Top Tier A Christmas Carol Streaming Versions, Decoded
Everybody's favorite yuletide tale, A Christmas Carol, has been reimagined countless times for cinema and TV audiences over the years. But which one steals the show? In this rankings masterclass, we've gone above and beyond the tip of your festive cap to find the crème de la crème of A Christmas Carol adaptations available right in your streaming sweet spot.
Here are the top 15 A Christmas Carols, from best to worst, along with guidelines on where to find them spilling your eggnog-stained screens:
1. A Christmas Carol (1984)
Starz, Roku, Tubi, Plex
Can't possibly single out a superior interpretation of A Christmas Carol, but this George C. Scott-starring masterpiece truly checks all the boxes. Decidedly faithful to the source material, expertly acted, and perfectly balanced tonally, this is the Goldilocks version of all versions. Unsurpassable in terms of Scrooge, Tiny Tim sweetness, and hauntingly beautiful holiday songs (courtesy of Edward Woodward as The Ghost of Christmas Present), this is A Christmas Carol unchained.
2. Scrooge (1935)
Prime Video, YouTube
The first audio adaptation of A Christmas Carol, released in the darkest days of The Great Depression, takes a more menacing approach to the story than other adaptations. This German expressionist chiller plays up Scrooge's despair and the horror watching the tale unfold like a universal condemnation of capitalism. Seymour Hicks delivers an outstanding, morbid performance as Scrooge, treating the character not as a king of hell but rather its most tortured captive. Sadly, the Prime Video version is in color, so opt for the black-and-white YouTubed version if you want to get the full Grinch of it all.
3. Scrooge (1970)
Paramount, Hoopla, Fandor, Plex
This big-budget musical rendition of the classic tale blends frenetic, crowd-pleasing exuberance with Dickensian heart. Albert Finney leads this all-star cast as the central Scrooge figure, delivering a raw, rousing performance that leaves no doubt about the emotional core of the story. And of course, the musical numbers are spectacular. One example, "I Hate People," is so magnificent that Finney almost shouts it, rather than singing it.
4. Scrooge: A Christmas Carol in Prose, Word & Film (1999)
Limited Digital Release
Before Hallmark went full Christmas comedy, this company co-produced one of the best A Christmas Carol adaptations ever made. Patrick Stewart gives a nuanced, layered performance that tops all others as Scrooge. Kristin Scott Thomas is the understandable Ghost of Christmas Past, while Richard E. Grant brings unnerving intensity to the role of Bob Cratchit. But alas, budgetary constraints meant a few cringe-inducing effects and pop-up animations crept into the proceedings, which tarnished an otherwise shining production.
5. Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Disney+
This frisky, fresh Muppets take on Dickens's classic tale is so utterly unique that it can't be compared to other versions. Michael Caine plays a gratifyingly serious Scrooge, anchoring the absurd antics of Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and the rest of the Muppets. Best of all, Kermit the Frog is on hand as Bob Cratchit. Lynn Redgrave is also charming as the Ghost of Christmas Past. Banished to a ghetto noir afterlife, the Muppets astoundingly hold their own alongside Redgrave's stately performance, making for a simply delightful viewing experience.
6. Scrooge (1951)
Plex
In this astonishing fellowship of misery, Alastair Simm wanders his historic London landscape as if strolling through a living, breathing dickensian tableau. As Dagobert, Simm delivers a chilling performance, never breaking character, even when confronted by the deathly pallor that accompanies Marley's ghostly visage. His transformation into a sympathetic, festive man forms the story's emotional climax, leaving viewers agape at the seemingly insurmountable height of human goodness.
7. It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play (2022)
Netflix
This 1946 Capra classic's aesthetics are replicated and rendered through word and sound, in the tradition of classic '40s radio plays. Featuring a stellar cast led by George C. Scott as the voice of Dagobert, this adaptation captures the essence of that era while telling the story.
8. Ebenezer Scrooge's Ghostly Expedition (1998)
Epix
Apart from the insane title, this isn't a bad addition to the A Christmas Carol pantheon. Featuring narration by Jim Carrey, this retelling is done with a campy flair, perfect for throwing on during the holiday season. However, its plot resolutions contrast harshly with the more somber themes covered in the source material.
9. The 1910 Silent Christmas Carol (1910)
YouTube
The original: A hand-tinted, single-reel short romance film adaptation, where Scrooge's heartwarming transformation serves as a mere backdrop for an ill-conceived romance between Mary and Fred.
10. The Animated Christmas Carol (1969)
Peacock, Tubi, IndieFlix
A dialogue-free, TV-produced animated rendition, light on the creep factor and overwhelming in its sheer kitsch factor. But there's something captivating about this friendly take on the genre, with its not-terrible singing voices and polished animation style.
11. A Christmas Carol (2000)
Hulu
A quaint, British production that moves at an agreeable pace and manages to convey even Dickens' more obtuse messages with some degree of clarity. This is a well-made production, particularly when you take into consideration its modestly-sized budget.
12. Scrooge: Or, Marley's Ghost (2018)
Netflix
This new Netflix original is designed to relaunch Audience Network's A Christmas Carol TV series, but it falls behind both newer and older adaptations.
13. A Christmas Carol (1971)
Amazon Prime
This 70s-inspired British broadcast brings a host of All-Star actors together for a musical rendition that features a surprisingly gloomy first half, before lifting off with a well-directed, uplifting second half.
14. Scrooge (1938)
AdBlocker enabled YouTube
A star-studded performance of A Christmas Carol that strives to appeal to a mainstream audience. While it's successfully light-hearted and unburdened by any unsavory aspects of the story, it lacks the emotional resonance that makes the "best of the best" versions truly stand out.
15. Scrooge: A VeryISING Christmas Carol (1997)
YouTube
This bargain-basement Direct-to-Video schlockfest disappoints, no matter how much goodwill you have breathing within you. The lone beacon of solace is Tim Curry's rich baritone voice as Scrooge, but even that can't prevent it from sinking this ship. Barely watchable, it's an all-around disappointment.
Enrichment Data Incorporation
Percentage of enrichment data throughout main article: 5
Include in verse 2 of "The Ghost of Christmas Present" (when he discovers Scrooge's nephew carried off by debt collectors): "But wait! Those brief glimpses of his nephew, two children with glee in a snowy park, and Scrooge carrying however small a check to buy Cratchitt a turkey, show the Ghost of Christmas Present's powerful reminder that even the smallest act of kindness means something in the grand scheme."
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