Our team compiled the best Christmas movies on Disney Plus and here is what they came up with
Disney is usually associated with families, and there’s no time of the year when families come together more than the Christmas season. While the whole library of movies and TV shows on Disney+ is pretty stellar for family viewing, there may be a need for some Christmas-themed movies to delight the household. Disney+ does not disappoint in this area. Here are the ten best Christmas movies on Disney Plus to check out on the streaming service.
Here is a list of 10 best Christmas movies on Disney Plus
1. Best Christmas Movie on Disney Plus – Muppet Christmas Carol
As one of the finest Muppet movies ever made, Muppet Christmas Carol is one of the most musical and charming Christmas films. The familiar tale stars Michael Caine earnestly portraying Ebenezer Scrooge and a host of Muppets hamming up most of the familiar roles. Highlights include Kermit as Bob Cratchit and Gonzo as the narrating Charles Dickens. The musical numbers by Paul Williams alone are worth watching for the catchy lyrics. Also, it’s the Muppets in one of their most perfect Christmas stories! Be sure to check out the full version in the extras if you’d like to see the deleted musical sequence that was previously only available on VHS.
2. Home Alone
Kevin McCallister became a Christmas icon for his shocked expression with hands to his face. As the young hero of Home Alone, he finds himself alone for the holidays when his family leaves him behind for Christmas vacation. This leads to a comical few days of independence and a slapstick-filled home when Kevin finds his domicile targeted by the bumbling Wet Bandit duo. With its Christmas soundtrack and silly bits of violence, Home Alone has become a Christmas classic and an absolute must-watch movie of the holidays. The film comes from director Chris Columbus (Harry Potter) and screenwriter John Hughes (The Breakfast Club) with a cast that includes Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard, and Catherine O’Hara.
3. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Why not throw on its sequel if you’re still not full after indulging in Home Alone? Home Alone 2 raises the stakes by plucking Kevin out of his Chicago suburban home and into the streets of New York City. Armed with his father’s credit card, Kevin treats himself to a New York Christmas while evading the scheming hotel manager and the return of the Wet Bandits, now planning to knock off a toy store. Much like the last film, the sequel doesn’t skimp on the slapstick and goes bigger by giving Kevin a larger home under construction to be a playground of violent traps. Chris Columbus directs once more and features the return of Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, and Catherine O’Hara, with the new addition being Tim Curry in an unforgettable role.
4. Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
When the Christmas spirit seems down, Miracle on 34th Street can usually boost the spirits by portraying how Santa reacts to consumerism. In this 1990s remake of the 1940s classic, the real Santa Claus takes on the role of a store Santa, showcasing his magic when dealing with children. It’s enough to inspire the sad Susan to find the magic in Christmas once again. After his magic is challenged by the store, Santa ends up in court trying to prove that he is the real deal as the mythical gift-giver. Directed by Les Mayfield (Flubber) with a screenplay co-written by John Hughes (Home Alone), this touching Christmas tale stars Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth Perkins, Dylan McDermott, J. T. Walsh, James Remar, Mara Wilson, and Robert Prosky. And, if you prefer the old version, that’s also on Disney+!
5. Mickey’s Christmas Carol
Debuting as a theatrical short alongside the 1983 Christmas reissue of The Rescuers, Mickey’s Christmas Carol retells the classic Dickens story with a cast of Disney characters. Scrooge McDuck naturally steps into the role of the miser Ebenezer Scrooge who has to learn about the spirit of Christmas from a series of ghostly figures. The character cast includes Mickey Mouse as Bob Cratchit and Donald Duck as Scrooge’s nephew, Fred.
6. The Nightmare Before Christmas
Acting as both a Christmas movie and a Halloween movie, The Nightmare Before Christmas is an animated horror treat for both holidays. The film finds the character Jack Skellington bored with his iconic role in Halloweentown. Venturing outside his community, he stumbles into Christmastown, discovering the joys of Christmas. Aiming to shake things up, he introduces Christmas to the many monsters of his hometown, only for them to ruin it with their brand of grotesqueness. The surreal stop-motion animation was astounding for the era thanks to the notable direction of Henry Selick (Coraline) and a voice cast that includes Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix, Paul Reubens, and Ken Page.
7. The Santa Clause
Tim Allen is transformed from a loser father into the magical figure Santa Claus. Thrown out of his element, Scott Calvin has to endure the pressures of his new mission while also coming to terms with losing his ex-wife and son to another man. The film is still loaded with Christmas charm for Santa’s mystical and intricate workshop, leading to scenes like a prison break with technologically astute elves leading the charge. This Christmas comedy stars Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson, David Krumholtz, and Peter Boyle.
8. A Christmas Carol (2009)
Director Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future) helms this motion-capture animated adaptation of the classic Christmas story with a dose of action and horror. It’s the familiar tale written by Charles Dickens with a few faithful scenes and plenty of exciting ones, as when Scrooge finds himself shrunken down and thrown for a ride through the city’s plumbing. The spirits are as frightening as the sights are sublime in this surreal interpretation that is best suited for some of the older kids. The film features the voice talents of Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Bob Hoskins, Robin Wright Penn, and Cary Elwes.
9. Prep and Landing
Debuting on ABC in 2009, this animated special follows the adventures of two Christmas elves seeking to prove themselves. Wayne and Lanny are a mismatched pair of elves with Wayne being skilled and Lanny being a rookie. Their latest mission finds them facing the toughest of challenges as they try their best to bring Christmas joy to all. There’s plenty of slapstick fun and a fairly short Christmas movie that’s perfect as a last-minute movie before bedtime for the kids. This CGI-animated special won the Annie Award for Best Animated Television Production and featured the voices of Dave Foley, Derek Richardson, and Sarah Chalke.
10. Ernest Saves Christmas
Ernest P World becomes the most unlikely hero when tasked with saving Christmas. Being a taxi driver for the holiday season, Ernest ends up befriending a troubled girl who ran away from home and the real-life Santa seeking a replacement for his magical exploits. But when the law gets in the way, it’s up to Ernest to take the reins and save Christmas, trying to find the new Santa in time (don’t worry, it’s not him). Jim Varney’s hilarious slapstick makes this Ernest movie a hoot for families with a cast that includes Douglas Seale, Oliver Clark, Noelle Parker, Gailard Sartain, and Bill Byrge.