Who else looks forward to Freeform's 25 Days of Christmas every single December? The cable channel's holiday lineup is something Christmas enthusiasts across the country wait for with bated breath, and it's finally here. A full schedule of the channel's much-anticipated Christmas movie queue has been released, and there are some seriously good films on the list. From the cheesiest of made-for-TV Christmas movies, to holiday classics that go back decades, there's no shortage of films to get viewers in the holiday spirit.
Christmas movie fanatics who have cable or subscribe to the Freeform app will have nearly all-day access to some of the very best Christmas movies all December long. The thing is, with the network showing Christmas movies all day and into the night every day, there's no way anyone can catch them all. No matter how much we love holiday movies, sleeping, eating, and working still have to happen.
So here, we've picked out the can't-miss Christmas movie that's airing each day of Freeform's 25 Days of Christmas so our readers will know exactly when to tune in — or set the DVR — for their favorites. Keep reading to find out what to watch and when to have the hot chocolate (extra marshmallows, please) and popcorn ready to accompany some of the best Christmas movies from romances to heartwarming family stories.
Tuesday, December 1
Air Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
What better way than to kick off the 25 days of Christmas than with comedian Jim Carrey's take on the classic tale of Dr. Seuss' Grinch? The story is of course about the Christmas-obsessed Whos in Whoville, and the outcast Grinch who hates the holidays and chooses to live a life of loneliness rather than risk the ridicule of his fellow Whos.
Also airing on December 1:
- 11 a.m. ET: Disney's A Christmas Carol
- 1 p.m. ET: Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
- 3:30 p.m. ET: Home Alone
- 6 p.m. ET: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
- Midnight ET: Deck the Halls (2006)
Wednesday, December 2
Air time: 6:25 p.m. ET
Starring comedian Tim Allen, The Santa Clause is the Christmas movie that sparked an entire magical franchise of adventurous Christmas movies. It's about a man who accidentally inherits the role of Santa Clause while going through a custody battle with his ex-wife. Everyone around him thinks he's suffering a mental break, but his young son knows his dad really is Santa, especially after their first visit to the North Pole together.
Also airing on December 2:
- 7 a.m. ET: It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas
- 11 a.m. ET: Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
- 1:40 p.m. ET: Deck the Halls (2006)
- 3:45 p.m. ET: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
- 8:30 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 2
- Midnight ET: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
Thursday, December 3
Air Time: 6 p.m. ET
The original Home Alone is the quintessential Christmas movie in the minds of most adults who grew up in the '90s, and it just wouldn't be Christmastime without a screening or two of this hilarious and heartwarming movie starring Macaulay Culkin. Just make sure to tell the kiddos the Wet Bandits are make-believe!
Also airing on December 3:
- 7 a.m. ET: The Simpsons (Christmas episodes)
- 10:30 a.m. ET: Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings: Holiday Magic 2
- 11:30 a.m. ET: The Little Drummer Boy (1968)
- Noon ET: Jingle All the Way 2
- 2 p.m. ET: Christmas with the Kranks
- 4 p.m. ET: Disney's A Christmas Carol
- 8:30 p.m. ET: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
- Midnight ET: Jingle All the Way 2
Friday, December 4
Air Time: 4:40 p.m. ET
The second installment of The Santa Clause is even more fun than the first. It finds our new Santa Clause — aka Scott Calvin — working and living in the North Pole, and so busy he's been unable to find himself a Mrs. Clause. The thing is, he's not allowed to go on being Santa without a Mrs. Clause, so he must set out to find a wife before Christmas Eve.
Also airing on December 4:
- 7 a.m. ET: Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings: Holiday Magic
- 8:05 a.m. ET: The Preacher's Wife
- 10:45 a.m. ET: Christmas with the Kranks
- 12:50 p.m. ET: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas
- 2:30 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause
- 7:10 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
- 9:15 p.m. ET: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
- 11:55 p.m. ET Deck the Halls (2006)
Saturday, December 5
Air Time: 7:40 p.m. ET
What could be better on a Saturday night in December than getting cozy with the kiddos to watch an old school family Christmas movie? Probably not much. Kids today are still just as mesmerized by 1964's Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer as kids back then, and it's certainly a must-watch for any true Christmas fanatic.
Also airing on December 5:
- 7 a.m. ET: The Preacher's Wife
- 9:40 a.m. ET: Deck the Halls (2006)
- 11:45 a.m. ET: Prancer Returns
- 1:50 p.m. ET: Jingle All the Way 2
- 3:55 p.m. ET: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
- 6:35 p.m. ET: Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
- 8:45 p.m. ET: Frosty the Snowman
- 9:20 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause
- 11:30 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 2
Sunday, December 6
Air Time: 9:15 p.m.
