Movies like Christmas Comes But Once a Year (1936)
The best movies like Christmas Comes But Once a Year (1936) are Toy Story That Time Forgot (2014), Santa's Little Helpers (2019) and Olive, the Other Reindeer (1999). If Christmas Comes But Once a Year hooked you with its animation and family, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedToy Story That Time Forgot (2014)7.1/10 from 1,196 votes
- NewestSnoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin (2024)Released 2024
Toy Story That Time Forgot (2014)
During a post-Christmas play date, the gang find themselves in uncharted territory when the coolest set of action figures ever turn out to be dangerously delusional. It's all up to Trixie, the triceratops, if the gang hopes to return to Bonnie's room in this Toy Story That Time Forgot.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSanta's Little Helpers (2019)
After being accidentally stranded at the North Pole, the Minions decide to embrace their new surroundings by taking on the role of Santa's helpers. Chaos and hilarity ensue as they attempt to prove their worth as elves, bringing their signature mischief to the workshop in this festive, lighthearted holiday adventure.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisOlive, the Other Reindeer (1999)
After mis-hearing a radio broadcast about Santa canceling his Christmas trip due to an injured reindeer, Olive the dog decides to travel to the North Pole and volunteer to be a replacement. Unfortunately, Olive must deal with an evil postman who's tired of handling all the extra Christmas mail. Will Martini the penguin be able to help Olive realize her dream?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisShaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas (2021)
Shaun's seasonal excitement turns to dismay when a farmhouse raid to get bigger stockings for the flock inadvertently leads to Timmy going missing. Can Shaun get Timmy back before he becomes someone else’s present?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse (2001)
When a huge snowstorm leaves everyone stranded, Mickey and all of his guests at the House of Mouse, including Pooh, Belle, Snow White, Cinderella, Ariel and many more of his old and new friends, break out the cookies and hot chocolate to help Donald mend his tattered Christmas spirit.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThree Blind Mouseketeers (1936)
As the title implies, the three blind mice are musketeers. The cat sets a number of traps for them, which they all evade (apparently without realizing it) while he sleeps. The cat eventually wakes up and begins chasing them unsuccessfully, thanks to their teamwork.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTrolls Holiday in Harmony (2021)
Queen Poppy plans the first annual Trolls Kingdom Secret Holiday Gift Swap, but things don't go quite as expected.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisA Garfield Christmas (1987)
Garfield, Jon and Odie go to Jon's family farm for Christmas, where Garfield finds a present for Grandma.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHome Makeover (2010)
When a social worker visits Gru’s house to assess its suitability for children, chaos ensues. Margo, Edith, and Agnes, along with the ever-mischievous Minions, scramble to give the home a makeover in record time. Their attempts to create a warm and inviting environment quickly spiral into hilarity as the Minions’ unorthodox methods lead to outrageous results. This short captures the Minions’ inventive, albeit chaotic, solutions, blending humor with heartwarming moments of teamwork.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTom and Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale (2007)
Christmas is never so spirited as when Tom and Jerry lock horns for the holidays in their new original movie--Tom & Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale In an empty opera house, Jerry wishes for a chance to perform -- and magically his dream comes true. The little mouse is whisked away to an enchanted kingdom where anything is possible: candy forests, singing snowflakes, even the toys spring to life! Jerry has a great time with his new friends, and when Jerry dances with the music box ballerina, he is as happy as happy can be. Unfortunately, alley cats led by Tom crash Jerry's party, kidnap the music box ballerina and wreak havoc in the holiday kingdom. It's up to Jerry to set things right -- and with help from a fellow mouse named Tuffy and more newfound friends, Jerry just may win the day!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Scooby-Doo! Christmas (2002)
On the way to Daphne's relatives' condominium, the Mystery Inc. gang detours through the town of Winter Hollow, where the vengeful Headless Snowman has destroyed the town's Christmas spirit.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisSnoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin (2024)
Franklin is new to town and hoping to make friends, but his usual tactics don't work on the Peanuts gang. When the Soap Box Derby arrives, he's sure it's a chance to impress new pals and teams up with the only other unpartnered kid: Charlie Brown.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Smurfs: A Christmas Carol (2011)
When Grouchy Smurf behaves badly to everyone and refuses to celebrate Christmas, the Smurfs of Christmas Past, Present and Future teach him to appreciate Christmas.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMickey Saves Christmas (2022)
Mickey, Minnie and their pals attempt to celebrate the perfect Christmas at their snowy cabin. However, when Pluto causes Santa to lose all the presents on his sleigh, the friends travel to the North Pole on a quest to save Christmas.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAn All Dogs Christmas Carol (1998)
