While Hallmark, Lifetime and The Family Channel may be your usual go-tos during the holiday season, you might want to change things up a bit this year. With so many streaming services to choose from, you’re bound to find a few favorites, and you might just unearth some new hidden gems as well. Netflix, Hulu, Prime and more have been adding new and original holiday movies to their lineup. We’ve put together a list of some of the latest holiday films and specials now available across the most popular streaming services.
Netflix
Netflix’s holiday spirit is in full gear, as they have already added a significant number of holiday movies to their ever-expanding list of flicks. The movies include several Netflix originals, such as: “The Christmas Chronicles”
When two kids’ plan to capture Santa doesn’t go as expected, it’s now up to them to help him save Christmas. While Netflix doesn’t release viewer numbers, their chief content officer said it was streamed 20 million times in just the first week of its debut last November. A sequel is reportedly in the works, set to premiere on Netflix for Christmas 2020. “A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby” It’s Christmastime in Aldovia and a special gift is on its way — a royal baby! Though they’re excited for the arrival of their child, Amber and Richard have more pressing matters to deal with: The renewal of a sacred truce and the looming threat of an ancient curse. How will the couple make it out of this one? “Klaus”
When a postal academy’s worst student is stationed on a frozen island above the Arctic Circle, he discovers Klaus (J.K. Simmons), a mysterious and generous carpenter who lives alone in a cabin full of hand-made toys. “Holiday in the Wild” Kate embarks on her second honeymoon to Africa — all alone after an awful divorce. There, she and her pilot Derek (Rob Lowe), rescue a baby elephant. While nursing the calf back to health, Kate discovers how much she loves everything about her new surroundings in the wild. “The Knight Before Christmas” This Christmas category newcomer follows a medieval knight who is magically transported to 2019, where he falls for a high school science teacher. Unfortunately, she’s been disillusioned by love. Note: If you love Netflix but have an older TV, be warned: You may not get to enjoy this list! Tap or click here to learn which smart TVs will no longer support Netflix, starting December 1.
Hulu
If you’re in the mood for more traditional, or perhaps more comedic, Christmas movies, Hulu has you covered. Aside from their usual holiday picks (available year-round) they’ve taken the liberty of adding a some cute and quirky films this season. “Bigfoot” Arvid, the North Pole’s evil yeti, banishes Santa to the Land of Holiday Misfits after gaining access to a magical scroll. “Polar Express”
When a young, Christmas-doubting, boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. “Christmas Perfection” A Christmas-obsessed control freak wakes up one day in a perfect Christmas village in Ireland, but she soon comes to realize perfection isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. “A Very Brady Christmas” An oldie, but always a goodie. This 1988 classic features Mike and Carol Brady looking forward to spending Christmas with their now adult children, and their former housekeeper Alice. Unfortunately, various issues may keep them apart.
Prime Video
In honor of the season of giving, Prime Video has gifted their members a long list of Christmas movies, all of which are completely free! The lineup features a few traditional classics, along with some newcomers. “It’s a Wonderful Life” This one will never get old. When George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) prepares to end his life on Christmas Eve, he is met by a mysterious guardian angel, who shows George what his town would have become if it hadn’t been for all his good deeds over the years. “Unlikely Angel”
Here’s one for all you country music fans. A country singer (Dolly Parton) with an unfaithful boyfriend is killed in a car crash, but when she arrives at the gates of Heaven, St. Peter explains she must return to earth and complete a task to be granted access. “The Man Who Invented Christmas” Struggling author Charles Dickens finds himself in financial trouble and creative despair after writing three consecutive novels no one read. Desperate for a hit, Dickens relies on real-life inspiration and his vivid imagination to bring Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and other classic characters to life in a new story he calls “A Christmas Carol.” “Christmas For a Dollar” During the height of the Great Depression, the Kamp family struggles to make ends meet after the family matriarch passes away. The children expect another present-less Christmas, until their father brings home a dollar in change so they can buy gifts for each other.
Disney+
Disney+ officially launches November 12th and comes with a small selection of Disney holiday favorites. “Beauty and The Beast: The Enchanted Christmas” This Disney animated sequel, reintroduces the lovely Belle and her monstrous darling, Beast, as they enter the heart of the holiday season. While Belle has no problem getting into the Christmas Spirit, Beast isn’t as keen to embrace the season. “The Ultimate Christmas Present”
In this 2000’s favorite, two girls hatch a plan to close school by making it snow in Los Angeles; however, their scheme snowballs — literally — and threatens to put Christmas in dire jeopardy. “The Nightmare Before Christmas” Perfect for a mid-November night, this beloved Tim Burton classic follows Jack Skellington, Halloween town’s pumpkin king. Bored with the same old Halloween scare routine, Jack discovers the joys of Christmas and plots to make the holiday his very own. “The Santa Clause” After accidentally knocking the real Santa Claus off his roof, Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) and his son Charlie are magically transported to the North Pole. There, Scott learns he must take Santa’s place.
