Holiday Movies: 25 Days of Christmas on ABC Family

Are you in the holiday spirit or do you need a jump start to get in that peppy holiday mood? Beginning December 1, 2011, ABC Family will begin showing movies they deem will get you in the holiday spirit in their 25 Days of Christmas daily movies. But what do you consider a holiday movie? Is it a movie that contains a holiday theme such as Home Alone 2: Lost in New York? Do you consider a movie that was released during the holiday season such as Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat a holiday movie? How do movies such as Finding Nemo, Beauty and the Beast, Up or WALL-E even fall into the holiday movie category? My guess would be they are meant to keep the children occupied while Santa is busy doing his thing elsewhere in the house.

For me, a holiday movie is not a movie whose release date was close to the holidays; a holiday movie should include holiday themes such as Santa Claus, Christmas trees and family to name a few. That being said, here are the movies that the ABC Family believes will get you in the holiday spirit. How many times does it take you to watch Home Alone 2 or Harry Potter before you are in the holiday spirit?

The Santa Clause
Release Date: November 11, 1994
Airs: Thursday, December 1, 7:00pm
A man (Tim Allen) accidently kills Santa Claus on Christmas Eve and finds himself taking Santa's place - permanently.

Dr. Seuss on the Loose
Release Date: October 15, 1973
Airs: Friday, December 2, 6:00pm
A "Cat in the Hat" special. Voices of Allan Sherman, Hans Conreid, and Paul Winchell.

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Release Date: December 18, 1966
Airs: Friday, December 2, 8:00pm
Boris Karloff voices the Grinch in this classic Christmas story of an irritable creature who tries to steal Christmas from the Whos in Whoville.

Saturday, December 3, Harry Potter Marathon All Day

Sunday, December 4, Harry Potter Marathon

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys
Release Date: October 30, 2001
Airs: Monday, December 5, 7:00pm
Rudolph and his misfit friends, Hermey, Yukon Cornelius and Bumbles track down the Evil Toy Taker who has stolen all the children's Christmas toys. Voices of Richard Dreyfuss (Scoop the Snowman), Jamie Lee Curtis (Queen Camilla), Rick Moranis (Toy Taker/ Mr. Cuddles the Teddy Bear), Kathleen Barr (Rudolph, Mrs. Claus plus 6 more), Scott McNeil (Hermey, Yukon Cornelius and 3 more), Garry Chalk (Santa Claus and Bumbles).

The Polar Express
Release Date: November 10, 2004
Airs: Monday, December 5, 8:30pm
A boy who has his doubts about the magic of Christmas boards a train headed to the North Pole and Santa's home. Starring Tom Hanks, Chris Coppola and Michael Jeter.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas
Release Dates: 1974, 1977, 1992, 2000
Airs: Tuesday, December 6, 6:00pm
This holiday show that is based on the popular poem has had many release dates with the first one dating back to December 23, 1914 according to imdb.com and the newest one on December 24, 2000. What's a town to do when Santa removes them from his delivery route on Christmas Eve?

Home Alone 2: Lost in NY
Release Date: November 20, 1992
Airs: Tuesday, December 6, 8:30pm
Once again poor Kevin gets left behind and has to deal with those pesky criminals. Starring Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern.

A Very Pink Christmas (Pink Panther in A Pink Christmas)
Release Date: December 7, 1978
Airs: Wednesday, December 7, 6:00pm
The Panther is looking for ways to get a big holiday dinner for himself. The story sends an unexpectedly powerful message about hunger and poverty and the lengths somebody will go to provide for themself.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Release Date: December 1, 1989
Airs: Wednesday, December 7, 9:00pm
Meet the bumbling Griswolds as they prepare for the holiday season. Starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, and Juliette Lewis.

Frosty's Winter Wonderland
Release Date: December 2, 1976
Airs: Thursday, December 8, 7:00pm
The kids think making Frosty a wife will help him cheer up. Voices of Andy Griffith (Narrator), Jackie Vernon (Frosty), Paul Frees (Jack Frost), and Shelley Winters (Crystal).