Charlie, Itchy and Sasha itch and scratch their way through everything and anything in an effort to save Christmas from the wicked hellhound Belladonna, who wants to use dogs from all over the world to ruin Christmas.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPrep & Landing (2009)
Wayne gets a new rookie partner, Lanny, after his previous partner got the promotion he wanted. Lanny has to remind Wayne of the Spirit of Christmas and the importance of being an elf in Santa's Prep and Landing elite unit.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Boss Baby: Christmas Bonus (2022)
Christmas Eve takes a twisty turn when the Boss Baby accidentally swaps places with one of Santa's elves and gets stranded at the North Pole.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisIce Age: A Mammoth Christmas (2011)
When Sid accidentally destroys Manny's heirloom Christmas rock and ends up on Santa's naughty list, he leads a hilarious quest to the North Pole to make things right and ends up making things much worse. Now it's up to Manny and his prehistoric posse to band together and save Christmas for the entire world!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPrep & Landing Stocking Stuffer: Operation: Secret Santa (2010)
Wayne and Lanny, now partners, are called by Magee to meet with a secret contact – Mrs. Claus, who sends them on a new mission to retrieve a box from Santa’s secret workshop. Later they sneak into Santa’s office while he is asleep, using their high tech equipment from the previous film. Lanny’s expertise at dressing the tree enables them to enter the hidden workshop where they recover the box and escape just in time. But what is the box for?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Trash Truck Christmas (2020)
When Santa crash-lands in the junkyard on Christmas Eve, Hank, Trash Truck and their animal friends all have a hand in rescuing the holiday for everyone.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEl Materdor (2008)
Mater is a matador fighting a herd of bulldozers in Spain. When Lightning McQueen enters the story, the bulldozers begin to chase him due to his red paint.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Cactus Kid (1930)
Mickey walks into the tavern where Minnie is dancing, and begins to dance and play piano himself. Pegleg Pete comes in and treats Minnie badly. Mickey tries to defend her, but Pete steals her away. Mickey, riding Horace Horsecollar, gives chase. He manages to throw Pete off a cliff.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & comedy
The Crimson Permanent Assurance (1983)
A group of down-and-out accountants mutiny against their bosses and sail their office building onto the high seas in search of a pirate's life.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThere is exactly enough time (2021)
Oskar Salomonowitz, the 12-year-old son of filmmakers Anja Salomonowitz and Virgil Widrich, had drawn 206 pictures in a flip book when he died in an accident. His father continued to draw the film with the remaining 482 sheets.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Getting Ed Laid (2016)
An 85-year-old professor staying in a hotel suite in Tokyo hires a hooker for one last hoorah. Afraid taking Viagra will kill him, he's waiting for a callback from a cardiologist when a quirky hooker shows up who is only around 20 years younger than him. Funny happens as these two lonely people discover - no matter what your age, life can surprise you.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Violent Night 2 (2026)
When Santa forgets the true meaning of Christmas, he finds himself in the heart of a lively mall community in desperate need of his help. Sapped of his magic, he’ll need another way to take on the goons threatening the mall, and time is running out. Santa has to rediscover his faith in goodness and call in some last-minute reinforcements from the one person no baddie wants to tangle with: Mrs. Claus.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Coming SoonMovies like thisThe Return of the Monster (2017)
A little boy is bedeviled by recurring nightmares of a monster that just won’t go away.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Brian and Charles (2018)
A lonely farmer and his droll yet excitable robot companion.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Health for the Americas: Cleanliness Brings Health (1945)
The comparison of two rural families to demonstrate the need for proper hygiene and the consequences of its neglect.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Night (1930)
The moon and two owls sing to the Blue Danube Waltz, celebrating the night. Moths dance around a candle flame, fireflies glow, frogs chorus, and so forth.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Christmas Comes But Once a Year?
The closest matches to Christmas Comes But Once a Year are Toy Story That Time Forgot (2014), Santa's Little Helpers (2019) and Olive, the Other Reindeer (1999). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Christmas Comes But Once a Year?
Start with Toy Story That Time Forgot (2014), the closest match to Christmas Comes But Once a Year.
What is the highest-rated movie like Christmas Comes But Once a Year?
Toy Story That Time Forgot (2014), rated 7.1/10 by 1,196 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Christmas Comes But Once a Year?
Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin (2024) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Christmas Comes But Once a Year?
Yes: Toy Story That Time Forgot (2014), Santa's Little Helpers (2019) and Olive, the Other Reindeer (1999).
How are movies similar to Christmas Comes But Once a Year chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Christmas Comes But Once a Year, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.