The holiday season is upon us, and Apple TV+ offers a delightful selection of titles that capture the festive spirit. Here are three holiday specials that I highly recommend: one is a movie, another is a charming short based on a beloved character, and lastly, there’s a TV classic.
Spirited
Ryan Reynolds is one of Hollywood’s leading stars, and while he recently appeared in the blockbuster Deadpool and Wolverine, he also stars in a festive musical comedy for Apple TV+.
Spirited stands out as a modern Christmas staple, pairing Reynolds with Will Ferrell in a unique reimagining of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Even if you’re weary of the numerous Scrooge adaptations, make an exception for Spirited.
Here’s a quick overview from Apple:
Every Christmas Eve, the Ghost of Christmas Present (Will Ferrell) selects one troubled soul to be transformed through a visit from three spirits. This year, however, he mistakenly chooses Clint Briggs (Ryan Reynolds), who turns the situation on its head, forcing Present to reflect on his own past, present, and future. For the first time, “A Christmas Carol” is presented from the ghosts’ viewpoint in this amusing musical rendition of the classic Dickens story.
If musicals aren’t your thing, you might want to skip Spirited. However, the music shines, crafted by the talented duo behind La La Land, The Greatest Showman, and others.
Spirited is currently available exclusively to Apple TV+ subscribers.
Ted Lasso: The Missing Christmas Mustache
Ted Lasso, the iconic Apple TV+ show, created a delightful claymation short for the holiday season.
Ted Lasso: The Missing Christmas Mustache runs under five minutes but provides a nostalgic nod to claymation holiday specials like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
From the team that brought kindness back, “Ted Lasso: The Missing Christmas Mustache” is a stop-motion short featuring the beloved ensemble cast’s voice talents as they assist Ted in searching for a lost item, which ultimately leads him to understand the true meaning of the holiday. The short features Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Brendan Hunt, Jeremy Swift, Juno Temple, Brett Goldstein, Phil Dunster, and Nick Mohammed.
Apple has made the short available for free on YouTube, so no Apple TV+ subscription is necessary.
If you do have a subscription, I recommend revisiting some of Lasso’s holiday episodes and checking out the charming Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
The majority of the Apple TV+ catalog is comprised of original programming, but Peanuts is one of the rare exceptions, featuring content not originally created by Apple.
While Apple has produced new Peanuts content, it has also licensed several classic holiday specials for Apple TV+ subscribers to enjoy.
A Charlie Brown Christmas is likely familiar to many families as part of their annual viewing traditions. However, for those who might need a refresher, here’s a brief synopsis:
In this cherished Peanuts special, disillusioned by the commercialization of Christmas, Lucy appoints Charlie Brown to direct the gang’s holiday play. Can he rise above his friends’ focus on dancing, find the “perfect” tree, and uncover the true meaning of Christmas?
What are your favorite holiday selections from Apple TV+? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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