For 57 years, people have been singing the Broadway song, “We Need a Little Christmas.”
Now it seems especially true. TV networks and viewers need A LOT of Christmas.
Scrambling to fill voids created by strikes, networks have strained their supply of reruns, reality shows, game shows and other nonsense. They need a break – and a six-week Christmas cruise. Here’s a mega-list, by category and date, of what’s coming.
There are new shows, created before the strikes. This year, there are 40 new Christmas movies on the Hallmark networks, 20 on Great American Family, 12 on Lifetime, nine on UpTV, others scattered.
There are old shows. We may grumble about reruns, but we never seem to tire of Rudolph, Frosty, Charlie Brown and the Grinch. Or of the endless runs of everything from “Elf” to “A Christmas Story.”
And there are the quick, bouncy music specials, with new ones performed each year at Disney parks and tree-lightings and more.
The first new Christmas films actually arrived Oct. 20 (on Hallmark) and 21 (on GAF). But things speed up today (Thanksgiving Day). That’s when two broadcast networks (NBC and CBS) carry the parade (shown here) … and when cable networks hit overdrive.
The weekend has seven new films on Hallmark (including an ambitious time-travel one), three on GAF (including one starring Candace Cameron Bure and another starring her daughter), two on Lifetime and more. Then ABC wraps up the weekend with one of its Disney-parks specials and the start of its series eyeing the extremes in yard decoration.
Things slow down a tad after that, but we start this list on Thanksgiving Day.
It skips most Christmas episodes of regular shows and (with a few exceptions) reruns of TV movies. For theatrical films (ones that were in theaters first), it includes the eternal ones and skips the rest. Also, it barely scratches the vast resources of streaming networks; check your streamer for details.
Beyond that, keep in mind that everything is subject to change. CBS had “Rudolph” scheduled for Thanksgiving weekend, then moved it to Nov. 27, when it dumped the “Loteria Loca” game show.
That was significant: The strike-time game shows wore out their welcome; we need a lot of Christmas.
iPARADES
— Nov. 23: “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” 8:30 a.m. to noon, NBC and Peacock. Coverage starts a half-hour earlier than usual, to include the casts of five Broadway musicals — “Spamalot,” “Shucked,” “& Juliet,” “How to Dance in Ohio” and “Back to the Future: The Musical.” Also, the Rockettes will dance and Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells (formerly of “Book of Mormon” and now in “Guttenberg! The Musical!”) will be correspondents on the route. The “Today” people – Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker and Hoda Kotb – will host; this reruns at 2 p.m., after the National Dog Show.
— Nov. 23: Macy’s parade, 9 a.m. to noon, CBS. Keltie Knight, who hosts CBS’ coverage with Kevin Frazier, has double-duty here: A former Rockette and New York Knicks cheerleader, she’ll have her moment as Roxie Hart, with the Broadway cast of “Chicago.” CBS also has the casts of “Aladdin” and “A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical.”
— Dec. 15: Hollywood Christmas Parade, 8-10 p.m., CW.
— Dec. 25: Disney Parks Chrismas parade,10 a.m. to noon (except 9-11 a.m., PT), ABC. The parade’s 40th year includes music filmed at the parks. That’s from Julianne Hough and Derek Hough (the hosts) and from Meg Donnelly, Chrissy Metz, Iam Tongi, the Smashing Pumpkins and the Broadway and touring casts of “Aladdin.”
“HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS”
One of TV’s all-time great half-hours is available on Peacock and:
— On NBC, at 8 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 25.
— On TBS, at 7 and 7:30 p.m., Dec. 10; 8 a.m., Dec 16; 8 p.m., Dec. 22; 7:30 p.m., Dec. 23.
— On TNT, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 14; 5:03 p.m., Dec. 17.
Also, on Peacock.
“A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS”
This is the other all-time great cartoon, but has limited availability:
— Dec. 16-17: Apple TV+. This is the brief window when Apple makes it available for free.
