The most wonderful time of the year has arrived, and while 2020 has made it very difficult to be of good cheer – there is no better way to find your holiday spirit than with Disney Christmas movies! And with the holiday season looking a little different this year for everyone, there is no better time to cuddle up on the couch with some hot cocoa and watch these holiday favourites.
As per the Disney tradition, there are movies for everyone in the family this holiday season and with Disney’s purchase of 20th Century Fox, some of the most celebrated Christmas films are now under the Disney umbrella! Of course, with such an extensive collection of holiday classics, not every Disney favourite made the cut, but do not fret Rudolph, we at FMF, got Santa to help us make the list and check it twice before deciding that these are THE Disney holiday films to watch in 2020.
15. Beauty and the Beast: Enchanted Christmas
Sure, this direct-to-video sequel doesn’t even come close to the level of artistic brilliance that is the original “Beauty and the Beast”, but it is still a fun Christmas special that dives deeper into the blossoming relationship of Belle and the Beast. Similar to the original film, Belle tries to make the best out of a bad situation and bring Christmas joy to the Beast’s Castle. It’s a royal holiday faire with very low-stakes that brings together fan favourite Disney characters one more time; what more can you ask for?
14. Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year
It wouldn’t be a proper holiday without a Winnie the Pooh adventure! Pooh and friends celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve the only way they know how: many, many mishaps. In an attempt to save his friends’ Christmas after they failed to deliver a letter to Santa, Pooh tries to be the best Santa he can be, but that darn honey just keeps getting in the way. Just like every other one of their holiday appearances, Pooh and friends make Christmas at the Hundred Acre Woods as charming as can be.
13. I’ll Be Home for Christmas
It’s basically a right of passage for any TV teen hearthrob to star in their own holiday film and ’90s heartthrob, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, may very well be the actor to start the trend. A classic Hallmark story before Hallmark became cool, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” follows college student Jake who decides to come home for the holidays just to claim his father’s classic car. Along the way, he learns a thing or two about the real meaning of Christmas. Cue the romantic music.
12. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
‘Narnia’ is not a traditional Christmas movie on paper. The adventures of the Pevensie kids take place over many months, but there is such an iconic Christmas scene that stands out from any other film, it deserves a rewatch over the holidays. In Narnia, Christmas has been outlawed by the White Witch, but with the arrival of the Pevensie children marks the return of Father Christmas, who gifts the children with what they need to be prepare for battle. Santa giving kids weapons is something you need to see to believe.
11. The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
For the fancy, seeing the Nutcracker ballet during Christmas has become a tradition (or at least that’s what the movies tell me). And since that’s not really an option this year, this adaptation of the Nutcracker story is the next best thing. “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” tells the story of Clara who is gifted an egg shaped box on Christmas Eve from her deceased mother. With this gift, she enters an enchanting world where she meets out-of-this-world characters like the Sugar Plum Fairy and Mother Ginger. The imagery and magic is simply breathtaking and is a mood we all need right now.
10. Disney’s A Christmas Carol
With so many adaptations of this Charles Dickens classic to choose from, you might feel overwhelmed by all the options. Given that this is a Disney blog, we are biased in saying that this 2009 stop-motion take on the story is one of the best ones to watch. Jim Carrey’s quest to become the King of Christmas is solidified in his performance as Ebenezer Scrooge and this film is one of the few that imagines the story as Dickens wrote it. Equal parts spooky and seasonal, “A Christmas Carol” has pretty much become mandatory viewing during the holidays.
9. The Nightmare Before Christmas
Wait, didn’t I just watch this movie two months ago for Halloween? Yes, yes you did. And now it’s time to do it all over again. “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is the only holiday movie that brings together the frightfulness of Halloween with the joy and festivities of Christmas. The film tells the story of Jack Skellington, the King of Halloween, who “What’s This?”, discovers the land of Christmas Town and wants to take over the holiday to respark his own inner joy. It’s the wackiest Christmas movie you’ll ever find and every rewatch just makes you fall in love with the concept even more.
8. Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas
It wouldn’t be a Disney Christmas without the mouse that started it all. Mickey Mouse and the Sensational Six have had a number of holiday movies produced over the years, including their own adaptation of “A Christmas Carol”. However, the one that stands out above the rest is “Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas”. This anthology film tells three unique stories about Mickey, Goofy and Donald and how they celebrate Christmas with their families. What makes this movie so special is that it truly feels like we are spending an intimate Christmas with our favourite Disney pals.
