The Best Holiday TV Shows

What it's about: Adapted from David McCullough's Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, this lavish seven-part miniseries chronicles the life of Founding Father John Adams, starting with the Boston Massacre of 1770 through his years as an ambassador in Europe, then his terms as vice president and president of the United States, up to his death on July 4, 1826.

Where to Watch: 7 episodes (100%) are available to stream on a popular subscription service (HBO MAX & HBO). 7 episodes (100%) are available to rent or buy from $3.99 on 5 services (iTunes, Google Play & 3 others).

What it's about: A whirlwind holiday romance builds as cynical Dash and optimistic Lily trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations all across New York City.

Where to Watch: 8 episodes (100%) are available to stream on a popular subscription service (Netflix).

What it's about: Valentine's Day, 1900. Three schoolgirls and their governess mysteriously disappear in Hanging Rock, Australia, without a trace.

Where to Watch: 6 episodes (100%) are available to stream on a popular subscription service (Prime Video & Hoopla). 6 episodes (100%) are available to rent or buy from $1.99 on 4 services (iTunes, Google Play & 2 others).

What it's about: A tight-knit, but slightly dysfunctional family of five, gather in their hometown of Chicago for the “perfect” holiday. From break-ups to arrests to sharing one bathroom, each family member is packing his/her own eccentricities and hiding secrets from the others – as if the holidays were all about carols and eggnog!

Where to Watch: 6 episodes (100%) are available to stream on a popular subscription service (Hulu). 6 episodes (100%) are available to rent or buy from $1.99 on 3 services (Google Play, Vudu & YouTube).

What it's about: On the night before Hogswatch, the holiday where kids anticipate presents from the beloved Hogfather, Death notices that the Hogfather's life-timer is lying broken on the floor of his castle. Could it be that Hogswatch will not happen this year?

Where to Watch: 27 episodes (93%) are available to rent or buy from $1.99 on 1 service (Prime Video).

What it's about: Down-and-out musician Bastian battles the blues as he returns home for Christmas and encounters a series of not-so-cheery surprises.

Where to Watch: 3 episodes (100%) are available to stream on a popular subscription service (Netflix).

What it's about: Set in the Solana all-inclusive Resort, Benidorm follows the antics of regulars and first-time holiday makers on their journeys abroad.

Where to Watch: 73 episodes (100%) are available to stream on a subscription service (BritBox).

What it's about: A strong-willed dad navigates the stress of the holiday season when his daughter brings her new boyfriend home for Christmas.

Where to Watch: 8 episodes (100%) are available to stream on a popular subscription service (Netflix).

What it's about: 'Tis the season to find the greatest holiday baker! Eight bakers compete with their family traditions and superb baking skills. Hosted by Bobby Deen, this baking championship will add some flair to this sweet holiday season.

Where to Watch: 23 episodes (27%) are available to watch free online (Food Network). 56 episodes (67%) are available to stream on a popular subscription service (Hulu, Philo, fuboTV & 1 other). 49 episodes (58%) are available to stream on a TV everywhere service (Food Network). 53 episodes (63%) are available to rent or buy from $1.99 on 5 services (iTunes, Google Play & 3 others).

What it's about: Focused on the lovable, yet seasonally dysfunctional Moody family, A Moody Christmas is set against the backdrop of the one occasion that can bring out the best (and the worst) in people … Christmas Day.

Where to Watch: 3 episodes (50%) are available to stream on a subscription service (fuboTV).

What it's about: Interior designer Benjamin “Mr. Christmas” Bradley works with a trusty team of "elves” to help families transform their homes for the holidays.

Where to Watch: 4 episodes (100%) are available to stream on a popular subscription service (Netflix).

What it's about: Saints & Strangers is a story that goes beyond the familiar historical account of Thanksgiving and the founding of Plymouth Plantation, revealing the trials and tribulations of the settlers at Plymouth: 102 men, women and children who sailed on a chartered ship for a place they had never seen.Of this group, half are those we think of as pilgrims, or saints, religious separatists who abandoned their prior lives for a single cause: religious freedom. The other half, the merchant adventurers–referred to as strangers–had less spiritual and more material, real-world objectives. This clash of values created complex inner-struggles for the group as they sought to establish a new colony, compounded by a complicated relationship with the local Native American tribes. The conflicting allegiances among these groups, culminated in trials of assimilation, faith, and compromise that continue to define our nation to this day.

Where to Watch: 2 episodes (100%) are available to rent or buy from $7.99 on 5 services (iTunes, Google Play & 3 others).

What it's about: The Secret World of Santa Claus is a children's animated television show that originates from France. It is syndicated to several countries worldwide, including Teletoon in Canada, and is generally seen every December during the holiday season. On December 25, 1999, Christmas Day, The Secret World of Santa Claus marathon took place from 6:00am to 7:00pm. The show has been put back on air and will be showed every Christmas season on Teletoon.

Where to Watch: 26 episodes (100%) are available to rent or buy from $1.99 on 1 service (Prime Video).

What it's about: Actor and former NFL star, Terry Crews, surprises families at Christmas time by providing them with some last-minute help during the holidays.

Where to Watch: 5 episodes (100%) are available to watch free online (The CW).

What it's about: Take a trip back in time to see what Christmas and the holiday season were like in America not too long ago as we reveal how many of today’s popular holiday celebrations and traditions had their start in the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s. With experts and cultural icons offering their own insight and personal memories, we reveal how your favorite holiday films, fads, television specials, songs and toys are still part of your holiday celebrations today.

Where to Watch: 4 episodes (100%) are available to stream on a popular subscription service (Prime Video & Philo).