Best Christmas films on Disney Plus in 2025 – from Home Alone to The Muppet Christmas Carol

Netflix consistently releases the most new Christmas movies each year, but Disney Plus arguably offers a better collection of traditional, beloved holiday classics.

As a huge movie fan, I’m thrilled to see classics like Home Alone and The Muppet Christmas Carol in this collection! They even have both versions of Miracle on 34th Street. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a proper holiday movie selection without a little debate – they’ve included Die Hard and The Nightmare Before Christmas, which always get people arguing about whether they really count as Christmas movies!

And the good stuff doesn’t stop there! The platform has a ton of other movies perfect for whatever time of year it is. They’ve got some really cute picks for the little ones, and I was thrilled to find an Oscar-nominated short by the amazing Italian director, Alice Rohrwacher – definitely worth checking out!

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Home Alone

Even after over 30 years, Macaulay Culkin’s performance as Kevin McAllister in “Home Alone” is still considered one of the best by a child actor. The movie centers around 8-year-old Kevin, who is accidentally left home alone during the holidays and must defend the house from two burglars, Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern, by setting up clever and often painful traps on Christmas Eve.

Over the years, several sequels to the film have been made, and you can watch them all on Disney Plus. However, we think only Home Alone 2: Lost in New York is really worth watching.

Die Hard

Though it first came out in July, many people now consider this 1988 action movie a Christmas tradition. Its story takes place on Christmas Eve, it features a cheerful soundtrack, and it has a particularly memorable use of a Santa Claus ‘Ho Ho Ho!’ – making it a favorite for millions during the holidays.

Okay, let me tell you about this movie. It’s got Bruce Willis playing John McClane, a New York cop who just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time – a Christmas Eve party in LA that gets taken over by terrorists! Willis is fantastic, giving us a performance packed with lines we still quote today. But honestly, Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber steals the show – he’s become one of the most memorable villains in action movie history, seriously. It’s a classic for a reason!

The Muppet Christmas Carol

Many versions of Charles Dickens’s classic Christmas story, A Christmas Carol, have been made, but few are as popular as this charming adaptation featuring The Muppets. The story is narrated by Gonzo, playing Dickens, and Rizzo the Rat. Most of the Muppet characters have important roles, and Michael Caine gives a fantastic performance as Ebenezer Scrooge, playing the character seriously despite being surrounded by Muppets.

This new and energetic adaptation of the classic story, complete with wonderful original songs like “Thankful Heart” and “It Feels Like Christmas,” might just be the best movie version yet. It’s guaranteed to get you into the holiday spirit!

A Christmas Carol

If you’re not a fan of the Muppets (seriously?), this 2009 version of the story might be more your speed. Director Robert Zemeckis used the same motion-capture animation he famously used in The Polar Express, creating a distinctive and somewhat unusual look, and it was originally intended for a 3D viewing experience.

Jim Carrey plays not only Ebenezer Scrooge, but also all three ghosts who visit him. The film also features strong performances from actors like Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Bob Hoskins, and Robin Wright. Whether you’ll enjoy it depends on how impressed you are with the special effects, but the story is well-acted and stays true to the original.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Every year, people debate whether Tim Burton and Henry Selick’s spooky animated movie is a Christmas film or a Halloween one. The best answer is probably that it’s both – a unique blend of the two holidays.

This stop-motion musical tells the story of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, who’s grown tired of his job. When he discovers a doorway to Christmas Town, he becomes obsessed with bringing Christmas to Halloween Town – even going so far as to kidnap Santa Claus. While the movie definitely has a Halloween vibe, it includes plenty of Christmas elements, making it a fun choice for the holidays.

Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas

This collection of animated shorts, featuring Mickey Mouse and friends, came out on video in 1999. It’s perfect for young children who want some holiday entertainment.

This collection features three animated shorts: “Donald Duck: Stuck on Christmas,” “A Very Goofy Christmas,” and “Mickey and Minnie’s Gift of the Magi.” If you’re looking for even more, you can find five additional stories in the 2004 film, “Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas.”

The Santa Clause

This funny Christmas movie from 1994 stars Tim Allen in his first major film role. He plays a divorced and grumpy dad who accidentally causes the original Santa Claus to fall off his roof. As a result, he unexpectedly has to fill in as the new Santa!

At first, he’s surprised by his new situation, but he gradually embraces it and remembers the joy of Christmas he hadn’t felt in years. The movie continued with two more installments—The Santa Clause 2 and The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause—released in 2002 and 2006, and both are now available on Disney Plus.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Everyone knows Scrooge dislikes Christmas, but Dr. Seuss’s Grinch is a close second when it comes to famous holiday grumps. While a new animated movie came out in 2018, the 2000 film starring Jim Carrey is still considered the best and most memorable version.

The story centers on a grumpy character who tries to spoil Christmas for the cheerful people of Whoville, whom he dislikes. But his plans are challenged when he meets Cindy Lou (Taylor Momsen), a six-year-old girl who tries to help him find the spirit of the season.

Miracle on 34th Street

Disney Plus offers two versions of this beloved Christmas story. You can watch the original from 1947, starring Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle, or the popular 1994 remake with Richard Attenborough in the same role, alongside Matilda’s Mara Wilson.

Both movies take place in New York City and center around Kris Kringle, a department store Santa, who ends up in court. People question if he truly is Santa Claus, upsetting a young girl who has become his friend.

Noelle

Noelle, a Disney Plus movie from 2019, tells the story of Santa Claus’s daughter, played by Anna Kendrick. When Santa decides to retire and her brother disappears, Noelle unexpectedly has to step up and take over the family’s Christmas duties.

The film also features a talented supporting cast, including Bill Hader, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Billy Eichner, Julie Hagerty, and Shirley MacLaine.

The Family Stone

Diane Keaton stars in this movie alongside Sarah Jessica Parker, Claire Danes, Rachel McAdams, and others. The story centers on Meredith, played by Parker, who realizes she doesn’t quite fit in with her boyfriend’s traditional family during the holidays.

Things are great between us when we’re in the city, but honestly, as soon as we visit family in this little New England town, everything starts to fall apart. It’s like a completely different story once we’re out there.

Le pupille

I stumbled across this short film on Disney Plus, and wow, I’m so glad I did! It’s by Alice Rohrwacher, the director of ‘La Chimera,’ and it was even nominated for an Oscar. Honestly, it’s a bit of a hidden treasure within all the usual Christmas movies, and if you’re looking for something a little different and special, you absolutely should check it out.

The story takes place during Christmas in World War II and centers around Serafina, a mischievous young girl living in a strict Catholic orphanage. She’s thrilled when a large cake arrives, offering a bright spot in her difficult life.

2025-12-10 14:09