Movies like The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait (1978)
The best movies like The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait (1978) are Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square (2020), It's Christmas, Eve (2018) and The Christmas Toy (1986). If The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait hooked you with its music and tv movie, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedThe Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)7.5/10 from 1,236 votes
- Newest31 Minutes: One Hot Christmas (2025)Released 2025
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
SnoozefestMovies like thisIt's Christmas, Eve (2018)
Interim school superintendent Eve Morgan finds herself in a tough spot when she is assigned to shut down a school's failing music program and must come to terms with her musical past.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Christmas Toy (1986)
It's Christmas Eve and the playroom is alive with excitement for the new toys that will arrive the next day. Balthazar, the old and wise bear, explains to the other toys that they must welcome the newcomers even though each of them may be replaced as one of the children's new favorite toys.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
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 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 thisThree Wise Men and a Baby (2022)
Three brothers get the surprise of their lives when they are forced to work together to care for a baby over the holidays. As they slowly get the hang of things, they find themselves on unexpected journeys of self-discovery and begin to rebuild their relationships as brothers, as well as the damaged romantic and professional relationships in their respective lives…all while rediscovering their love of Christmas.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
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 thisThe 12 Days of Christmas Eve (2022)
When Brian Conway, a successful businessman whose family relationships have suffered, gets in a car accident on Christmas Eve, Santa gives him twelve chances to redo the day and repair the relationships in his life, including with his daughter Michelle.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special (2020)
Faced with a holiday cheer crisis, the North Pole knows there's only one person who can save the day: Santa's great friend Mariah Carey. The Queen of Christmas creates a fabulous and star-studded spectacular to make the whole world merry!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish (2019)
Kat is an aspiring singer-songwriter who dreams of making it big. However, her dreams are stalled by her reality: a conniving and cruel stepfamily and a demoralizing job working as a singing elf at billionaire Terrence Wintergarden’s Santa Land.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTime for Me to Come Home for Christmas (2018)
Famous musician Heath and small-town girl Cara are each traveling back to Oklahoma for the holidays when they get stranded in Chicago. Despite his fame, she has no idea who he is, but they hit it off—and she even ends up providing some inspiration for the Christmas song he's writing.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMiss Christmas (2017)
Holly Khun, known to Chicago as “Miss Christmas,” always finds a beautiful tree for the plaza, but this year’s was damaged, and the lighting ceremony is in 10 days. Hoping for a miracle, she combs through fan mail, and finds Joey McNary of Klaus, Wisconsin, has the perfect tree. Off she goes to Klaus, where she meets Joey’s handsome dad Sam.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Mistle-Tones (2012)
Holly, blessed with an amazing singing voice, is all set to audition for the newly vacated spot in a legendary local Christmas group which was founded by her late mother years ago. Shocked and upset when the slot goes to the barely talented best friend of the group's leader, Marci, Holly sets out to create her own musical group, The Mistle-Tones. After challenging their rivals to a sing-off on Christmas Eve, Holly finds herself on a journey to the real meaning of Christmas with some new friends and a new love thrown in for good measure.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCatering Christmas (2022)
A fledgling caterer, Molly Frost, is hired by Jean Harrison, the perfectionistic director of the renowned Harrison Foundation, to cater this year’s annual Christmas Gala dinner. Things get complicated when Molly falls for Jean’s nephew, Carson, 30s, a travel photographer with no desire to take over the family’s foundation… until his aunt assigns him to the task of making sure the catered dinner goes perfectly.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Most Wonderful Time of the Year (2008)
Five-time Emmy nominee and Golden Globe winner Henry Winkler stars in The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, the story of what happens when you open your heart to the power of Christmas. Disenchanted single mom Jennifer Cullen (Brooke Burns) is a Scroogette when it comes to anything Christmas. In fact, even her six-year-old son, Brian, is having trouble believing in Santa Claus. But when her Uncle Ralph (Henry Winkler) visits and brings a fellow passenger from his flight named Morgan Derby (Warren Christie), Jennifer s dubious heart awakens to the possibility that perhaps Christmas really does hold miracles. It s uplifting and laugh-packed and a story that will inspire the whole family to believe.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJingle Bell Princess (2021)
An actual princess has some mechanical issues and is temporarily grounded. Does she have time for a lobster roll? It is Christmas time in Maine which means snow, quaint scenery, and lots of Christmas lights near the ocean. With the crew distracted attending to the repair, Princess Amelia deplanes to walk through a magical Christmas tree lot near the airport perimeter.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPicture a Perfect Christmas (2019)