Set a couple of years after the first film, in Home Alone 2, a slightly more mature Kevin McAllister once again winds up alone during Christmas vacation. This time, Kevin accidentally boards a plane to New York instead of the flight to Florida with the rest of his family. He ends up with a sweet room at The Plaza Hotel, but before long he realizes the Wet Bandits have made their way to the Big Apple.
Also airing on December 6:
- 7 a.m. ET: Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic
- 8 a.m. ET: Prancer Returns
- 10:10 a.m. ET: Jingle All the Way 2
- 12:15 p.m. ET: Disney's A Christmas Carol
- 4 p.m. ET: Santa Claus is Comin' to Town
- 5:05 p.m. ET: Frosty the Snowman
- 5:40 p.m. ET: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- 6:45 p.m. ET: Home Alone
- 11:55 p.m.ET: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
Monday, December 7
Air Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Probably one to watch without the kids, Love Actually is a classic, offbeat holiday romance film not to be rivaled. It stars a slew of big-name celebs — including Keira Knightley, Andrew Lincoln, Liam Neeson, and many others — and follows the love stories of various characters as they navigate the often difficult parts of the holiday season. Be sure to set the DVR because this one airs in the middle of the afternoon.
Also airing on December 7:
- 10:30 a.m. ET: The Truth About Christmas
- 12:30 p.m. ET: The Holiday
- 6:30 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause
- 8:30 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 2
- Midnight ET: Christmas with the Kranks
Tuesday, December 8
Air Time: 6:15 p.m. ET
The final film in the Tim Allen-led trilogy, The Santa Clause 3 is an action-packed and even a bit scary movie that stars Martin Short as the villain, Jack Frost, who is set on taking over Christmas and turning it into a commercialized, robot-run money machine. Distracted by his new family, though, Santa doesn't realize what's going on until it's almost too late.
__Also airing on December 8: __
- 7 a.m. ET: Christmas with the Kranks
- 10:30 a.m. ET: Love Actually
- 1:35 p.m. ET: The Preacher's Wife
- 4:10 p.m. ET: The Perfect Holiday
- 8:20 p.m. ET: Almost Christmas (Freeform Premiere)
- Midnight ET: Black Nativity
Wednesday, December 9
Air Time: 4 p.m. ET
The animated Christmas movie The Star, which is appearing on Freeform for the first time this year, is perfect for after-school screen time for the kids. It's the 2017 retelling of the nativity story from the perspective of a donkey and other animals that were presumably present at the birth of Jesus Christ. Stars — like Keegan-Michael Key, Gina Rodriguez, and Zachary Levy — do excellent work on the voice-overs, and overall, it's just a charming film.
Also airing on December 9:
- 10:30 a.m. ET: Santa's Apprentice
- Noon ET: Prancer Returns
- 2 p.m. ET: Disney's A Christmas Carol
- 6 p.m. ET: Home Alone
- 8:30 p.m. ET: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
- Midnight ET: Prancer Returns
Thursday, December 10
Air Time: 7 p.m. ET
Though the verdict is still out on whether Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas is a Halloween movie or actually a Christmas movie — either way, fans of Tim and slightly darker takes on the holidays won't want to miss it. Make it an after-dinner affair, so the whole family will have a chance to see it.
Also airing on December 10:
- 7 a.m. ET: The Simpsons (Christmas episodes)
- 10:30 a.m. ET: The Star (2017)
- 12:30 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause
- 2:30 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 2
- 5 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
- 8:30 p.m. ET: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
- Midnight: Christmas with the Kranks
Friday, December 11
Air Time: Noon ET
Snowglobe, starring Christina Milian, is the perfect Christmas movie to watch on a work-from-home lunch break. It's about a woman who lives in the same apartment building as her parents and sister and works at a deli. Growing weary of her day-to-day, she ends up discovering a dream world inside of a snow globe where it's always Christmas, and she isn't sure if she ever wants to leave.
Also airing on December 11:
- 7 a.m. ET: Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic
- 8 a.m. ET: Snow
- 10 a.m. ET: Snow 2: Brain Freeze
- 2 p.m. ET: Christmas with the Kranks
- 4:05 p.m. ET: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
- 6:45 p.m. ET: Home Alone
- 9:15 p.m. ET: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
- 11:55 p.m. ET: Daddy's Home 2 (Freeform Premiere)
Saturday, December 12
Air Time: 8 a.m. ET
Bleary-eyed and up early? Turn on Freeform and let the kids watch Daddy's Home 2, starring Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell. It's about a blended family learning to celebrate the holidays together as peacefully as possible, and is sure to inspire lots of chuckles out of everyone.
