10 Best Disney Christmas Movies

With the holiday season fast approaching, it is almost time to revisit beloved Christmas films, and plenty of people may find themselves turning to Disney to scratch that itch. Many of the best Christmas films are nostalgic and timeless, reminding us of family traditions, past holiday memories, and lessons of goodwill. Whether Christmas or not, Disney is a studio that excels at making movies with these themes.

The studio, one of the oldest and most prevalent in Hollywood, has created several popular holiday films, from classic holiday movies like Miracle on 34th Street to newer projects like Noelle, with its delightful cast. At times, they have even used the holiday season to bring back well-loved Disney characters for Christmas specials, whether it be full-length films or Disney’s great holiday and winter shorts. However, some of the studio’s best holiday projects have a few things in common: beloved characters, important life lessons, and a touch of that classic Disney magic.

10 Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Directed by George Seaton

Miracle on 34th Street is a quintessential Christmas classic that many people will recognize. The film stars a young Natalie Wood playing Susan Walker, the daughter of a single-mother, Doris Walker. Despite Doris’s attempts to deny Santa’s existence to her young daughter, she is challenged by the appearance of a man claiming to be the real Kris Kringle.

This classic has remained a holiday favorite for a reason. With a heartwarming storyline in Miracle on 34th Street and well-written characters, it is hard not to fall in love with Edmund Gwen’s portrayal of Kris Kringle, as well as Doris and her daughter.

The film is much more than a simple story about the holiday spirit; it teaches audiences the importance of protecting a child’s gift for whimsy and magic and defending one’s beliefs even in the face of scrutiny. According to Miracle on 34th Street, it is never foolish to believe in the Christmas spirit.

9 The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Directed by Tim Burton

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas is not only a great Halloween film to check out, but it also translates to the Christmas season that follows. This stop-motion film tells the story of Jack the Pumpkin King (Chris Sarandon), who devises a plan to take over Santa’s role for one year and take charge of Christmas. Of course, things do not go according to plan, but Jack Skellington eventually redeems himself, saving Christmas.

The Nightmare Before Christmas quickly became a classic after its release. The stop-motion, animated format of the film makes the world of Christmas town and Halloween town light up. Not to mention, it is easy to root for the romance between Nightmare Before Christmas‘ beloved characters of Sally (Catherine O’Hara) and Jack. Overall, The Nightmare Before Christmas is a uniquely dark interpretation of a holiday film, but great for anyone craving an unconventional Christmas movie night. It teaches viewers that it is always worth it to give something new a try, even if you fail in the end.

8 The Santa Clause (1994)

Directed by John Pasquin

The Santa Clause is another classic 90s Disney Christmas hit. In fact, the film was so successful that it was later given two sequels, making it a trilogy. The first film follows Scott Calvin, a workaholic businessman who becomes the next Santa Claus when the Santa before him has an accident. Despite the challenges of his new role, Scott’s holiday transformation brings him closer to his young son.

This Disney classic is hilariously executed. From Scott’s physical changes to interactions with his magical home in the North Pole, it is hard not to have a laugh. However, despite being a comedy, the film explores the relationship between Scott and his son, Charlie (Eric Lloyd), as he learns what it means to be a supportive father and put family first. Setting-wise, The Santa Clause masterfully crafts a magical version of the North Pole that is exciting to witness from an audience standpoint. In the end, Scott’s story advocates the importance of maintaining faith and belief even into adulthood.

7 I’ll Be Home For Christmas (1998)

Directed by Arlene Sanford

For those looking for more holiday comedies, Disney’s I’ll Be Home For Christmas is a great option. Unlike many holiday films, this is made for a teen and young adult audience. I’ll Be Home For Christmas is about Jake (Jonathan Taylor Thomas), a college student who is eager to receive his Christmas gift of a Porsche from his family in New York. Instead, he finds himself stranded in the desert after a prank is pulled.

The unique premise of I’ll Be Home For Christmas makes it stand out against other holiday films. There is no element of magic, but rather, the comedy stems from real-life struggles (travel challenges, teenage drama, and sneaky pranks). The teenage flick is a great reminder that Christmas is about much more than the act of receiving gifts, but instead of appreciating the presence of family and loved ones, something Jake figures out by the end of the film.

6 The Little Match Girl (2006)

Directed by Roger Allers

The Little Match Girl is a Disney short film based on the original Hans Christian Anderson story. Though it is roughly only six minutes long, the story is sure to tug at heartstrings. Set to the classical piece, “String Quartet #2 In D Major”, this short follows the Little Match Girl, an orphan who tries to sell her matchsticks on the streets of St. Petersburg, but is ignored by passers-by.

