The Season’s Streaming hub — as Peacock is calling its Christmas collection this year — is a bit of a misnomer. It includes a lot of movies and shows that having nothing to do with Christmas whatsoever.
They are simply curated mini-collections wrapped in Christmas titles. For example, the Santa’s Elves’ Choices collection consists of 9 TV shows, including Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Office, and Scrubs.
Not very Christmassy.
Regardless of this naughty content stuffing, there are still plenty of good Christmas movies on Peacock to watch this year. However, the best of the bunch mostly fall under 2 (very different) sub-genres — animated Christmas movies and Christmas horror movies.
With that said, here are the 12 best Christmas movies on Peacock in 2023.
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Animated Christmas movies on Peacock
As far as animated Christmas movies go, Peacock knows what it’s doing. Its library has a solid mix of Christmas classics and newer animated Christmas specials. They all clock in around the half-hour mark, so they’re great for parents to throw on when they need to keep young ones occupied for a bit.
They’re not full-length feature films, but that’s not always what fits the bill. Sometimes a little taste of Christmas is all that’s needed. So without further ado, here are the best animated Christmas movies on Peacock.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
The all-time, ultimate Christmas cartoon classic. Dr. Seuss’s 1957 book was already a holiday classic when The Grinch hit the small screen. But this 1966 made-for-TV holiday special launched the garrulous green grump into the fame stratosphere.
In case you’ve been living in a cave or high up a mountain, the story is about a holiday-hating green misanthrope who — dressed like Santa — tries to stop Christmas. He sleighs down from his mountain perch to steal all the Christmas presents from the cheery town of Whooville.
But everyone knows you can’t quell the Christmas spirit by slinking away with material goods.
It’s been remade twice into feature-length films: a live-action movie in 2000 starring Jim Carrey and an animated version in 2018 that brought in a half-billion bucks at the box office. The latter is also on Peacock and worth a watch, although it doesn’t have the Seussness of the original.
If you want this Christmas to include the OG — Original Grinch — you’ll only find it streaming on Peacock.
The Little Drummer Boy (1968)
The mid-to-late 60s were the Golden Age of animated holiday specials. Rudolph, Charlie Brown, Frosty, and Santa all got a piece of the pumpkin pie.
And with its slate of stop-motion animation specials, Rankin/Bass was the studio that ruled the day.
One of the TV specials from those halcyon days of TV holiday cheer was The Little Drummer Boy. While it didn’t achieve the level of popularity of the others — or of the song it’s based on — it deserves an entry in the annals of Christmas classics.
Granted, the story is a wee bit darker than Frosty or Rudolph. It starts off with Aaron the drummer boy becoming an orphan after bandits steal his sheep, burn down the family farm, and murder his parents. He’s then human-trafficked and forced to perform with a traveling band.
Heavy, right?
But now you can’t wait to watch it.
Like the OG above, you can only stream The Little Drummer Boy on Peacock.
A Garfield Christmas (1987)
Everyone’s favorite lasagna-loving cat travels to Jon’s parents’ farm for Christmas. And the miserable feline is none too happy about it, complaining that the family never visits them for the Christmas holiday.
The gang’s all accounted for, so look forward to Mom and Dad Arbuckle, Doc Boy, and even Grandma. And, of course, good ol’ Odie.
At the farm, the cantankerous kitty naturally learns the true meaning of Christmas.
A Garfield Christmas sits right in the middle of a dozen Garfield TV specials released between 1982 and 1991. All of them were nominated for an Emmy, with 4 of them taking home the win.
Like the 2 animated Christmas specials already mentioned, A Garfield Christmas is only available to stream on Peacock. Not only that, it’s not available anywhere for digital rental or purchase. So if you don’t own it on DVD (or VHS!), Peacock’s the only way to go.
Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas (2009)
This Curious George holiday special is one of 3 specials that are part of the Curious George animated series that ended in 2022 after running for 16 years.
Like with most George stories, the precocious monkey finds himself in a bind. But also like most George stories, his predicament is not overly threatening. Certainly nothing like a drummer boy (see above) might encounter.
The crux of the crisis is thus: the big day is approaching, but George and The Man with the Yellow Hat don’t know what the other wants for Christmas.
Egads!
As innocent and entertaining as ever, it’s the perfect Christmas special for preschoolers, but will appeal to all ages feeling the Christmas spirit.
As with the 3 Christmas movies on Peacock already mentioned, this too is only streaming on that colorful bird.
Jingle and Bell’s Christmas Star (2012)
The sequel to 2011’s Jingle All the Way doubles the cuteness by adding another adorable Husky puppy, Bell.
Cuteness overload.
But there’s also a wonderful little story. It’s especially good for kids who move to a new town or country.
Big city girl Sofia is none too happy about her family moving to snowy Pineville at all, let alone right before Christmas! At least she’s got he faithful Husky Bell with her, so she’s not totally friendless.
Sofia ends up Andrew’s class, who invites her out to play. After moping about, she eventually realizes that Christmas isn’t about where, but with who.
Fans of stop-motion animation should watch this special for the wind in the hair alone. While Hallmark may be known for mid-tier, romantic schmaltz with live action humans, the stop-motion animation in its 2 Jingle specials is top-notch.
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Christmas horror movies on Peacock
The Christmas horror film has been slowly growing in popularity over the past <checks notes> 50 years. And you’ll find the most seminal one listed below. Here are 5 of the most entertaining (and terrifying) Christmas movies on Peacock.
Black Christmas (1974)
Black Christmas drew inspiration from 2 things. The 1943 Montreal case of 14-year-old George Webster who attacked his family with a baseball bat and bludgeoned his mother to death. And “the babysitter” urban legend.