Also airing on December 12:
- 7 a.m. ET: The Simpsons (Christmas episodes)
- 10:05 a.m. ET: The Santa Clause
- 12:15 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 2
- 2:45 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
- 4:50 p.m. ET: Toy Story
- 6:50 p.m. ET: Toy Story 2
- 8:55 p.m. ET: Toy Story 3
- 11:25 p.m. ET: Toy Story That Time Forgot
- 11:55 p.m. ET: Disney's A Christmas Carol
Sunday, December 13
Air Time: Noon ET
Disney's animated version of the classic Charles Dickens tale A Christmas Carol is a great way to introduce young children to the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and the three ghosts who haunt him on Christmas Eve in an attempt to convince him to change his miserly ways — before he's doomed to life of loneliness.
Also airing on December 13:
- 7 a.m. ET: Love the Coopers
- 9:30 a.m. ET: Toy Story That Time Forgot
- 10 a.m. ET: Prancer Returns
- 2:05 p.m. ET: Home Alone
- 4:35 p.m. ET: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
- 7:15 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause
- 9:25 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 2
- 11:55 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
Monday, December 14
Air Time: 11 a.m. and Midnight ET
The Perfect Holiday is Christmas romance, starring Gabrielle Union, Morris Chestnut, and Queen Latifah. It's about a little girl who asks a department store Santa to help her divorced mom find love for Christmas. This heartwarming holiday film is charming and funny for viewers of any age.
Also airing on December 14:
- 7 a.m. ET: Prancer Returns
- 1 p.m. ET: Almost Christmas
- 3:30 p.m. ET: Home Alone
- 6 p.m. ET: Home Alone: 2 Lost in New York
- 8:30 p.m. ET: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Tuesday, December 15
Air Time: 2:00 p.m.
Based on the novel Skipping Christmas by John Grisham, Christmas with the Kranks — starring Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis — is a hilarious holiday tale about a couple whose college-aged daughter decides to go on a mission trip for the holidays. So instead of celebrating Christmas as they traditionally do, much to the ire of their neighbors, they decide to save their money and go on a tropical cruise instead.
Also airing on December 15:
- 10:30 a.m. ET: The Magic Snowflake
- Noon p.m. ET: Jingle All the Way 2
- 4:05 p.m. ET: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas
- 5:45 p.m. ET: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
- 8:25 p.m. ET: Disney's A Christmas Carol
- 10:30 p.m. ET: Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice
- Midnight ET: Jingle All the Way 2
Wednesday, December 16
Air Time: 1:35 p.m. ET
Miracle on 34th Street — starring Mara Wilson, Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth Perkins and Dylan McDermott — is a retelling of the classic 1947 film of the same name. It's about a lawyer and a young girl who set out to prove a department store Santa is actually the real Kris Kringle in order to help him avoid trouble with the law.
Also airing on December 16:
- 11:30 a.m. ET: Christmas with the Kranks
- 4:15 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause
- 6:25 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 2
- 8:55 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
- Midnight ET: Black Nativity
Thursday, December 17
Air Time: 1 p.m. ET
The Holiday — starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, and Jude Law — is one to DVR and watch while the kids are in bed. It's a nice change of pace from the typical holly jolly Christmas movies. The story follows two women who've been unlucky in love and decide to swap homes for the holidays — one traveling to the US and the other to the UK — where they both unexpectedly find love.
Also airing on December 17:
- 7 a.m. ET: The Simpsons (Christmas episodes)
- 10:30 a.m. ET: Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
- 4 p.m. ET: Disney's A Christmas Carol
- 6 p.m. ET: Home Alone
- 8:30 p.m. ET: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
- Midnight ET: Life-Size 2: A Christmas Eve
Friday, December 18
Air Time: 7 a.m. ET
The ultimate in holiday cheesiness, it's almost impossible not to smile watching Holiday in Handcuffs, starring Melissa Joan Hart and Mario Lopez. It's about an underachieving woman whose boyfriend breaks up with her the day they are supposed to leave to meet her family for the holidays. In a panic, she kidnaps a customer on her way out of work and forces him to pretend to be her boyfriend.
Also airing on December 18:
- 9:05 a.m. ET: The Holiday
- 12:15 p.m. ET: Disney's A Christmas Carol
- 2:20 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause
- 4:25 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 2
- 6:55 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
- 9 p.m. ET: Dr. Seuss' The Grinch (2018) (Freeform premiere)
- 11 p.m. ET: The Star (2017)
- 1 a.m. ET: The Simpsons – Christmas episodes
Saturday, December 19
Air Time: 6:35 p.m. ET
This 2018 animated film is a modernized interpretation of the Grinch's story, set to a fun hip-hop heavy soundtrack. Although it doesn't carry quite the same magic as the Jim Carrey version, it's great film for little ones who love the classic Dr. Seuss story. The vibrant animation and stellar vocal performances from Benedict Cumberbatch, Rashida Jones, and Pharrell Williams make it a joy to watch.
