Here's Where to Find Your Favorite Holiday Movies and Specials

Benedict Cumberbatch voices The Grinch in this 2018 update of the classic tale. The Doctor Strange star brings an acerbic, dry wit to the character’s famous dislike of Christmas in this well done version of the story. The star-studded cast features Rashida Jones, Kenan Thompson and Pharrell Williams.

Premiering Nov. 23, “Father Christmas” follows Pat as she “tries to give Terry the perfect Christmas by finding his real father. When she can’t track him down, she and Denise embark on a wild Plan B involving a mall Santa.”

The “Queen of Christmas” delivers holiday favorites from her tour, which definitely include “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” At this point, the endlessly catchy song is the whole reason we still celebrate every year. The special airs Dec. 20 at 8 p.m.

Chloe Bailey, Adam Blackstone, Keke Palmer, Cher and Darlene Love are among the performers announced for the annual New York City tree lighting, which airs Nov. 29 at 8 p.m.

Lucasfilm and Disney may not want you to see the so-bad-it’s-good Star Wars Holiday Special, but you can still enjoy some Life Day themed nonsense with this LEGO one that merges the original movies with the prequels.

Over the years, we’ve gotten a lot of creative origin stories for Santa, but this is hands down the wildest and best one.

No matter how old we get, there’s always something endearing about the simple joy of these classic Rankin/Bass animated specials.

As sweet as the story of Frosty is, do you know how much trouble I would’ve been in if I hopped a train to the North Pole because I didn’t want a snowman to melt? I would still be grounded. Frosty’s annual holiday adventure airs Dec. 16 at 9 p.m. It’s followed by Frosty Returns at 9:30 p.m.

Rudolph is such a smart, timeless story of acceptance and kindness that Christmas doesn’t feel real until you visit the Island of Misfit Toys and check in with Hermey the Elf.

At some point, the holiday crunch gets to us all and we tap into our inner Grinch. Just like Dr. Seuss’ famous green grump, you’re not a bad person, you just cannot stand to hear “Jingle Bells” one more time.

Personally, this is my all-time favorite holiday special. It’s such a brilliantly layered story with a classic soundtrack. “Christmas Time is Here” gets me every time.

With Loretta Devine, Idris Elba, Delroy Lindo, Regina King, Sharon Leal, Lauren London and Chris Brown, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more star-studded, quintessentially Black movie. Do yourself a favor and stream it, so you don’t have to sit through a needlessly long, commercial-filled airing.

This movie is chock full of memorable moments that I can’t celebrate the season without. Hugh Grant dancing around Downing Street; Andrew Lincoln awkwardly telling his best friend’s wife that he loves her; and Emma Thompson breaking down to Joni Mitchell when she realizes her husband is cheating. That last one destroys me every single time and I’ve seen Love Actually more than 100 times.

Queen Latifah gives one of her best performances in this movie that sells itself as a holiday rom-com, but is actually a beautiful lesson on living life to the fullest. In our new post-COVID world, this film is even more poignant and emotional.

Yes, things get uncomfortably messy, but Gabrielle Union and Kimberly Elise are amazing, so it’s worth it.

Though it was just released in 2020, Jingle Jangle has already become a modern classic that we can’t get through the season without watching a few times.

In case your family is too nice and respectful, put this one on so you can start the age-old debate about which is better: The Best Man or The Best Man Holiday? Then spice things up with the new Peacock series, The Best Man: The Final Chapter.

If you aren’t praising when Whitney starts singing “Joy to the World,” you officially have no Christmas spirit. The soundtrack is an essential part of any holiday playlist.