ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas can be intimidating as it airs Christmas films nearly all day, every day. Check out these suggestions to see which films you can’t miss during this year’s broadcast.
The most wonderful time of the year is upon us. I’m a huge fan of commercial Christmas, even if I don’t celebrate the holiday. Christmas films are nearly all the same. They almost all feature heart-warming stories about family, connection, love and understanding, which would normally freeze my cynical heart. But, I’m OK with it because it’s Christmas. There’s no explaining it.
ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas has been a glorious network tradition since 1996. (Ignore the Countdown to the 25 of Christmas. That’s just a bit too much.) From Dec. 1 through Dec. 25, the network airs Christmas films all day, every day. It’s a Christmas lover’s heaven. It’s also the go-to for when one is bored and needs some background noise.
It can be daunting to face the countdown. ABC Family airs about 10 films every day. That’s about 250 films total. You might not be able to see all of the films, so I picked one film per day that is a must-see.
Dec. 1: The Year Without a Santa Claus
It is arguably the best-stop motion classic Christmas movie of all time. It’s the greatest. NOTHING — I repeat nothing — is better than Heat Miser and Snow Miser’s self-promotional solos. The rest of the film is solid, but honestly you could get away with just watching their performances.
Dec. 2: Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
“You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch.” Nothing beats that classic Dr. Seuss tale. It is the animated version, and it’s just as amazing as the Jim Carrey live-action version, which will be recommended soon. Don’t fret. I love the Grinch.
Dec. 3: The Santa Clause
Tim Allen. The ‘90s. What a great time to be alive. The first installment in the franchise is the one worth watching.
Dec. 4: Jack Frost (live action)
There isn’t much else that hits the heart as hard as Michael Keaton’s performance in the film. I tear up every time. Grab some tissues. Snuggle with your dad. Tell him you love him.
Dec. 5: Elf
If you need an explanation as to why you HAVE to set aside time for that Will Ferrell classic, then you sit on a throne of lies. Don’t forget the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.
Dec. 6: The Polar Express
Tom Hanks. “Hot chocolate.” A killer soundtrack. A message about believing. That film is a classic for so many reasons.
Dec. 7: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
The Griswolds are at their finest in the Christmas installment of the National Lampoon series. “Are you serious, Clark?! It’s a beaut, Clark!”
Dec. 8: The Mistle-Tones
I was going to pick Frosty’s Winter Wonderland, then I found out that Tia Mowry is in a movie with Tori Spelling called The Mistle-Tones. Full disclosure: I’ve never seen it, but it has a recipe to be a beautiful disaster. You have to make room for the not-so-great films, as well. That way you appreciate the classics even more.
Dec. 9: Prancer
Rudolph isn’t the only reindeer in town.
Dec. 10: Rudolph’s Shiny New Year
I just advocated for the other reindeer, but that Rudolph stop motion film is a must-see, even if it’s just because of Baby New Year and his comically oversized top hat.
Dec. 11: Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (live action)
Finally, the time has come. Next to Elf, the live-action version of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas is the greatest Christmas film of all time. Every single line is quotable. Jim Carrey isn’t even the actual MVP of the film. Christine Baranski is. “Betty! Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!”
Dec. 12: Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town
Mickey Rooney is Santa. Fred Astaire narrates, and we learn about Santa’s past. What else do you need from the classic stop motion picture?
Dec. 13 AND 14: All of the Toy Story films
Every Toy Story movie comes in clutch, and ABC Family is smartly airing them ALL back to back at the halfway point of its celebration. For whatever reason, the Toy Story marathon is happening twice, so watch Toy Story and Toy Story 2 on the 13th, then Toy Story That Time Forgot and Toy Story 3 on the 14th.
Dec. 15: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
Honestly, the third installment of The Santa Clause franchise is rather ridiculous, but it’s totally worth it to see Martin Short as Jack Frost and Ann-Margaret as Santa’s mother-in-law.
Dec. 16: The Little Drummer Boy
It is my least favorite Christmas song, but you can’t be well-educated on Christmas if you haven’t seen the film.
Dec. 17: Love Actually
It is one of the only romantic comedies that managed to pull off a completely all-star cast. If you’re a cynic — like me — you might not understand what all the hoopla is for, but it’s worth seeing.