Also airing on December 19:
- 7 a.m. ET: Kung Fu Panda Holiday
- 7:30 a.m. ET: The Little Drummer Boy (1968)
- 8 a.m. ET: The Star (2017)
- 10:05 a.m. ET: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas
- 11:45 a.m. ET: Home Alone
- 2:15 p.m. ET: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
- 4:55 p.m. ET: Frosty the Snowman
- 5:30 p.m. ET: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- 8:40 p.m. ET: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
- 11:20 p.m. ET: Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
Sunday, December 20
Air Time: 3:25 p.m. ET
This classic animated short is one that shouldn't be missed any holiday season. It's (of course) about a snowman named Frosty who comes to life and teams up with a little girl to evade a greedy magician looking to steal Frosty's magical hat and use it for his own gain. It's a charming and inspiring story.
Also airing on December 20:
- 7 a.m. ET: The Simpsons (Christmas episodes)
- 9:30 a.m. ET: Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
- 12:10 p.m. ET: Jingle All the Way 2
- 2:20 p.m. ET: Santa Claus is Comin' to Town
- 4 p.m. ET: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- 5:05 p.m. ET: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
- 7:45 p.m. ET: Home Alone
- 10:15 p.m. ET: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
- 12:55 a.m. ET: Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
Monday, December 21
Air Time: 10:30 a.m. ET
A follow-up to 1996's Jingle All the Way, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jingle All the Way 2 — which does not feature Arnold — is about two dads warring against each other in a bid to be considered the best dad over the holidays. One dad is determined to get his daughter that year's prized toy, and the other is determined to thwart his plans, resulting in all sorts of hilarious hijinks.
__Also airing on December 21: __
- 12:30 p.m. ET: Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
- 3 p.m. ET: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas
- 4:30 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause
- 6:30 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 2
- 9 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
- Midnight ET: Christmas with the Kranks
Tuesday, December 22
Air Time: 10:20 p.m. ET
The Night Before is a must-see holiday movie for anyone who enjoys Seth Rogan's brand of humor. Also starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anthony Mackie, it's about three men who've been best friends since childhood who get together every Christmas Eve. Knowing their tradition is soon coming to an end, they're determined to get into a Christmas ball known as the "Holy Grail" of all Christmas parties.
Also airing on December 22:
- 7 a.m. ET: Santa's Apprentice
- 8:30 a.m. ET: Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
- 11 a.m. ET: The Perfect Holiday
- 1 p.m. ET: Christmas with the Kranks
- 3:05 p.m. ET: Disney's A Christmas Carol
- 5:10 p.m. ET: Home Alone
- 7:40 p.m. ET: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
- 12:30 a.m. ET: The Simpsons (Christmas episodes)
Wednesday, December 23
Air Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
The Mistle-tones, starring Tia Mowry and Tori Spelling, is the absolute perfect movie to watch while getting some Christmas baking done. It's about a woman who sets out to audition for a Christmas choir that her now deceased mother founded, but when the choir's current leader conspires against her, she decides to start her own choir. The movie's joyful music alone makes it worth watching.
Also airing on December 23:
- 7:30 a.m. ET: Life-Size 2: A Christmas Eve
- 11:30 a.m. ET: Holiday in Handcuffs
- 1:30 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause
- 3:35 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 2
- 6:05 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
- 8:10 p.m. ET: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
- 10:50 p.m. ET: Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
- 11:55 p.m. ET: Prancer Returns
Thursday, December 24
Air Time: 9:55 p.m. ET
In the classic 1970 Santa Claus is Comin' to Town, a mailman narrates the story of a boy named Kris Kringle, who grows up wanting to be a toymaker who delivers toys to children but must face obstacles created by the grumpy old Burgermeister and the evil wizard Winter, who threatens to halt all of Kris' delivery plans.
Also airing on December 24:
- 7 a.m. ET: The Simpsons (Christmas episodes)
- 10:30 a.m. ET: Prancer Returns
- 12:30 p.m. ET: Home Alone
- 3 p.m. ET: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
- 5:35 p.m. ET: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
- 8:15 p.m. ET: Frosty the Snowman
- 8:50 p.m. ET: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- 9:55 p.m. ET: Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
- Midnight ET: The Simpsons (Christmas episodes)
Friday, December 25
It's Christmas! After unwrapping all those presents, find a cozy spot to enjoy a Christmas movie marathon while polishing off the last of those cinnamon rolls. Freeform will be replaying holiday family favorites all day.
Christmas Day lineup:
- 7 a.m. ET: The Simpsons (Christmas episodes)
- 10:30 a.m. ET: The Santa Clause
- 12:30 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 2
- 2:30 p.m. ET: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
- 4:30 p.m. ET: Frosty the Snowman
- 5 p.m. ET: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- 6 p.m. ET: Home Alone
- 8:30 p.m. ET: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
- Midnight ET: Matilda
