41 best Christmas films on Disney+ to make you feel festive, cosy and nostalgic
Christmas films… they can be somewhat of a divisive topic at times. Whether you're team Muppet Christmas Carol or a Love Actually devotee, everyone seems to have their firm favourite when it comes to festive flicks. One consistent theme that unites all Christmas films, though, is that the more comforting and nostalgic, the better.
Yes, watching Christmas classics is one of the best, most cosy parts of the season, and the perfect way to set the mood if you're not fully into that Christmas spirit yet. So, naturally, you'll find us in front of Disney+ (the home of every Disney film, TV show and documentary imaginable) for the foreseeable to cram in as much festive wholesomeness as possible.
Luckily for us, it just so happens that Disney+ is absolutely inundated with Christmas films. Since the festive season is upon us, it seems only fitting to watch one a night. But before we grace you with all of the best festive movies, you're probably wondering how much the privilege of having them all at your fingertips will set you back.
Disney+ boasts an impressive catalogue of nostalgic films and TV shows and documentaries to enjoy. Sign up, and you’ll have access to a library of all the Disney magic in one place, including Christmas classics such as Home Alone, The Santa Clause and many more like Edward Scissorhands (yes, it counts!).
From the Jim Carrey classic A Christmas Carol to Anna Kendrick taking over as Santa Claus and a lesser-known festive romp starring Bryan Cranston pre-Breaking Bad, there's something for all tastes.
So, without further ado, these are all of the best Disney+ Christmas films to make you feel festive and distract you from the outside world this season. You're welcome!
Steve DietlDashing Through The Snow
Ludacris stars as a social worker who has lost his faith in Christmas – we see him go on a journey with his estranged daughter to rediscover the joy and meaning of the festive season. Warm and fuzzies all around.
Album / Alamy Stock PhotoThe Naughty Nine
Andy (Winslow Fegley) finds out he’s on Santa’s naughty list and heads to the North Pole to take it up with the man himself: St Nick (Danny Glover).
Album / Alamy Stock PhotoNoelle
This under-rated festive delight sees Anna Kendrick take over her dad Santa Claus’ family business when her brother gets cold feet. Who run the world? Girls.
Cinematic / Alamy Stock Photo’Twas the Night
Some amazing trivia for you: Bryan Cranston starred in a Christmas movie back in the very early noughties. He plays a con artist uncle Nick who helps his nephew Danny deliver presents when Santa gets knocked out.
© Walt Disney PicturesOne Magic Christmas
This 1980s Christmas classic tells the story of a mother who has lost her faith in the festive season, until the exploits of her six-year-old daughter and a guardian angel come along, that is.
Disney / Laurie SparhamThe Nutcracker and the Four Realms
DisneyHome Sweet Home Alone
While nothing can top the original Home Alone films, we're all in for the sixth rebooted instalment in the franchise. With the tried and tested winning formula, you can expect a lot of fun and action-packed mischief as little Max Mercer is forced to defend his home from robbers after his family leaves him at home to go on holiday.
.jpg)
© DisneyIron Man 3
You could argue this isn't a Christmas film - but it totally is, as its set during the most festive time of the year. In the third instalment of this Marvel franchise, Robert Downey Jr.'s character meets a young boy who helps him face his demons and, in particular, the formidable terrorist called Mandarin.
Twentieth Century FoxThe Family Stone
The Family Stone is a light-hearted comedy-drama that will make you feel super cosy during the festive season. The plot? An uptight, conservative businesswoman finds she's a fish out of water when she accompanies her boyfriend to his eccentric family's annual Christmas celebrations. Sarah Jessica Parker, Diane Keaton and Rachel McAdams star.
© 1994 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.Miracle on 34th Street
Miracle on 34th Street is an absolute Christmas classic. It follows the journey of Kris Kringle, who fills in for an intoxicated Santa at a department store during the annual Thanksgiving Day parade. Due to his popularity, he begins appearing regularly at the store and surprising customers and employees by claiming that he really is Santa Claus. People are not convinced, though, and a court case ensues to determine his mental health and festive authenticity.
