Below are 10 free family Christmas specials available on Tubi. These are all specials that are geared toward younger viewers and family audiences. I have watched all of these specials and will provide you with comments not only to their quality but also their suitability for everyone in the family. There are a couple with surprisingly dark and potentially upsetting subject matter you should be aware of.
A BRIEF WORD ABOUT TUBI
Tubi has become my personal streaming service of choice. I have the Netflix and the Hulu and the Amazon Prime and all that fun stuff, but the VAST majority of my viewing time is spent with the good folks of Tubi. (I’m currently obsessed with re-runs of THE PEOPLE’S COURT. Don’t ask me why.)
As someone who appreciates older, sometimes hard-to-find titles, Tubi has become an amazing resource for me. I’ve been able to find films from the 40s and 50s that have become some of my favorites of all time.
The number of Christmas titles on Tubi is quite impressive! If you search for the keyword CHRISTMAS or HOLIDAY, you’ll find dozens and dozens and dozens of titles from which to choose, including many of the more obscure films that have been forgotten over time or never had the chance to find an audience.
Click here to explore what Tubi has to offer.
10 FREE FAMILY CHRISTMAS SPECIALS ON TUBI
THE BEARS WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS (1994)
23 minutes
PLOT: When a sister and brother end up stranded with their parents in a deserted cabin on Christmas Eve, two magical teddy bears try to save their holiday.
THOUGHTS: Despite having recognized actors such as Pam Dawber, Brad Garrett and Henry Gibson among the voiceover cast, I didn’t find this a particularly engaging special. Once you get past the initial concept of the teddy bears coming to life, it doesn’t go anywhere interesting or noteworthy. The animation and music are average at best, and feels long even at just 23 minutes.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE BEARS WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS
THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT (1956)
30 minutes
PLOT: All one little boy wants for Christmas is a pony, but his little brother is getting in the way of his wish, causing him to learn a valuable lesson.
THOUGHTS: Young ones adverse to anything before the 70s or 80s may immediately dismiss this one, but that would be a shame. It’s a live action special from the 50s that ultimately becomes very heartwarming and touching. It also has a wonderful Christian message. A character has a son who was killed in the war, so this may be a bit much for wee little ones. Expect wish lists for ponies when this one is over.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
THE CHRISTMAS TREE (1991)
43 minutes
PLOT: Heartless Mrs. Mavilda runs an orphanage where children live in miserable conditions, but her caring assistant helps the kids have a Merry Christmas.
THOUGHTS: I had major issues with this one – both in quality and content. Some of the voiceover work is just shockingly bad – almost emotionless at times. Mrs. Mavilda is a despicable character who makes Miss Hannigan from ANNIE look like Maria von Trapp. There are scenes of a young child hanging from a cliff after being attacked by a grizzly bear. There are moments of gambling and one character complaining of a hangover. The climax features a character struck by lightning while brandishing a chainsaw around orphans. If you have sensitive or impressionable children, PLEASE watch this first to make sure it’s appropriate.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE CHRISTMAS TREE
CHRISTOPHER THE CHRISTMAS TREE (1993)
24 minutes
PLOT: The story of a scraggly pine tree whose fondest wish to to become a beautiful Christmas tree.
THOUGHTS: This may be my favorite special of all of these. It gave me the same “feels” I get whenever I read “The Giving Tree” to my great-nephew. It has characters we care about, some good music and even a reference to Jesus and the Wise Men. This is one I could see becoming a traditional watch every season.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH CHRISTOPHER THE CHRISTMAS TREE
JOLLY OLD ST. NICHOLAS (1994)
23 minutes
PLOT: It’s Christmas Eve on the farm, and everybody is excited about the big talent show. Scuddle Mutt and Clawdia are dressed as elves and ready to sing “Jolly Old St. Nicholas,” when Santa makes an unexpected early stop. He mistakes the two for his own elves and whisks them away in his sleigh. The real elves are left behind to sing and dance while Scuddle Mutt and Clawdia take the ride of a lifetime!
THOUGHTS: This one is a lot of fun. It’s not particularly well animated, but it’s enjoyable watching the talent show (you might be reminded a bit of the SING animated movies). There is also a great message at the end about the importance of giving and being generous with what you have. I enjoyed the talent show version of “Jolly Old St. Nicholas” as well – it’s kinda groovy.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH JOLLY OLD ST. NICHOLAS
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS (1994)
49 minutes
PLOT: Good-hearted orphan Jeffrey and his cat only want to spread Christmas cheer and find a loving home.
THOUGHTS: I was bored to tears by this one, and I can’t imagine many younger children having the attention span to last almost an hour. Truth be told, I think I may have even nodded off a time or two. The animation is on par with bad Saturday morning television, and the only thing that felt inspired at all was the inevitable recitation of the titular poem. Try to find the 1974 Rankin/Bass production ‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS instead.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
O CHRISTMAS TREE (1994)
23 minutes
PLOT: Two feuding polar bears plot against each other to relive the joys of their youth by claiming the one and only tree at the North Pole for Christmas.
THOUGHTS: I wasn’t crazy about this one. I think the people behind this one were aiming for a Tom and Jerry type adversarial back and forth. Some of it is cute, and there are a couple laughs, but at almost a half an hour, it begins to wear out its welcome. I think this would be fine as a 10 minute short, but even then, I don’t think this would be one that BEARS repeating. (Pun intended.)
CLICK HERE TO WATCH O CHRISTMAS TREE
SANTA AND THE THREE BEARS (1970)
46 minutes
PLOT: When two bear cubs learn about Santa Claus, they want to skip hibernation to celebrate Christmas. But will their mama bear let them?
THOUGHTS: I was enchanted by this one, but I’m not exactly sure how modern audiences will take to the ancient animation and period music. I love the story about bears not knowing about Christmas because of their hibernation. This one gave me a very Hanna-Barbera feel, and if you’re too young to know that reference, you probably won’t enjoy it as much as I did. Look for Hal Smith from THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW in a live action prologue.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH SANTA AND THE THREE BEARS
UP ON THE HOUSETOP (1992)
22 minutes
PLOT: A discouraged guy in no mood for Christmas finds an odd little man in a red suit stuck in his chimney, Is he a burglar, or could he be the real deal?
THOUGHTS: I really dug this one. It has a bit of an edge to it, and it shows that not everyone is happy around the holiday season. It also has a great message about family and community. This is one of the specials that mom and dad might like even more than the younger ones.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH UP ON THE HOUSETOP
WHITE CHRISTMAS (1995)
28 miniutes
PLOT: When a young girl asks Santa for snow, she and her brother are transported into St. Nick’s magical sleigh, where dreams really do come true.
THOUGHTS: This is a cute animated special that harkens back to the animation style of the 70s that I grew up with, so there’s a nostalgic feel to it. Younger children may get a bit confused as there are a number of different characters to keep track of. Not a classic, but it is enjoyable.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH WHITE CHRISTMAS
Have you and your friend watched any of these Christmas specials? If so, please share your thoughts below.
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