Classic Christmas Movies
Every November and December, Turner Classic Movies (aka TCM) airs classic Christmas movies and other holiday related programs. Movies typically include multiple older versions of A Christmas Carol and Scrooge, and The Bishop’s Wife.
Christmas movies showing on Turner Classic Movies in 2021
PLEASE NOTE: Date/times are subject to change (all times shown in Eastern)
**Page last updated on 12/20/21
Check back in for schedule updates later in the year
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
- 10:00pm – Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
Saturday, December 4, 2021
- 12:00pm – A Night at the Movies: Merry Christmas! (2011)
- 3:30pm – Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
- 5:45pm – It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947)
Sunday, December 5, 2021
- 6:00pm – The Bishop’s Wife (1947)
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
- 8:00pm – The Bells of St. Mary’s (1945)
Saturday, December 11, 2021
- 2:00am – Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)
- 3:30am – Santa Claus (1959)
- 5:15am – A Visit to Santa (1963)
- 12:00pm – A Christmas Carol (1938)
- 1:30pm – Star in the Night (1945)
Sunday, December 12, 2021
- 4:15pm – Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
- 6:15pm – Remember the Night (1940)
Monday, December 13, 2021
- 2:00am – Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983)
Saturday, December 18, 2021
- 6:15pm – Holiday Affair (1949)
Sunday, December 19, 2021
- 10:15pm – The Holly and the Ivy (1952)
Monday, December 20, 2021
- 12:00am – Christmas Past (1925)
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
- 9:00am – Bush Christmas (1947)
- 10:30am – A Christmas Carol (1938)
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
- 8:00pm – Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
- 10:00pm – Holiday Affair (1949)
Thursday, December 23, 2021
- 12:00pm – Carol for Another Christmas (1964)
- 8:00pm – It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947)
Friday, December 24, 2021
- 12:15pm – Holiday Affair (1949)
- 4:00pm – Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
- 10:00pm – A Christmas Carol (1938)
Saturday, December 25, 2021
- 3:45am – Christmas Eve (1947)
- 3:45pm – It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947)
Archives
Alistair Sim 1951 Scrooge is never on TCM. Why? The print shown on FX is horrible, and the colorized version on YouTube is an abomination. Please show this absolute best film version of A Christmas Carol in a decent, black and white print. The 1938 version is rubbish. It would be great to see It’s a Wonderful Life on TCM–no commercials. Get the rights back from NBC–fork over some $$$ to make your viewers happy. Same with the original Miracle on 34th St. Just spend the money TCM, and show actual, classic Christmas movies. Many like Holiday Inn and White Christmas, too. Don’t be like Mr. Potter or the Grinch–make viewer’s holidays merry again.
I have been waiting to see all your Christmas movies, I have only seen one Christmas in Connecticut. Where are the other wonderful movies like The Bishops Wife, It is a wonderful Life, Christmas Carol etc etc? Thank you
Maybe with all these negative comments about TcM (small classics) they will realize next year they will plan their Christmas lineup to better represent their audience desires. We can only hope and pray. Merry Christmas.
i agree. Miracle on 34th Street is definitely a Classic; along with Its A Wonderful Life is also a classic movie, they should be shown around this timeof the year. It would do alot of people good to see these movies. These movies give you a moral to the story, we need this at this time in our lives.
No Alastir Sim? so Sad
We’ve enjoyed the best of Christmas movies for years on TCM. What happened this year?! You’ve lined up a full slate of boring, time sucks! Glad we found this lousy list now, we’re checking TCM OFF of our viewing list.
What happened to playing, “ It’s a Wonderful Life” more than once?
“Miracle on 34th. Street” is so popular & I don’t see it. I thought you would play more Christmas movies repeatedly in case we miss them. I will have to make sure I look up your schedule in November next year.
I love your channel & hope you can
play more Christmas movies over & over. We don’t get tired of them.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947) will be airing December 15th at 5:25pm on HBO Family.
how sad to have to recommend that TCM take the ‘C’ out of their title….Christmas classics are sorely missing, and it makes it obvious which direction the new order is going….I think Robert Osborne would be so disappointed….
So many movies not being showed any more. TCM has gone down hill. Rebecca, El Cid, Miracle on 42 St, it’s a wonderful life, the origal price and the pauper. Etc on and on
Your Christmas 2021 offerings are pathetic and fairly representative of the new crowd running the channel… Too many Young Turks with political axes to grind… It’s pretty clear your agenda here…
You are correct. Where is Miracle on 34th Street? The channel is turning far left just like the media, it’s a shame.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947) will be airing December 15th at 5:25pm on HBO Family.
