Various Artists: Soundtracks
Herein, you'll find a selected discography
of the more important soundtrack albums associated with
hip Christmas music. These include movies about Christmas; movies
featuring Christmas music; television specials; Christmas
albums spun off from both TV shows and movies; and collections
of songs from all the above. It's a biased selection, to
be sure. So, please send additions, submissions, corrections,
criticisms, and suggestions via email
.
Title | Date | Image | Buy | Review |
---|---|---|---|---|
All I Want For Christmas - features the hard-to-find Stephen Bishop song "All I Want" |
1991 | image | buy | |
Ally McBeal: A Very Ally Christmas - featuring vocalist Vonda Shepard and cast members from show |
2000 | image | buy | |
American Idol: The Great Holiday Classics - performances by contestants in the popular reality TV show |
2003 | image | buy | |
Angels Sing - family movie starring Connie Britton and Harry Connick; album features mostly Texas artists, some of whom also appear in the film |
2013 | image | buy | |
Animaniacs: Hip-Hopera Christmas - also released Helloooo Holidays! (VHS, 1993) |
1997 | image | buy | |
Aqua Teen Hunger Force: Have Yourself A Meaty Little Christmas - holiday tunes from Meatwad, a character on the long-running show on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim; includes cameo performances by Neko Case ("Santa Left a Booger in My Stocking") and Schoolly D ("'Twas The Night Before Jesus"), who also wrote and performed the show's theme song |
2009 | image | buy | |
Best Man Holiday - contemporary R&B including Mary J. Blige, R. Kelly, and John Legend |
2013 | image | buy | |
Black Nativity - gospel and R&B by Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Nas, and others |
2013 | image | buy | |
Bonanza: Christmas On The Ponderosa - join the Ben, Hoss, Little Joe, and Adam Cartright for the holidays |
1963 | image | buy | |
Bonanza: The Complete Christmas On The Ponderosa - expanded Real Gone/Second Disc CD edition of above; includes Lorne Greene's complete 1965 RCA album "Have A Happy Holiday"; reissued as a digital album by Sony in 2023 |
2018 | image | buy | |
Charlie Brown Christmas - featuring Vince Guaraldi's jazz trio |
1965 | image | buy | review |
Charlie Browns's Holiday Hits - composed mainly of non-Christmas music |
1998 | image | buy | review |
Christmas At The Movies (Capitol) - 15 songs featured in films |
2008 | image | buy | |
Christmas At The Movies (Universal) - 20 songs featured in films |
2010 | image | buy | |
Christmas In TV Land: Classic Favorites From Holiday Specials - songs culled from non-animated Christmas TV specials; companion to Yules Of Yore; part of the Nickelodeon cable TV channel's "Nick At Nite" franchise |
1995 | image | buy | |
Christmas Story - long-awaited reissue from beloved 1983 comedy |
2009 | image | buy | |
Christmas Story: The Musical - 2011 Broadway adaptation of above |
2012 | image | buy | |
Christmas Story live! - live television broadcast of above |
2017 | image | buy | |
Christmas With Nashville - from the TV show starring Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere; also limited edition CD |
2014 | image | buy | |
Christmas With The Brady Bunch - infamous spin-off from the Sherwood Schwartz-produced sitcom |
1970 | image | buy | |
Christmas With The Kranks - soundtrack produced by "Little Steven" Van Zandt |
2004 | image | buy | |
Classic Cartoon Christmas | 1996 | image | buy | review |
Classic Cartoon Christmas, Too - above two compiled by Nickelodeon from animated TV specials |
1997 | image | buy | review |
Colbert Christmas - iTunes exclusive soundtrack to Comedy Central TV special |
2008 | image | buy | |
Deck The Halls - new and old music from Matthew Broderick film |
2006 | image | buy | |
Elf - comedy starring Will Farrell as human raised by elves |
2003 | image | buy | |
Elf: The Musical - Broadway play based on the movie (above) |
2011 | image | buy | |
Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas - Paul Williams' soundtrack to Jim Henson's HBO television special |
1977 | image | buy | |
Flintstones: Pebbles & Bamm-Bamm Singing Songs Of Christmas - spin-off album from the popular Hanna-Barbera animated series |
1965 | image | buy | |
Four Christmases - mixed bag from Vince Vaughn/Reese Witherspoon vehicle |
2008 | image | buy | |
Fred Claus - classic pop and rock holiday standards from Vince Vaughn vehicle |
2007 | image | buy | |
Friday After Next - holiday-themed installment of popular Ice Cube franchise |
2002 | image | buy | |
Frosty The Snowman/Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - two Rankin & Bass animated TV specials, 1969 & 1970 respectively |
2002 | image | buy | |
Glee: The Christmas Album - popular Fox TV show |
2010 | image | buy | |
Glee: The Christmas Album 2 | 2011 | image | buy | |
Glee: The Christmas Album 3 | 2012 | image | buy | |
Glee: The Christmas Album 4 (EP) | 2013 | image | buy | |
Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever - from Lifetime TV movie based on internet meme |
2014 | image | buy | |