Dec. 18: The Preacher’s Wife
Set an alarm. You’re waking up early today. Pay your respects to the queen, Whitney Houston.
Dec. 19: Frosty’s Winter Wonderland
Frosty is a Christmas staple. You must devote some time to the magical snowman.
Dec. 20: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
Tim Burton’s best is a little bit more of a Halloween film than a Christmas one, but it still applies. The musical numbers are stupendous, and you deserve to bounce around in the snow singing “What’s This?”
Dec. 21: Snowglobe
I have to give it up to an original ABC Family movie at some point. Christina Milian stars in the film in which her character is given a magical snowglobe that transports her to a land where every day is Christmas. That sounds like a pretty great life, so check it out.
Dec. 22: The Year Without a Santa Claus
ABC Family kind of dropped the ball on the 22nd, so either take a day off from the countdown or rewatch The Year Without a Santa Claus.
Dec. 23: Mickey’s Christmas Carol
At some point in leading up to Christmas, you have to take part in watching Charles Dickens’ classic tale. If you have to watch a Disney version of the story, watch Mickey’s and not the one featuring Jim Carrey. Stick to the Grinch, Carrey.
Dec. 24: Elf or National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
ABC Family started lacking toward the end of its countdown. Celebrate Christmas Eve with a film you know you will enjoy. I will always recommend rewatching Elf or National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
Dec. 25: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
It’s finally the big day, and ABC Family repeats classics and offers few new films, which is unfortunate because Bing Crosby’s iconic White Christmas is nowhere on the list, and that is a true American horror story. I sarcastically picked Harry Potter because I will never understand why ABC Family classifies it as a Christmas film when it only features one three-minute scene during the holiday. Oh well. You tried, ABC Family.
Here is the full lineup via Entertainment Weekly:
Tuesday, Dec. 1
The Preacher’s Wife, 7 a.m.
Disney’s A Christmas Carol, 11 a.m.
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas, 1 p.m.
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, 2:30 p.m.
Frosty’s Winter Wonderland, 3:30 p.m.
Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July, 4 p.m.
The Year Without a Santa Claus, 6 p.m.
The Polar Express, 7 p.m.
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (live action), 9 p.m.
The Year Without a Santa Claus, midnight
/midnight Rudolph’s Shiny New Year 1 a.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 2
The Christmas Shoes, 7 a.m.
The Frosty’s Winter Wonderland, 9 a.m.
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas, 11 a.m.
A Miser Brothers Christmas, 12:30 p.m.
Jack Frost (animated), 1:30 p.m.
Rudolph’s Shiny New Year, 2:30 p.m.
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, 3:30 p.m.
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, 6 p.m.
The Santa Clause, 8:45 p.m.
Snow, midnight
Thursday, Dec. 3
Christmas in Boston, 7 a.m.
Mickey’s Christmas Carol, 9 a.m.
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, 11 a.m.
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, 1:45 p.m.
Jack Frost (live action), 4 p.m.
The Santa Clause, 6 p.m.
Fred Claus, 8:15 p.m.
Snow 2: Brain Freeze, midnight
Friday, Dec. 4
Meet the Santas, 7 a.m.
The First Christmas: The Story of the First Christmas Snow, 9 a.m.
Rudolph’s Shiny New Year, 11 a.m.
Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July, 12 p.m.
Jack Frost (live action), 2 p.m.
I’ll Be Home for Christmas, 4 p.m.
Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, 6 p.m.
Fred Claus, 7 p.m.
Elf, 9:30 p.m.
Prancer, 11:50 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 5
Rudolph’s Shiny New Year, 7 a.m.
Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July, 8 a.m.
I’ll Be Home For Christmas, 10 a.m.
Prancer, 12:15 p.m.
The Year Without a Santa Claus, 3 p.m.
Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town, 4 p.m.
The Polar Express, 5 p.m.
Elf, 7:15 p.m.
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, 9:30 p.m.
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, 12:30 a.m.
Sunday, Dec. 6
A Very Brady Christmas, 7 a.m.
The Holiday Heist, 9 a.m.
The Year Without a Santa Claus, 11 a.m.
The Little Drummer Boy, 12 p.m.
Disney’s A Christmas Carol, 12:30 p.m.
The Polar Express, 2:30 p.m.
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, 4:45 p.m.
