‘Tis the season to get a healthy helping of your favorite Christmas movies — old and new. From Hallmark, Lifetime, AMC, Freeform, UP — and seasonal series specials. Here’s our rundown of the biggest festive films and marathons to watch on TV — all Christmas weekend long.
MUST-WATCH MOVIES
A Christmas Story: a young boy, Ralphie attempts to persuade his parents, teacher, and even Santa Claus, that a Red Ryder B.B. gun really is the perfect Christmas gift.
Dec. 24, 8 p.m., TBS/TNT (and every two hours for 24 hours).
A Christmas Carol (1951): Alastair Sim’s “Scrooge” follows an old bitter man on the brink of redemption after he is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve.
Dec. 24, 7 p.m., FXM (will continually play through Monday 3 a.m.).
Prancer: A small town girl nurses a wounded reindeer she believes to be one of Santa’s back to health by Christmas, with the hope that it inspires those around her.
Dec. 24, 6 p.m., AMC
It’s a Wonderful Life : In this Christmas classic, an angel helps a compassionate but hopeless businessman, by showing what life would be like if he never existed.
Dec. 24, 8 p.m., NBC
Christmas in Connecticut (1945): A food writer who lied about being the perfect housewife is faced with her deception when her boss and a returning war hero invite themselves over for a traditional family Christmas.
Dec. 24, 8 p.m., TCM
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation: Chevy Chase heads the Griswold family as they plan for a big family Christmas which predictably turns out to be a big disaster.
Dec. 24, 9:45 p.m., Freeform
Scrooged: A take on the the classic A Christmas Carol, this modern take highlights a selfish, cynical T.V. executive who is haunted by three spirits bearing lessons on Christmas Eve — all the while, trying to pull off the most explosive Christmas special known to mankind.
Dec. 24, 11:55 p.m., Freeform (and again on Christmas Day at 9:55 p.m.)
All I Want for Christmas: Hallie’s and Ethan’s mother is about to remarry. When Hallie goes to visit Santa Claus, she asks for an unusual gift – for her parents to get back together again.
Dec. 25, 8:30 a.m., SundanceTV
MARATHON MADNESS
SATURDAY
FX: “Two and a Half Men,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Mike & Molly” at 7 a.m.-1 p.m.
TBS: “New Girl,” plus “Seinfeld” at 4:30-8:30 a.m. (Festivus at 8); 3-8 p.m. includes “Friends,” “Big Bang Theory.”
TV Land: “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “King of Queens,” “New Adventures of Old Christine,” at 9 p.m.-3:30 a.m.
SUNDAY
TeenNick: “Drake & Josh,” “iCarly,” “Kenan & Kel,” “Rugrats,” “Ren & Stimpy,” at 7 a.m.- Monday, Dec. 26 at 6 a.m.
Fox: “Bob’s Burgers,” “Simpsons,” “Family Guy,” “Last Man on Earth,” at 7-10 p.m.
TV Land: “Reba,” “Raymond,” “King of Queens,” at 8 p.m.- Monday, Dec. 26 at 1 a.m.