Cranberry Christmas
Release Date: December 8, 2008
Airs: Thursday, December 8, 7:30pm
Grumpy Cyrus Grape will not let the children skate on the ice over his cranberry bog. Voices of Jeff Bennett (Cyrus Grape), Liza Del Mundo (Maggie), Miriam Flynn (Granny Sister Whiskers), and Barry Manilow (Narrator).

The Year Without a Santa Claus
Release Dates: December 10, 1974 and December 11, 2006
Airs: Thursday, December 8, 9:00pm
In the 1974 version, Santa comes down with a bad cold at Christmastime, elves Jingle and Jangle Bells decide to take over. Delta Burke stars in the 2006 version as Mrs. Claus.

Santa Claus is Comin' to Town
Release Date: December 14, 1970
Airs: Friday, December 9, 7:00pm
The Mailman answers children's questions about Santa Claus. Voices of Fred Astaire (Narrator/Mailman), Mickey Rooney (Kris Kringle/Santa Claus), Keenan Wynn (Winter Warlock), and Paul Frees (Burgermeister Meisterburger and 3 more).

Santa Claus 3: The Escape Claus
Release Date: November 3, 2006
Airs: Saturday, December 10, 8:00pm
New Santa (aka Scott Calvin) pulls double duty when he has to stop Jack Frost from taking over Christmas and keep his family happy at the same time. Starring Tim Allen (Santa/Scott Calvin), Martin Short (Jack Frost), and Elizabeth Mitchell (Mrs. Claus/ Carol).

Holiday in Handcuffs
Release Date: December 9, 2007
Airs: Sunday, December 11, 6:00pm
In order to not disappoint her parents at Christmas, a young woman kidnaos a hunk and brings him home posing as her fiancé. Starring Melissa Joan Hart (Gertrude 'Trudie' Chandler) and Mario Lopez (David Martin).

*12 Dates of Christmas
Release Date: December 11, 2011
Airs: Sunday, December 11, 8:00pm
An ABC Family Original Movie - Starring Amy Smart (Kate Stanton), Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Benjamin Ayres (Jack Evans).

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Release Date: December 1, 1989
Airs: Monday, December 12, 9:00pm
Meet the bumbling Griswolds as they prepare for the holiday season. Starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, and Juliette Lewis.

Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat
Release Date: November 21, 2003
Airs:Tuesday, December 13, 7:00pm
Two bored kids' lives are turned upside down when a talking cat comes to visit. Starring Mike Meyers (The Cat), Dakota Fanning (Sally), Spencer Breslin (Conrad), Kelly Preston (Mom), and Alec Baldwin (Quinn).

Dr. Seuss' The Grinch Grinches The Cat in the Hat
Release Date: May 20, 1982
Airs: Tuesday, December 13, 7:30pm
The evil Grinch spoils The Cat's picnic plans. Voices of Mason Adams (The Cat/Narrator), and Bob Holt (The Grinch).

Finding Nemo
Release Date: May 30, 2003
Airs: Wednesday, December 14, 8:30pm
When Nemo gets captured, his father Marlin sets off on a quest to bring him home. Voices of Alexander Gould (Nemo), Albert Brooks (Marlin), Ellen DeGeneres (Dory), Brad Garrett (Bloat) and William Dafoe (Gill).

Beauty and the Beast
Release Date: November 22, 2991
Airs: Thursday, December 15, 9:00pm
Belle discovers the Beast is a prince in disguise. Voices of Paige O'Hara (Belle), and Robby Benson (Beast).

Up
Release Date: May 29, 2009
Airs: Friday, December 16, 9:00pm
An old man creates a flying house with thousands of balloons and sets off on a sightseeing tour and soon finds a stowaway on board. Voices of Ed Asner (Carl Fredricksen), and Christopher Plummer (Charles Muntz).

Toy Story
Release Date: November 22, 1995
Airs: Saturday, December 17, 8:00pm
Woody (Tom Hanks) gets jealous when he is replaced by Buzz (Tim Allen) as Andy's (John Morris) favorite toy.