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, 6:30 p.m.
Beyond the Shadows: The Making of Shadow Hunters, 9:30 p.m.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, 10 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 7
Home Alone: The Holiday Heist, 7 a.m.
The Little Drummer Boy, 9 a.m.
Three Days, 11 a.m.
Love Actually, 1 p.m.
Fred Claus, 4 p.m.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, 6:30 p.m.
The Santa Clause, 8:45 p.m.
The Mistle-Tones, midnight
Tuesday, Dec. 8
Fred Claus, 7 a.m.
Secret Santa, 11 a.m.
The Mistle-Tones, 1 p.m.
Pinocchio’s Christmas, 3 p.m.
Disney’s A Christmas Carol, 4 p.m.
Frosty’s Winter Wonderland, 6 p.m.
The Santa Clause, 6:30 p.m.
The Polar Express, 8:45 p.m.
Snowglobe, midnight
Wednesday, Dec. 9
12 Dates of Christmas, 7 a.m.
The Little Drummer Boy Book II, 9 a.m.
Pinocchio’s Christmas, 11 a.m.
Prancer, 12:10 p.m.
Snowglobe, 2:20 p.m.
Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas, 4:30 p.m.
Mickey’s Christmas Carol, 6 p.m.
The Polar Express, 6:30 p.m.
Elf, 8:45 p.m.
The Year Without a Santa Claus, midnight
Rudolph’s Shiny New Year, 1 a.m.
Thursday, Dec. 10
Prancer, 7 a.m.
Nestor, The Long Eared Christmas Donkey, 11 a.m.
Frosty’s Winter Wonderland, 11:30 a.m.
Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July, 12 p.m.
Mickey’s Christmas Carol, 2 p.m.
Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas, 2:30 p.m.
The Little Drummer Boy, 4 p.m.
Rudolph’s Shiny New Year, 4:30 p.m.
The Year Without a Santa Claus, 5:30 p.m.
Elf, 6:30 p.m.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, 8:45 p.m.
Christmas Maybe, midnight
Friday, Dec. 11
Desperately Seeking Santa, 7 a.m.
Frosty’s Winter Wonderland, 9 a.m.
Holiday in Handcuffs, 11 a.m.
The Family Man, 1 p.m.
Fred Claus, 4 p.m.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, 6:45 p.m.
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (live action), 9 p.m.
Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, midnight
The Year Without a Santa Claus, 1 a.m.
Saturday, Dec. 12
Jack Frost (animated), 7 a.m.
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas, 8 a.m.
Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas, 9:45 a.m.
The Bells of Fraggle Rock, 11:30 a.m.
Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas, 12:15 p.m.
The Year Without a Santa Clause, 1:20 p.m.
Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, 2:30 p.m.
Frosty’s Winter Wonderland, 3:30 p.m.
Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July, 4 p.m.
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas, 6 p.m.
Elf, 9 p.m.
Fred Claus, 11:15 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 13
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas, 7 a.m.
Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas, 8:45 a.m.
The Bells of Fraggle Rock, 10:25 a.m.
Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas, 11:05 a.m.
Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July, 12:10 p.m.
Elf, 2:15 p.m.
Toy Story, 4:30 p.m.
Toy Story 2, 6:45 p.m.
Toy Story That Time Forgot, 9 p.m.
Toy Story 3, 9:30 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 14
Mr. St. Nick, 7 a.m.
Twas The Night Before Christmas, 9 a.m.
Frosty’s Winter Wonderland, 11 a.m.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, 11:30 a.m.
Toy Story, 2 p.m.
Toy Story 2, 4 p.m.
Toy Story That Time Forgot, 6 p.m.
Toy Story 3, 6:30 p.m.
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, 8:45 p.m.
Snow, midnight
Tuesday, Dec. 15
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, 7 a.m.
Desperately Seeking Santa, 11 a.m.
Santa Baby, 1 p.m.
Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe, 3 p.m.
Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town, 5 p.m.
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, 6 p.m.
Elf, 8:15 p.m.
The Little Drummer Boy, 10:30 p.m.
Snow 2: Brain Freeze, midnight
Wednesday, Dec. 16
Three Days, 7 a.m.
The Little Drummer Boy, 9 a.m.
The Family Man, 11 a.m.
Christmas in Boston, 2 p.m.
Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, 4 p.m.
The Year Without a Santa Claus, 5 p.m.
Elf, 6 p.m.
The Polar Express, 8:15 p.m.
Nestor, The Long Eared Christmas Donkey, 10:30 p.m.
Desperately Seeking Santa, midnight
Thursday, Dec. 17
The Family Man, 7 a.m.
Love Actually, 10:15 a.m.
The Preacher’s Wife, 1:30 p.m.
Snow, 4:15 p.m.
The Polar Express, 6:30 p.m.
Disney’s A Christmas Carol, 8:45 p.m.
Holidaze, midnight
Friday, Dec. 18
The Preacher’s Wife, 7 a.m.
Christmas Cupid, 9:45 a.m.
The Mistle-Tones, 12 p.m.
Snow 2: Brain Freeze, 2 p.m.
Disney’s A Christmas Carol, 4:15 p.m.
Disney’s Prep & Landing, 6:30 p.m.
Disney’s Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice, 7:00 p.m.
The Santa Clause, 7:30 p.m.
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, 9:45 p.m.
Three Days, midnight
Saturday, Dec. 19
Prancer, 7 a.m.
Rudolph’s Shiny New Year, 9:30 p.m.
Jack Frost, (live action), 10:30 a.m.
Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July, 12:30 p.m.
Frosty’s Winter Wonderland, 2:30 p.m.
The Year Without a Santa Claus, 3:00 p.m.
Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, 4:05 p.m.
The Santa Clause, 5:15 p.m.
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause. 7:30 p.m.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, 9:45 p.m.
Holiday in Handcuffs, midnight
Sunday, Dec. 20
Rudolph’s Shiny New Year, 7 p.m.
Jack Frost (live action), 8 a.m.
Prancer, 10 a.m.
Disney’s A Christmas Carol, 12:45 p.m.
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, 3 p.m.
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, 4:45 p.m.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, 7 p.m.
Elf, 9:15 p.m.
Mickey’s Christmas Carol, 11:30 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 21
Prancer, 7 a.m.
Disney’s A Christmas Carol, 9 a.m.
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, 11:15 a.m.
Rudolph’s Shiny New Year, 1 p.m.
Frosty’s Winter Wonderland, 2 p.m.
Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, 2:30 p.m.
Snowglobe, 4:30 p.m.
Elf, 6:30 p.m.
The Santa Clause, 8:45 p.m.
Jack Frost (live action), midnight
Tuesday, Dec. 22
Rudolph’s Shiny New Year, 7 a.m.
12 Dates of Christmas, 8 a.m.
Holidaze, 10 a.m.
Christmas Cupid, 12 p.m.
Jack Frost (live action), 2:15 p.m.
The Year Without a Santa Claus, 4:30 p.m.
Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town, 5:30 p.m.
The Santa Clause, 6:30 p.m.
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, 8:45 p.m.
Holiday in Handcuffs, midnight
Wednesday, Dec. 23
The Mistle-Tones, 7 a.m.
The Holiday in Handcuffs, 9 a.m.
Santa Baby, 11 a.m.
Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe, 1 p.m.
Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, 3:15 Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July, 4:15 Frosty’s Frosty’s Winter Wonderland, 6:30 p.m.
Mickey’s Christmas Carol, 7 p.m.
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, 7:30 p.m.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, 9:45 p.m.
Home Alone: The Holiday Heist, midnight
Thursday, Dec. 24
Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July, 7 a.m.
The Little Drummer Boy, 9 a.m.
Home Alone: The Holiday Heist, 11 a.m.
Prancer, 1 a.m.
The Nightmare Before Christmas, 3:15 p.m.
Disney’s Prep & Landing, 5 p.m.
Disney’s Prep & Landing Naughty vs. Nice, 5:30 p.m.
Toy Story That Time Forgot, 6 p.m.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, 6:30 p.m.
Elf, 8:45 p.m.
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, midnight
Friday, Dec. 25
Prancer, 7 a.m.
Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey, 11 a.m.
Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, 11:30 a.m.
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, 12:30 p.m.
Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, 2:15 p.m.
Toy Story That Time Forgot, 4:30 p.m.
Elf, 5 p.m.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, 7:15 p.m.
Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, midnight
The Year Without a Santa Claus, 1 a.m.
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