The 25 Best Christmas Movies and Specials on the Web in 2018

It's hard not to be completely enchanted by the whimsical character of Buddy the Elf. As one of the most iconic holiday-themed movies of the 2000s, it's almost impossible to find this one anywhere online without a premium subscription to one of the top streaming services.

Watch it free on Dailymotion

Set in 1940, the beloved story of Ralphie Parker and his Christmas wish for a Red Ryder BB Gun is one that practically every boy — young or old — can relate to on some level.

Watch it free on Dailymotion

Even back in 1965, Charlie Brown knew Christmas was getting too commercial. Today, more than ever, we could all use an annual reminder of the true meaning of Christmas, and Charles M. Schulz certainly delivers in this timeless animated classic.

Watch it free on Dailymotion

From the catchy soundtrack to the captivating rhymes, the animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss's original tale How the Grinch Stole Christmas is among the most well known animated Christmas movies people continue to watch decades after it first aired.

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Based off the original children's books, this holiday-themed TV special of Babar the Elephant will delight both kids of today and adults who grew up watching the show.

Watch it free on Popcornflix

This kid-friendly adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol features some of your favorite Walt Disney characters, including Donald Duck as Ebenezer Scrooge, Mickey Mouse as Bob Cratchit, and more.

Watch it free on Archive.org

Kids who grew up through the late 80s will likely remember the funny kids' TV series Hey Vern, It's Ernest! and the infamous Christmas movie based off of the show in which Ernest scrambles to find a replacement Santa Claus.

Watch it free on Archive.org

Although it only features three of the muppets (Oscar the Grouch, Big Bird, and Barkley the dog), this Sesame Street Christmas special is one to remember. It takes inspiration from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, where Oscar takes on the role of Ebenezer Scrooge.

Watch it free on Archive.org

The adorable and heroic four-legged star of his own movie collection got his own Christmas-themed flick that ended up being nominated for an Emmy as Outstanding Children's Program. In this heartwarming movie, Benji gets to meat Kris Kringle and his elves for Christmas.

Watch it free on Popcornflix

Starring Candace Cameron Bure, this inspiring story of a child's battle with acute leukemia shows how people can come together even in the worst of times to find faith and spread love. This film is actually based on a true story.

Watch it free on Viewster

Follow the lives of five different people in this holiday flick who all come together to find the true meaning of Christmas. This movie stars some big name celebs, including Susan Sarandon, Robin Williams, Paul Walker, and Penelope Cruz.

Watch it free on Popcornflix

Watch as a single mother begins to fall in love with a Santa Claus who works at a mall. What she doesn't know is he's actually the son of the real Santa, and he's looking to find his very own Mrs. Claus!

Watch it free on Vudu

This movie is perfect for dog-loving adults and kids of all ages. A troubled teenager is forced to work at an animal shelter, then finds out he only has 12 days to find homes for all the dogs before the shelter closes by Christmas.

Watch it free on Vudu

We weren't going to let cat lovers miss out on this movie list! In Santa Claws, a boy asks for a kitten for Christmas even though Santa Claus is allergic to cats. Before you know it, Santa is suffering a severe allergy attack and all the kittens have to band together to finish delivering his gifts.

Watch it free on Vudu

Starring Patrick Swayze in this fun holiday film, a family makes a big move from sunny Los Angeles to wintery Edmonton. When they go Christmas shopping at the West Edmonton mall, they find themselves embarking on a mission to help catch a bunch of Christmas criminals.

Watch it free on Tubi

Set in the Great Depression, Christmas for a Dollar tells the story of a struggling family dealing with the death of a wife and mother. Just when they expect no gifts for Christmas, the children's father gives them one dollar to spend on gifts for each other.

Watch it free on Tubi

Perfect for kids and the whole family, this exciting animated movie will wisp you away to a fantasy land where a wizard's apprentice is faced with the task of correcting what the Dark Wizard did on Christmas Eve many years ago.

Watch it free on Tubi

Two teenage girls who are seemingly completely different become friends while seated next to each other on a plane. Both on their way to visit family they've never met for Christmas, they decide to switch places.

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In this movie, the Salvation Army's Angel Tree Program helps connect a man and a boy during difficult times in their lives. Through their hardships, they end up discovering the true meaning of Christmas.

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This one is for all the shopaholics out there. The wealthy parents of a young woman who can't control her spending finally decide to cut her off unless she changes her spending habits by Christmas. In an effort to change her ways, she ends up falling for the owner of a soup kitchen after reading his daughter's letter to Santa in which she asks for a new wife for her father.

Watch it free on Tubi

A workaholic has to find a fiancé by Christmas after she learns from her parents that the first of her siblings to marry will inherit the family business. With her sister planning to get married Christmas Eve, she has no time to waste!

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Based off of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, this 1935 version was the first to feature sound. The quality may not be so great, but it's still an incredible Christmas classic!

Watch it free on Black and White Movies

This shorter, low-budget adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is another great TV special worth watching if you love to indulge in classic black and white masterpieces.

Watch it free on Black and White Movies

This Christmas special from the TV series The 20th-Century Fox Hour is based off the original 1947 film. The 45-minute adaptation features a department store Santa Claus who thinks he's real one.

Watch it free on Black and White Movies

Even though Christmas is a cheery time of year, we weren't going to leave out all the horror enthusiasts! This chilling flick is certainly not for young kids. It features a devil who terrorizes a town by killing naughty children as the police try to hunt it down.

Watch it free on Tubi