— Other times, it’s for Apple subscribers, plus three other Charlie Brown Christmas specials.
OTHER KEY CARTOON RERUNS
Nov. 23-24: “The Year Without a Santa Claus” is on TNT at 4:12 p.m., Nov. 23 and on TBS at 4:45 p.m., Nov. 24.
Nov. 24: “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” 8-9 p.m., CW; repeats at 9 p.m., Dec. 24.
Nov. 27: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” 8 p.m., CBS. Then it’s on Freeform, at 7:10 p.m., Dec. 3; 5:50 p.m., Dec. 4; 5:15 p.m., Dec. 21; 5:35 p.m., Dec. 24; and 3:30 p.m., Dec. 25.
Nov. 30: “Shrek the Halls,” 8:30 p.m., NBC; also, 9 p.m. Dec. 9.
Dec. 2: “Reindeer in Here” and “Robie the Reindeer,” 8 and 9 p.m., CBS.
Dec. 3: “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas” on Freeform, 1:20 p.m., Dec. 3; 8:30 a.m.. Dec. 16; 8 a.m., Dec. 21.
Dec. 9: “Trolls Holiday in Harmony,” 8:30 p.m., NBC.
Dec. 10: “Mickey Saves Christmas,” 7 p.m., ABC. Pluto causes Santa to lose all his presents.
Dec. 10: “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure,” 7:30 p.m., ABC. The clueless snowman tries to gather traditions for the first holiday since the gates re-opened.
Dec.12: “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” 8 p.m., ABC. It’s also on Freeform at 4:10 p.m., Dec. 4; 9:55 p.m., Dec. 20; 3:35 p.m., Dec. 21; and 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Dec. 25.
Dec. 16: “Frosty the Snowman” and “Frosty Returns,” 9 and 9:30 p.m., CBS. Also, “Frosty” runs on Freeform (without its sequel) at 8:15 p.m., Dec. 3; 5:15 p.m., Dec. 4; 4:40 p.m., Dec. 21; 6:40 p.m., Dec. 24; and 4:30 p.m., Dec. 25.
Dec. 16: “Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas,” 10 a.m., Freeform; also, 8 a.m., Dec. 22; 9:05 a.m., Dec. 24.
Dec. 19: “Disney Prep & Landing,” 8 p.m., ABC with its .sequel follows at 8:30. They’re also at 7 and 7:30 a.m., Dec. 22 on Freeform, which has just the sequel at 10:30 a.m., Dec. 4.
NEW CARTOONS
Any time: “The Velveteen Rabbit,” Apple TV+. The story starts with William, 7, getting a stuffed toy for Christmas.
Nov. 27: “Mickey’s Christmas Tales,” 10:25 a.m., Disney Channel and Disney Jr. Five short tales.
Nov. 30: “The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday,” Netflix.
Dec. 1: Christmas specials from “The Snoopy Show” and “Frog and Toad,” Apple TV+.
“TOY STORY”
— The cartoon classic airs at 5:15 p.m., Dec. 9, on Freeform, with its sequels at 7:15, 9:20 and 11:50.
— Its half-hour special, “The Toy Story That Time Forgot,” is on Freeform at 4:45 p.m. Dec. 9; 9:30 a.m., Dec. 22; and 8 a.m., Dec. 23.
“A CHRISTMAS STORY”
— On TBS: 8 p.m. Dec 2; 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3.
— On TNT: 8 p.m., Dec. 14; 5:33 p.m., Dec. 17; 7:45 p.m., Dec. 18.
— On both: The annual 24-hour marathon starts at 8 p.m. Dec. 24.
— Also, last year’s sequel – “A Christmas Story Christmas” –nis on TNT at 10 p.m. Nov. 26; 7:33 p.m., Dec. 17; and 9 p.m. Dec. 25. It’s on TBS at 10 p.m. ,Dec. 2 and 8:30 p.m., Dec. 3.
