Streaming near you, a miraculous and nostalgic way to celebrate the Hanukkah season: Movie Marathon. In other words, a Macca-baby’s gotta do what a Macca-baby’s gotta do. Let’s throw some shade at Netflix – literally NO Hanukkah movies streaming this year. Luckily, there are so many other streaming options that include this festive content. Remember that one Jewish DCOM (Disney Channel Original Movie) with the basketball team – streaming on Disney Plus. Amazon Prime is the real winner this year featuring movies you have never heard of, but need to. Check out these 8 classic and new Hanukkah movies and celebrate all Chanukah long.
Stay up to date on all the Hanukkah happenings in Chicago with ChiTribe’s Hanukkah Guide.
When you feel like the only kid in town, without a Christmas tree, here’s a list of movies that are JEWISH…and they’re mostly free.
Eight Crazy Nights
WHERE TO WATCH: Rent on Amazon Prime, Apple TV or YouTube
For our generation, there is no more well-known Hanukkah movie than Adam Sandler’s Eight Crazy Nights. This animated saga is a wild and hilarious classic that never fails to entertain. Emphasis on the wild.
A Rugrats Chanukah
WHERE TO WATCH: Paramount+
A Macca-baby’s gotta do what a Macca-baby’s gotta do.
tommy pickles
Hey 90s kid, this one is for you! A Rugrats Chanukah was groundbreaking as it was the first-ever animated television special solely dedicated to telling the story of Hanukkah. You probably watched it in Hebrew School and didn’t even know it was historic.
An American Tail
WHERE TO WATCH: Rent on Amazon Prime, Apple TV or YouTube
? There are no cats in America ? One of the few but mighty, Jewish animated films, An American Tail tells the story of a family of mice who emigrate from Russia to the United States and their desire to keep Jewish traditions alive. A bunch of adorable singing Jewish mice, what is not to love?
The Hebrew Hammer
WHERE TO WATCH: Tubi
An orthodox Jewish blaxploitation hero saves Hanukkah from the clutches of Santa Claus’ evil son.
IMDB
The Hebrew Hammer is an unapologetically Jewish private detective and much-feared defender of Jews named Mordechai Jefferson Carver. He is recruited to fight the anti-Semite who murders Santa Claus in order to turn Christmas into a Jew-hating holiday. Yes, it is beyond ridiculous but yet so many Jewish men seem to call themselves the “Hebrew Hammer”.
Full-Court Miracle
WHERE TO WATCH: Disney+
DO YOU REMEMBER THIS?! The year was 2003 and a Jewish basketball team needed a Hanukkah miracle? Inspired by true events (but actually), this Disney Channel movie recounts the story of a former college basketball coach who coaches a struggling Jewish basketball team during the Hanukkah season. YOU ARE WELCOME.
The Night Before
WHERE TO WATCH: Rent on Amazon Prime, Apple TV or YouTube
Starring our favorite NJBs Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, this rambunctious holiday movie will guarantee some serious laugh-crying. It is not a specifically Hanukkah movie, but there is representation because…obviously, Seth’s Hanukkah sweater is iconic.
Love, Lights, Hanukkah!
WHERE TO WATCH: Buy on Amazon Prime
We all love a Cory Mattews cameo. Ben Savage stars in this very Hallmark movie where a DNA test reveals Jewish roots (what else is new?!). This genealogical discovery leads the characters on a new, unlikely romance over eight crazy nights.
Mistletoe & Menorahs
WHERE TO WATCH: Rent on Amazon Prime
In the city of Chicago, a Christmas-loving woman falls for her Hanukkah tutor – but you could tell that from the title! There is an adorable Jewish grandma (Safta of course) and a ton of lighting the menorah. Eight whole nights actually, this movie shows some true dedication to Chanukah.
Find all Hanukkah Events on the ChiTribe Hanukkah Guide
