It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…everywhere you go. Disney+ is no exception to the concept. With its endless supply of magical content for our viewing pleasure, the streaming service has no shortage of fun and entertaining movies and series to binge, Christmas episodes and specials included.
Disney has had its fair share of Christmas specials just for the season, but not all are created equal. Don’t get us wrong, there’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy, but not all of them will twinkle your tinsel. Have a look at our picks for Disney+’s best and worst specials for the holidays.
Avoid: Olaf’s Frozen Adventure
We’re putting this on the list for mainly two reasons and their names are Anna and Elsa. The special as a whole isn’t what we’d call awful, but when the focus shifts away from our favorite Josh-Gad-voiced talking snowman, it gets a little tedious at times. It still has some good lines once in a while, though.
We love Olaf and firmly believe he deserves a solo outing. That being said, when the special focuses on the two leading ladies, it feels like hashed out leftovers from the first film. The performances are great and the songs are well-performed, but most of the time, it feels like a quick way to cash in on the Frozen fever.
Binge: “It’s a Wonderful Leaf” (Darkwing Duck)
Some of the specials featured on our list will definitely get into the weird category, and what better way to start than with this gem from Darkwing Duck? With superheroes, animated slapstick, and one of the weirdest villains in the duck’s rogues’ gallery, it’s one Christmas episode that stands out in a big way.
The star of this little feature isn’t Darkwing Duck, but Bushroot. The scientist-turned plant mutant is actually pretty sympathetic in this special, after getting trampled and abused by the holiday crowds. If we had it as rough as this guy, we’d summon an army of evil Christmas trees too.
Avoid: “Topper” (Lilo & Stitch: The Series)
As much as we hate to put Lilo and Stitch on the list of crummy Christmas specials, this one was definitely not one of their best. The experiment they’re hunting doesn’t even make an appearance until the last few minutes of the episode. So what makes this so festive? It’s basically a wild montage of Stitch stealing Christmas gifts.
When an experiment pod gets plopped in with the Christmas shopping, Stitch is the only one to notice it, forcing him to gather up all the town’s presents to find it. It’s repetitive, uninspired, and honestly not really that funny for something Stitch-related. Better skip this one this year.
Binge: “Escape Claus” (That’s So Raven)
That’s So Raven was the Disney Channel series that sent Raven-Symoné into stardom, and it’s a pretty interesting show to boot. The Christmas episode not only features a heartfelt message, a soothing musical performance from Raven herself, but Ernie Sabella makes a guest appearance as a hard-nosed history teacher who works as a mall-Santa.
When Raven accidentally breaks her Christmas present, she and her friends have to skip Mr. Petracelli’s class to get it replaced at the mall. What they don’t know is that Petracelli is working as Santa, leading to a Christmas game of cat and mouse with a heartwarming conclusion.
Avoid: “Don’t Be Elfish” (Timon & Pumbaa)
Normally, Timon and Pumbaa’s comedic antics are enjoyable, humorous, and harmless. This, however, is not the case with this holiday nightmare. The plot is essentially a big scheme to get this world’s version of a Nintendo 64 in time for the holiday rush, but it gives us a grouchy Timon and an extremely obnoxious choir of carolers.
This special isn’t that funny, but it’s loud, blaring, and pretty mean-spirited for something starring Timon and Pumbaa. Timon makes kids in line to see Santa absolutely miserable, and Pumbaa’s jolliness hardly does anything to help. To top it all off, the carolers that appear every time someone says “Christmas” gets old excruciatingly fast.
Binge: “Last Christmas!” (DuckTales 2017)
Three words: Emo. Donald. Duck. “Last Christmas” from the DuckTales reboot is without a doubt one of the funniest episodes on our list, as well as one of the most Easter egg-heavy. From the Bing Crosby-inspired theme song to the Scrooge’s strange vendetta against Santa, it’s definitely binge-worthy.
It’s the gang’s first Christmas in McDuck Manor, and Scrooge gets a visit from the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, but not for the reason you think. What proceeds involves time travel, Della Duck, and even a wendigo for an unforgettable animated Christmas. It’s definitely one of the best on the platform.
Avoid: Mickey’s Twice Upon A Christmas
Certain Disney properties have the misfortune of being painfully blatant and obvious cash-grabs — Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas is that in the strictest definition. A poor sequel to the much more touching Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas, this CGI schlock-fest is just standard Christmas Cartoons with a bigger budget.
Aside from maybe two segments in the entire special, there’s really nothing special about it. It’s a sequence of shorts featuring Mickey and the gang involved in various hokey holiday shticks. Take our advice, save your binging time for the next Christmas special.
Binge: Mickey’s Christmas Carol
Now we’re into some seriously classic Christmas territory with Mickey’s Christmas Carol. If you need to wash out the stale figgy pudding taste of Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas, this is the way to do it. With traditional animation, a talented cast of voice-actors, and a timeless tale, there are few that compare.
It’s Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol told with famous Disney characters in the title roles. What more complexity do you need? With Mickey, Donald, and Goofy all in the leading parts, it’s a great way to introduce kids and adults to the classic holiday story.
Avoid: “Killing Me Softly With His Height” (Hannah Montana)
We’re going to put a hard pass on this episode, and not just because it involves a certain wig-wearing-alter-ego popstar. The episode deals with the holiday season, but also a double standard in the dating world seen through not the typical male attitude, but our leading lady herself.
It may take place around Christmas, but we’re not exactly feeling too jolly and joyous around this special. For one thing, we see how shallow and closed-minded Miley can be, simply because she dumps a boy because he’s shorter than her. Even when they make up in the ending, we haven’t forgotten her hurtful actions. Frankly, we’re appalled.
Binge: Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas
Now for a Christmas special that’s truly worthy of the term: Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas. Though this feature might just be a series of vignettes starring Mickey, Donald, and Goofy, it’s definitely something that will give you that warm and fuzzy feeling your holiday season needs.
This movie is like a cup of hot chocolate with all the marshmallows and toppings you could possibly ask for. The plots aren’t exactly deep, but they’re touching, funny, and oh-so festive that you just can’t help but catch the feels from these wholesome holiday stories. They’ll definitely make your binging session merry and bright.
