Eight shows and movies to watch on Christmas 2022

Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, it’s the perfect day to wear something cozy, drink a mug of something warm and sprawl out in front of your TV. 

Since Christmas Day falls on a Sunday this year, here’s a look ahead at your viewing choices, from specials to new movies hitting the streaming world.

“Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to All!” 

This two-hour concert special was filmed in Madison Square Garden and features the self -proclaimed “Queen of Christmas” performing a medley of festive songs, including her hit, “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” It’s already aired on MTV and CBS, but it’s streaming if you didn’t catch it the first time around.

Where to watch: streaming on Paramount+.

“Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper”

There’s a throwback TV marathon of this sitcom, which originally aired on ABC from 1992-97 and follows NBA player turned substitute teacher Mark Cooper (Mark Curry), who must navigate his new job with help from his coworkers, his friend Robin (Dawnn Lewis) and his roommate and fiancee Vanessa (Holly Robinson Peete). 

Where to watch: truTV through 10:30 p.m. Sunday.

“Holidate”

If you’re in more of a rom-com mood, check out this movie about Sloane (Emma Roberts) and Jackson (Luke Bracy), two strangers who are fed up with being single on the holidays. They agree to be each other’s platonic “plus ones” for various events, before they end up with feelings for each other.

Where to watch: Netflix.

“Moonstruck”

While this 1987 movie isn’t specifically holiday- themed, it’s a ton of fun. New York widow Loretta Castorini (Cher) falls for her fiancé’s volatile younger brother, Ronny Cammareri (Nicolas Cage). It garnered six Oscar nominations and a Best Actress win for Cher.

Where to watch: Prime Video.

“Home Alone”

Theclassic 1990 comedy follows Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin), a rambunctious 8-year-old who is accidentally left behind when his family goes on vacation for Christmas — and all his does is sabotage would-be burglars Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern). 

Where to watch: 9 p.m. on Freeform on Sunday, Dec 25. 

“The Banshees of Inisherin”

This one doesn’t have a holiday focus, but if you want to watch a prestige movie, it’s newly available on streaming. Directed by Martin McDonagh (“In Bruges,” “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”), it’s set in a remote island in Ireland and follows Pádraic (Colin Farrell), who is devastated when his buddy Colm (Brendan Gleeson) suddenly puts an end to their lifelong friendship and scrambles to remedy the situation. It’s been nominated for eight Golden Globes. 

Where to watch: HBO Max.

“Elf”

A seasonal classic, this follows Buddy (Will Ferrell), who was accidentally raised among Santa’s elves at the North Pole, even though he’s human. He goes on an adventure to find his real dad, cynical businessman Walter (James Caan) in New York, and hijinks ensue. 

Where to watch: it’s airing both at 6:00 p.m. and 10:15 pm Sunday on AMC.

“Top Gun: Maverick”

This hit 2022 movie recently landed on streaming, so if you missed it in theaters, now is your chance. A sequel to the 1986 film, it follows naval aviator Maverick (Tom Cruise), who confronts his past while training a group of younger Top Gun graduates. Co-stars include Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly,  Jon Hamm and Miles Teller. 

Where to watch: Paramount+.