“A CHRISTMAS CAROL”
— The 2009 one, with Jim Carrey, is on Freeform: 3 p.m., Dec. 1; 2 p.m., Dec. 5; 10:30 a.m., Dec. 7; 5:10 p.m., Dec. 10; 1:30 p.m., Dec. 15; 4:15 p.m., Dec. 18; 10:30 a.m., Dec. 19; 1:05 p.m., Dec. 23; and 7 a.m., Dec. 25.
— The 1999 one, with Patrick Stewart as a fierce Scrooge, is 10 p.m. Dec. 14, TNT.
— The 1938 one, with Reginald Owen, is noon ET, Dec. 11, Turner Classic Movies; also, 10:30 a.m. ET, Dec. 21; 10 p.m., Dec. 24.
— Others are streaming. Disney+ has “Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” a 26-minute gem. Hulu has “Muppet Christmas Carol” (1993), a fun film with Michael Caine; it also has a 1984 one with George C. Scott.
“THE SANTA CLAUSE”
— The original movie (1994) is 8-10 p.m. Dec. 3, ABC.
— The follow-up series, “The Santa Clauses,” has started its second season on Disney+; four episodes have arrived on Wednesdays, with the final two on Nov. 29 and Dec. 6.
— And all three movies rerun together on Freeform. That starts at 2:05 p.m., Dec. 2; 4:15 p.m., Dec. 6; 7:15 p.m., Dec. 10; 10:30 a.m., Dec. 14; 7:15 p.m., Dec. 16; 11 a.m., Dec. 20; 7:15 p.m., Dec. 22; and 7:15 p.m., Dec. 24. The first two run at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Dec. 25.
“THE NUTCRACKER”
— The 1993 movie, with Macaulay Culkin as the Nutcracker Prince, is on Hulu and Amazon Prime.
— “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms,” a lush (but odd) film with Misty Copeland, is on Disney+.
— Several others are on Ovation Now, via a free app. They are “Getting to the Nutcracker,” “The Nutcracker: Marlinsky” and “The Nutcracker by Kader Belarbi.”
RELIGION
(Religion is a key part of many Christmas shows; this is a brief sampling of ones in which it is especially key.)
— “The Star” (2017), 1 p.m., Dec. 1, Freeform. This animated film tells the nativity story through the animals.
— “Christmas Homecoming,” 7 p.m. ET, Dec. 2, UpTV. Bill Gaither, 87, offers highlights from his Christmas gospel specials. That includes music by David Phelps, country star Josh Turner and the Gaither Family Band.
— “Black Nativity” (2013), midnight on the night of Dec. 11, Freeform. It’s adapted from a Langston Hughes story.
— “Favorite Son Christmas,” Dec. 14, BET+. To rescue a church’s finances, a gospel concert is planned, hoping to re-unite a once-successful group. This includes music from Tank, Serayah, MC Lyte and Anthony Evans.
— “Little Drummer Boy,” 7 a.m. on Dec. 16, Dec. 17 and Dec. 21, Freeform.
— “King of Kings” (1961) and “Ben-Hur” (1959), 1 and 4 p.m. ET, Dec.19, Turner Classic Movies.
— “The Chosen,” 8-9:30 p.m. Sundays, CW. This crowdfunded series views Jesus’ life through the people around him. Its current season is scheduled to end on Dec. 24.
— Christmas Eve Mass from St. Petert’s Basilica in Rome, 11:30 p.m., Dec. 24, to 1 a.m., NBC.
COMEDY
Nov. 24: “The Greatest Home Videos” holiday special, 8 p.m., CBS.
Dec. 4: “Blake Shelton’s Holiday Bartacular,” 10 p.m., Dec. 4., NBC Alongside music, Shelton plays wild versions of bar games with Ice-T and others.
