Where and when you can watch 15 classic Christmas movies and specials on TV, streaming

Chris Foran, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Updated ·5 min read

Although most of the most popular holiday movies and TV shows are available year-round, the closer we get to Christmas, the more people seem to want to watch them.

Here's where you can find 15 holiday classics, either on television and cable or via streaming services. Note that most of these are available for rental via video-on-demand services like Apple TV or Amazon, and some can be found at your local library, if you're into the whole DVD/Blu-ray thing.

As always when it involves TV listings, showtimes — listed below in Central Time — are subject to change.

‘Almost Christmas’

On TV/cable: E! — 5 a.m. Nov. 20, 8 a.m. Dec. 3.

Can I stream it?: No.

‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’

On TV/cable: No.

Can I stream it?: Yes, on Apple TV+ (available free to nonsubscribers Dec. 16-17 only).

In the 1938 version of “A Christmas Carol,” Reginald Owen, right, plays curmudgeonly Ebenezer Scrooge, confronted by the ghost of his former partner, Marley (played by Leo G. Carroll).
In the 1938 version of “A Christmas Carol,” Reginald Owen, right, plays curmudgeonly Ebenezer Scrooge, confronted by the ghost of his former partner, Marley (played by Leo G. Carroll).

‘A Christmas Carol’

(1938 version, with Reginald Owen as Scrooge)

On TV/cable: TCM — 3:30 p.m. Dec. 2, 5:45 p.m. Dec. 18, 10:45 p.m. Dec. 24.

Can I stream it?: Yes, on Max.

Ebenezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim) faces the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come in the 1951 production of "A Christmas Carol."
Ebenezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim) faces the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come in the 1951 production of "A Christmas Carol."

‘A Christmas Carol’ (aka 'Scrooge')

(1951 version, with Alastair Sim as Scrooge)

On TV/cable: Movies! channel — 2:50 p.m. Nov. 23, 11 a.m. Dec. 3.

Can I stream it?: Not available on major streaming services.

We double-dog dare you to miss "A Christmas Story," showing in its traditional Christmas Eve marathon starting at 7 p.m. Dec. 24 on TBS.
We double-dog dare you to miss "A Christmas Story," showing in its traditional Christmas Eve marathon starting at 7 p.m. Dec. 24 on TBS.

‘A Christmas Story’

On TV/cable: TBS — 7 p.m. Dec. 2, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3, 7 p.m. Dec. 24 (showing in a marathon for the next 24 hours); TNT — 7 p.m. Dec. 14, 4:30 p.m. Dec. 17, 6:45 p.m. Dec. 18, 7 p.m. Dec. 24 (showing in a marathon for the next 24 hours).

Can I stream it?: Yes, on Max.

‘Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas’

(1966 animated TV special)

On TV/cable: NBC — 7 p.m. Nov. 30, 7 p.m. Dec. 25; Bravo — 1:30 and 7 p.m. Nov. 24; E! — 5:30 and 6 p.m. Nov. 29; Syfy — 7 p.m. Nov. 24; TBS — 6 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10, 7 a.m. Dec. 16, 7 p.m. Dec. 22, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 23; TNT — 6:30 p.m. Dec. 14, 4 p.m. Dec. 17; USA — 7 p.m. Nov. 24.

Can I stream it?: Yes, on Peacock.

‘Elf’

On TV/cable: AMC — 6, 8 and 10 p.m. Dec. 2, 5 p.m. Dec. 3, 8 p.m. Dec. 4, 5 p.m. Dec. 5, 7 and 9 p.m. Dec. 8; 7 and 9 p.m. Dec. 10, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 11, 5 p.m. Dec. 12, 7 and 9 p.m. Dec. 13, 6 and 8 p.m. Dec. 16, 7 and 9 p.m. Dec. 18, 9:15 p.m. Dec. 19, 7 p.m. Dec. 20, 8 p.m. Dec. 22, 6 p.m. Dec. 23, 8:15 p.m. Dec. 24, 5:15 and 9:30 p.m. Dec. 25, 7 p.m. Dec. 26; Cartoon Network — 4 p.m. Nov. 26, 11 a.m. Nov. 27; TBS — 7 p.m. Nov. 24 (showing in a marathon over the next 24 hours); TNT — 6 p.m. Nov. 23, 2:30 p.m. Nov. 24, 7 and 9 p.m. Nov. 27, 7 and 9 p.m. Nov. 30.