With this match made in heaven, we get a prank-calling, homicidal maniac lurking in the shadows of a sorority house, killing its sisters one by one.
While Whoever Slew Auntie Roo? was reputedly the first Christmas horror movie to grace the big screen, Black Christmas was the one that set the bar.
The prototype for the modern day slasher, Bob Clark’s Canadian classic inspired John Carpenter to make Halloween. (Some folks even call Halloween a sequel to Black Christmas.) Either way, you’ll recognize plenty of plot devices still used in horror movies today.
Canadian cinematic royalty Margot Kidder and Andrea Martin star alongside Olivia Hussey. Story, pacing, and acting — they all deliver, like Santa on Christmas Eve. And you’ll be surprised at how well it holds up after 50 years.
Jack Frost (1997)
En route to his execution, serial killer Jack Frost gets sprayed with a tank full of top-secret experimental liquid that binds his soul to a pile of snow.
Embracing his new snowy composition, he slays his way through the town of Snowmonton as he seeks revenge on the small-town sheriff who put him behind bars.
Sure, the snowman barely moves in 90% of its scenes and people look like they’re being attacked by a big white oven mitt, but just look at that movie poster. You know what you’re getting into.
And who cares if Shannon Elizabeth’s character spends 10 minutes blow drying her hair before taking a bath? It doesn’t need to make sense. Jack Frost’s tub scene is one of cinema’s most unforgettable moments.
Let’s get something straight. If you’re not a fan of B-movies and low-budget horror films, Jack Frost is not your cup of cocoa.
But if you enjoy flicks like Christmas Bloody Christmas and The Gingerdead Man, then Jack Frost just might whet your whistle. Because, to quote the snowman himself, “it ain’t fucking Frosty!“
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)
An American-British mining corporation drills down into Finland’s Korvatunturi mountain — although they’re actually tomb raiders looking for loot.
But Korvatunturi is also the fabled home of Santa Claus, and curious local boys Pietari and Juuso find out what they’re up to. The latter soon goes missing and Pietari is convinced that Santa and his elves are behind a string of disappearances — and deaths.
Like rum and eggnog, Rare Exports is the perfect blend of holiday horror and humor. It sets the bar for Christmas horror movies.
Krampus (2015)
There are plenty of movies out there about the horned figure of European folklore. But 2015’s comedy-horror Krampus is the most entertaining. (It also had the biggest budget and was the only one to get a theatrical release.)
In case you’re unfamiliar with who Krampus is, he’s basically the anti-Santa. While jolly old Saint Nick takes care of the nice kids, Krampus takes care of the naughty ones.
Like he had for thousands of years, Krampus came not to reward, but to punish. Not to give, but to take.
Omi (Grandma)
So when Max loses the Christmas spirit because his family sucks, a deadly snowstorm engulfs the neighborhood, cutting off all power and communications.
And only Grandma knows it’s a sign that Krampus is on his way.
Take Christmas Vacation and Rare Exports and put them in a snow globe, then give it a shake, and you’ve got Krampus.
Better Watch Out (2017)
Better Watch Out is a thriller-horror with comedic elements and a touch of mystery.
Similar to The Babysitter, 12-year-old Luke is way too old for a babysitter. But he’s not complaining because he has a crush on Ashley.
When his parents leave for the night, it’s just Luke and Ashley.
And the home invaders.
Will Luke be able to become the protector and defend Ashley and his home? Will she finally see him for the man he is and start crushing back? Better Watch it to find Out.
It was nominated for Best Horror at the 2018 Saturn Awards and certainly one of the most entertaining Christmas horror movies out there.
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Christmas dramas on Peacock
Christmas dramas get to the heart of the holiday season. Here are 2 of the best dramatic and romantic Christmas movies on Peacock in 2023.
An American Christmas Carol (1979)
During the height of Happy Days and the hey day of The Fonze, Henry Winkler got wrinklier to star as “Scrooge” in An American Christmas Carol.
Fonzie’s Scrooge is named Benedict Slade. The time is the Great Depression and the place is Concord, New Hampshire.
You already know the story — a miserly magnate visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, then realizes it’s not too late to change.
At one point a young Slade tries to introduce the assembly line and buying on credit to his first employer and mentor, Mr. Brewster (aka “Fezziwig”). He’s essentially laughed out of the chair factory, with Brewster declaring “When the day of quality ends in this country, we’ll all be in great trouble indeed.”
How right you were, Mr. Brewster. How right you were.
This made-for-TV movie doesn’t get nearly enough credit. An American Christmas Carol is an underrated gem that is must-see viewing for any true fan of Christmas movies.
The Christmas Train (2017)
A former war correspondent now on the lifestyle desk, Tom Langdon takes the 4-day “Christmas Train” from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles. Writing a story in honor of his late father, he encounters a diverse cast of characters, each with their own story to tell.
Based on the novel of the same name by (somewhat surprisingly) thriller writer David Baldacci, The Christmas Train is… a Hallmark movie. So don’t be surprised when you find yourself watching… a Hallmark movie.
But as far as Hallmark Christmas movies go — or simply Hallmark movies general — The Christmas Train is a cut above the rest.
From romances to mysteries, it’s got a train full of stories with an all-star cast that includes Dermot Mulroney, Danny Glover, and Joan Cusack.
It’s cozy, heartwarming Christmas movie that’s made even better when watched with loved ones.
Other Christmas movies on Peacock?
There are no less than 37 Hallmark Christmas movies to choose from. There are also 17 (seventeen!) Christmas dog movies to be found in the Santa Paws collection.
Clearly there are plenty of Christmas movies on Peacock to watch this year. The 12 above are simply our top picks. Are there any Christmas movies we’ve missed that you think deserve a place on the list? Let us know in the comments below!
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