As the holiday season approaches every year, the signs start to become evident all over the place. Our favorite (or most hated) Christmas songs start playing on the radio, and shop windows are starting to get dressed up for the impending occasion. The same goes for our favorite streaming services, which become inundated with festive holiday viewing options every year. It's a welcome oversaturation because there is no better way to spend those cold winter nights than to make some hot chocolate, curl up on the couch, and settle in for a holiday movie marathon.

No stranger to getting into the festive spirit, Disney+ has become a go-to platform for classic Christmas movies. Of course, the options for holiday movies, both new and old, can seem a little overwhelming. That's why it never hurts to have a helpful streaming guide on hand to help wade through the best of the best on Disney's streaming service. From Home Alone to The Nightmare Before Christmas, these Christmas movies are the best Disney+ has to offer this winter.

Updated on November 18th, 2023, by Scoot Allan: This article has been updated with new features and information to keep the discussion fresh and relevant.

10 Ernest Saves Christmas

Tragically, the modern generation might not have much recollection of the talented Ernest P. Worrell, a character created by the late Jim Varney who found success on the big and small screens. In 1988's Ernest Saves Christmas, the non-typical hero tries to free Santa Claus from jail and rescue the holidays as only he can.

What Makes It A Holiday Must-Watch?

While Ernest Saves Christmas might not be the most typical addition to any holiday movie marathon, it has still developed a cult following over the years. Varney's various characters by way of Ernest P. Worrell continue to impress, and the film carries the much-needed heartfelt Christmas messages that help it stand out from the rest during the holidays.

9 Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Miracle on 34th Street is a Christmas classic that has been enjoyed for generations. When the real Santa Claus takes over as a department store stand-in and befriends a young girl. After he finds himself embroiled in a legal case that calls his true identity into question, she becomes a star witness who helps the courtroom see the magic of Christmas.

What Makes It A Holiday Must-Watch?

There are quite a few Christmas movies that explore the notion that Santa Claus might not be real, though Miracle on 34th Street is one of the best. While there is a modern remake that has just as many fans, Disney+ is currently only streaming the original version.

8 The Santa Clause (1994)

Definitely the best in the original movie trilogy, 1994’s The Santa Clause follows Tim Allen as a perfectly average man — until one fateful Christmas Eve. After he causes Santa Claus to slip and fall from the roof of his house and presumably die, Scott Calvin is forced to put on Santa’s suit and finish Christmas night, resulting in him officially taking over the role of Santa.

What Makes It A Holiday Must-Watch?

With the second season of the Disney+ continuation series arriving on the streaming service this season, why not revisit the original classic that started it all? This Christmas classic remains just as funny as the day it was released as we see Allen gradually growing more rotund and unable to control his ever-growing white beard to the bemusement of those around him. Unsurprisingly, the movie was a huge critical and commercial success, kicking off the long-running franchise.

7 Noelle (2020)

This Disney+ exclusive quickly became a holiday fan-favorite. Noelle is the daughter of Kris Kringle, who finds herself searching the globe for her brother. He flees from the pressure of having to take over the role of Santa Claus from their father.

What Makes It A Holiday Must-Watch?

Noelle is full of holiday cheer, humor, heart, and female empowerment. Anna Kendrick shines in this charming tale about self-discovery is fun for all the family and provides 100 minutes of festive escapism perfect for a cold winter’s night.

6 Jingle All The Way (1996)

Arnold Schwarzenegger may be best known for his action-heavy roles, though he also delivered a few family favorites over the years as well. 1996's Jingle All The Way follows a family man's drive to find his son the exclusive toy he promised him to prove that he is committed to his family instead of his job. Of course, he's not the only one who is after the same action figure, leading to a few hilarious confrontations.

What Makes It A Holiday Must-Watch?

Jingle All The Way is silly and over-the-top, which is exactly what some people want out in their Christmas movie marathon. Schwarzenegger even got a chance to play out a few action moments in the comedy, which should further appeal to his fans. Jingle All The Way also features one of the last performances of comedian Phil Hartman to further entice viewers.

5 Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Macaulay Culkin returned to the role of Kevin McCallister alongside the rest of his family in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York as they headed on a vacation for the holidays. Unfortunately, he got separated from his family and arrived alone in New York while burglars Marv and Harry stalked the Big Apple as well.

What Makes It A Holiday Must-Watch?

It's not often that a sequel can have the same lasting power as the original, especially when discussing Christmas movies. While the original Home Alone is still many fan's preferred holiday film, the sequel still holds a place in some people's hearts. It recaptures the magic of the first film while taking the story in a new direction, reinforcing the importance of family during the holidays.

4 Disney's A Christmas Carol (2009)

One of the most well-known Christmas stories of all time, this adaptation of A Christmas Carol sees director Robert Zemeckis utilizing cutting-edge CGI and motion-capture technology to produce an eerily dark-themed Christmas animated feature, with Jim Carrey playing multiple characters, including Ebenezer Scrooge. Other voice actors part of this impressive cast include Bob Hoskins, Colin Firth, and Gary Oldman, who, like Carrey, also voices multiple characters.

What Makes It A Holiday Must-Watch?

The film made an impressive $325 million at the box office, but when considering its enormous production budget estimated at around $200 million, it wasn’t considered so impressive by Disney. Despite the bad press, the movie remains an interesting take on a classic tale and a great way to spend a couple of hours with the family over Christmas.

3 Home Alone (1990)

Written and produced by John Hughes, Home Alone follows a fresh-faced Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, a boy who defends his family’s home from burglars after they accidentally leave him behind on their Christmas vacation. While Culkin does an impressive job, it’s Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern as the aforementioned burglars who steal the show. They chew through the scenery, facing all manner of sadistic traps assembled by their young nemesis.

What Makes It A Holiday Must-Watch?

One of the all-time greatest Christmas movies, the hilarious and surprisingly violent family classic feels just as fresh today as it did three decades ago. The film remains essential viewing over the festive period. Breaking numerous box office records at the time of its release, it was the United States’ highest-grossing movie for 12 consecutive weeks.

2 The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Fantastic stop-motion animation combined with a dark yet catchy soundtrack from Danny Elman brings to life this story of Jack Skellington (the King of Halloween) and his newfound obsession with Christmas. He hatches a plot to abduct Santa Claus and hilariously replace him, though he soon discovers a threat to the holidays he must face.

What Makes It A Holiday Must-Watch?

Part Halloween and part Christmas movie, The Nightmare Before Christmas was directed by Henry Sellick and written by Tim Burton. The film has gone on to amass a significant cult following since its initial release in 1993 and has continued to bring the biggest of grins to viewers of all ages for years.

1 The Muppet Christmas Carol

Perhaps the most beloved retelling of this Christmas classic features Jim Henson's cast of lovable Muppets. Originally released in 1992, The Muppet Christmas Carol sees Sir Michael Caine take on the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, as he is visited by a variety of puppet ghosts. Elsewhere, we see Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit and Fozzie Bear as ‘Fozziwig’ with narration from The Great Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat.

What Makes It A Holiday Must-Watch?

This lively adaptation features everything we want from a Muppet movie and a Christmas movie, with plenty of heart, humor, and a few great musical numbers. Often cited as one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time, Disney+ even added an extended edition to the platform which includes a new song for die-hard fans.