Now that the work week is over and you've finished all your Christmas shopping (No? Us either...), you've got time to relax a bit. We've dug into the various streaming platforms and come up with a list of holiday musicals you can stream right now.
So, put aside the hustle and bustle of the season, light the fireplace, mix a holiday cocktail, and hit play some favorite holiday movie musicals, new and old. From Golden Age classics to modern spins on A Christmas Carol, there's sure to be something to get you in the holiday spirit. Or at least have you "bah humbugging" in tune.
Christmas on the Square
Broadway favorite Christine Baranski stars as Scrooge-esque town owner Regina Fuller in the 2020 Netflix movie. The entire town faces eviction as she tries to sell the land to a mall developer. However, an angel with a country twang just might bring about a change of heart. That angel? Dolly Parton. The Grammy-winning star penned 14 original songs for the movie, directed and choreographed by Debbie Allen.
Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas
For those Muppet fans who have worn out their VHS tapes, both Peacock and Amazon Prime Video have the 1977 Jim Henson puppet musical available. The tuneful tale, with music by Paul Williams, takes us to Frogtown Hollow where Ma and Emmet Otter are too poor to buy Christmas gifts for each other. Their only hope is to win a battle of the bands competition against the richer Riverbottom Gang. Muppet regulars Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, and Marilyn Sokol star in this twist on "Gift of the Magi."
Jingle Jangle, A Christmas Journey
With a toe-tapping score, an award-winning cast, and heaps of heart, Jingle Jangle easily warrants yearly viewing. Tony winners Phylicia Rashad and Anika Noni Rose (who will soon be back on the boards in Uncle Vanya), Oscar winner Forest Whitaker, Emmy winner Keegan-Michael Key, and more star in the original Netflix holiday musical with music from pop songwriters John Legend, Philip Lawrence, Davy Nathan and Michael Diskint. The story centers on embittered toymaker Jeronicus Jangle, whose former apprentice stole his invention for fame and fortune. Now reunited with his estranged granddaughter, who is also a math wiz, Jangle has another chance at success...and happiness.
Scrooge
Albert Finney won the Golden Globe for his Scrooge performance in this 1970 musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol. The film also features a score from Tony-nominated composer Leslie Bricusse (Jekyll & Hyde, Stop the World-I Want to Get Off). English acting legend Alec Guinness is Jacob Marley. Stream the tuner (with its memorable closer "Thank You Very Much") on Paramount+.
Spirited
A modern re-telling of the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol, the movie musical stars Ryan Reynolds as an unredeemable “Scrooge” and Will Ferrell as the ghost determined to make a difference in his life. This humbug is a particularly tough case, though, and before long it’s the Christmas ghost who is examining his own life. Octavia Spencer, Sunita Mani, Tracy Morgan, Joe Tippett (Waitress), and Patrick Page (Hadestown) also star in the feel-good comedy, which features songs by Tony-and Oscar-winning duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dear Evan Hansen, A Christmas Story). Spirited is an Apple TV+ exclusive.
If A Christmas Carol is totally your thing, check this list out for even more filmed adaptions of the Charles Dickens classic available for streaming.
White Christmas
A quartet of Golden Age musical stars—Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen—lead this 1954 tuner featuring a score by Irving Berlin (including a few borrowed from his 1942 film Holiday Inn). After World War II, two veterans, Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, begin a successful song and dance act, following two singing sisters to their Christmas gig at a Vermont resort lodge, which happens to be run by an old general. The movie includes the songs "Snow," "Sisters," "The Best Things Happen When You're Dancing," and, of course, the title song, "White Christmas." Find it on Netflix, or running this weekend on AMC and Sundance channels.
And if musicals aren't really for you (wait, why are you here?), then check out all the holiday romance movies (starring Broadway folks) that Hallmark has on offer.
