Movies like Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special (2020)
The best movies like Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special (2020) are Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square (2020), John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch (2019) and Sneakerella (2022). If Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special hooked you with its family and music, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedMerry Christmas, Drake & Josh (2008)7.4/10 from 242 votes
- NewestUne histoire de la musique d'ascenseur : de la Muzak au streaming (2026)Released 2026
Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square (2020)
A rich and nasty woman returns to her hometown to evict everyone but discovers the true meaning of Christmas thanks to the local townsfolk – and an actual angel. Features 14 original songs with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & family
SnoozefestMovies like thisJohn Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch (2019)
John Mulaney and his kid pals tackle existential topics for all ages with catchy songs, comedy sketches and special guests in a nostalgic variety special.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSneakerella (2022)
When El, an aspiring sneaker designer from Queens, meets Kira King, the fiercely independent daughter of legendary basketball star and sneaker tycoon Darius King, sparks fly as the two bond over their mutual affinity for sneakers. With a little nudge from his best friend and a sprinkle of Fairy Godfather magic, El finds the courage to use his talent to pursue his dream of becoming a ‘legit’ sneaker designer in the industry.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & family
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Nutcracker Prince (1990)
After young Clara receives a wooden nutcracker as a Christmas gift, she dreams about a fantastical battle between her Nutcracker Prince and the evil Mouse King. At stake is the Nutcracker's freedom - and Clara's future happiness.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Very Jonas Christmas Movie (2025)
Kevin, Nick, and Joe Jonas face a series of escalating obstacles as they struggle to make it from London to New York in time to spend Christmas with their families.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like this12 Gifts of Christmas (2015)
When Anna Parisi, an unemployed fine arts painter, is unable to make ends meet, she is hired to become a personal Christmas shopper for Marc, an uptight corporate exec. As they begin working together, Marc learns that Christmas giving has less to do with the amount of money spent and more to do with the importance of the gift, while Anna discovers she might find success as an artist in a way she never expected. The best gift of all of course is the love they discover with one another.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFalling for Christmas (2022)
An engaged, spoiled hotel heiress finds herself in the care of a handsome, blue-collar lodge owner and his precocious daughter after getting amnesia in a skiing accident.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special (2020)
The cast of “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” delivers an abundance of feel-good holiday cheer as they perform their favorite Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s songs and share their fondest holiday memories.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisOlaf's Frozen Adventure (2017)
Olaf is on a mission to harness the best holiday traditions for Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both 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 family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTo Grandmother's House We Go (1992)
When precocious twins Sarah and Julie feel like Mom is tired of them, they take off on an exciting adventure to their grandmother's house and encounter a pair of villains along the way.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMickey and Minnie Wish Upon a Christmas (2021)
After a series of mishaps, Mickey, Minnie and the gang are separated all over the world and must try to get back to Hot Dog Hills by Christmas Eve. A mysterious and jolly stranger shows up to tell them about The Wishing Star, which could be the secret to bringing everybody home in time to celebrate together.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMerry Christmas, Drake & Josh (2008)
Step brothers Drake and Josh must give a foster family the best Christmas ever or face years in jail for a Christmas party gone wrong.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRobin Robin (2021)
A bird raised by mice begins to question where she belongs and sets off on a daring journey of self-discovery.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie (1998)
Young Rudolph suffers a childhood accident that sees his nose turn from the publicly accepted norm of black to a glowing red colour. His parents worry about him getting teased, and indeed he does in the end. When he is beaten in the reindeer games by his rival for a doe he fancies, Rudolph runs away and moves into a cave with Slyly the Fox. However can he overcome his fear and reach his true potential?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDashing Through the Snow (2023)
Eddie Garrick is a good-hearted man who has lost his belief in the wonder of Christmas. While spending time with his nine-year-old daughter Charlotte on Christmas Eve, he befriends a mysterious man in a red suit named Nick.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPAW Patrol: Jet to the Rescue (2020)
A royal relative steals a gem with the power to make things fly, the Paw Patrol takes to the skies to stop him and save Barkingburg.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisA Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter (2024)
Pop icon Sabrina Carpenter jingles all the bells in her first-ever variety music special full of holiday hits, unexpected duets and comedic cameos.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSnoopy Presents: For Auld Lang Syne (2021)
After finding out her grandmother won't be visiting for Christmas, Lucy decides to cheer herself up by throwing the ultimate New Year's Eve party. Meanwhile, Charlie Brown tries to fulfill one of his resolutions before the clock strikes midnight.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKaty Perry: Part of Me (2012)
Giving fans unprecedented access to the real life of the music sensation, Katy Perry: Part of Me exposes the hard work, dedication and phenomenal talent of a girl who remained true to herself and her vision in order to achieve her dreams. Featuring rare behind-the-scenes interviews, personal moments between Katy and her friends, and all-access footage of rehearsals, choreography, Katy’s signature style and more, Katy Perry: Part of Me reveals the singer’s unwavering belief that if you can be yourself, then you can be anything.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like this300 ans des 4 saisons de Vivaldi (2025)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special (2009)
Multi-platinum recording artist and Grammy Award winner Carrie Underwood headlines CARRIE UNDERWOOD: AN ALL-STAR HOLIDAY SPECIAL, a two-hour variety special. Underwood performs new music from her upcoming album as well as previous hits and holiday classics. She is also joined on stage by special musical guests and chart-topping artists including Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley and David Cook.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Ian Dury: On My Life! (1999)
Autobiographical documentary in which Ian Dury, fighting a battle with cancer to which he would later succumb, recalls his life and career. With contributions from painter Peter Blake and members of Dury's band, the Blockheads.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Cinderella (1965)
After the success of the live 1957 Cinderella on CBS (with Julie Andrews), the network decided to produce another television version. The new script hewed closer to the traditional tale, although nearly all of the original songs were retained and performed in their original settings. Added to the Rodgers and Hammerstein score was "Loneliness of Evening", which had been composed for South Pacific but not used.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Groove Under the Groove (2026)
An intimate look at the life and career of Paulinho da Costa, the most recorded percussionist in music history. The documentary explores his unique rhythmic language and his collaboration with legendary icons.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Long Live The Horror (TBA)
A feature length Concert Documentary about Blitzkid, a seminal Horror-Punk band playing their last show (in the U.S.) at a resurrected Horror-Punk Festival, Ghouls Night Out.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
The Kid in the Photo - Carlos Saura (2026)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family
Une histoire de la musique d'ascenseur : de la Muzak au streaming (2026)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Shake It Up: Made in Japan (2012)
After facing off against crews from across the country in an epic dance battle, Rocky and CeCe win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Japan to star in a new interactive dance video game. While there, Rocky plans to explore Japan and soak in the culture, but CeCe is convinced that they need to seize the chance to live their dreams and take their shot at becoming real global superstars.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
WARM PLACE LIVE AT GULLIVERS, 22/02/24 (2024)
Documentary featuring the debut performance of WARM PLACE, the Manchester based four piece. Feature also contains samples of spoken word poetry by Lara Morton.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special?
The closest matches to Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special are Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square (2020), John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch (2019) and Sneakerella (2022). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special?
Start with Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square (2020), the closest match to Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special.
What is the highest-rated movie like Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special?
Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh (2008), rated 7.4/10 by 242 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special?
Une histoire de la musique d'ascenseur : de la Muzak au streaming (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special?
Yes: Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square (2020), John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch (2019) and Sneakerella (2022).
How are movies similar to Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.