Holiday Inn - film starring Bing Crosby that marked debut of the song "White Christmas" |
1942 | image | buy | |
Holiday Inn - special edition of above also including the 1954 movie "White Christmas" |
2002 | image | buy | |
Hollywood Christmas - Time-Life release marks first widely distributed CD appearance of Lindsey Buckingham's "Holiday Road" |
2009 | image | buy | |
Home Alone Christmas - holiday songs from Home Alone (1990) and Home Alone 2 (1992) |
1993 | image | buy | |
How The Grinch Stole Christmas - original soundtrack from the animated Dr. Seuss TV special |
1966 | image | buy | review |
How The Grinch Stole Christmas - audio track from TV special, plus "Horton Hears A Who" (1966) |
1999 | image | buy | review |
How The Grinch Stole Christmas - theatrical movie starring Jim Carrey |
2000 | image | buy | review |
How The Grinch Stole Christmas - new edition of 1965 TV special, same programme, similar cover to 1999 version |
2012 | image | buy | review |
How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical - Broadway adaptation of the Dr. Seuss classic |
2013 | image | buy | review |
Dr. Seuss' The Grinch - new computer-animated movie version featuring Tyler The Creator and an odd assortment of pop classics |
2018 | image | buy | review |
It's A Wonderful Life - first-ever release of Dimitri Tiompkin's complete original score from the perennial 1946 Frank Capra favorite; limited edition Kritzerland compact disc |
2014 | image | buy | |
It's A Wonderful Life: The Record - Nickelodeon "Nick At Nite" CD edition of soundtrack with both music and dialogue |
1997 | image | buy | |
Jack Frost - Christmas-themed movie starring Michael Keaton |
1998 | image | buy | |
Jingle All The Way - Schwarzenegger comedy marks Brian Setzer's Christmas debut |
1996 | image | buy | |
Mad Men Christmas - music from and inspired by the AMC TV series; originally a Target exclusive |
2013 | image | buy | |
Merry Christmas At The Movies - digital-only collection of classic Christmas songs featured in recent soundtracks |
2008 | image | buy | |
Merry Friggin' Christmas - comedy starring Joel McHale and Robin Williams (one of his final performances); features new and exclusive music from Ben Kweller and Rufus Wainwright |
2014 | image | buy | |
Miracle On 34th Street - John Hughes-produced remake of the 1947 Christmas classic; stars include Richard Attenborough and Elizabeth Perkins; soundtrack includes new recordings by Natalie Cole, Dionne Warwick, and Aretha Franklin plus classics by Elvis Presley and Ray Charles |
1994 | image | buy | |
MTV TRL Christmas - bands featured on 'Total Request Live' hosted by Carson Daly |
2001 | image | buy | |
Muppets & John Denver: A Christmas Together - soundtrack to television special |
1979 | image | buy | review |
Muppet Christmas Carol - adaptation of Dickens classic starring Jim Henson's puppet troupe |
1992 | image | buy | |
Muppet Christmas Carol (Special Edition) - reissued in celebration of the Muppets' 50th anniversary |
2005 | image | buy | |
Muppet Christmas Carol - vinyl reissue with new cover art by Light In The Attic Records |
2021 | image | buy | |
Muppets: A Green and Red Christmas - new recordings, sans Jim Henson and Frank Oz; expanded edition with new artwork issued 2011 |
2006 | image | buy | |
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - Yuletide installment of comedy film series starring Chevy Chase; 1999 limited CD release sold only through on-demand kiosks |
1989 | image | buy | |
Nightmare Before Christmas - Danny Elfman (Oingo Boingo) score to Tim Burton animated film |
1993 | image | buy | |
Nightmare Before Christmas - special edition with 3D cover and bonus disc |
2006 | image | buy | |
Nightmare Revisited - tribute to "Nightmare Before Christmas" featuring Marilyn Manson, Polyphonic Spree, et al. |
2008 | image | buy | |
The O.C. Mix 3: Have A Very Merry Chrismukkah - third in a series of CD's from the popular Fox TV show |
2004 | image | buy | |
Partridge Family Christmas Card - seasonal effort from musical TV family featuring David Cassidy |
1971 | image | buy | review |
Phineas & Ferb: Christmas Vacation! - Disney cartoon soundtrack features new cuts from Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Bowling For Soup |
2009 | image | buy | |
Polar Express - new and old Christmas songs, plus Alan Silvestri score |
2004 | image | buy | |
Prancer Returns - traditional and pop fare highlighted by Nickel Creek song |
2001 | image | buy | |
Ren & Stimpy's Crock O' Christmas - original recording featuring characters from John Kricfalusi cartoon |
1993 | image | buy | |
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (TV Show) - complete soundtrack to Rankin & Bass TV special starring Burl Ives; 2014 MP3 edition restores original LP cover art |
1964 | image | buy | |
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (movie) - animated feature starring John Goodman and Whoopi Goldberg with music by Clint Black, Paul McCartney, and the Pointer Sisters |
1998 | image | buy | |
Rudolph Mit Der Roten Nase (German movie) - German version of above featuring punk priestess Nina Hagen |
