It is Walt Disney Day on the 5th of December and I bring you Disney movies based on books that are perfect for capturing that holiday magic. All of these movies are either original Disney productions or now under the Disney umbrella. Some are Christmassy while others are not, but have all the elements of making them perfect for watching anytime of the year (aren’t all the Disney movies that way, though?)

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13 Disney Movies Based on Books for Holiday Magic

Miracle on 34th Street

• Movie Title: Miracle on 34th Street
• When Released: 1947 (and then 1994)
• Holiday Spirit: A classic celebration of belief and the magic of Santa Claus, making us cherish the power of faith.
• Book Inspiration: Based on a story by Valentine Davies, who later novelized it as well with a novella of the same name – Miracle on 34th Street
• Personal Musings: I have watched both versions of the movie, and I can still not pick a favorite between the two. In each one, watching Kris Kringle defend Santa feels like a cup of hot cocoa for the heart.

Bedknobs and Broomsticks

• Movie Title: Bedknobs and Broomsticks
• When Released: 1971
• Holiday Spirit: This is a story of magical resilience in challenging times.
• Book Inspiration: Based on the books The Magic Bed Knob and Bonfires and Broomsticks by Mary Norton.
• Personal Musings: I am yet to read the book as well as watch this movie, but I am going to take my own advice to you (At the end of this post) and do a read-and-watch session! After all, flying beds and an enchanted armor sounds like a great way to escape into wonder during the holidays, doesn’t it?

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

• Movie Title: The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• When Released: 1977
• Holiday Spirit: A cozy celebration of friendship and simple joys, with gentle reminders of gratitude and kindness.
• Book Inspiration: Based on Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne, which celebrate the magic of childhood imagination.
• Personal Musings: Pooh and his friends always have a way of making even a rainy day feel special. Isn’t that the kind of magic we all need during the holidays? Be sure to check out my post on other heartwarming Pooh-ish reads here.

Beauty and the Beast

Disney brought the story to new life twice-over with the original animated version in the 90’s and the live-action remake a few years ago

• Movie Title: Beauty and the Beast
• When Released: 1991 / 2017
• Holiday Spirit: A tale as old as time, with themes of love and transformation that align with the warmth and hope of the holidays.
• Book Inspiration: Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont’s 18th-century fairy tale. I love the MinaLima edition of this story
• Personal Musings: There’s something magical about seeing past external appearances to find the beauty within—sounds like the holiday message wrapped in fairy tale form.

The Muppet Christmas Carol

I think this is my favorite Muppet movie (though I haven’t watched them all), and I love the totally adorbs yet playful and heartwarming adaptation of Dickens’ tale.

• Movie Title: The Muppet Christmas Carol
• When Released: 1992
• Holiday Spirit: This one is brimming with laughter, music, and a lovable dose of Muppet charm.
• Book Inspiration: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. And you could also check out this picture book The Muppet Christmas Carol: The Illustrated Holiday Classic
• Personal Musings: Who knew Kermit could deliver such heartfelt lessons?

The Nightmare Before Christmas

• Movie Title: The Nightmare Before Christmas
• When Released: 1993
• Holiday Spirit: A quirky blend of Halloween and Christmas, this movie celebrates curiosity and the joy of embracing new traditions.
• Book Inspiration: This is based on a poem by Tim Burton, where he dreams up a world where holidays collide. You can also check out this Little Golden Book – Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
• Personal Musings: Jack’s discovery of Christmas is a reminder that the holiday spirit is universal, even for a Pumpkin King.

The Parent Trap

• Movie Title: The Parent Trap
• When Released: 1961 and 1998
• Holiday Spirit: A joyful celebration of family, second chances, and the magic of bringing people together.
• Book Inspiration: Based on the 1949 book Lisa and Lottie by Erich Kästner, which tells the story of twin sisters separated at birth, reunited through a clever scheme.
• Personal Musings: The twins’ mischievous antics are a reminder of the importance of family bonds, especially during the holidays. It’s like the universe gives you a second chance at love—what a sweet gift!

Freaky Friday

• Movie Title: Freaky Friday
• When Released: 2003  (also 1976 and 2018, plus a made for TV movie in 1995!). And looks like they are not done with this for we have Freakier Friday coming in 2025 with the 2003 stars reprising their roles!
• Holiday Spirit: A fun and heartwarming story about understanding, empathy, and bridging generational gaps, making it an ideal holiday watch with a lesson about family.
• Book Inspiration: Based on the 1972 novel Freaky Friday by Mary Rodgers, where a mother and daughter magically switch bodies and learn more about each other.
• Personal Musings: Watching this movie – well, the 2003 version – always reminds me of how different our perspectives can be—and how much we can grow when we walk in someone else’s shoes. The holiday season is a perfect time to reflect on our relationships and cherish the little moments! It is a personal favorite for my daughter and I (though I do not think she would want to find herself in a Freaky Friday with me!!)

