder of childhood. In the second one, Scott Calvin is still Santa, but now he needs to find a wife to fulfill the “Mrs Clause.” In the trilogy ender, Scott Calvin is still Santa but goes head to head with Jack Frost, who wants to be the main man of the holiday season.
These movies were massively successful at the theater and they’ve only grown in popularity over the years. If you’re looking for a full’s day worth of binge-worthy distractions while you wrap presents, look no further.
The Best Christmas Sequel
Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas
A direct to video sequel to the epic Disney film Beauty and the Beast, this sleeper hit sold over 7 million VHS tapes when it was released. Oh my gosh guys, this is crazy. When I was a teenager, I watched this on VHS (3 billion times) with my little sisters. I later watched it as a young adult on DVD with the child I babysat for. I am now watching it as a grown woman with my children on a streaming service. Progress, huh? It really is a great big beautiful tomorrow.
So, this is the story about the Christmas Belle spent in the castle while the Beast was still beasty, and they were kinda falling in love, but it wasn’t full on yellow-ballgown-tale-as-old-as-time-love. All our enchanted object friends are back, there’s a few new ones like Angelique, the castle decorator/Christmas tree Angel and Forte, an organ and obvious bad guy. Come for the story of Christmas love, and stay for Belle’s amazing maroon holiday look.
Best Christmas Carol
The Muppet Christmas Carol
I will die on this hill. The best Christmas Carol, ever, is The Muppet Christmas Carol. The songs are killer. Be real, you have “It Feels Like Christmas” stuck in your head right now, don’t you? The puppetry (muppetry?) is next level. Those spirits! Gonzo as the narrator! Marley and Marley, ooooooooooh! Was Bob Crachit ever so relatable, did we ever root for him so much, as when he was played by Kermit the Frog? No, we did not. This is the perfect example of the Muppet magic. They make a (very) old tale accessible to new audiences, they elevate a story everyone was familiar with by adding humor and heart.
This is the movie my family watches every Christmas Eve, a tradition Mr. B and I started before we even had kids. It’s a treasured part of our Christmas festivities, and if you haven’t seen it? Come in, and know it better, man!
Do you agree with my 7 best picks? What should have make the top spot but didn’t? What Christmas content do you hope to see on Disney+ soon?Kristen B. is wife to the best Prince around, mama to the spunkiest little princesses, and lover of all things Disney. She started her savings journey five years ago and is now dedicated to making her family’s wishes come true one coupon at a time. She is so excited to take her love of saving to the next level and share her journey with you! Click here to catch up on Kristen’s Savings and join in on your own savings adventure!