It’s the holiday season, and with all of us getting into the holiday spirit, one of the best ways is watching our favorite specials. Whether you’re revisiting classic tales likeA Christmas Carolor discovering something new likeThe Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, Disney has one of the best selections of films, series, and specials across all the major platforms, and we’re going to guide you through it all. Here are the top 17 Holiday Specials on Disney Plus!
The Best Original Movies on Disney Plus Right Now
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Home Alone (1990)
Director:Chris Columbus |Run Time:1hr 43min
Cast:Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, and Catherine O’Hara
After wishing for his family to disappear, Kevin McCalister (Macaulay Culkin) wakes up to an empty house. While things seem fun initially, he learns that he needs them even though his family is far from perfect. Toss in the Wet Bandits (Joe PesciandDaniel Stern), and we have the ideal holiday comedy.
Home Aloneis essentiallyDie Hardfor kids, and while Macaulay Culkin might not share much in common with Bruce Willis on the surface, the heart of both films remains true. Spend Christmas with those you love, and don’t be afraid to defend your home when villains plan a holiday heist.
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The Santa Clause Trilogy (1994-2006)
Directors:John Pasquin (The Santa Clause) and Michael Lembeck (The Santa Clause 2and3) |Run Times:(1) 1hr 38 min (2) 1hr 46 min (3) 1 hr 34 min
Cast:Tim Allen, Eric Lloyd, Wendy Crewson, and Judge Reinhold
The Santa Clauseis a pretty strange film, but it turns out to be a heartwarming story when you get past the insane premise. Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) is a businessman who spends Christmas with his estranged son, Charlie (Eric Lloyd). After hearing Santa on his roof, Scott makes old Saint Nick fall to his death, leaving no one else but Scott to don the coat and hat.
The Santa Clausetrilogy adds a new wrinkle to the Santa Claus lore. Anyone can become Santa, but seeing how Scott grapples with his new responsibility makes this franchise intriguing.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Director:Henry Selick |Run Time:1hr 16min
Cast:Chris Sarandon, Danny Elfman, Catherine O’Hara, and Ken Page
Is it a Halloween movie, or Is it a Christmas movie? Regardless,The Nightmare Before Christmasis a holiday treat. Jack Skellington (Chris SarandonandDanny Elfman) is Halloweentown’s beloved Pumpkin King, but he grows tired of his Halloween traditions. However, once Jack finds himself in Christmastown, he plots to take over the job of Santa Claus for himself.
The Nightmare Before Christmasbalances the dark and eerie tone ofTim Burton’s work with the beautiful light and joy associated with the Christmas season. Danny Elfman’s score only adds to the atmosphere and enhances the entire film. DirectorHenry Selickdelivers a slick film that can be enjoyed at any time of year.
Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983)
Director:Burny Mattinson |Run Time:26min
Cast:Alan Young, Wayne Allwine, and Clarence Nash
Charles Dickens’ novel,A Christmas Carol,is one of the most adapted stories of all time, and yet,Mickey’s Christmas Carolis by far one of the best adaptions of the holiday classic. Ebenezer Scrooge, aka Scrooge McDuck, is a stingy old bird who must learn the errors of his selfish ways before it’s too late.
Mickey’s Christmas Carolstands out because it’s beautifully animated and tells the tale in a brisk 30 minutes. It’s a perfect holiday special and a quick watch for families looking to get in the holiday spirit.
Iron Man 3 (2013)
Director:Shane Black |Run Time:2hr 10min
Cast:Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Jon Favreau, Ben Kingsley, and Guy Pearce
After the battle in New York, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is suffering from PTSD while also having to face the ghosts of his past.Iron Man 3is the final film in theIron Mantrilogyand puts a nice bow on the story of Tony Stark, even though he appears in five more films after this one.
