The holiday season has arrived with lots of cheerful decorations, Christmas music, and pressure to find the perfect gifts. This time of year can be stressful, but taking a break with some of your favorite Disney characters can help turn the mood around. If you’re taking after Ebenezer Scrooge this season, a viewing of one of these Disney Christmas movies will get you from “Bah! Humbug!” to “Merry Christmas!” in no time.
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas
This direct-to-video animated Christmas anthology from 1999 features three different holiday tales. The first story focuses on Donald Duck and his nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie, who wish it could be Christmas every day. When their holiday wish comes true, the troublemaking trio learns a lesson about the importance of the holiday. In the second story, Goofy does everything in his power to convince Max that Santa Claus is real. In the final tale, Mickey and Minnie put their own spin on the classic “Gift of the Magi” story by O. Henry. As a bonus, “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas” is narrated by the soothing voice of Kelsey Grammer (“Frasier,” “The Simpsons”).
Stream it on Netflix here.
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens’ timeless holiday story “A Christmas Carol” gets the Muppet treatment in this beloved 1992 movie. Featuring Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge, the movie fills in the “Christmas Carol” roles with some of our favorite Muppets, including Gonzo as Charles Dickens, Kermit as Bob Cratchit, and Statler and Waldorf as Jacob and Robert Marley. The soundtrack includes great holiday songs too, especially “It Feels Like Christmas,” “Thankful Heart,” and “Scrooge.”
Rent or buy it on Amazon here.
Duck the Halls: A Mickey Mouse Christmas Special
The “Mickey Mouse” animated shorts are filled with funny stories, delightful animation, and amazing music, and the “Duck the Halls” Christmas special from 2016 is no exception. In this darkly comedic story, Donald opts not to migrate south with Daisy for the winter so he can enjoy the holidays with Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy. Despite Donald getting sicker by the minute, Mickey vows to make Donald’s first, and possibly last, Christmas the best ever.
Rent or buy it on Amazon here.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
On a list of the best Disney Christmas movies, this entry was a given. The fan-favorite movie from 1993 often doubles as both a Halloween and Christmas movie, making it the perfect treat to watch from October – December every year. The film tells the story of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, who tries to bring Christmas to Halloween Town with disastrous results. Based on a story and characters by Tim Burton, this stop-motion animated film has lots of dark, warm heart.
Stream it on Hulu here.
The Santa Clause
This holiday movie from 1994 combines the whimsy of Santa Claus with legal technicalities. What’s not to love? The film stars Tim Allen as Scott Calvin, who startles Santa on Christmas Eve, causing him to fall off the roof. Before Santa’s body disappears, Scott finds a note that says, “If something should happen to me, put on my suit, the Reindeer will know what to do” — making Scott Calvin the next St. Nick. Though the premise is pretty dark already, Tim Allen said the film originally had an even darker beginning.
Buy or rent it on Amazon here.
Mickey’s Christmas Carol
“A Christmas Carol” makes another appearance, this time with classic Disney characters telling the holiday story. Scrooge McDuck plays his namesake Ebenezer Scrooge, with Mickey Mouse as Bob Cratchit, Goofy as Jacob Marley, Mr. Toad as Fezziwig, and more. This classic story is a must during the holiday season, and it’s made even better with the addition of your favorite Disney characters.
Buy it on Amazon here.