I for one do NOT have HBO. Play the classics the ones in black and white more than once or twice. Play them on TCM and at least ten times! ! I’m sure a lot of people including myself look forward to watching these movies all year. I’m very disappointed in your program schedule!
I agree….we can see Casablanca many times throughout the year, but not the classic Christmas movies…?
LEFT???????????????
Agree! And where is Toyland with Oliver and Stan! So disappointing!
When was the last time “Holiday Inn” w/Bing Crosby & Fred Astaire was shown on TCM??
I agree! I love the 1984 version of “A Christmas Carol” with George C. Scott as Scrooge, but cannot find any stations airing it this year. Many people, at least 150 on Facebook, agree with me…they miss it, too!
Oh yes finally even TCM has sold out to the politically correct (Lefts). Used to be you could depend on TCM, I suppose the Easter classics will go out too. Remember there was Independent Film Channel and Sundance was a good bet too. Agenda here is Lefties from California or New York City.
I just went through the whole month of December schedule and I was so disappointed to see you’re not playing “Miracle on 34th St.”such a classic! I don’t understand why that would not be playing in the month of December yet you have other movies that you’re playing several other times !Just wanting to point it out because it’s disappointing!
Sincerely,
A disappointed TCM watcher
Sent from my iPhone
A pitiful offering of Christmas movies on TCM this year. Very disappointed. Really looked forward to seeing Alastair Sim’s classic “Scrooge”, among others.
I am also extremely disappointed that TCM in not showing Alistair Sim in A Christmas Carol! No one plays the Scrooge roll better!
I agree. Alistair sim is the best Christmas Carol!! So disappointed its not on this year.
I like a christmas carol I like just about all the version but they don’t play them
I’ll buy A Christmas Carol 1951 if I have to. It’s magical!
Totally agree! I look forward to seeing this every year.
Is it possible to view THE FARMERS DAUGHTER with Loretta Young and Joseph Cotton it is my favorite and have not been able to see it for a while.
I watch TCM quite a lot and always check to see what is on. Movies relax me and I love your selection.
Linda
TCM can play all the Halloween “junk” for a month plus, but shortchange us on the Christmas movies?!!!
The way my husband and I solved the problem several years ago, was by buying a favorite Christmas DVD each year for the past several years. So, with a bowl of popcorn or a cup of tea or cocoa, we can watch our favorites any time we want without being dependent on TCM or any other channel. They make good stocking stuffers. It’s the gift that keeps on giving..
Totally agree regarding TCM. Very disappointed! Come on TCM. Every year I look forward to TCM’s supplying us fans with a whole month of delightful Christmas movies in December. When Robert Osborne was there,TCM did just that. He understood the TCM fans. Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. People are nice to each other. We celebrate giving in many ways, and I wish that TCM would go back and look at what Robert did to give us fans the gift of joy by filling the month with lots and lots of Christmas movies.
Absolutely.!!!!!!!
TCM has been a disappointment for years. Ted Turner (no relation) did such a great thing 40 years ago creating a commercial free Movie Channel. My Mom loved it so much. She watched films she had not seen since her childhood in the 1930s-40s.
That TCM will NOT show White Christmas-1954, Wonderful Life-1947, Shop Around the Corner-1940 and THE Christmas Carol-1951 is appalling. I too now am slowly buying all my favorites. TCM obviously is now run by Gen-Xers!
Thank goodness for Amazon DVDs.
Why is White Christmas part of your December Christmas lineup? Very disappointed!!!
I totally agree.!!!!!!!!!!
White Christmas will be airing December 23rd at 9:00am on AMC. For a full list of air dates check out the movie page: https://www.countdownuntilchristmas.com/christmas-movies-a-to-z/white-christmas/
Why do you no longer air Holiday Inn starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire?
Robert Osborn would be so ashamed of what TCM has done with our Christmas Classics – where are they??? It’s pretty funny that NBC is playing It’s a Wonderful Life 2 times in the month of December at 8pm but TCM Can’t play it once! And seems to think we all want to watch Holiday Affair. Plus the times you have scheduled for A Christmas Carol 1938 are terrible (although I do at least have to say thank you for at least showing it) And I’m with everyone else – Where is the 1951 version with Alistair Sims? We have all year to watch everything else – Please give us back our Christmas Classics that we wait all year for!!!
I’d love to see Penny Arcade with Cary Grant. A sweet movie about adoption, loss,, adoption again with a beautiful Christmas ending.
