Last month saw streaming platforms settle into their annual cozy season with new fall TV shows and autumn film favorites. This December, Hulu and Disney+ are hunkering down with premieres for several animated TV series, a solid selection of holiday fare, and feel-good movies both old and new.
Disney+ will bring its classic characters together for "Mickey and the Very Many Christmases" as well as "Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade." It will also premiere "The Simpsons Christmas Double Episode," "Doctor Who: Joy to the World," and "CMA Country Christmas" to honor the season. Top non-holiday picks include the return of "Marvel Animation's What If...?" (kicking off December 22 with new episodes premiering daily for eight days), "Star Wars: Skeleton Crew," and "Elton John: Never Too Late."
Over at Hulu, the divisive new horror flick "Cuckoo" starring Hunter Schafer is set to stream alongside a robust catalogue of various other movies. The complete "Twilight" epic is available -- fitting ahead of Robert Eggers' "Nosferatu"! -- as are the first three "Step Up" films -- two of which were helmed by "Wicked" director Jon M. Chu. Hulu will also stream Ridley Scott's first "Gladiator" for those catching teh Paul Mescal-starring sequel in theaters around Thanksgiving. On the TV side, Ilana Glazer has a new stand-up special called "Human Magic" and much more.
It's hard to believe "Inside Out 2" only came out this summer because 2024 feels so much longer. (Get it? "Feels so much longer!" Sorry, yes, go get Disgust.) The psychology-inspired Pixar universe rounds out its jam-packed year with another expansion in the form a Disney+ miniseries this December. Taking inspiration from the unconscious Hollywood seen inside Riley's head from the first film, "Dream Productions" reunites the Core Emotions for an adventure set between the events of the original movie and its sequel. Created by Mike Jones, the limited series follows famed daydream director Paula Persimmon (Paula Pell) as she struggles to work with a snide rookie named Xeni (Richard Ayoade). Amy Poehler and other voice talents also return.