Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
The holiday season can be, well, a bit hectic to say the least. Finding the perfect gift, dealing with your in-laws, the never-ending headache of batteries, having to deal with the unforgiving quagmire known as Christmas lights (so many knots!), the list goes on and on and on. But thankfully, you don’t have to wait until the 25th of December to enjoy the gift of streaming holiday movies!
From Home Alone to It’s a Wonderful Life to A Charlie Brown Christmas, many of your seasonal favorites are available to watch on a variety of streaming services from the comfort of your very own home. Not only can you find where to stream twenty of the most popular holiday movies, we also noted when and where they’ll be airing on television so you’ll be sure not to miss out on a beloved Christmas classic (or a 24-hour binge of a certain holiday film).
Naughty? Nice? Somewhere in the middle? It doesn’t matter. Unlike a certain portly gent in a red and white suit with a penchant for double-checking lists and flying reindeer, the gift of where to stream your favorite holiday movies can be enjoyed by everybody!
Merry Christmas to all and to all a happy streaming!
'It's a Wonderful Life'
Not to disparage any of the films on this list, but It’s a Wonderful Life is the perfect holiday movie. This 1946 classic is sure to fill you with Christmas cheer as George Bailey discovers the true meaning of life. No holiday season is complete without watching It’s a Wonderful Life.
Where to stream: iTunes, Google Play, YouTube Red, Amazon Video, Vudu
Can I watch It’s a Wonderful Life on TV? You bet! It’s a Wonderful Life will air on December 16 at 8:00 P.M. Eastern on USA and December 24 at 8:00 P.M. Eastern on NBC.
'Elf'
“Buddy the Elf, what’s your favorite color?”
There may not be a better laugh out loud holiday film than Will Ferrell’s Elf. It’s a textbook example of the perfect combination of actor and role. Grab some cola, spaghetti, and maple syrup (and perhaps some Tums) while you watch the North Pole’s biggest elf invade New York City!
Where to stream: Amazon Video, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, FandangoNow
Can I watch ELF on TV? Yep! Elf will be running on Freeform throughout the holiday season. You can watch Elf on December 24 at 7:40 P.M. Eastern and December 25 at 5:40 P.M. Eastern.
'A Christmas Story'
Is there a phrase more synonymous with Christmas television than “You’ll shoot your eye out”?
If you just can’t wait until Christmas Eve to watch Ralphie obtain his “official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle,” you can find out where you can stream this beloved holiday classic below.
Where to stream: Amazon Video, iTunes, Google Play, YouTube Red, Vudu
Can I watch A Christmas Story on TV? You bet! As per tradition, A Christmas Story will air for 24-straight hours beginning on December 24 at 8:00 P.M. Eastern on TBS and TNT.
'Home Alone'
Kevin!?!
The movie that launched 1000s of adult injuries due to a plethora of children imitating Kevin’s ridiculously awesome contraptions, Home Alone is a must-watch holiday tradition.
“Buzz, your girlfriend, Woof.”
Where to stream: HBO GO, Amazon Video, iTunes, YouTube Red, Vudu, Google Play
Can I watch Home Alone on TV? Yes. Home Alone will air on December 24 at 10:00 A.M. Eastern on HBO.
'Love Actually'
Who knew that Rick Grimes was such a romantic?
To many people, Love Actually is perfect. Hugh Grant, in what many believe to be his best movie, leads an all-star cast in this (relatively) new holiday classic that follows a variety of couples dealing with love a month before Christmas.
Where to stream: Netflix, Amazon Video, iTunes, Google Play, YouTube Red, Vudu, FandangoNow
Can I watch Love Actually on TV? You know it! Love Actually sporadically airs on Bravo, E!, and Oxygen throughout the holiday season. You can watch the film on December 24 at 7:00 P.M. Eastern and December 25 at 4:00 P.M. Eastern on the E! network.
'A Charlie Brown Christmas'
From “Linus and Lucy” to “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown,” few specials exude holiday cheer more than A Charlie Brown Christmas! If you missed this seasonal classic when it aired earlier this month, don’t worry! You can still catch up with the Peanuts gang before the 25th.