7. Lego Star Wars Holiday Special
This Lego short is the newest addition to Disney’s holiday collection. An ode to the much-discussed Star Wars Holiday Special from 1978, this special follows Rey post-“The Rise of Skywalker” as she journeys with BB-8 to gain a deeper knowledge of the force. She hopes to make it back in time for the Wookie Festival of Life Day, but as expected in the Galaxy, her holiday plans are derailed. Taking inspiration from many holiday classics, this Star Wars special isn’t afraid to poke fun at itself, and is sure to become a holiday favourite for all the young Jedi.
6. Olaf’s Frozen Adventure
One could argue that the entire “Frozen” series are holiday movies, but to avoid getting into that conversation, we’re simply recommending the “Frozen” Christmas special, “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure”. In the first Christmas season since the gates reopened, Anna and Elsa are looking forward to starting a new tradition for all of Arendelle. However, when the townspeople leave their celebration early to enjoy their individual holidays, Olaf makes it his mission to find new traditions for the sisters. Olaf is as adorable as ever on his quest and just like the original film, the songs are so catchy.
5. The Muppet Christmas Carol
Yes that’s right another version of “A Christmas Carol”, but this version is with the Muppets, which means it’s entirely unique from any other Scrooge story out there. Michael Caine joins the gang in this retelling of the Charles Dickens classic, and adds a sprinkle of holiday Muppet magic through the use of original music that accompanies the story. In all honesty, this is the first adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” this writer saw as a kid, and thus it has a special place in my heart and is a must-watch during the holidays.
4. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Besides “It’s a Wonderful Life”, there is no other Christmas movie that has spanned generations like “Miracle on 34th Street”. For those Santa non-believers out there, this movie is here to prove you wrong. Late actor, Edmund Gwenn perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Kris Kringle, a man who fills in for an intoxicated “Santa” at the Thanksgiving Day parade. He proves to be such a hit with kids, but the joy is soon turned to outrage when Kris claims to be the real Santa Claus. He is soon brought to trial to prove his authenticity. Without a doubt, Gwenn is the perfect embodiment of St. Nick.
3. Noelle
A new addition to Disney that is already well on its way to becoming a holiday must-see. Centered around the children of the Kringle family, older brother Nick must take over the role of Santa. However, unlike his sister, Noelle, Nick has no interest in the holiday and runs away to Phoenix after misinterpreting his sister’s advice. It’s up to Noelle to find her brother and save Christmas. “Noelle” emulates a lot of Christmas favourites like “Elf” and “The Santa Clause”, while putting its own spin on a classic story. Anna Kendrick is absolutely delightful in this film that asks would everyone still believe in the magic of Christmas if Santa was a girl?
2. The Santa Clause
Practically mandatory viewing during the holidays, “The Santa Clause” was one of the first feature films to share a behind-the-scenes look at the North Pole. Toy salesman, Scott prepares to spend Christmas Eve with his son Charlie for the first time since his divorce. They are both awakened by a noise on the roof, and accidentally startle Santa Claus, making him disappear in the process. In a whacky turn of events, Scott dons the suit and slowly becomes the new Santa Claus. It’s as wacky as any Christmas lover can hope for and really leans in to the Santa Claus mythology. And with a total of three movies in the franchise, “The Santa Clause” is the ultimate Christmas trilogy.
1. Home Alone
When you think of classic Christmas flicks, “Home Alone” will always be one of the first to come to mind. A film that has comedy elements that have been borrowed by boatloads of movies and TV shows that followed, this John Hughes masterpiece is a classic in every sense of the word. Youngest child, Kevin McCallister learns about the importance of family after his parents forget to bring him on their family vacation to Paris. As his mother journeys to get back to her son, Kevin must defend his home from two unintelligent burglars. Be sure to make this a double feature with “Home Alone 2” as both will leave you with all the Christmas you need.
What’s your favourite Disney movie to watching during the holidays? Let us know in the comments below or on one of our social media channels. And make sure to follow Frozen Mouse Fever for all your Disney needs!
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No Mickey’s Christmas Carrol? That’s one of my favorites.
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I love that one too! But I thought a 3rd Christmas Carol adaptation might be too much.
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