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‘It’s a Wonderful Life, ‘Elf’ and ‘Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town’: Holiday specials airing on Christmas Day

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After you’re stuffed with Christmas cookies and all the gifts are unwrapped, it comes time to settle in and enjoy holiday movies.

From newer films like “Elf,” “The Grinch” and “Home Alone” to classic stories like “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” “A Christmas Story” and “A Christmas Carol,” holiday specials will be airing all day on Dec. 25 for loved ones to enjoy.

Are you a fan of “It’s a Wonderful Life?” If so, you may want to tune into E! because it plans to air it as a marathon all day. The Rankin/Bass Animated Entertainment specials, which include “Frosty the Snowman,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” will also play on Freeform in the evening.

Below is a list of holiday specials that will air on Christmas Day in order of the time they will show. Each listing includes the title of the film as well as the channel, according to TV Guide.

  • 5 a.m. – Jack Frost (AMC)
  • 5 a.m.– A Christmas Story (TNT)
  • 6 a.m. – It’s a Wonderful Life (E!)
  • 6 a.m. – A Christmas Carol (FXM)
  • 6 a.m. – A Christmas Story (TBS)
  • 6:15 a.m. – Jack Frost (AMC)
  • 7 a.m. – Arthur Christmas (Freeform)
  • 7 a.m – A Christmas Story (TNT)
  • 7:39 a.m. – Elf (Starz Kids)
  • 8:00 a.m. – A Christmas Story (TBS)
  • 8:30 - Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas (PBS)
  • 8:45 a.m. – Frosty’s Winter Wonderland (AMC)
  • 8:50 a.m. – Christmas with the Kranks (Starz)
  • 9 a.m. – It’s a Wonderful Life (E!)
  • 9 a.m. – A Christmas Story (TNT)
  • 9:10 a.m. – The Santa Clause (Freeform)
  • 9:15 a.m. – The Year Without a Santa Claus (AMC)
  • 10 a.m. – Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade (ABC)
  • 10 a.m. – A Christmas Story (TBS)
  • 10:27 a.m. – Prancer (Starz Kids)
  • 10:30 a.m. – Scrooged (AMC)
  • 10:30 a.m. – A Christmas Carol (FXM)
  • 11 a.m. – A Christmas Story (TNT)
  • 11:20 a.m. – The Santa Clause 2 (Freeform)
  • 12 p.m. – It’s a Wonderful Life (E!)
  • 12 p.m. – A Christmas Story (TBS)
  • 12:30 p.m. – The Polar Express (AMC)
  • 1 p.m. – A Christmas Story (TNT)
  • 1:50 p.m. – The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (Freeform)
  • 2 p.m. – A Christmas Story (TBS)
  • 2:30 p.m. – Fred Claus (AMC)
  • 2:30 p.m. – Miracle on 34th Street (HBO)
  • 3 p.m. – A Christmas Carol (FXM)
  • 3 p.m. – A Christmas Story (TNT)
  • 3:07 p.m. – Elf (Starz Kids)
  • 4 p.m. – Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (Freeform)
  • 4 p.m. – A Christmas Story (TBS)
  • 5 p.m. – Four Christmases (AMC)
  • 5 p.m. – A Christmas Story (TNT)
  • 5:05 p.m. – Frosty the Snowman (Freeform)
  • 5:40 p.m. – Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Freeform)
  • 6 p.m. – It’s a Wonderful Life (E!)
  • 6 p.m. – A Christmas Story (TBS)
  • 6:15 p.m. – Prancer (Starz Kids)
  • 6:30 a.m. - Arthur’s Perfect Christmas (PBS)
  • 6:45 p.m. – Home Alone (Freeform)
  • 7 p.m. – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (AMC)
  • 7 p.m. – A Christmas Story (TNT)
  • 8 p.m. – Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (NBC)
  • 8:20 p.m. – A Christmas Carol (FXM)
  • 9 p.m. – Call the Midwife Holiday Special (PBS)
  • 9 p.m. – It’s a Wonderful Life (E!)
  • 9:15 p.m. – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (AMC)
  • 9:15 p.m. – Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (Freeform)
  • 9:42 p.m. – Elf (Starz Kids)
  • 11:30 p.m. – Four Christmases ((AMC)
  • 11:55 p.m. – Arthur Christmas (Freeform)

There are a couple of specials that aren’t on this list but that are available on streaming services. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” can be enjoyed on AppleTV at any time with a subscription. Peacock users can stream “Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)” for free with their subscription as well.

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