Dec. 8: “Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever,” Disney+. When a snowstorm hits, Greg struggles to be on his best behavior.
Dec. 11: “Penn & Teller: Merry Fool Us,” 8-9 p.m., CW.
Dec. 14: “A Saturday Night Live Christmas Special,” 8-10 p.m., NBC; also, 9-11 p.m. Dec. 23. This assembles sketches from throughout the 48 seasons.
MUSIC, new
Any time: “Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas,” Apple TV+. The Emmy-winner returns to her musical-theater roots, for a London Coliseum concert, backed by an orchestra.
Nov. 26: “Magical Holiday Celebration,” 8-10 p.m., ABC. At Disney World and the Aulani Resort in Hawaii , there’s music from Julianne and Derek Hough (the hosts), plus Mickey Guyton (alone and with Michael Bolton), Chris Janson, Tori Kelly, Chrissy Metz, Robin Thicke, Ian Tongi, the Smashing Pumpkins and Adam Blackstone and Andra Day.
Nov. 29: “Christmas at Rockefeller Center,” 8-10 p.m., NBC and Peacock. Kelly Clarkson hosts and performs. Cher will perform solo and with Darlene Love. Other pairings have Adam Blackstone and Keke Palmer, Liz Gillies and Seth MacFarlane, David Foster and Katharine McPhee. Also performing: Barry Manilow, Carly Pearce and Manyel Turizo.
Nov. 29: “Christmas at Graceland,” 10 p.m., NBC. Holiday songs and others made famous by Elvis Presley will be sung by Lana DelRey, Post Malone, Lainey Wilson, John Legend, Alanis Morissette, Kane Brown, Kacey Musgraves and War and Treaty.
Dec. 7: “Christmas at the Opry,” 8-10 p.m., NBC; also, 9-11 p.m. Dec. 20. Wynonna Judd hosts from the Grand Ole Opry. She’ll perform, as will Kelly Clarkson, Trace Adkins, Mickey Guyton, Chris Janson, Lauren Alaina, Mitchell Tenpenny, Meghan Patrick, Adam Doleac … and Brenda Lee, 78, who debut “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” 65 years ago.
Dec. 9: NOTE: “A Merry Soulful Christmas,” 8-10 p.m., CBS, originally scheduled for this spot, has been replaced. The special was going to be produced by Byron Allen; instead, CBS will fill the spot with four episodes of his game show, “Funny You Should Ask.”
Dec. 11: “A Very Barry Christmas,” 10 p.m., NBC; also, 8 p.m., Dec. 20. In Las Vegas, with a 24-piece band, Barry Manilow performs his past hits plus seasonal songs.
Dec. 12: “Christmas With the Tabernacle Choir,” 8 p.m., PBS; also, 8 p.m., Dec. 17, BYU-TV. It’s the annual mega-concert, backing a singer with an orchestra and a 300-voice choir. This year’s soloist is Lea Salonga, the “Miss Saigon” star, with David Suchet (TV’s “Poirot”) as the narrator.
Dec. 12: “Masked Singer Holiday Singalong,” 8-10 p.m., Fox. Performers include contestants from this year and the past, plus the host and judges.
Dec. 14: “CMA Country Christmas,” 8-9:02 p.m., ABC. Amy Grant and Trisha Yearwood Bryde and perform. Also perforing: Lady A, Lainey Wilson, Jon Pardi, Ashley McBryde, Jorday Davis, Lindsey Stirlling, Zach Williams and War and Treaty.
Dec. 15: “National Christmas Tree Lighting,” 8-9 p.m., CBS. Mickey Guyton hosts and performs, with othert music from Dionne Warwick, Darren Criss, Ledisi, Joe Walsh, Samara Joy, Renee Rapp and St. Vincent and the Coast Guard’s Guardians Big Band.