Where to stream: ABC.com, Amazon Video, Vudu, CinemaNow, and there’s also a high quality version available for free on YouTube.
Can I watch A Charlie Brown Christmas on TV? Yes! A Charlie Brown Christmas will air Thursday, December 22nd on ABC at 8:00 P.M. Eastern.
'Die Hard'
First off, yes, Die Hard is a holiday movie. The weather outside may be frightful, but John McClane vs Hans Gruber is so delightful. Watch Bruce Willis attend the worst (or best?) Christmas party ever in the classic action film Die Hard!
Yippee-Ki-Yay… uh… buddy!
Where to stream: Amazon Video, FandangoNow, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, YouTube Red
Can I watch Die Hard on TV? Of course! Die Hard airs December 15 at 9:00 A.M. Eastern and December 24 at 9:30 P.M. Eastern on IFC.
'How the Grinch Stole Christmas'
You may be a mean one, Mr. Grinch, but you’re also a holiday classic! Your heart will grow three sizes as you discover the true meaning of the holiday season after streaming How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Also, if you just want to hear “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” without that pesky plot getting in the way, here you go!
Where to stream: Amazon Video, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu
Can I watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas on TV? You bet! How the Grinch Stole Christmas will air December 14 at 8:00 P.M. Eastern on TNT and on December 23 at 8:00 P.M. Eastern on NBC.
'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation'
I wouldn’t want to spend the holidays with the Griswold family, but I wouldn’t want to miss a year without watching the ups and (many) downs of the Griswold family. Once you start seeing this highly quotable classic pop up on your television, you know the Christmas season is near!
Clark: Hey, Kids, I heard on the news that an airline pilot spotted Santa’s sleigh on its way in from New York City.
Eddie: You serious, Clark?
Where to stream: Amazon Video, YouTube Red, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu
Can I watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation on TV? Yes! National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is airing on Freeform throughout the holiday season. You can spend some quality time with the Griswold family on December 20 at 6:40 P.M. Eastern, December 24 at 9:45 P.M. Eastern, and December 25 at 7:45 P.M. Eastern on Freeform.
'Scrooged'
Bill Murray shines in the 1988 Christmas comedy Scrooged! A modern remake of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Murray portrays a cynical television executive, Frank Cross, who learns a valuable life lesson after being visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future.
Where to stream: Netflix, Amazon Video, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, YouTube Red
Can I watch Scrooged on TV? You know it! Scrooged airs on December 24 at 11:55 P.M. Eastern and December 25 at 9:55 P.M. Eastern on Freeform.
'Miracle on 34th Street' (1994)
John Hughes’ remake of the classic 1947 film, Miracle on 34th Street is the heartwarming story of a lawyer (Dylan McDermott) and a little girl’s (Mara Wilson) quest to prove that a man claiming to be Santa Claus is the real thing.
Where to stream: Starz, Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play, YouTube Red, Vudu
Can I watch Miracle on 34th Street on TV? In a word… yes! Miracle on 34th Street will air December 25 at 11:00 A.M. Eastern on HBO.
'The Santa Clause'
Tim Allen as a reluctant Santa Claus. Need I say more?
Yes. Yes, I do. This 1994 comedy is the perfect seasonal film for the whole family to enjoy as Tim Allen delivers stockings full of holiday cheer!
Where to stream: Netflix, Amazon Video, iTunes, Google Play, YouTube Red, Vudu, FandangoNow
Can I watch The Santa Clause on TV? You bet! The Santa Clause is sporadically airing on Freeform. You can watch the film on December 24 at 5:35 P.M. Eastern on Freeform.
'The Muppet Christmas Carol'
It’s time to play the music! It’s time to light the lights! It’s time to stream the Muppet Christmas Carol on your favorite device tonight! Watch Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo and others tell their own unique versions of this classic holiday tale in The Muppet Christmas Carol!