Can I stream it?: Yes, on Paramount+, and on Hulu starting Nov. 23.

‘It’s a Wonderful Life’

On TV/cable: NBC — 7 p.m. Dec. 24; Bravo — 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. Nov. 24; E! — 11 a.m., 2, 5 and 8 p.m. Nov. 23.

Can I stream it?: Yes, on Prime Video and Roku Channel.

'Love Actually'

On TV/cable: AMC — 8 p.m. Nov. 21; Sundance Channel — 11:45 a.m. and 10:15 p.m. Dec. 2.

Can I stream it?: Yes, on Netflix.

Natalie Wood as Susan and Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle appear in the original 1947 movie "Miracle on 34th Street."
Natalie Wood as Susan and Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle appear in the original 1947 movie "Miracle on 34th Street."

‘Miracle on 34th Street’

(1947 version)

On TV/cable: AMC — 6 p.m. Nov. 27, 11:45 a.m. Dec. 10.

Can I stream it?: Yes, on Disney+, Prime Video and Hulu.

‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’

On TV/cable: AMC — 7 and 9:15 p.m. Dec. 3, 7 and 9:15 p.m. Dec. 5, 7 and 9:15 p.m. Dec. 7, 7 and 9:15 p.m. Dec. 9; 5 and 9:15 p.m. Dec. 11, 7 and 9:15 p.m. Dec. 15, 7 and 9:15 p.m. Dec. 17, 7 p.m. Dec. 19, 4:45 p.m. Dec. 20, 7 and 9:15 p.m. Dec. 21, 8 p.m. Dec. 23, 6 and 10:15 p.m. Dec. 24, 3 and 7:15 p.m., 4:45 p.m. Dec. 26; TNT — 3:30 p.m. Nov. 20, 8 p.m. Nov. 23, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 24, 9 p.m. Nov. 25 (showing in a marathon over the next 24 hours).

Can I stream it?: Yes, on Fubo, and on Hulu starting Nov. 23.

Denzel Washington, right, is an angel come to Earth who charms Whitney Houston during the Christmas season in "The Preacher's Wife."
Denzel Washington, right, is an angel come to Earth who charms Whitney Houston during the Christmas season in "The Preacher's Wife."

‘The Preacher’s Wife’

On TV/cable: FX — 8 a.m. Nov. 24, 8:30 a.m. Dec. 1.

Can I stream it?: Yes, on MGM+.

Rudolph, right, meets a new friend, Hermey the Dentist, in a scene from the animated classic "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."
Rudolph, right, meets a new friend, Hermey the Dentist, in a scene from the animated classic "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."

‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’

(1964 animated TV special)

On TV/cable: CBS — 8 p.m. Nov. 24, 7 p.m. Nov. 27; Freeform — 6:10 p.m. Dec. 3, 4:50 Dec. 4, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 20, 4:15 Dec. 21, 4:35 p.m. Dec. 24, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 25.

Can I stream it?: No.

Humbug-y TV executive Frank Cross (Bill Murray) encounters a playfully vicious Ghost of Christmas Past (Carol Kane) in "Scrooged."
Humbug-y TV executive Frank Cross (Bill Murray) encounters a playfully vicious Ghost of Christmas Past (Carol Kane) in "Scrooged."

‘Scrooged’

On TV/cable: Paramount Network — 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. Dec. 1.

Can I stream it?: Yes, on Prime Video.

Rosemary Clooney (from left), Danny Kaye, Bing Crosby and Vera Ellen dream of a "White Christmas" in the 1954 musical.
Rosemary Clooney (from left), Danny Kaye, Bing Crosby and Vera Ellen dream of a "White Christmas" in the 1954 musical.

‘White Christmas’

On TV/cable: AMC — 10:45 a.m. and 8:15 p.m. Nov. 27, 7:45 a.m. Dec. 24.

Can I stream it?: Yes, on Netflix.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Where to watch 15 classic Christmas movies, specials on TV, streaming