Dec. 21: “iHeartRadio Jingle Ball,” 8-10 p.m., ABC. This has highlights of a tour tht includes Nicki Minaj, Niall Horan, Olivia Rodrigo, Usher, Sza, Miguel, Sabrina Carpenter, Jelly Roll, Flo Rida, AJR, OneRepublic, Big Time Rush, NCT Dream and more.
Dec. 22: “A Home For the Holidays,” 8-9 p.m., CBS. It’s the 25th one, offering music plus stories about adoptions.
MUSIC, key reruns
Dec. 20: “Silent Night – A Song For the World,” 8-10 p.m., CW. This is a documentary about the song, but it includes a wide range of performances, many of them excellent.
Dec. 21: “Mountain Magic Christmas,” 9-11 p.m., NBC. There’s a script here, but this is mostly a chance to hear great music from Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Miley Cyrus, Jimmy Fallon and more.
Dec. 25: Mariah Carey special, 9-11 p.m., CBS.
SEASONAL FOOD, MOOD, DECOR
Nov. 24: “Christmas with Walt Disney,” Disney+. This combines Disney’s family movies, plus Christmas scenes from his shorts, films and “Disneyland” TV show.
Nov. 26 and beyond: “The Great Christmas Lights Fight” returns, with Carter Oosterhouse and Taniva Nayak taking turns judging homes’ mega-displays. There are one-hour Sunday editions on Nov. 26 (looking at past ones) and Dec. 3 and 10, then two-hour Tuesdays on Dec. 12 and 19.
Dec. 10-11: “MasterChef Junior: Home for the Holidays, 8-10 p.m., Fox. Nine young chefs face holiday challenges, judged by Gordon Ramsay, his daughter Tilly, Aaron Sanchez and Daphne Oz.
Dec. 18-19: “Lego Masters: Celebrity Holiday Bricktacula,” 8-10 p.m., Fox. Past contestants (David Guedes, Caleb Schilling, Krystle Starr, Randall Wilson) link with Rob Riggle, Kelly Osbourne, NeNe Leakes and Marshawn Lynch for holiday-themed creations.
TV MOVIES, key reruns
— Nov. 25: “A Waltons Thanksgiving,” 8-10 p.m., CW. Also, on Dec. 25, a rerun of the “Waltons Homecoming” remake.
— Dec. 1: “Eloise at Christmastime” is a sweet-spirited film focusing on a 6-year-old, with Julie Andrews as her nanny. It’s on Freeform at 11 a.m., Dec. 1; 10 a.m., Dec. 17; and 7 a.m., Dec. 20.
– Dec. 15: “Coat of Many Colors,” 8-10 p.m., NBC. This is based on the Dolly Parton song, with Jennifer Nettles as the earnest and loving mom.
— Dec. 22: “Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love,” 8-10 p.m., NBC. This continues Parton’s story, including a blizzard and a hint of a future in music.
— Dec. 22, 24, 29: CBS reruns (9-11 p.m.) the three films, varying sharply in quality, it debuted last year. “Fit For Christmas” (Dec. 22) is flat and predictable … “When Christmas Was Young” (Dec. 24) has some good moments, including a song written by Sheryl Crow … “Must Love Christmas” (Dec. 29) is clever.
— Freeform also repeats a few other films that are exceptionally entertaining. Each is at 7 a.m. — “Snow” on Dec. 6, “Snow 2” on Dec. 7 and “Snowglobe” on Dec. 11.
NEW MOVIES
Nov. 23: “Catch Me If You Claus,” 8 p.m., Hallmark. A TV reporter (Italia Ricci) is about to make her anchor debut when she discovers an intruder in a red suit. He says he’s Santa’s son.
Nov. 23: “The Naughty Nine,” Disney+. A 5th-grader who didn’t get a present from Santa, organize other naughty-listers for a North Pole heist.
Nov. 24: “Letters to Santa,” 6 p.m., Hallmark. If a magic pen can get any wish to come true, then these kids have a big one – get their parents back together.