Where is A Christmas Carol with Alistair Sims??? There’s so much taken out this year that’s normally on your December schedule in general. The “C” in TCM is “classic” but some of the best are missing!
A Christmas Carol (1951) will be airing December 24th at 2:30pm on FXM.
Thank you! My favorite Christmas movie of all. I have been looking for it.
I agree whole heartedly and Robert Osborn must be, and has been turning in his grave ever since this new group has taken over. Every time I look for any of my favorite movies, holiday or not, I’m so disappointed I could spit nails. I should have seen it coming and started recording long ago. I will now, but they’ve not left us with much.
I’m with you! This Christmas movie lineup is a disgrace to the memory of Robert Osborne.
Turner Classic Movies…
I’m 72 years old. I don’t know how many more Christmas’s I have and I’m tired of Christmas without 1951’s Christmas Carol with Alistar Sim and Miracle on 34th Street. I don’t know about this “woke” crap nor do I care at my age. I’m trying to live my life the best way I know how and you’ve managed to take away some of the things I look forward to and care about. How can you continue to call yourself “classic” when you’ve eliminated some of the most watched and loved holiday movies. That’s not caring about your viewers. It leaves us to have to pay to watch the movies elsewhere which some of us can’t afford, especially this year. Get off your selfish corporate butt and put these most requested movies back in circulation. It’s the right and caring thing to do.
What happened to Miracle on 34th Street? It would be perfect to show it on Thanksgiving Day or the day after. I agree about Holiday Inn and White Christmas, they need to be aired.
It’s all about money. Other networks have purchased the rights to these movies. You will have to pay for other channels to see it. Happening to classic Christmas movies too.
WHERE IS HOLIDAY INN, PLAY IT, ITS A CLASSIC, ROBERT OSBORNE PLAYED IT. HE WAS THE HEART AND SOUL OF TCM. DON’T LET POLITICAL CORRECTNESS RULE EVERYTHING WE SEE AND DO!
Amen,we NEED these movies to escape the political correctness!!!!!!!
I couldn’t agree with you more.
Tcm was wondering about the movie scrooge with Albert Finney when is it coming on
No “Remember the Night”??????????
No Alistair Sim “A Christmas Carol”?????
Going woke TCM you will lose your viewers.
The Albert Finney Scrooge is really fun to watch. I vote for it. How about the beautiful MGM musicals?
This would make Christmas go with a swing.
Thank you for all you do.
Miracle on 34th Street is on HBO Max now
TCM should play classic Christmas movies all day long on Christmas Day. Are there not enough Christmas movies to play them all day? Yes, of course there are. Just because Hollywood is full of atheist woke liberals does not mean the rest of us should be without these treasures on Christmas Day. Seriously, TCM should consider their audience when making the schedule.
Well said. I’ve never understood the lack of Christmas movies on TCM. I suppose it has something to do with all the “trigger warnings” they place before classics such as Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
To be fair, the issue here is not “woke liberals” but hard-headed capitalists. “It’s a Wonderful Life,” for instance, is under exclusive licensing agreement with NBC. See the Library of Congress story: https://blogs.loc.gov/copyright/2017/12/its-a-wonderful-life/
“Miracle on 34th Street” is now owned by the Disney corporation, which is why it’s only available on Disney Plus: https://tvline.com/2020/12/24/why-miracle-on-34th-street-isnt-on-tv-christmas-2020/
And so forth. I agree it’s a shame these films can’t be seen on TCM, but corporate profits are the reason why.
Instead of countless reruns of “Meet Me in St. Louis”, what about “Holiday Inn” – at least once? Love Robert Osborne intro of The Shop Around the Corner” but that is also being aired a few times. Sadly not seeing some that are perennial favorites in favor of multiple showings of the same flicks…who is programming this anyway?
I was so saddest to see that The Christmas Carol with Sims was not shown this year! The 1938 film is so inferior to the Sims film.! With the current lockdown I looked forward to Tge 1951 film! Where is Holiday Inn!!!I watched the Christmas carol and laughed no heart or depth of feeling! Get rid of it! Mr Barrymore could have saved it!
How about MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET?
All about money. You’ll have to pay for other channels to see it. Its also happening with the classic Christmas Cartoons
TCM, ROBERT OSBORNE WOULD BE SO DISAPPOINTED IF HE WITNESSED WHAT IS GOING ON AT TCM. THERE’S AN ENTIRE GENERATION MISSING “CLASSIC” CHRISTMAS MOVIES. WHAT HAPPENED TO TURNER “CLASSIC” MOVIES? DON’T YOU FEEL AN OBLIGATION TO LIVE UP TO YOUR NAME?
