Five ‘Christmas Carol’ Adaptations Absolutely Worth Your Time

Few stories in the history of literature have been adapted more than Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Originally published almost 200 years ago, the story of Ebenezer Scrooge learning the meaning of Christmas after being visited by three different ghosts has been made, remade, and made again. Truly, there are movies out there you may not even realize are A Christmas Carol that are actually A Christmas Carol. This weekend, a new version hits theaters: Ebenezer, from director Ti West and starring Johnny Depp. It’s being sold as a more horror-forward version of the story, and while we have yet to see it, we know one thing for sure. In the nearly two centuries since its publication, Dickens’ tale has proven itself malleable to any and every single genre, horror included. So whether you head to the theaters to see Ebenezer or not, here are five other Christmas Carol adaptations we love that are worth checking out. Bill Murray and Carol Kane in Scrooged. © Paramount Scrooged Frank Cross (Bill Murray) is an evil TV executive who, while producing a live-action version of Scrooge, gets “scrooged” himself. Boasting a who’s who of 1980s stars (Karen Allen, Alfre Woodard, Bobcat Goldthwait, Carol Kane, etc.) along with a beyond hilarious, unforgettable turn from Murray, Scrooged is somehow funny, heartwearming, and oddly terrifying all at once. Where to watch it: It’s currently streaming on both Paramount+ and Prime Video. The Mouse family in Mickey’s Christmas Carol. © Disney Mickey’s Christmas Carol If you were born in the 1980s or 1990s, your first introduction to A Christmas Carol was probably this 30-minute all-time classic featuring Scrooge McDuck as Scrooge, Mickey Mouse as Tiny Tim, and all your Disney favorites filling out the cast. It’s short, sweet, and kind of perfect. Where to watch it: For free on YouTube as well as Disney+. Alastair Sim looks super happy in Scrooge. © Renown Pictures Scrooge (1951) Now, if you grew up before the 1980s, this 1951 version of the film is almost certainly the one you knew best. Alastair Sim is Scrooge, and though it wasn’t a huge success upon release, the film became increasingly beloved as people watched it across the decades. It’s generally regarded as one of the best adaptations of the story. Where to watch it: It’s available on Tubi and Kanopy. The Muppet Christmas Carol rules. © Disney The Muppet Christmas Carol People often ask the question, “If you could remake a movie with one human and everyone else is Muppets, what would it be?” Well, a prime example of exactly that is The Muppet Christmas Carol, which stars Michael Caine as Scrooge and the Muppets as everyone else. It’s wonderful and timeless. Where to watch it: You can check it out on Disney+. Even Doctor Who got into the Christmas Caroling. © BBC “A Christmas Carol” – Doctor Who We had to throw a curveball in here. Originally broadcast on Christmas in 2010, Matt Smith’s Eleventh Doctor flies his way through a loose adaptation of the Dickens story with none other than Michael Gambon as the Scrooge-like character. If ever there was proof that you can do A Christmas Carol in any way, and it’ll be awesome, Doctor Who proved it. Where to watch it: You can rent it on Prime Video or stream it on Hoopla. And, of course, that’s just a few. The 1970 one with Albert Finney is great. Spirited, starring Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell, is better than it should be. The Robert Zemeckis weird CGI version with Jim Carrey has its moments. Which is your favorite? Want more io9 news? Check out the best movies and TV shows to stream this month and all the upcoming sci-fi, fantasy, and horror books that should be on your radar.