From our Friends at D23
It’s the most wonderful time of the year… so grab your favorite cozy blanket, whip up a piping hot cup of cocoa (we’re fans of extramarshmallows—the mini variety, natch), and settle in for a long winter’s night with Disney+! With the holidays upon us and wintery weather sweeping in across the country, there’s no better time to gather the family—both related, chosen, and the four-legged variety—and enjoy all manner of festive fun available on the streaming service.
This year, the crack team of elves here at D23 has put together a list of seasonally sublime movies available to stream on Disney+—and a few from Hulu, since the beta launch of Hulu on Disney+ is now entertaining bundle subscribers—from around the worlds of Disney (and beyond) that are sure to warm the cockles of your heart. Bookmark this list, so you know what to watch during your next snow day!
By the way: Are you a D23 Member and a Disney+ subscriber and looking for some perfect gifts? Well, you’re in holly-jolly luck! You now have access to Disney+ Perks, which offers 50% off a new D23 Gold Membership—as well as savings on other brands you know and love, like Corkcicle and Sideshow. (Great for under the tree!)
And that’s not all: There’s also a Disney Cruise Line sweepstakes in the offing! Disney+ subscribers as of November 29 who are also D23 Members have a chance to be among the first to set sail on the maiden voyage of the all-new Disney Treasure. For your chance at an incredible seven-night cruise aboard the brand-new vessel (including roundtrip airfare), click here!
Now, onto the list…
Home Alone >
For the uninitiated, this now-beloved 1990 holiday comedy follows 8-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) as he becomes the man of the house… overnight! When the rest of his frenzied family embarks on a Christmas vacation, Kevin is accidentally left behind. Unfortunately, it’s now also up to Kevin to stop two bumbling burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) from breaking in. Can his DIY booby traps protect the family home? Sure, there’s plenty of slapstick—but this film is pretty heartwarming too, thanks to a delightful turn by Catherine O’Hara as Kevin’s mom, Kate.
The Muppet Christmas Carol >
There’s no way we could leave this one off the list… The Muppets’ 1992 take on the classic Charles Dickens tale features Gonzo the Great (voiced by Dave Goelz) as Mr. Dickens himself, as he narrates a faithful adaptation of the tale of the redemption of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine). Kermit the Frog (here voiced by Steve Whitmire, as Disney Legend Jim Henson had only recently passed when this film was made) takes on the role of Bob Cratchit, and Fozzie Bear (voiced by Frank Oz) costars as Fozziwig, obviously. With songs by The Muppet Movie’s Paul Williams and amazing performances by humans and Muppets alike, this a veritable holiday staple.
Frozen >
The one that started it all! Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 2013 Oscar® winner is a perfect “gather the fam”-type film for a cozy night in. Perpetually optimistic princess Anna (voiced by Disney Legend Kristin Bell) sets off on an epic journey—teaming up with mountain man Kristoff (voiced by Disney Legend Jonathan Groff) and his loyal reindeer Sven—to find her sister, newly minted queen Elsa (voiced by Disney Legend Idina Menzel), whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. With help from a sunny snowman named Olaf (voiced by Disney Legend Josh Gad), Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom.
Moana >
Feel like warming up after a trek through Arendelle? We’ve got just the thing! This Walt Disney Animation Studios 2017 hit follows an adventurous teen (voiced by Auli’i Cravalho) as she sails out on a daring mission to save her people. Early on, she meets the once-mighty demigod Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson), who guides her on her journey to become a master wayfinder. Together they sail across a vast ocean, encountering gigantic monsters and impossible odds… all while Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and discovers the one thing she’s always desired: her own identity.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks >
Swinging it back to a Disney classic, we’re going with one of our all-time favorites—a film that mixes live action with animation and some fantastic tunes from Disney Legends Richard and Robert Sherman: 1971’s Bedknobs and Broomsticks, starring Disney Legend Angela Lansbury! It’s fall 1940, and eccentric spinster Eglantine Price (Lansbury) has been asked to take in three children (Ian Weighill, Roy Snart, and Cindy O’Callaghan) escaping the Blitz in London. But it just so happens that Eglantine is studying to be a witch, hoping her skills will help hasten the end of World War II. Songs, shenanigans, hilarity, and heart ensue. Also starring Mary Poppins’ David Tomlinson, a fellow Disney Legend.
Elf > (Hulu)
… And now for a few options available to Disney+ subscribers thanks to the Hulu beta launch! In this 2003 film (how is it 20 years old?!), Will Ferrell stars as Buddy—a human orphan raised by Santa’s elves at the North Pole. When it’s discovered that Buddy’s real father, Walter (James Caan) is on the “naughty list,” Buddy decides to travel to New York City to help redeem him with some Christmas spirit. While on this crazy adventure, endlessly enthusiastic Buddy meets Jovie (Zooey Deschanel), a dissatisfied worker at Gimbels department store… and romance, surprisingly, ensues.
Miracle on 34th Street > (1947 and 1994) (Hulu)
Finally, here’s a two-for-one special! The original Miracle on 34th Street, from 1947, is an absolute classic—starring Maureen O’Hara, Edmund Gwenn, and a young Natalie Wood as a little girl who (at least initially) doesn’t believe in Santa Claus. The 1994 remake managed to, thankfully, be just as warm and wonderful (in our humble opinion, at least!) as the ’47 version… thanks to fantastic performances from Mara Wilson as the aforementioned non-believer and Sir Richard Attenborough as one of the best Santas ever committed to celluloid.
