The Little Drummer Boy (1968)

Movie Summary

An orphan drummer boy named Aaron, who hates humanity, finds his life changed forever when he meets three wise men en route to Bethlehem.

The Little Drummer Boy was originally released in Canada on the CTV Television Network December 19, 1968. The Rankin/Bass TV special made its American release on NBC December 23, 1968.

Where can I watch The Little Drummer Boy online?

The Little Drummer Boy is available to stream from the following providers:

Stream on Amazon

Is The Little Drummer Boy available to buy on DVD?

Yes

When will The Little Drummer Boy air on TV in 2023?

12/16/23 – 7:00am on Freeform

This movie normally airs throughout the holiday season on Freeform. For a complete schedule of dates and times, view the 25 Days of Christmas schedule.

Year Released

1968

Cast Includes

José Ferrer (Ben Haramed), Paul Frees (Aaron’s father the Magi), June Foray (Aaron’s Mother), Ted Eccles (Aaron), Greer Garson (Our Storyteller)

Rate Movie:

4.6/5 - (17 votes)

The Little Drummer Boy Movie Trailer

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28 thoughts on “The Little Drummer Boy (1968)

  • December 7, 2020 at 5:29 PM
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    They just don’t play The Little Drummer Boy like they do any of the other Christmas movies. Not for like 20 years. Use to play it as much as Peanuts and all the other one, but not for a long time. Like it was a copyright issue, more than the religious reasons thats happening now.

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    • December 8, 2020 at 11:51 AM
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      I agree, This should be played way more than it is and certainly not just in the morning. I love this and the song. Jesus is the reason for the season. but omg they the stupid “The santa clause movies” with Tim Allen all the ridiculous time!

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    • December 19, 2020 at 8:07 PM
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      Such a shame that this lovely story does not air any longer. I does not fit into the snowman, Santa clause mold. Than again, when is Jesus ever mentioned anymore with Christmas.
      Be politically correct, they say… watch them wash away our beliefs. I just hate how Catholics are being degraded. Catholic Religion Matters

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      • December 8, 2021 at 10:09 AM
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        Catholic Religion Has A Huge Problem With Child Molestaton Is What Matters.

        I celebrate Christmas because it’s the Winter Solstice, the time when the sun begins to come closer to the Earth after six months of getting farther away, as many cultures have for thousands of years. I do not associate the holiday with any religious beliefs, as I have none. You do know that the holiday existed before Christans came along and slapped a Christian name on it, don’t you?

        You want to mention Jesus with Christmas, then mention Jesus with Christmas, but let others celebrate their own way.

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  • December 24, 2019 at 8:31 PM
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    To bad national tv executives don’t have the backbone to play a great animated movie. cowards and there not even ashamed. Not playing it there offending me but you must have a backbone to figure it out.

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  • December 24, 2017 at 1:07 PM
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    Where’s my little drummer boy???. I’m 58 years old, so sad- for those who believe it’s offense…

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    • November 24, 2020 at 8:18 PM
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      I find ir reduculas its crazy nothing wrong with that show im 56 almost and its one of my favs

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  • December 7, 2016 at 9:10 PM
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    Oh yes Lord forbid we should hurt the feelings of a few noisy people because they take offense to a particular ideal. Whatever happened to “if you don’t like it turn the channel” simple as that.
    Funny how it doesn’t matter if I’m offended because this and other fine old (dare I even mention the word) CHRISTMAS programs won’t get shown anymore because some people don’t have anything better to do than raise a stink over the mere mention of a christian ideals, because they don’t believe.
    If they don’t believe, that’s fine that’s their choice just the same as it’s my choice to believe, but to say it’s okay to show a bunch of liberal non christian programing on tv then say if I don’t like I can change the channel, but if I say the same it’s being politically incorrect.., isn’t that a little discriminatory?

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    • December 6, 2017 at 4:53 PM
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      Agree 100%. Destruction of AmericanHeritage

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    • December 19, 2018 at 6:41 PM
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      WHAT?!?
      That is a complete travesty to the very constitution this country was built on, FREEDOM OF SPEECH!
      Any one ever hear of that???
      What in the world is happening to our nation when you can’t even watch a simple little stop-motion animation you’ve watched EVERY OTHER YEAR of YOUR LIFE.
      I must’ve been in a cave to not have heard of this ridiculousness prior!

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    • December 8, 2021 at 10:11 AM
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      Why is everyone saying that “The Little Drummer Boy” isn’t shown very often during the Christmas season because Big Bad Secularists are preventing it from being shown? Does anyone have any evidence of this?

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      • December 20, 2021 at 4:18 PM
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        It is not broadcast on free major network stations; ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and other networks that one does not have to subscribe to through cable or Satellite services. Do you have evidence that “Big Bad Secularists” are purposefully NOT broadcasting it? Christianity is the only religion that is acceptable to demean or pervert, the only one that secularists feel free to defile its symbols; crucifix (once infamously depicted in a glass of urine) the rosary, destroy statuary, public burning of bibles, churches burned and desecrated. This would never be tolerated (nor should it) of the Islamic religion. The Quaran and the Islamic prophet Muhammad are fiercely defended by the Muslim population and our politicians but all feel free to treat Christians with disdain and disgust all day every day.

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  • January 22, 2014 at 9:00 AM
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    Once again the season is over and not one major network played this fine film. Its a shame that this beautiful story is mothballed because of a small vocal minority group and big business who has no stones

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  • December 22, 2013 at 8:21 PM
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    One more thing I would like to say; If I could afford to, I would buy a copy of the VHS tape and find a big building to show it in my community every year with plenty of refreshments and give out free drums to all the children would like one!

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  • December 22, 2013 at 8:16 PM
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    I am saddened that they are being so “overly political” about such a wonderful little show. I am 53 and I grew up watching “The Little Drummer Boy” every year. I don’t cry very easily, but I would always shed some tears while watching this movie. It is so simple and eloquent, yet filled with many important lessons for living life well. Why is it that they can show preachers delivering their Serman on Sunday but can’t show such an inspiring short movie? Are there different rules for every TV station?

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  • December 17, 2013 at 6:28 PM
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    That is such a shame. Both are great movies!!

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    • December 17, 2013 at 7:04 PM
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      Unfortunately the DVD conversion is riddled with screen errors and audio problems.
      The VHS though was still as good as the original TV broadcast but good luck finding that
      Amazon and Ebay has them for almost 50.00 each( ouch) if you still own a VHS….
      It is truely ashame that the media has once again crumpled to a small religious group who has called for its removal

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  • December 16, 2013 at 1:15 AM
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    As of right now, they still have The Little Drummer Boy on schedule, they did however, remove Nestor Long-Eared Donkey from the line-up.

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    • December 16, 2013 at 7:57 AM
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      ABC family doesnt have it scheduled on DirectTV
      I have tried to DVR it and it is NOT scheduled in the time slot
      published

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    • December 10, 2020 at 6:01 PM
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      I’m 41, and always loved that movie, and I was a bit of an outcast so that movie was personal for me and made me feel good about myself and about the birth of Jesus. after not being able to watch for the second treat in a row, these political correct people do not want to start up a conversation with me. I will give them a piece of my mind!!

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  • December 14, 2013 at 9:29 PM
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    This is not playing at this time .
    ABC refuses to play it because a religious group finds it offensive
    very sad in deed

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