Nov. 24: “Holiday Road,” 8 p.m., Hallmark. Based on a true story, this involves mismatched people stranded at an airport at Christmastime.
Nov. 24: “My Christmas Hero,” 8 p.m. ET, Great American Family. Candace Cameron Bure plays an Army Reserve doctor, tracking her family’ military history.
Nov. 25: “Christmas at Notting Hill,” 6 p.m., Hallmark. A soccer star meets the one person (a visiting American) who has no idea who he is.
Nov. 25: “Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up,” 8 p.m., Hallmark. Lacey Chabert (“Party of Five”) stars in this sequel. As the girlfriend of the Home Owners Association president, she faces drama and in-fighting.
Nov. 25: “Christmas at the Chalet,” 8 p.m., Lifetime. Teri Hatcher finds herself about to celebrate the holiday with her son, her ex-husband and his girlfriend.
Nov. 25: “A Royal Date for Christmas,” 8 p.m. ET, GAF. Danica McKellar (“Wonder Years”) give a prince an American makeover.
Nov. 26: “Our Christmas Mural,” 6 p.m., Hallmark.
Nov. 26: “Mistletoe Connections,” 7 p.m. ET, UpTV.
Nov. 26: “A Biltmore Christmas,” 8 p.m., Hallmark. Preparing to remake of a Christmas classic filmed at the Biltmore House, a screenwriter (Bethany Joy Lenz) is transported to that original movie set in 1947. Kristoffer Polaha co-stars, with “Star Trek” actors Jonathan Frakes and Robert Picardo.
Nov. 26: “Laughing All the Way,” 8 p.m., Lifetime. An aspiring comedian frets about organizing a local variety show.
Nov. 26: “A Christmas for the Ages,” 8 p.m. ET, GAF. Natasha Bure (whose mom stars two days earlier) stirs a four-generation look a Christmases past and present.
Nov. 30: “Time for Her to Come Home for Christmas,” 8 p.m., Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Sherae Grimes-Beech (“90210”) and Chris Carmack (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Nashville”) play a music director and a returning soldier.
Dec. 1: “My Norwegian Holiday,” 8 p.m., Hallmark. A woman visits Norway, trying to find the background of a troll figure.
Dec. 2: Loni Anderson, Morgan Fairchild, Linda Gray, Donna Mills and Nicollette Sheridan play stars from a past generation — which, of course, they are. They re-assemble, pretending to like each other, for their show’s finale. Another ‘80s star, Tiffany, does the theme song.
Dec. 2: “A Not so Royal Christmas,” 8 p.m., Hallmark. A groundskeeper must pose as a duke, when a reporter ETarrives for an interview.
Dec. 2: “Christmas on Windmill Way,” 8 p.m., GAF. Chad Michael Murray (the “One Tree Hill” star, currently in CW’s “Sullivan’s Crossing”) plays a guy whose ex-girlfriend tries to save a family legacy.
Dec. 3: “Yuletide the Knot,” 7 p.m. ET, UpTV.
Dec. 3: “Christmas With a Kiss,” 8 p.m., Hallmark. This is under the Mahogany banner, creating Black-oriented stories.
Dec. 3: “Mistletoe Match,” 8 p.m., Lifetime. A cynical reporter goes undercover at a “Secret Santa for Singles” event.
Dec. 3: “The Jinglebell Jubilee,” 8 p.m., GAF and Hulu.
Dec. 6: “Christmas as Usual,” Dec. 6, Netflix. There’s an uneasy blend of traditions from Norway and India.
Dec. 7: “To All a Good Night,” 8 p.m., Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.
Dec. 8: “Magic in Mistletoe,” 8 p.m,, Hallmark. A grumpy author returns home for a festival celebrating his books.
Dec. 9: “Christmas on Mistletoe Lane,” 8 p.m., Hallmark. Catherine Bell and James Denton – who spent years playing a witch and her husband on Hallmark, now play an engaged couple in a multi-generation story.
