Where and when you can watch 15 classic Christmas movies and specials on TV, streaming

Although most of the most popular holiday movies and TV shows are available year-round, the closer we get to Christmas, the more people seem to want to watch them.

Here's where you can find 15 holiday classics, either on television and cable or via streaming services. Note that most of these are available for rental via video-on-demand services like Apple TV or Amazon, and some can be found at your local library, if you're into the whole DVD/Blu-ray thing.

As always when it involves TV listings, showtimes — listed below in Central Time — are subject to change.

‘Almost Christmas’

On TV/cable: E! — 5 a.m. Nov. 20, 8 a.m. Dec. 3.

Can I stream it?: No.

‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’

On TV/cable: No.

Can I stream it?: Yes, on Apple TV+ (available free to nonsubscribers Dec. 16-17 only).

‘A Christmas Carol’

(1938 version, with Reginald Owen as Scrooge)

On TV/cable: TCM — 3:30 p.m. Dec. 2, 5:45 p.m. Dec. 18, 10:45 p.m. Dec. 24.

Can I stream it?: Yes, on Max.

‘A Christmas Carol’ (aka 'Scrooge')

(1951 version, with Alastair Sim as Scrooge)

On TV/cable: Movies! channel — 2:50 p.m. Nov. 23, 11 a.m. Dec. 3.

Can I stream it?: Not available on major streaming services.

‘A Christmas Story’

On TV/cable: TBS — 7 p.m. Dec. 2, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3, 7 p.m. Dec. 24 (showing in a marathon for the next 24 hours); TNT — 7 p.m. Dec. 14, 4:30 p.m. Dec. 17, 6:45 p.m. Dec. 18, 7 p.m. Dec. 24 (showing in a marathon for the next 24 hours).

Can I stream it?: Yes, on Max.

‘Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas’

(1966 animated TV special)

On TV/cable: NBC — 7 p.m. Nov. 30, 7 p.m. Dec. 25; Bravo — 1:30 and 7 p.m. Nov. 24; E! — 5:30 and 6 p.m. Nov. 29; Syfy — 7 p.m. Nov. 24; TBS — 6 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10, 7 a.m. Dec. 16, 7 p.m. Dec. 22, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 23; TNT — 6:30 p.m. Dec. 14, 4 p.m. Dec. 17; USA — 7 p.m. Nov. 24.

Can I stream it?: Yes, on Peacock.

‘Elf’

On TV/cable: AMC — 6, 8 and 10 p.m. Dec. 2, 5 p.m. Dec. 3, 8 p.m. Dec. 4, 5 p.m. Dec. 5, 7 and 9 p.m. Dec. 8; 7 and 9 p.m. Dec. 10, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 11, 5 p.m. Dec. 12, 7 and 9 p.m. Dec. 13, 6 and 8 p.m. Dec. 16, 7 and 9 p.m. Dec. 18, 9:15 p.m. Dec. 19, 7 p.m. Dec. 20, 8 p.m. Dec. 22, 6 p.m. Dec. 23, 8:15 p.m. Dec. 24, 5:15 and 9:30 p.m. Dec. 25, 7 p.m. Dec. 26; Cartoon Network — 4 p.m. Nov. 26, 11 a.m. Nov. 27; TBS — 7 p.m. Nov. 24 (showing in a marathon over the next 24 hours); TNT — 6 p.m. Nov. 23, 2:30 p.m. Nov. 24, 7 and 9 p.m. Nov. 27, 7 and 9 p.m. Nov. 30.

Can I stream it?: Yes, on Paramount+, and on Hulu starting Nov. 23.

‘It’s a Wonderful Life’

On TV/cable: NBC — 7 p.m. Dec. 24; Bravo — 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. Nov. 24; E! — 11 a.m., 2, 5 and 8 p.m. Nov. 23.

Can I stream it?: Yes, on Prime Video and Roku Channel.

'Love Actually'

On TV/cable: AMC — 8 p.m. Nov. 21; Sundance Channel — 11:45 a.m. and 10:15 p.m. Dec. 2.

Can I stream it?: Yes, on Netflix.

‘Miracle on 34th Street’

(1947 version)

On TV/cable: AMC — 6 p.m. Nov. 27, 11:45 a.m. Dec. 10.

Can I stream it?: Yes, on Disney+, Prime Video and Hulu.

‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’

On TV/cable: AMC — 7 and 9:15 p.m. Dec. 3, 7 and 9:15 p.m. Dec. 5, 7 and 9:15 p.m. Dec. 7, 7 and 9:15 p.m. Dec. 9; 5 and 9:15 p.m. Dec. 11, 7 and 9:15 p.m. Dec. 15, 7 and 9:15 p.m. Dec. 17, 7 p.m. Dec. 19, 4:45 p.m. Dec. 20, 7 and 9:15 p.m. Dec. 21, 8 p.m. Dec. 23, 6 and 10:15 p.m. Dec. 24, 3 and 7:15 p.m., 4:45 p.m. Dec. 26; TNT — 3:30 p.m. Nov. 20, 8 p.m. Nov. 23, 12:30 p.m. Nov. 24, 9 p.m. Nov. 25 (showing in a marathon over the next 24 hours).

Can I stream it?: Yes, on Fubo, and on Hulu starting Nov. 23.

‘The Preacher’s Wife’

On TV/cable: FX — 8 a.m. Nov. 24, 8:30 a.m. Dec. 1.

Can I stream it?: Yes, on MGM+.

‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’

(1964 animated TV special)

On TV/cable: CBS — 8 p.m. Nov. 24, 7 p.m. Nov. 27; Freeform — 6:10 p.m. Dec. 3, 4:50 Dec. 4, 7:15 p.m. Dec. 20, 4:15 Dec. 21, 4:35 p.m. Dec. 24, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 25.

Can I stream it?: No.

‘Scrooged’

On TV/cable: Paramount Network — 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. Dec. 1.

Can I stream it?: Yes, on Prime Video.

‘White Christmas’

On TV/cable: AMC — 10:45 a.m. and 8:15 p.m. Nov. 27, 7:45 a.m. Dec. 24.

Can I stream it?: Yes, on Netflix.

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