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

• Movie Title: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
• When Released: 2005
• Holiday Spirit: A tale of triumph over darkness, with Aslan bringing spring and hope—a subtle nod to the holiday’s promise of renewal.
• Book Inspiration: Based on the beloved novel by C.S. Lewis, where allegory and adventure intertwine beautifully. You can also check out this picture book edition for younger readers
• Personal Musings: Who wouldn’t want to find a world where magic and courage restore harmony? Plus, that snowy landscape feels like Christmas morning! I know I would!

A Christmas Carol

• Movie Title: Disney’s A Christmas Carol 
• When Released: 2009
• Holiday Spirit: A visually stunning and heartfelt retelling of Dickens’ timeless tale.
• Book Inspiration: Adapted from Dickens’ classic.
• Personal Musings: Jim Carrey’s Scrooge was wonderful and proof that redemption stories never grow old, no matter how many times they’re retold. I recall watching this one at the theaters with my kids when it was released.
• Extra: You could also watch Mickey’s Christmas Carol and read this adorable picture book with it.

Tangled

• Movie Title: Tangled
• When Released: 2010
• Holiday Spirit: A story of hope, new beginnings, and the warmth of finding family—perfect for the season.
• Book Inspiration: Inspired by the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale Rapunzel, with Disney’s signature twist. Also, you can check out the Little Golden Book version based on the movie – Tangled
• Personal Musings: Those floating lanterns remind me of the holiday lights we hang—each one carrying a wish for love and happiness. I recall watching this one when my now 21-yo and 18-yo were little – it was a magical experience for us all!

Frozen

• Movie Title: Frozen
• When Released: 2013
• Holiday Spirit: A wintry wonderland filled with themes of love, sisterhood, and letting go of fears—a perfect holiday vibe.
• Book Inspiration: Loosely inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, reimagined with Disney’s magic. I loved this popup version of Andersen’s book. I also find this delightful 5-Minute Frozen stories collection as well as a Little Golden Book based on the movie.
• Personal Musings: Let it snow, let it snow, let it…oh my, how many times did I hear my little one sing this (not so little now, and I will not catch her singing this as well) but it is addictive and annoyingly so or not? Another family favorite (well, almost every one on this list is)

Big Hero 6

• Movie Title: Big Hero 6
• When Released: 2014
• Holiday Spirit: A heartfelt tale of friendship, resilience, and the healing power of love, perfect for the season of giving and kindness.
• Book Inspiration: Loosely based on the Marvel Comics series Big Hero 6, which introduces a group of unlikely superheroes from the futuristic city of San Fransokyo. Also check out the Junior Novelization edition of the movie
• Personal Musings: I think I teared up when I watched this movie. Plus, it is based in the fictional city of San Fransokyo so I have some affinity for that fictional locale as well. Hiro’s bond with Baymax shows me that the holidays are about the people (and robots!) who lift us up when we need it most.

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

• Movie Title: The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
• When Released: 2018
• Holiday Spirit: A visually stunning holiday adventure filled with magic, wonder, and the triumph of love, perfect for embracing the fantastical side of the season.
• Book Inspiration: This one is adapted from/loosely based on The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffmann. You can also read The Nutcracker and the Four Realms: The Secret of the Realms: An Extended Novelization  along with the movie.
• Personal Musings: While I am yet to watch this movie, I have watched many Nutcracker shows on stage and on screen, and each one conveys the magic and spirit of the holidays in so many ways.

(Dis)Enchanted 

While Enchanted (2007) and Disenchanted (2022) 

• Movie Title: Enchanted and Disenchanted 
• When Released: 2007 and 2022
• Holiday Spirit: Love the themes of dreams, love, growth, and transformation that align with the warmth and hope of the holidays.
• Book Inspiration: While not directly adapted from a specific book, both draw heavily on fairy tale storytelling and characters that have been beloved in literature for centuries, and do so in a way that feels both magical and modern. And you can read the novelizations – Enchanted The Junior Novelization and Disenchanted Live Action Junior Novelization
• Personal Musings: Enchanted reminds us that while dreams are magical, true love is found in the everyday moments, while Disenchanted cleverly opens us to the idea of “happily ever after,” showing that real magic comes not from perfection, but from embracing growth and the messiness of life

And Now, the End of This Post

Dear reader, have you watched all these movies? And read the books? Whether or not you have, this holiday season, you can pick out the book and the movie and do a read-and-watch session until you finish them all!! Do let me know your favorites among these, and also any other recommendations you have for holiday movies/books/and more.And for more movies, I have It’s a Wonderful List of Holiday Movies Based on Books

Goes towards Thursday 13