I PAY AN EXTRA FEE FROM MY CABLE COMPANY FOR TCM, I’ M CANCELLING TURNER. IT’S THE ONLY WAY TO GET YOUR ATTENTION, IN YOUR GREEDY POCKET
The entire Baby Boomer generation grew up watching the 1951 Alastair Sim version of A Christmas Carol. All my old friends are complaining it’s not on TMC again this year. This film has been deemed the best and most authentic version yet it’s not on TMC but they continue to air the inferior 1938 film. Agree that TMC is no longer worth the extra money. There were so many movies that regularly aired in the 50’s and 60’s that are never on TMC either. No wonder so people are dumping cable and satellite then changing over to Amazon,Hulu,Disney and Netflix.
This is why I came on here as I just saw part of the Christmas schedule
for 2021. Again, the 1938 version of A Christmas Carol. So disappointed
again, in TCM. But have to say I’m seeing it in other Christmas TV schedules
no oldies, just the new, sappy, broken record, shows that really have
nothing to do with Christmas, just another “love story”. I’ll watch
the soap operas if that’s what I want.
It’s possible that TCM no longer has the rights to the 1951 “A Christmas Carol.” I have seen it on FXM for the past few years. They may have the exclusive rights to it–at least recently.
Since I’m a deranged old lady, I love Bad Santa. Not the sequel though.
Where is Christmas Carol with Alistair Sim? You have repeats of an earlier version, but not showing this classic? Why? It is poor judgment and Robert Osborne would be ashamed of you.
Amazon is buying up all the content they can, that’s why.
A Christmas Carol with Alastair Sim is on YouTube for free. The full version. In color.
colour?…..aaahhhhh!!! it’s no longer a classic if it is in colour
A Christmas Carol with Alastair Sim is free on YouTube. It is in color also.
when will miracle on 34th street be broadcast. been waiting all tear all year to see it. thank you
The 2019 Christmas schedule was the best! Unfortunately, TCM has gone away from that schedule. If we ever needed great Christmas movies it is 2020! All networks have let us down. You would think only 6-8 movies ever were made and they play them back to back.
Where is “Holiday Inn’ from 1942 with Bing Crosby & Fred Astaire where Bing introduces the song ” White Christmas ” ?????? A real classic !!!!!
I totally agree.
So many people think White Christmas would Danny Kaye is the first time White Christmas was introduced a little do they know.
White Christmas is a joke compared to Holiday inn it’s where Bing first introduces Irving Berlin’s White Christmas and the interaction between Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby is fabulous.
I don’t know how many years now you’ve left out the REAL Christmas shows!!!! Just stop that! It doesn’t matter what year this is! Kids of all ages have grown up with the best top Christmas movies: Holiday Inn, White Christmas, and the one that hasn’t been on in YEEEAASRS!!!! – Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus! Basically what soooo many of us are saying is this: PLAY ALL THE GOOD OLD CHRISTMAS MOVIES DURING ONE WEEK OR MORE TIL CHRISTMAS DAY. PERFECT, RIGHT? THE ONLY REASON I HAVE DISH IS TO WATCH TCM!!! IF IT IS GOING TO NOT SHOW THE GREAT, SPECIAL MOVIES,WED GET RID OF DISH AND TCM WHICH WOULD MAKE ME AND MY FAMILY, AND OTHER FAMILIES, SOOOOO SAD!!! WE BOOMERS MATTER TOO, YOU KNOW.SO, WERE EXPECTING THIS FROM YOU AND I THANK YOU VERRRY MUCH, AHEAD IF TIME! ALSO, WE REALLY DON’T THINK MUCH OF UGLY AND STUPID MOVIES, OF “WOMEN DOING FILM” , ETCETCETC! TCM… IS FOR OLDER CLASSIC MOVIES!!!
I agree! I just saw that Holiday Inn is not on the schedule, NOT OK! PLEASE TCM add this classic!
I agree. Where is Holiday Inn and White Christmas?
I too am so disappointed Holiday Inn is not on the Christmas schedule.(it is one of my fav Xmas movies)! And also Its a Wonderful Life is missing from the schedule! And White Christmas is nowhere to be found.I mean c’mon TCM! You’ve got only 3 requirements to be met here…1) Classic, 2) Movie, and 3) Christmas! I’ve been noticing, especially in the last few months, things sure are changing around there. Sadly to me, not for the better. And I am one who usually keeps the channel turned to TCM 24 -7. But lately, not so much. 😕
I agree! Holiday Inn is a Classic Christmas Movie! Where is it this year! Where is it!!
