Christmas movies that are underrated
If you’re tired of the classic Christmas movies, try these six underrated holiday films.
Love Christmas specials? We grew up with these TV classics, and now it’s time to share them with new generations. That used to mean waiting to catch a holiday favorite right when it aired on TV.
Now, you can plan to watch live, catch it several times on cable or satellite or just stream it at the best time for you.
If that’s not enough, there are plenty of great Christmas movies taking over premium networks and streaming services to boost your mood this holiday season.
Here’s how to watch some classic animated Christmas favorites and Rankin/Bass shows, like “Frosty the Snowman”, “Rudolph” and the Grinch. All listings are Central time.
‘Frosty the Snowman’ has several showtimes
The magical tale of “Frosty the Snowman” will air at 7 p.m. Dec. 9 on NBC.
It will also air on Freeform at:
- 8:20 p.m. Dec. 18
- 2:35 p.m. Dec. 19
- 4:10 p.m. Dec. 21
- 1:40 p.m. Dec. 22
- 8:20 p.m. Dec. 24
- 3:30 p.m. Dec. 25
Subscribers can stream Frosty on Hulu/Disney+, Peacock, Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video.
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‘The Year Without a Santa Claus’ is on AMC, streaming
Will Santa cancel Christmas? Find out when “The Year Without a Santa Claus” airs.
You can watch it on AMC at:
- 3:45 a.m. Dec. 11
- 2:15 p.m. Dec. 14
- 8 a.m. Dec. 19
- 7:30 a.m. Dec. 20
- 8:15 a.m. Dec. 22
- 1:30 p.m. Dec. 23
- 6:45 a.m. Dec. 24
According to TV Guide, it’s available to buy or rent from $3.99 on Apple TV, Amazon Video, Fandango at Home, Google Play and YouTube.
‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ is on network, cable this year
Rudolph and his shining red nose get another chance to save Christmas when the beloved 1964 special airs at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 on NBC.
The special debuted on NBC on Dec. 6, 1964, and returned to the network in 2024 after airing for more than five decades on CBS.
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” will also air on Freeform at:
- 7:15 p.m. Dec. 18
- 3:10 p.m. Dec. 19
- 4:45 p.m. Dec. 21
- 12:35 p.m. Dec. 22
- 7:15 p.m. Dec. 24
- 4 p.m. Dec. 25
The special is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Tubi TV and Pluto TV. Or you can buy it for $9.99 on Amazon Prime, Apple TV or Google Play.
‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ is on Freeform, Disney+
Pumpkin King Jack Skellington opts to “improve” Christmas.
Watch it on Freeform at:
- 11 p.m. Dec. 11
- 2:30 p.m. Dec. 14
- 11:25 p.m. Dec. 19
- 11:25 p.m. Dec. 23
It’s available to stream for Disney+ members, and it can be bought or rented, starting at $3.79 from Amazon Prime, Apple TV, YouTube, Google Play and Fandango At Home.
How to watch ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ for free
Charlie Brown tries to find a deeper meaning to Christmas in this 1965 classic. Apple TV+ owns the rights to “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” so you won’t find it on network TV in 2025.
But Apple TV+ will let nonsubscribers watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas” for free on Dec. 13 and Dec. 14.
‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas!’ is on network, streaming
The 1966 animated TV special of the Dr. Seuss tale will air at 8 p.m. Dec. 25 on NBC.
You can also watch it on TBS at:
- 3 p.m. Dec. 13 on TBS
- 9 a.m. Dec. 14 on TBS
- 9:30 p.m. Dec. 15 on TBS
The special is streaming on Peacock. Or you and rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video.
‘Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town’ is streaming, on Freeform
This Rankin/Bass classic based on the hit Christmas song tells how Santa became a legend.
Watch it on Freeform at:
- 8:55 p.m. Dec. 18
- 1:30 p.m. Dec. 19
- 3:05 p.m. Dec. 21
- 11:30 a.m. Dec. 22
- 8:55 p.m. Dec. 24
- 10 a.m Dec. 25
It’s streaming free with ads on Tubi, or subscribers can access it on Hulu, Peacock, and Disney+. It’s also available to rent or buy on some other platforms.
Contributing: Mary Walrath-Holdridge
Tanya Wildt is a web editor for the Detroit Free Press.
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY Network. Email her at [email protected].
Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA Today Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.clarionledger.com ’