Where to stream: HBO GO, Amazon Video, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, YouTube Red
Can I watch The Muppet Christmas Carol on TV? Yes! The Muppet Christmas Carol will air on December 16 at 6:40 A.M. Eastern on HBO 2.
'The Holiday'
Last week, my colleague Lea proclaimed her undying love for this holiday favorite stating that you’d be making a “very serious mistake if you sleep on Nancy Meyers’ 2006 masterpiece, The Holiday.” I think it’s a nice film, while Lea gets goosebumps just looking at photos from the movie. Regardless, can you really risk not streaming a film that engenders this much passion?
Where to stream: Amazon Video, Google Play, iTunes, YouTube Red, Vudu, Fandango Now
Can I watch The Holiday on TV? Yep. The Holiday will be available to watch on Freeform on December 20 at 1:25 P.M. Eastern.
'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer'
What’s the holiday season without the endearing underdog tale of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? Rudolph’s radiant red nose saves Christmas while delighting audiences in this beloved 1964 special. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, you’ll go down in history… as an enchanting Christmas classic!
Where to stream: Fandango Now, IndieFlix, iTunes, Vudu, and you can watch a fairly decent version of the film for free on YouTube.
Can I watch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on TV? Nope. As of now, no holiday viewing of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has been announced.
'A Very Murray Christmas'
Celebrate St. Nick with the incomparable Bill Murray! The iconic actor’s 2015 Netflix special not only features music by Paul Shaffer and Maya Rudolph — who performs “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” — but the musical comedy also boasts an impressive array of guest stars including George Clooney, Miley Cyrus, and Chris Rock.
Where to stream A Very Murray Christmas: Netflix
Can I watch A Very Murray Christmas on TV? Nope. It’s only available to stream on Netflix.
'Frosty the Snowman'
The legendary Frosty the Snowman and a brave little girl attempt to elude a greedy magician who’s after the snowman’s magic hat in this 1969 animated classic! Look on the bright side, Frosty. Nobody is trying to steal your corn cob pipe and button nose.
Where to stream: Amazon Video, FandangoNow, Vudu, and Frosty is also available to watch on YouTube… for free!
Can I watch Frosty the Snowman on TV? Nope. As of now, no holiday viewing of Frosty the Snowman has been announced.
'The Nightmare Before Christmas'
Feeling a little bit burned out by the sentimentality of various holiday films? We got a cure for that. The Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, Jack Skellington, decides to celebrate Christmas in Tim Burton’s stop-motion animated adventure The Nightmare Before Christmas!
Where to stream: Amazon Video, iTunes, Google Play, YouTube Red, FandangoNow, Vudu
Can I watch The Nightmare Before Christmas on TV? Yep! The Nightmare Before Christmas airs on Freeform a couple of times leading up to the big day. You can watch the film on December 18 at 12:00 P.M. Eastern, December 22 at 5:10 P.M. Eastern, and December 23 at 3:00 P.M. Eastern.
'Bad Santa'
Have a good Christmas by watching a Bad Santa. Not all holiday films are filled with fond memories and warm hugs. Billy Bob Thornton stars as a crude, alcoholic thief who just so happens to pose as jolly old St. Nick in this 2003 dark comedy.
Where to stream: HBO Go, Amazon Video, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, YouTube Red, FandangoNow
Can I watch Bad Santa on TV? Yep! Bad Santa is scheduled to air on December 24 at 2:40 A.M. on HBO.
'The Night Before'
If you’re looking for more adult-based hijinks this holiday season, we suggest checking out the Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anthony Mackie buddy comedy The Night Before! The film follows three lifelong friends on a Christmas eve they’ll never forget as they spend the night in New York City attempting to locate an exclusive holiday party.
Where to stream: Starz, Amazon Video, Google Play, YouTube Red, iTunes, Vudu
Can I watch The Night Before on TV? Yes! The Night Before is currently airing on Starz. You can catch the r-rated comedy on December 24 at 9:49 A.M. Eastern and December 25 at 12:55 A.M. Eastern.