Dec. 9: “A Cowboy Christmas,” 8 p.m., Lifetime. Jana Kramer, who’s also a country singer, plays a business whiz, reluctantly visiting her home town to close a deal.
Dec. 9: “Meet Me Under the Mistletoe,” 8 p.m., GAF andHulu
Dec. 10: “Christmas at the Amish Bakery,” 7 p.m. ET, UpTV. A woman who left the Amish community returns home when she’s trying to develop an Amish cookbook.
Dec. 10: “Round and Round,” 8 p.m., Hallmark. In a time loop, Rachel is stuck on the night of her parents’ Hanukkah party.
Dec. 10: “Yes, Chef! Christmas,” 8 p.m., Lifetime. Tia Mowry stars, with Buddy Valastro (a real-life chef) as her mentor.
Dec. 10: “Peppermints & Postcards,” 8 p.m., GAF.
Dec. 14: “Heaven Down Here,” 8 p.m., Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Based on a Mickey Guyton song, this has four strangers (including Tina Lifford of “Queen Sugar”) stranded in a diner during a snowstorm.
Dec. 15: “The Secret Gift of Christmas,” 8 p.m., Hallmark. Meghan Ohry, the “Chesapeake Shore” star, plays a personal shopper for a widower with a daughter.
Dec. 16: “Sealed With a List,” 8 p.m., Hallmark. Katie Findlay, who stars in CW’s “Spencer Sisters” plays someone determined to conquer all the resolutions she abandoned in previous years.
Dec. 16: “Designing Christmas with You,” 8 p.m., GAF.
Dec. 16: “The Holiday Proposal Plan,” 8 p.m., Lifetime. Tatyani Ali stars.
Dec. 16: “A Christmas Intern,” 10 p.m., Lifetime. Jackee Harry, who also performs an original song, plays a retiree, working at her daughter’s cyber company.
Dec. 17: “Dial S for Santa,” 7 p.m. ET, UpTV. Returning to her home for Christmas, a private detective is soon trying to solve a string of store robberies.
Dec. 17: “Friends & Family Christmas,” 8 p.m., Hallmark. To appease their parents, Daniella and Amelia pretend they’re dating each other.
Dec. 17: “12 Games of Christmas,” 8 p.m., GAF. During a party, friends and neighbors are transported to a Christmas-themed board game.
Dec. 17: “Merry Magic Christmas,” 8 p.m., Lifetime. A financial consultant, working with a theater company, keeps seeing the same number pop up.
Dec. 21: “The Christmas Break,” 8 p.m., Fox, Jusrtin Long and India Mullen play a couple at a crossroads in their marriage, as they travel to Ireland to spend Christmas with her large family.
Dec. 21: “Miracle in Bethlehem PA,” 8 p.m.,. Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Laura Vandervoort plays an adoptive mom who can’t get a room in the inn at Christmastime.
Dec. 23: “Mom’s Christmas Boyfriend,” 8 p.m., Lifetime. A 10-year-old, who was adopted from China as a baby, enters a Christmas-wish contest, wishing for a guy for her mom.
Dec. 23: “A Royal Christmas Holiday,” 8 p.m., GAF. A reporter interviews a visiting European prince.
Dec. 24: “A Christmas Letter,” 7 p.m., UpTV.
THEATRICAL MOVIES, the classics
(These aren’t necessarily Christmas films, but families like to catch them during the holidays.)
— “The Wizard of Oz” (1939). TBS has it at 8 p.m., Nov. 23; 5:45 p.m., Nov. 24; 12:15 p.m., Dec. 10; 8 p.m., Dec. 16; and 8 and 10:15 p.m., Dec. 25. TNT has it at 8 and 10:15 p.m., Dec. 11.
