5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

By Andie Hagemann

From strange lands to hilarious holiday hijinks, this week has something for every member of the family to enjoy. Watch the holiday classic Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town when it airs Tuesday night on ABC. On Wednesday, stream Full-Court Miracle, followed by a brand-new episode of Willow, both available on Disney+. Don’t miss Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas, airing Thursday on Freeform. Last but not least, Strange World launches Friday on Disney+.

In a scene from Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town, a stop-motion red-haired male character wears a Santa Claus suit and holds a large canvas sack over his shoulder. He faces a penguin that wears a black and yellow scarf around its neck. Both are surrounded by snow and icicle covered trees.

Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town—Tuesday, December 20, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
In this beloved stop-motion Christmas special, a mailman named Special Delivery “S.D.” Kluger answers some of the biggest questions regarding the jolly man in the red suit: Santa Claus. In doing so, he tells us about Kris, a baby raised by a family of elves. As an adult, Kris aspires to deliver toys to the children of Sombertown, but his wish is forbidden by the Burgermeister Meisterburger. However, Kris goes against the Burgermeister Meisterburger’s command to bring joy to everyone in the town. The voice cast includes Fred Astaire as S.D., Mickey Rooney as Kris Kringle, Keenan Wynn as Winter, and Paul Frees as Burgermeister Meisterburger, to name a few.

In a scene from Disney’s Full-Court Miracle, actor Jason Blicker as Marshall Schlotsky wraps his arms around actors Alex D. Linz as Alex Schlotsky and Linda Kash as Cynthia Schlotsky. The three characters look at a lit menorah with white candles on a white countertop. Blicker and Linz both wear black yarmulkes atop their heads. Linz wears a tan sweater with brown stripes down the sleeves. Blicker wears a black button-down shirt. Kash wears a red turtleneck sweater and a black jacket.

Full-Court Miracle—Wednesday, December 21, on Disney+
Celebrate Hanukkah with a viewing of this fan-favorite Disney Channel Original Movie—as well as these spectacular holiday-themed specials. Based on the true story of Lamont Carr, the film follows a Jewish basketball team in Philadelphia in desperate need of a new head coach. Alex (Alex D. Linz) loves basketball, but his academy’s team has yet to win a game. After a chance encounter with Lamont (Richard T. Jones), Alex persuades the injured college basketball player to coach them. Despite the concerns of the academy’s teachers and administrators, the team’s misfortunes suddenly rebound.

In a scene from Disney+ Original series Willow, actor Warwick Davis portrays Willow Ufgood. Davis holds a carved wooden staff in his right hand and wears a maroon cape, a brown textured coat, and a tan long-sleeved shirt. Behind Davis is a snow-covered forest.

Willow—Wednesday, December 21, on Disney+
The epic journey continues after the action-packed events of Episode 4. Last week’s episode concluded with the unlikely band of heroes—Willow (Warwick Davis), Boorman (Amar Chadha-Patel), Jade (Erin Kellyman), Kit (Ruby Cruz), Elora (Ellie Bamber), and Graydon (Tony Revolori)—surviving the haunted castle and continuing their quest to Immemorial City. However, the Crone’s minions are watching their every move and plot to hunt them down.

In a scene from Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas, Goofy, dressed as Santa Claus in a red suit and a long white beard, sits in a purple armchair. Goofy is surrounded by small children who are climbing on the chair and pulling the beard. Max stands to the left and wears a green hooded sweatshirt and a pair of black pants. On the fireplace are a green garland, a lamp, and three colorful stockings.

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas—Thursday, December 22, at 1:30 p.m. ET/PT on Freeform
Freeform’s “25 Days of Christmas” festivities continue with a presentation of this heartwarming animated special. Over three separate stories, beloved characters Donald Duck, Goofy, Mickey Mouse, and their pals discover the true meaning of the holiday season. From “sled rides” in the snow to playing Santa Claus, you won’t want to miss all the Christmas spirit!

In a scene from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Strange World, human characters Callisto Mal, Ethan Clade, Searcher Clade, Jaeger Clade, Meridian, and a gray and white shaggy dog named Legend huddle together in the cockpit of a space shuttle. Meridian steers the ship white the other characters look forward.

Strange World—Friday, December 23, on Disney+
A “strange” family adventure is coming to the streaming service this week! The animated film from Walt Disney Animation Studios introduces a legendary family of explorers, the Clades, as they attempt to navigate an uncharted, treacherous land alongside a motley crew that includes a mischievous blob called Splat; the family dog, Legend; and a slew of ravenous creatures. The star-studded voice cast includes Jake Gyllenhaal as Searcher Clade, a family man who finds himself out of his element on an unpredictable mission; Dennis Quaid as Jaeger, Searcher’s larger-than-life explorer father; Jaboukie Young-White as Ethan, Searcher’s 16-year-old adventure-seeking son; Gabrielle Union as Meridian, an accomplished pilot and Searcher’s partner in all things; and Lucy Liu as Callisto Mal, Avalonia’s fearless leader who spearheads the exploration into the strange world.