1999 | image | buy | |
Rudolph, Frosty & Friends' Favorite Christmas Songs - culled by Sony Wonder from the Rankin & Bass TV specials Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964), Little Drummer Boy (1968), Frosty The Snowman (1969), and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (1970) |
2002 | image | buy | |
Santa, Baby! - animated film with Eartha Kitt, Vannessa Williams, Patti LaBelle |
2001 | image | buy | |
Santa Claus: The Movie - film score by Henry Mancini; limited edition, 3-CD reissue offered by www.screenarchives.com (2009) |
1985 | image | buy | |
The Santa Clause | 1995 | image | buy | |
The Santa Clause II - above two Tim Allen comedies |
2002 | image | buy | |
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town/Frosty The Snowman - two Rankin & Bass animated TV specials, 1970 & 1969 respectively |
2002 | image | buy | |
Scrooge - Leslie Bricusse's musical based on Charles Dickens' "Christmas Carol" starring Albert Finney and Alec Guiness |
1970 | image | buy | |
Scrooge's Rock n' Roll Christmas - TV special starring Jack Elam with numerous 60's rockers; also issued by Radio Shack as Christmas Party |
1983 | image | buy | |
Scrooged - Richard Donner film starring Bill Murray |
1988 | image | buy | |
Seasons Greetings: A Jersey Boys Christmas - companion to the popular musical about the Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons who recorded a Christmas album called "Seasons Greetings" in 1962 (later reissued as Christmas Album) |
2011 | image | buy | |
Sesame Street: Merry Christmas From Sesame Street - original LP reissued in 2011 as CD-R and MP3 |
1975 | image | buy | |
Sesame Street: Christmas Eve on Sesame Street - original PBS TV special; soundtrack album not issued until 1980; only reissued digitally as an MP3 download |
1978 | image | buy | |
Sesame Street: A Special Sesame Street Christmas - original CBS TV special; not issued for sale until 2012 when Legendary Entertainment issued it in multiple formats |
1978 | image | buy | |
Sesame Street: A Sesame Street Christmas - revamped, somewhat bowdlerized version of Merry Christmas From Sesame Street (1975) |
1996 | image | buy | |
Songs To Celebrate 25 Days Of Christmas - family-oriented ABC-TV soundtrack collection |
2009 | image | buy | |
South Park: Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics - scatological humor from the animated Comedy Central TV show |
1999 | image | buy | |
Star Studded Christmas - Part of the "AMC Presents: Listen To The Movies" series; compiles songs that have been featured in Christmas-themed films |
2002 | image | buy | |
Star Wars Christmas Album: Christmas In The Stars - produced by Meco, featuring John Bongiovi (aka Bon Jovi) |
1980 | image | buy | |
Stingiest Man in Town - TV adaptation of Dicken's Christmas Carol with Vic Damone, Johnny Desmond, the Four Lads, and Basil Rathbone |
1956 | image | buy | |
Surviving Christmas - holiday favorites and Randy Edelman score |
2004 | image | buy | |
Tales From The Crypt: Have Yourself A Scary Little Christmas - unlikely meeting between the Crypt Keeper and Santa Claus |
1995 | image | buy | |
This Christmas - mostly contemporary R&B from Preston Whitmore film |
2007 | image | buy | |
Touched By An Angel: The Christmas Album - otherwise dull CD marks debut of good Keb' Mo' track |
1999 | image | buy | |
Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas Album - features classic and contemporary Motown artists |
2013 | image | buy | |
A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas - part of a series of stoner comedies |
2011 | image | buy | |
Walton's Christmas Album - music by the Holiday Singers; narration by author Earl Hamner and actor Will Geer; reissued as MP3 download in 2014 |
1974 | image | buy | |
We Wish You A Merry Christmas: 15 Great Christmas Favorites Sung By Warner Bros. Stars - TV and movie stars sing Christmas music |
1959 | image | buy | |
White Christmas - studio recording of Irving Belin songs from the film starring Danny Kaye, Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera Allen; Peggy Lee sings Clooney's part for contactual reasons; Trudy Stevens dubbed Allen's voice both in the movie and on record |
1954 | image | buy | |
White Christmas - special edition of 'Holiday Inn' (1942) also including above |
2002 | image | buy | |
Ultimate White Christmas - original soundtrack plus Rosemary Clooney's 1954 solo recording |
2005 | image | buy | |
Year Without A Santa Claus - narrated by Boris Karloff; early musical adaption of Phyllis McGinley story, plus songs by Capitol Records artists; story later became a popular Rankin/Bass animated TV special in 1974 (which never had a proper soundtrack album) |
1968 | image | buy | |
Year Without A Santa Claus - same as above reissued on CD with new cover and largely different tracks from the Capitol vaults |
2010 | image | buy | |
Yules Of Yore: TV Land Tunes From Christmas Past - songs culled from non-animated Christmas TV specials; companion to Christmas In TV Land; part of the Nickelodeon cable TV channel's "Nick At Nite" franchise |
1995 | image | buy |