20 Best Movies and Specials to Stream in 2022 (Marvel, Star Wars, and More)

Everyone loves a Christmas movie or series over the holidays, and Disney+ has plenty to offer from Disney, Marvel, Star Wars and more.

Santa Claus

Tim Allen’s divorced father, Scott Calvin, is forced into a Christmas adventure of his own in this 1994 classic, as his discovery of an injured Santa Claus leaves him magically recruited to take his place and now deliver gifts to families around the world. It doesn’t get more festive than Santa Claus.

Home alone

When it comes to the annual Christmas re-watches, nothing gets more famous than Home alone. After being accidentally left alone by his family, eight-year-old Kevin McCallister is forced to fight to defend his home against two party-goers by any means necessary.

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York could be the perfect follow-up to the critically acclaimed debut film, as it takes Kevin McCallister away from his family home and accidentally leaves him stranded in the Big Apple. Not only does he run into two well-known robbers, but also former US President Donald Trump.

The nightmare before Christmas

Those looking for a more Gothic Tim Burton-esque take on the holiday season will find a lot to love The nightmare before Christmas. This musical tells the story of Jack Skellington of Halloween Town in a unique stop-motion animation form, and sees his attempt to take over Christmas Town.

The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special

The MCU will take its holiday celebrations a step further in 2022 with the arrival of James Gunns Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special 25 November. Just as Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord is sad at Christmas, Drax and Mantis go on an adventure to give him the greatest gift of all: Hollywood legend Kevin Bacon.

The Muppet’s Christmas Carol

Why not spend Christmas with The Muppets in this puppet musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ festive classic tale. Watch rich and heartless Ebenezer Scrooge realize the error of his ways and learn to love the holidays as he encounters visions of his past, present and future – with the help of three wise ghosts.

Disney’s A Christmas Carol (2011)

For those looking for a less Muppet-infused version A Christmas carol, Disney’s 2011 animated adaptation is also available on Disney+ and provides a far more book-accurate interpretation. And perhaps best of all, Jim Carrey handles the vocal duties in the lead role of Scrooge.

Iron Man 3

Robert Downey Jr.’s third MCU solo outing may not be entirely dependent on the Christmas setting, but it remains undeniably a festive film. Tony Stark forgoes the usual Christmas Eve celebrations in favor of a mission to stop AIM and save the President of the United States, and Iron Man 3 a must-see this holiday.

Olaf’s Frozen Adventure

After the events of Frozen, this short film takes Olaf and Sven on an adventure to save the holidays for Anna and Elsa by combing the kingdom for the best festive traditions. Not only does this include celebrations of Christmas, but also Hanukkah and the Winter Solstice, making it the perfect holiday celebration.

Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas

The festive sequel to The beauty and the Beast was released in 1997 as a direct-to-video affair and can now be found on Disney+. The musical fantasy boasts delightful songs and all the familiar characters from the original film as Belle tries to bring some Christmas cheer to the Beast’s castle.

The Santa Clauses

The Santa Clauses serves as a six-episode Disney+ original sequel to Tim Allen’s celebrated festive film series, with the first two installments streaming now and new episodes dropping every Wednesday. Much of the franchise’s famous cast reprises their roles, with Kal Penn joining the group as a new addition.

Hawkeye

Marvel Studios turned it up a notch when it comes to Christmas celebrations with Disney+ Hawkeye – a six-episode festive extravaganza. This has all the usual heart that makes up a regular holiday story; family, snow, presents and saving New York at Christmas from a deadly mafia, led by the Scrooge-like Kingpin.

High School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special

With the cast i High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, this special is packed with holiday music and stories, as well as behind-the-scenes secrets. This festive event is a must-see for dedicated fans of the Disney+ series and those with 45 minutes to spare.

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas

This Disney classic features three anthology stories that include Donald Duck: Stuck on Christmas, A very clumsy Christmasand Mickey and Minnie’s gift to the magicians, on top of a fun musical finale. Fans of this group of icons from the House of Mouse will find plenty of holiday fun in this special feature.

Preparation and landing

A duo of high-tech elves tasked with preparing homes around the world for Santa’s arrival face unexpected challenges on their mission to save Christmas in this spy/espionage animated adventure. Running for just 20 minutes, Preparation and landing should be a fun watch for the whole family this holiday season.

LEGO Star Wars: Holiday Special

Those looking for some festive fun in the galaxy far, far away should head on over LEGO Star Wars: Holiday Special. The brick-and-mortar short takes Rey and BB-8 on a Star Wars adventure across the timeline, meeting many fan favorites along the way as she tries to get home in time for the Life Day party.

Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year

The usual brigade of Winnie the Pooh’s animal friends come together for an anthology film that includes both Christmas and New Year celebrations. This is truly a tale of the true meaning of the holiday season that will undoubtedly prove delightful to families with young children.

The Simpsons

The Simpsons has 33 seasons streaming on Disney+, and over the decades, the animated mainstay has delivered many festive specials, including the very first episode of the show. The full list of Christmas-themed episodes currently streaming on Disney+ can be seen below:

• “Simpson’s Roasting on an Open Fire” (Season 1, Episode 1)
• “Marge Be Not Proud” (Season 7, Episode 11)
• “Miracle on Evergreen Terrace” (Season 9, Episode 10)
• “Grift of the Magi” (Season 11, Episode 9)
• “Skinner’s Sense of Snow” (Season 12, Episode 8)*
• “She of Little Faith” (Season 13, Episode 6)
• “Tis’ the Fifteenth Season” (Season 15, Episode 7)
• “Simpson Christmas Stories” (Season 17, Episode 9)
• “Kill Gil, Volumes I & II” (Season 18, Episode 9)
• “The Burns and the Bees” (Season 20, Episode 8)*
• “The Battle Before Christmas” (Season 22, Episode 8)
• “Holidays of Future Passed” (Season 23, Episode 9)
• “White Christmas Blues” (Season 25, Episode 8)
• “I Don’t Want to Be Home for Christmas” (Season 26, Episode 9)
• “The Nightmare After Christmas” (Season 28, Episode 10)
• “Gone Boy” (Season 29, Episode 9)
• “Tis the 30th Season” (Season 30, Episode 10)
• “Bobby It’s Cold Outside” (Season 31, Episode 10)
• “A Springfield Summer Christmas for Christmas” (Season 32, Episode 10)

Noelle

After being among the first Disney+ originals back in 2019, Noelle stars Anna Kendrick as Kris Kringle’s daughter. But after her brother and Nick Santa disappear, Noelle must bring him back to the North Pole in time to save Christmas for families around the world.

Godmother

Takes place over the holidays, Godmother introduces Jillian Bell as a young, inexperienced and untrained fairy godmother. The Disney+ original sees Bell’s Eleanor trying to save her profession from extinction by trying to help find a 40-year-old widow her “happily ever after.”

All 20 movies, series and specials on this list are now streaming on Disney+ in the US and select regions worldwide.