While not your traditional Christmas movie,Iron Man 3captures themes you’ve come to expect in holiday films. Tony must embark on a journey to better himself and right the wrongs of his past. He discovers that his love for Pepper, Happy, and Rhodey is what keeps him grounded. Family, second chances, and the spirit of giving are all present inIron Man 3, and it’s glorious.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Director:George Seaton |Run Time:1hr 41min
Cast:Edmund Gwenn, Natalie Wood, and Maureen O’Hara
Miracle on 34th Streetis a wonderful film. It’s about an older man named Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) who fills in as Santa during Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day parade. Kringle proves to be such a hit that he starts appearing regularly at Macy’s main store in Manhattan. Kringle surprises customers and employees by claiming he is the real Santa Claus, leading to a court case to determine his mental health and, most importantly, his authenticity.
Miracle on 34th Streetis a heartwarming classic that sheds light on the commercialization of the holiday while hearkening to the sentimental feeling that comes with Christmas. It’s the perfect holiday film. A remake ofMiracle on 34th Streetis also available to stream on Disney+.
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas (1999)
Directors:Bradley Raymond, Jun Falkenstein, Alex Mann, Toby Shelton, Bill Speers |Run Time:1hr 10min
Cast:Kelsey Grammer, Wayne Allwine, Russi Taylor, Tony Anselmo, and Bill Farmer
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmasfeatures three unique stories starring Mickey Mouse and his friends. Stuck on Christmas features Huey, Dewey, and Louie stuck in a time loop after wishing Christmas was every day. A Very Goofy Christmas sees Max question the existents of Santa Claus. The third and final short is Mickey and Minnie’s Gift of the Magi, based on the 1905 short story, The Gift of the Magi.
Once Upon a Christmasis Disney at its finest. It’s a wholesome watch with beautiful animation, and all three stories fit well within the relatively short runtime. We’re reminded why Mickey and the gang have endured for so long.
Hawkeye (2021)
Showrunner:Jonathan Igla |Episodes:6
Cast:Jeremy Renner, Hailee Steinfeld, Alaqua Cox, Tony Dalton, and Vera Farmiga
Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner) is celebrating Christmas in New York with his three children, only for his holiday to be spent protecting a young woman named Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld), who unknowingly is now the target of the tracksuit mafia. The Avenger now must watch Kate Bishop and deal with the Mafia and their boss - all while trying to spend time with his family on Christmas.
Hawkeyeis a fun holiday rompfeaturing some great action, excellent trick arrows, and stellar characters with the likes of Echo (Alaqua Cox), Kate Bishop, and Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh). It even features a musical number! What more can you ask for?
The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special (2020)
Director:Ken Cunningham |Run Time:44min
Cast:Helen Sadler, Matt Lanter, Anthony Daniels, Grey Delisle, and Ben Prendergast
The words “Star Wars” and “Holiday Special” are usually the last thing fans want to think about after the nightmare fuel we got in 1981. However,The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Specialis a terrific half-hour show the entire family will enjoy.
The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Specialis geared at the younger Star Wars fans, but there are enough funny moments and jokes that will keep even Scrooge invested. Rey and BB-8 explore an ancient Jedi Temple where they travel throughout time, witnessing the most significant moments in the Star Wars universe. All while Finn, Poe, and the rest get ready to celebrate Life Day.
Winnie The Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year (2002)
Director:Gary Katona, Ed Wexler, Jamie Mitchell |Run Time:1hr 5min
Cast:Jim Cummings, John Fiedler, and Ken Sansom
Serving as the series finale ofThe New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh,A Very Merry Pooh Yeargives us one last film with Pooh and his friends. The film has Christopher Robin (William Green), Winnie the Pooh (Jim Cummings), Piglet (Jeff Bennett), Rabbit (Ken Sansom), and Tigger (Jim Cummings) celebrating the holidays, and it’s just as heartwarming as you imagined. The film is a fitting send-off forThe New Adventures of Winnie the Poohand a great holiday film.