Please play Young at Heart with Doris Day . I don’t understand why you don’t ever play that one . Play it during the Holidays. Thank you.
Can you please please please show “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear” with Mickey Rooney. I can’t find this playing anywhere. Your channel plays some movie’s more than once in a month, hoping maybe you could replace one of the repeats with one that isn’t already scheduled, like the one I’m requesting.
I agree Dorthy. I wish “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear” could be featured every Christmas season. I love that movie.
Please add It Came Upon a Midnight Clear!!
I have been hoping you would show The Lemon Drop Kid for the last few years, finally found it on YouTube. I’m so disappointed that you are showing so few Christmas movies🥲!
Scrooge with Albert finney
when will a christmas carol 1951 version wiyh alstair slim be shown on tcm
This is an absolute disgrace, they are showing the inferior 1938 version instead.
I do not like the new format TCM has taken. Why call it a
classic channel when less and less actual classics are being
televised.
I totally agree with you! It’s not technically “classic” if they are from 1970 and above. It’s gotten worse!
I agree! Recently one night it seemed all the movies were from 2000 and newer. I think they’re changing a lot! I don’t care for the new program format either.
Why does Turner Classic Movies not show White Christmas? Its one of my favorites.
TCM doesn’t play White Christmas because it’s usually shown on AMC. AMC has a contract with Paramount Pictures, which is the company that owns White Christmas. TCM shows relatively few Paramount movies overall.
White Christmas is playing on AMC Sunday 12/13 @ 11:30 ET
PLEASE!!! TCM has to air all the Christmas movies and more than once.
Especially It’s a Wonderful Life which ABC(?) has masticated into a shredded mess of a film with all the commercials it cuts into it. For the love of all that is right and just, can TCM please rectify this injustice done to such a Christmas classic!
What about airing classic christmas cartoon shorts as well. Merry Melodies, looney tunes, and all the other holiday cartoons from days gone by. We need this so much this year!!
1953 or 1954 a Christmas Carol
It’s a wonderful life too please play
You can find Christmas movie schedules for almost any TV channel by visiting the website
http://www.countdownuntilchristmas.com. On the homepage, click on “Movies by TV Channel, ” and then
click on TCM or whatever channel you like.
Hoping to see The Bishop’s Wife
“The Bishop’s Wife” will be on TCM on Dec. 19 at 6 pm (Eastern Time) in 2020.
Why are you not showing White Christmas???
It’s on AMC
no it is not on AMC
Come on, TCM, please up your Classic Christmas movies game in 2020. We all need it!
It is a Classic movie channel, I wish it won’t show anything made after 1970
Actually, TCM shows movies all the time that were made after 1970.
Just today (11/19), they showed The Sea Wolves (1980). Yesterday
they had Shag: The Movie (1989), The Day I Became A Woman (2000), Lourdes (2009) and Yentl (1983). On 11/21 they’re showing Earth Girls Are Easy (1988).
I don’t know why they don’t update their Holiday showings. It’s disappointing since I love that channel so much.
I so agree with you . TCM had totally changed. Why nit start showing the Christmas classic early like on Thanksgiving day or the day after ??
Turner Classic Movies needs to get on the ball and post the schedule of all Christmas Classic Movies. What does “classics” mean anyhow? The poeple want to see “all” christmas classic movies in 2020!
Why no Christmas movies before 11/27?
Hi William, the last few years TCM has not aired Christmas movies in November (except once in 2018). Each year the number they show dwindles 🙁
Turner hates Christmas.
Can’t even show Thanksgiving classic Trains,planes and automobiles of Thanksgiving day.
Pitiful TCM is just a shadow of its once greatness.
2020 Schedule please!!!
I have waited long enough!!
As of right now, no Christmas movies are scheduled to air on TCM through November 27th. As soon as we have the schedule it will be posted here.
We all would love to get an idea when it’s on so we can put it on our schedule
Waiting on 2020 Christmas Movie Schedule.
when will a christmas carol staring alstair slim be on tcm this year 2020
We will have the TCM schedule up in September 🙂
What’s up? No listing yet. Just waiting. Thank you.
I’ve yet to see 1951 classic Alastair Sim Christmas Carol on schedule, did I miss it or has it not yet been added to schedule?
It has not yet been added.
Please consider showing Alistair Sims Christmas Carol. It’s the best version.
Also, what about Shop Around The Corner?