— “Frozen” (2013), 8-10 p.m. Dec. 10 on ABC. it’s also on Freeform at 8:20 p.m., Dec. 8 and 6:20 p.m., Dec. 18, both times followed by its sequel(2019).
— “The Sound of Music” (1965), 8-11 p.m. Dec. 17, ABC.
— “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946) is 8-11 p.m. Dec. 24, NBC.
THEATRICAL MOVIES
— “Elf” has Will Ferrell as a 6-foot-3 ex-elf, looking for a new life. TBS has a 24-hour marathon, starting at 8 p.m. Nov. 24. TNT has it at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 24 and at 8 and 10 p.m. Nov. 27 and 30.
— “Christmas Vacation,” with Chevy Chase. TNT as it at 9 p.m. Nov. 23 and 1:30 p.m. ET (10:30 a.m.) Nov. 24, then starts a 24-hour marathon at 10 p.m., Nov. 25.
— “Fred Claus” (2007) has Vince Vaughn as Santa’s less-noble brother. TBS has it at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 24; then TNT has it at 3 p.m. and midnight, Nov. 27.
— “The Polar Express” (2004) is a visually splendid (but emotionally sparse) tale of one boy’s magical train ride. It’s Nov. 23 (2:12 p.m. TNT, 10:15 p.m. TBS) and Nov. 24 (11:30 a.m. ET, but 8:30 a.m. PT, TNT, 2:45 p.m., TBS.
— “Arthur Christmas” (2011), an animated trifle, is on TBS at 8:30 a.m., Nov. 24 and 1 p.m., Dec. 23.
— “Meet Me in St. Louis” (1944), spans the seasons, but includes Judy Garland debuting “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” It’s 3:30 p.m. ET, Dec. 4, Turner Classic Movies; also, 8 p.m. ET, Dec. 21; 6 p.m. ET, Dec. 24.
— “The Bishop’s Wife” has Cary Grant as an elegant ghost. It’s 6 p.m. ET, Dec. 5, TCM; also, 8 p.m. ET, Dec. 24.
— “O. Henry’s Full House” includes “Gift of the Magi” among its five stories; 2 p.m. ET, Dec. 12; 1:30 p.m. ET, Dec. 25, TCM.
— “Miracle on 34th Street” – the 1994 one, with Mara Wilson and Richard Attenborough — is on Freeform at 1:30 p.m., Dec. 13; 11:20 p.m., Dec. 15; 12:35 p.m., Dec. 19; and 10:30 a.m., Dec. 23. It’s also on Hulu, which also has the 1947 original, co-starring a young Natalie Wood.
— “Home Alone” (1990) is stuffed with great sight gags, as a boy defends his home from Christmastime thieves. It’s 8-10 p.m. Dec. 24, ABC. By then, it will have aired 19 times on Freeform, each time with its sequel two-and-a-half hours later. Starting times are: 7 p.m., Dec. 1; 7 a.m., Dec. 2; 8:50 p.m., Dec. 3; 11 a.m., Dec. 4; 6 p.m., Dec. 5; 11:05 a.m., Dec. 6; 3:10 p.m., Dec. 7; 10:30 a.m., Dec. 8; noon, Dec. 10; 3:10 p.m., Dec. 11; 11 a.m., Dec. 12; 4 p.m., Dec. 13; 3:30 p.m., Dec. 15; 11:30 a.m., Dec. 16; 6:20 p.m., Dec. 17; 3:10 p.m., Dec. 19; 6:20 p.m., Dec. 21; 10 a.m., Dec. 22, 5:10 p.m., Dec. 23 and 6 p.m. Dec. 25.
— ALSO: At noon ET, Dec. 4: TCM has a documentary about holiday films – “A Night at the Movies: Merry Christmas.” It has marathons (with films that include Christmas) on Dec. 2-3, 9-10, 16-17 and 19-25. And Ovation will have Christmas-movie marathons on Dec. 3, 10, 17 and 24-25.