The holidays are here! With Christmas just upon us, it is a week of family, food, and spending time at home for many people. This can also mean looking for things to watch as a family or solo! There is quite a collection of holiday films to enjoy on Disney+. So much so that it can be overwhelming to try and pick some favorites. Below are Daps Magic’s top 5 holiday movies that are currently on Disney+. They are in no particular order (although one or two are clearly at the top of the list) but they all bring some holiday cheer to those who watch them!
1. The Muppet Christmas Carol
The Muppet Christmas Carol is a wonderful recreation of Charles Dickens’s classic A Christmas Carol. In fact, it is very true to the original story. It also has the charm and humor that comes with The Muppets. Directed by Brian Henson, this film is full of heart, and fantastic music. Michael Caine as Scrooge is incredible as he takes the role seriously as he is surrounded by the antics of the Muppets. It is a Christmas classic that shouldn’t be missed.
Note: If you want to watch the complete version with the song When Love is Gone, the “Full Length Version” can be found in the extras.
2. The Santa Clause
The Santa Clause is one of many Christmas movies that came out in the 1990s that brought a healthy dose of Christmas cheer to big and then small screens. In this film, Tim Allen’s Scott Calvin inadvertently makes Santa fall off the roof. By doing so, the Santa Clause states that he must take over the role… whether he wants to or not. This of course causes some challenges with his family, his work, and and life in general. This is a heartwarming film that reminds people of the spirit of Christmas and the importance of love and family.
3. Miracle on 34th Street
There are two versions (probably even more) of Miracel on 34th Street. The one that is arguably the best is from 1947. It has a fantastic cast that includes Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood, and Edmund Gwenn. It takes place between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is about a man claiming to be Kris Kringle who ends up taking over for an inebriated Santa’s helper for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This leads to Kris taking on the role in the store, which leads to a bunch of unintended consequences… most of them good, but not all. This leads to Kris finding myself in court where the future of Christmas and Kris Kringle must be determined by a judge. This movie is a beautifully heartwarming film that is easy to watch annually during the holiday season!
4. The Nightmare Before Christmas
The Nightmare Before Christmas is a classic that tells the tale of what happens when two world’s collide. When Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas Town, he decides to take on Christmas. Obviously with his life, knowledge, and experience being from Halloween, his approach to Christmas is a bit spooky. This leads to some chaos and ultimately Jack discovers the importance of being true to yourself…. with a little bit of Christmas magic added in. This stop-animation film is a fantastic one with music by Danny Elfman that has become a fan favorite through the years.
5. Home Alone
In Home Alone, young Kevin McCallister is accidentally left at home after his parents rush to the airport after oversleeping. In the coming days leading up to Christmas, Kevin must figure out how he must face his fears and also protect his house from two burglers. On the other side of the globe, his mother frantically tries to get back to her little boy who is home alone. This is all accompanied by the fantastic score that John Williams wrote. Home Alone is directed by Christopher Columbus and stars Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister along with Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard, and Catherine O’Hara. It is a Christmas classic that is worth watching every year!
There are quite a few other holiday films to be found and enjoyed on Disney+. There are animated films/specials, live-action films, and even Christmas With Walt Disney. There are also a healthy dose of series to be enjoyed during the season as well. For those who like Christmas lights, check out The Great Christmas Light Fight.
What are you favorite offerings on Disney+ during the holidays? Are there any films/specials you watch each year? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