An extreme-sports photographer returns home for the holiday to take care of her grandmother, only to have a neighbor grab her attention as he needs assistance watching his young nephew.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGood Morning Christmas! (2020)
Two competing TV hosts are sent to a festive small town over Christmas. While pretending to get along for the sake of appearances, they discover that there’s more to each other than they thought.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
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
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBenjamin Biolay Christmas Show (2022)
Musical Christmas Special hosted by Benjamin Biolay.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Christmas Crush (2012)
Twenty-eight-year-old Georgia is convinced the man of her dreams is "the one that got away" back in high school. When Georgia learns of her high school reunion a week before Christmas, she's ecstatic to finally have her chance to win Craig back. But as she gets to relive high school for a night, she begins to realize it might not be Craig at all who got away, but Ben, an old friend with whom she'd fallen out of touch.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
SnoozefestMovies like thisSesame Street: Elmo Saves Christmas (1996)
Can there be such a thing as too much Christmas? Find out... when a magical Christmas wish is granted and Elmo gets to see what the world would be like if every day were Christmas! You'll enjoy lots of songs and holiday cheer with Elmo and his new friend Lightning, the reindeer, and discover for yourself why Christmas is best kept to one day a year!
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
A Muppet Family Christmas (1987)
Fozzie Bear surprises his mother on Christmas Eve by bringing the entire Muppet gang to her farm to celebrate the holidays. Doc and his dog Sprocket, who had planned a quiet Christmas, end up joining the Muppets in their holiday activities and preparations. The Sesame Street and Fraggle Rock regulars join the festivities, but to Kermit's dismay, the only one missing is Miss Piggy, who has been caught in a snowstorm.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Black Dahlia Murder: Yule em All! (2020)
Detroit's Kings of the Underworld, The Black Dahlia Murder, present their "Yule 'Em All: A Holiday Variety Extravaganza" program hosted by Neil Hamburger (Comedian, Actor). This feel-good metal holiday special contains live performances of 16 beloved tracks from the band's extensive catalog, original comedy skits featuring band members, and a special appearance by George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher (Cannibal Corpse)! Raise your glass of eggnog and prepare to toast to the season's finest offering of Yuletide joy and laughter.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Christmas à la Carte (2021)
When food correspondent, Carly, gets a shot at her own show, she is sent to Angel Heights to help Grant open his diner and film it as a Holiday special for her TV show. Will Grant and Carly open their hearts too?
Why it matches: Similar story and style
31 Minutes: One Hot Christmas (2025)
Puppeton, the town of 31 Minutes, faces such an infernally hot Christmas that Santa Claus cancels his visit! Bodoque the rabbit heroically volunteers to rescue the presents from the North Pole, while his friends improvise a disastrous Christmas show. But what they don't expect is Bodoque giving in to some irresistible temptations along the way.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
A retelling of the classic Dickens tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, miser extraordinaire. He is held accountable for his dastardly ways during nighttime visitations by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCarole's Christmas (2019)
An overworked businesswoman learns the meaning of "be careful what you wish for" after she off-handedly wishes she had taken another path in life.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
A Chance for Christmas (2021)
Social media influencer Christina Chance promotes the perfect family image. This year, she has the chance to become the face of lifestyle brand, Love Handles, on the condition that her Christmas Eve special delivers at least two million engagements. Seems easy enough except Christina’s family is far from perfect. When her Love Handles account manager, Devon, shows up and discovers Christina’s life is all smoke and mirrors, he helps Christina keep up her ruse. With a Christmas wish, Christina and Devon are given the chance to relive the day until Christina can get the views she needs to win the endorsement. As Christina and Devon work together, sparks fly, and they learn the power of family is far more important than views.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait?
The closest matches to The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait are Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square (2020), It's Christmas, Eve (2018) and The Christmas Toy (1986). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait?
Start with Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square (2020), the closest match to The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait?
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992), rated 7.5/10 by 1,236 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait?
31 Minutes: One Hot Christmas (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait?
Yes: Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square (2020), It's Christmas, Eve (2018) and The Christmas Toy (1986).
How are movies similar to The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.