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The Christmas season is here, which means it’s time to settle in an revisit some of your favorite holiday specials. Whether you love the Peanuts gang and Charlie Brown’s pathetic choice of a Christmas tree or can’t get enough of Rudolph’s adventures with Yukon Cornelius with Hermey the Misfit Elf, we have all the details about when you can watch your favorite Christmas specials (as well as a few classic holiday movies) on TV in 2025, plus where they’re available to stream. 

‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ 

After years as a broadcast television holiday staple, A Charlie Brown Christmas vanished from network TV after Apple acquired the rights to various Peanuts specials. To watch the 1965 animated classic, you’ll need subscribe to Apple TV+. But the folks at Apple aren’t total Grinches. You’ll be able to stream A Charlie Brown Christmas for free on Apple TV from Saturday, December 13 to Sunday, December 14.

‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ 

Dr. Seuss’ beloved tale of a grumpy Grinch who plans to steal Christmas from the Whos in Whoville has been delighting people since 1966. This year, it airs Thursday, December 4 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. An encore presentation airs Thursday, December 25 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Or, you can stream it anytime on Peacock. It’s also available to rent or buy on Amazon and Apple TV.  

‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ 

This stop-motion animated classic about a group of misfits who save Christmas is another perennial holiday favorite. In 2025, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer airs airs Friday, December 5 at 8 p.m. on NBC, with an an encore on December 11 at 8 p.m. You can also purchase it on Prime Video and Apple TV. 

‘Frosty the Snowman’ 

A little girl tries to save a snowman who has magically come to life in Frosty the Snowman. This animated special airs immediately after How the Grinch Stole Christmas at 8:30 p.m. on December 4 on NBC, with an encore on December 9 at 8 p.m. It’s streaming on Hulu and Peacock. 

‘Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town’

Another Rankin-Bass favorite, Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town features the voices of Fred Astaire and Mickey Rooney. It airs Sunday, November 30 at 10 p.m. on ABC. It’s also streaming on Hulu and Peacock.  

‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ 

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George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) learns how meaningful his life really is in Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life. It airs December 24 at 8 p.m. on NBC. It’s also streaming on Hoopla and Prime Video. 

‘Home Alone’

Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) gets left behind when his family jets off to France for holidays. Chaos ensues. This family-friendly favorite airs December 24 at 8 p.m. on ABC. It’s streaming on Disney+ and available to rent and buy on Amazon and Apple TV.  

Want more holiday fun? Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas event is back again in 2025, with repeat airings of movies like The Santa Clause, Home Alone, and Jingle All the Way, plus Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town. See the full schedule here. 

TNT and TBS also have wall-to-wall holiday programming, including A Christmas Story marathon starting December 24 at 8 p.m., plus repeat broadcasts of Elf, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, The Year Without a Santa Claus, and more. 

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