Toy Story 2
Release Date: November 24, 1999
Airs: Sunday, December 18, 8:00pm
Buzz (Tim Allen) and the other toys set out to rescue Woody (Tom Hanks) who has been stolen by a toy collector.

Aladdin
Release Date: November 25, 1992
Airs: Monday, December 19, 6:30pm & 8:30pm
Princess Jasmine (Linda Larkin) sneaks out to the city where she meets the street urchin, Aladdin (Scott Weinger). Additional voices: Robin Williams (Genie), Jonathan Freeman (Jafar) and Gilbert Gottfried (Iago).

The Incredibles
Release Date: November 5, 2004
Airs: Monday, December 19, 6:30pm & 8:30pm
The Incredible family of Bob, Helen, and children Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack are a crime-fighting family who need to combine their superpowers to save the world. Voices of Craig T. Nelson (Bab Parr/Mr. Incredible), Holly Hunter (Helen Parr/Elastigirl), Eli Fucile (Jack Jack), Sarah Vowell (Violet), and Spencer Fox (Dashiell 'Dash').

Mickey's Christmas Carol
Release Date: December 16, 1983
Airs: Tuesday, December 20, 6:00pm
The classic Charles Dickens masterpiece is told through animated Disney characters. Voices of Alan Young (Ebenezer Scrooge/Scrooge McDuck), Wayne Allwine (Bob Cratchit/Mickey Mouse), Hal Smith and (Jacob Marley's Ghost/Goofy).

The Polar Express
Release Date: November 10, 2004
Airs: Tuesday, December 20, 9:00pm
A boy who has his doubts about the magic of Christmas boards a train headed to the North Pole and Santa's home. Starring Tom Hanks, Chris Coppola and Michael Jeter.

Disney Prep & Landing
Release Date: December 8, 2009
Airs: Wednesday, December 21, 7:00pm
Elves Lanny (Derek Richardson) and Wayne (Dave Foley) are part of Santa's elite Prep and Landing unit.

The Santa Clause
Release Date: November 11, 1994
Airs: Wednesday, December 21, 7:00pm
A man (Tim Allen) accidently kills Santa Claus on Christmas Eve and finds himself taking Santa's place - permanently.

Santa Claus 3: The Escape Claus
Release Date: November 3, 2006
Airs: Thursday, December 22, 7:00pm
New Santa (aka Scott Calvin) pulls double duty when he has to stop Jack Frost from taking over Christmas and keep his family happy at the same time. Starring Tim Allen (Santa/Scott Calvin), Martin Short (Jack Frost), and Elizabeth Mitchell (Mrs. Claus/ Carol).

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Release Date: December 18, 1966
Airs: Friday, December 23, 8:00pm
Boris Karloff voices the Grinch in this classic Christmas story of an irritable creature who tries to steal Christmas from the Whos in Whoville.

Santa Claus is Comin' to Town
Release Date: December 14, 1970
Airs: Saturday, December 24, 7:00pm
The Mailman answers children's questions about Santa Claus. Voices of Fred Astaire (Narrator/Mailman), Mickey Rooney (Kris Kringle/Santa Claus), Keenan Wynn (Winter Warlock), and Paul Frees (Burgermeister Meisterburger and 3 more).

The Year Without a Santa Claus
Release Dates: December 10, 1974 and December 11, 2006
Airs: Saturday, December 24, 8:00pm
In the 1974 version, Santa comes down with a bad cold at Christmastime, elves Jingle and Jangle Bells decide to take over. Delta Burke stars in the 2006 version as Mrs. Claus.

The Polar Express
Release Date: November 10, 2004
Airs: Sunday, December 25, 8:00pm
A boy who has his doubts about the magic of Christmas boards a train headed to the North Pole and Santa's home. Starring Tom Hanks, Chris Coppola and Michael Jeter.

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DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION I have not received any compensation for writing this content and I have no material connection to the brands, topics and/or products that are mentioned herein.

Sources:
ABC Family

Internet Movie Data Base