The film is a heartbreaking watch and leans into the darker ending of the original story, with the death of the young girl in the freezing cold. However, Allers’ animated rendition of the story is one of Disney’s stronger holiday films because of its beautiful score and animated designs, which add to the powerful emotional effect of the story. The meaning of the film is retained as well, reminding audiences of the importance of human generosity and charity, especially during the holiday season.

5 Disney’s A Christmas Carol (2009)

Directed by Robert Zemeckis

Disney’s A Christmas Carol is another animated retelling of a traditional Christmas tale. The original story, by Charles Dickinson, leans into its darker side in this version of the tale. Jim Carey delivers one of the best performances of Ebenezer Scrooge, the grumpy old man who learns to be kind after experiencing a night of hauntings by three Christmas spirits.

For fans of the original story, Disney’s A Christmas Carol adaptation is worth checking out. The Disney film has an impressive cast of voice actors who bring the characters to life, such as Jim Carey, Gary Oldman, and Colin Firth giving strong performances. Besides its characters, the film is animated with a hyper-realistic style that was unique for its time and made elements of horror in the film all the more terrifying. However, the film’s message remains hopeful and happy when Scrooge decides to become kind come Christmas day.

4 Olaf’s Frozen Adventure (2017)

Directed by Stevie Wermers, Kevin Deters

Olaf’s Frozen Adventure is a charming return to the world of the hit Disney film, Frozen. This holiday featurette is one of many that Disney has created using beloved characters from existing films. Olaf’s Frozen Adventure stars the adorable snowman, Olaf (Josh Gad), who embarks on a quest to learn more about holiday traditions so he can bring one back for his friends, Anna (Kristen Bell) and Elsa (Idina Menzel).

Although this featurette may only be around twenty minutes, it’s a fun and easy watch for fans of the original film. This time, the fan-favorite Olaf gets more screen time, with pop-ins from familiar faces like the princesses, their love interests, and other notable side characters. Animation in this film is another strength, and it is fun to watch the winter world of Arendelle transform for the holidays, paired with Olaf’s Frozen Adventure’s new batch of Disney songs. Of course, Olaf’s journey includes the touching lesson that the best holiday tradition is simply being present with friends and family.

3 The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018)

Directed by Lasse Hallström, Joe Johnston

Disney’s magical twist on the classic story of The Nutcracker, in their film, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, is a visually-stunning and immersive reimagining of the world of the Land of the Sweets. This film follows Clara (Mackenzie Foy), a young girl who is transported to the Land of the Sweets, where she is enlisted to help the Sugarplum Fairy (Keira Knightley) destroy evil in the kingdom.

This film is unique for a variety of reasons, and pays homage to the original ballet and story beautifully. Beyond its impressive world-building, elaborate VFX, and detailed costumes, the film has a series of great performances by familiar stars like Keira Knightley, Helen Mirren, and Morgan Freeman. Not to mention, the world-renowned prima ballerina, Misty Copeland, makes a cameo as one of the dancers in the film when there are excerpts from the ballet. For Clara, her journey in the film leads to her discovering a newfound sense of courage within herself and an ability to stand up for her beliefs.

2 Noelle (2019)

Directed by Marc Lawrence

Noelle is one of Disney’s newest Christmas hits. This holiday film is a hilarious comedy about Kris Kringle’s two children, Noelle Kringle (Anna Kendrick) and Nick Kringle (Bill Hader), who struggle with the challenge of taking over the reins after their father decides to retire from being Santa Claus.

This hidden gem in the archive of Disney’s holiday films is another amusing spin on the origins of Santa himself. Both leading actors bring their charmingly naive characters to life, and it is fun to witness their interactions with members of the real world outside the North Pole. The script itself is witty and clever, playing on the trope of the two fighting siblings who must help one another mature by the end to deserve the role of Santa Claus. Noelle teaches viewers to look out for their family and think of the welfare of others during the holidays.

1 The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special (2022)

Directed by James Gunn

Star-Lord and his iconic team from the comics return for this Marvel Christmas short, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. Although the film is still fairly recent, it has already become a classic among fans of the franchise. In The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, Drax (Dave Bautista) and Mantis (Pom Klementieff), decide to cheer up a depressed Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) by bringing him the perfect Christmas present.

There is no question why this holiday film is so popular with audiences. From the appearances of the beloved Guardians to the hilariously written dialogue between Drax and Mantis, this Christmas special is a must-see. Not to mention, the surprise cameo of actor Kevin Bacon (who plays himself) is absurdly fun when things do not go according to plan. Beyond fan service, the holiday special also makes a notable addition to the lore of the franchise, when it is revealed that Mantis is Star-Lord’s sister. This is a perfect reveal that really drives home the Guardian of the Galaxy franchise themes of families, both found and born.