Twentieth Century FoxJingle All The Way
DisneyThe Preacher's Wife
Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston star in the 1996 movie, The Preacher, which follows the story of Henry Biggs, the pastor of a struggling Baptist church in a low-income part of New York City. At the same time, his marriage to a choir singer is also failing. However, during Christmastime, he gets help from a surprising person who enters his life at the right time.
DisneyHome Alone 2: Lost In New York
If you thought Home Alone 1 was bad enough, when Kevin's parents left him in their family house while they flew to Paris for Christmas, then you'll be shocked by Lost In New York. Kevin accidentally boards the wrong flight and ends up in New York instead of Florida, where he runs into some old enemies.
13. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
While You Were Sleeping
Sandra Bullock can do no wrong in our eyes, so you can't miss her in this Christmas rom-com, which also stars Bill Pullman. Sandra plays a sweet but lonely Chicago subway worker who rescues the man of her dreams from an ongoing train. When invited to spend time with his family, she then falls in love with his brother, who has an extremely hot temper. We're definitely getting cosy on the couch with this one!
10. 12 Dates of Christmas
Kate, a young woman who re-lives the same first date on Christmas Eve over and over again, attempts to win back her ex-boyfriend, before ruining her blind date with Miles, a handsome guy she's been set up with. Will she get things right after being given the chance to re-live Christmas Eve 12 times?
© 1990 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.Edward Scissorhands
Yes, Tim Burton's Edward Scissorhands qualifies as a Christmas story, as it partially takes place during the festive season. Starring Johnny Depp as Edward, the movie is based on a synthetic man with scissor hands who a sweet Avon lady takes in after his inventor dies before he can finish assembling him. Things then take a drastic turn when he is accused of a crime he did not commit. Winona Ryder also stars in this 1990 classic.
DisneyMickey's Once Upon A Christmas
A Christmas themed, three-part anthology-style video that you will love no matter your age. The first part, "Donald Duck: Stuck on Christmas", is followed by "A Very Goofy Christmas", in which Goofy tries to overcome his son's skepticism about Santa Claus. Finally, "Mickey & Minnie's Gift Of The Magi" recreates the classic tale of ironic Christmas selflessness.
©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett CollectionThe Holiday
Is there anything more ‘cosy winter aesthetic’ than Nancy Meyers' 2006 hit The Holiday? Featuring an all-star cast including Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jack Black and Jude Law, The Holiday focuses on a festive house-swap between Winslet and Diaz's characters, resulting in unsuspecting romances, self-discovery and festive fun. You can't beat it.
©Disney+/Courtesy Everett CollectionA Very Jonas Christmas Movie
The millenials amongst us can rejoice as the Jonas Brothers are once again on the big screen; this time in their very own Christmas film. After finishing their tour in London, all the boys want is to get back home to spend the holidays with their families. However, in true Christmas film fashion, they encounter a series of escalating obstacles, soundtracked by new original songs and featuring special celebrity guests.
©Universal/Courtesy Everett CollectionLast Christmas
Written by Emma Thompson and starring Emilia Clarke (of Game of Thrones fame), this romantic comedy ticks all the Christmas rom-com boxes… a mismatched couple, incredible songs (the title comes from the Wham! hit) and cynicism turned into festive cheer. Oh, and the director also made the comedy hit Bridesmaids. But be warned: it's a tearjerker.
©Universal/Courtesy Everett CollectionDr Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Equal parts terrifying and hilarious, this Christmas classic explores the iconic tale of Dr Seuss's The Grinch, whose heart is ‘two sizes too small’. Cue mishaps and heartwarming scenes that bring together the community of Whoville and restore the Grinch's faith in Christmas once more.
©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett CollectionDeck the Halls
Think your neighbours nicking your ASOS packages is bad? At least you don't have a Christmas decoration battle to deal with. That's what's at the core of Deck the Halls, starring Matthew Broderick as Steve Finch, the town's holiday season king, and Danny DeVito as Buddy Hall, who plans to cover his house with so many lights, it'll be visible from space.
FremantleMedia12 Dates of Christmas
One for all the uber-cheesy Christmas film fans, 12 Dates of Christmas follows our main character, Kate, who goes on a blind date to get over her ex-boyfriend. Her date, the handsome Miles, could be the man of her dreams, but she’s blind to his charm — she then has to relive the date 12 times until she can stop living in the past and open up to new things. Cosy, wholesome vibes.
