Freeform has announced its annual "25 Days of Christmas" lineup, which begins on December 1. The network's schedule blends new premieres, such as A Very Jonas Christmas Movie, with established animated hits and live-action classics.
The Jonas Brothers and Mickey-themed premieres
Freeform is prioritizing high-profile celebrity and crossover content for its December festivities. The network's schedule includes the premiere of A Very Jonas Christmas Movie on Sunday, December 7, and the debut of Mickey's Home Alone on Wednesday, December 2. As the report states, these high-profile debuts are designed to capture seasonal magic for families and fans of Disney content.
Adding a lifestyle element to the schedule, the network will also air That Thrifting Show with Lara Spencer: Holiday Edition on December 3. This special event features a competition between "Team English Christmas" and "Team Retro Holiday" to transform family rooms using vintage treasures.
A heavy rotation of Frozen II and Ice Age hits
Disney-owned properties form the backbone of Freeform's holiday strategy. By airing titles like Frozen II on December 4 and Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas on December 2, the network targets a multi-generational audience. This reliance on the Disney animation library, which also includes multiple airings of The Nightmare Before Christmas, reflects a broader trend in cable television where networks rely on established intellectual property to secure seasonal viewership.
The programming also utilizes animated staples like Arthur Christmas and Toy Story That Time Forgot to maintain broad appeal throughout the month. According to the programming announcement, these titles are strategically placed to ensure continuous festive content for households nationwide.
The McCallister and Santa Clause franchise dominance
The programming schedule leans heavily on established live-action franchises to maintain consistent engagement. The report notes that the Home Alone series and The Santa Clause trilogy are slated for multiple airings, including Home Alone 2 on December 3 and The Santa Clause 3 on both December 2 and December 4. This repetition allows viewers to tune in to beloved characters at various times throughout the day.
The month-long event is set to conclude with a grand finale on December 24. The Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade is scheduled to air at noon, providing a traditional end to the network's holiday marathon.
The absence of non-Disney original scripted movies
One notable omission in the announced schedule is the lack of brand-new, non-Disney original scripted movies.. While the network is introducing some new special programming, the bulk of the "25 Days of Christmas" event relies on existing library content or Disney-owned IP. It remains unclear if Freeform will introduce any original scripted holiday dramas or if the strategy is purely curation-based. Furthermore, the report does not specify if there will be any new live-action holiday films outside of the Jonas Brothers special.
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