There is a chill in the air (well, at least finally on the West Coast), and we’ve already set our clocks back for Daylight Savings time. That means the holiday season is upon us and ABC Family is beginning the Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas! Get your flock on!
In a press release:
ABC FAMILY CELEBRATES THE JOLLY HOLIDAYS WITH SOME OF DISNEY•PIXAR’S BELOVED CHARACTERS DURING ITS ANNUAL
“COUNTDOWN TO 25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS,” STARTING ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22
Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story” Airs on Sunday, November 22nd, Marking the 20th Anniversary of the Beloved Movie’s Theatrical Release
This Year’s “Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas” Includes the One-Hour, Behind-the-Scenes Special “Pretty Little Liars: 5 Years Forward” and All-New “Young & Hungry” Holiday Episode
“Young & Christmas”
Burbank, CA (October 29, 2015) — ABC Family gives fans of Woody, Mike and the rest of the Disney•Pixar gang a big dose of the warm fuzzies with its yearly “Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas” programming celebration, airing Sunday, November 22 – Monday, November 30. ABC Family is becoming Freeform in January 2016.
The network has a first-class ticket to infinite and beyond and invites you to kick back and relax with an abundance of awesome flicks featuring some of your favorite Disney•Pixar characters. Is there a better way to spend the week around Thanksgiving than procrastinating on all that holiday shopping and just relaxing with some of your all-time top movies? We didn’t think so. After all, you’re due for a stroll down memory lane; it’s been twenty years since you first met Woody, Buzz, Rex and all those loveable toys. Additionally, during this year’s “Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas,” ABC Family will be airing two all-new original specials: “Pretty Little Liars: 5 Years Forward” and an all-new “Young & Hungry” holiday episode, “Young & Christmas.”
“Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas” movie highlights include:
Sunday, November 22nd
(5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., ET/PT) THE PARENT TRAP (1998)
Hallie Parker (Lindsay Lohan) a hip Californian and Annie James (also Lindsay Lohan) a proper young lady from London are identical twins who don’t even the other exists, at least until they accidentally meet at summer camp. Now they’re up to their freckles in schemes and dreams to switch places, get their parents Nick (Dennis Quaid) and Elizabeth (Natasha Richardson) back together and finally have the family they’ve always wished for!
(8:00 p.m. –10:00 p.m., ET/PT) DISNEY•PIXAR’S TOY STORY
Twenty years after its theatrical release, “Toy Story” is still beloved by millions of fans. Set in a world where toys have a life of their own when people are not present, Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story” takes moviegoers on a fantastic fun-filled journey, viewed mostly through the eyes of two rival toys: Woody (Tom Hanks), a pull-string talking cowboy, and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), a superhero space action-figure. The comically mismatched duo eventually learn to put aside their differences when circumstances separate them from their owner, Andy (John Morris), and they find themselves on a hilarious adventure-filled mission where the only way they can survive is to form an uneasy alliance. “Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story” repeats on Monday, November 23rd at 4:30 p.m., ET/PT.
(10:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m., ET/PT) DISNEY•PIXAR’S TOY STORY 2
The toys are back in town and ready to play once again this exciting sequel, picking up as Andy heads off to Cowboy Camp leaving his toys to their own devices. Things shift into high gear when an obsessive toy collector named Al McWhiggin (Wayne Knight), owner of Al’s Toy Barn, kidnaps Woody (Tom Hanks). At Al’s apartment, Woody discovers that he is a highly valued collectible from a 1950s TV show called “Woody’s Roundup,” and he meets the other prized toys from that show – Jessie the cowgirl (Joan Cusack), Bullseye the horse and Stinky Pete the Prospector (Kelsey Grammer). Back at the scene of the crime, Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and the gang from Andy’s room — Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles), Slinky Dog (Jim Varney), Rex (Wallace Shawn) and Hamm (John Ratzenberger) — spring into action to rescue their pal from winding up as a museum piece. The toys get into one predicament after another in their daring race to get Woody home before Andy returns. “Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story 2” repeats on Monday, November 23rd at 6:30 p.m., ET/PT.
Monday, November 23rd
(4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.) DISNEY•PIXAR’S TOY STORY
Please see description on Sunday, November 22nd at 8:00PM ET/PT
(6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.) DISNEY•PIXAR’S TOY STORY 2
Please see description on Sunday, November 22nd at 10:00PM ET/PT.
(8:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.) DISNEY•PIXAR’S FINDING NEMO
Nemo (Alexander Gould), an adventurous young clownfish, is unexpectedly taken from his Great Barrier Reef home to a dentist’s office aquarium. It’s up to his worrisome father Marlin (Albert Brooks) and his friendly but forgetful regal blue tang fish Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) to bring Nemo home — meeting vegetarian sharks, surfer dude turtles, hypnotic jellyfish, hungry seagulls, and more along the way. “Disney•Pixar’s Finding Nemo” repeats on Tuesday, November 24th at 5:30 p.m., ET/PT.
(12:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.) THE FAMILY STONE
The head of a close knit, laidback family, Sybil (Diane Keaton) and Kelly Stone (Craig T. Nelson) are getting ready for their five children to come home and celebrate the holidays: eldest and favorite son Everett (Dermot Mulroney), single Ben (Owen Wilson), Thad (Tyrone Giordano), who is deaf, and his partner Patrick (Brian White), pregnant daughter Susannah (Elizabeth Reaser) and the incredibly outspoken Amy (Rachel MacAdams). But when Everett brings his uptight, high-powered, controlling girlfriend, Meredith (Sarah Jessica Parker), home for the holidays with the intention of proposing, his family is less than impressed and treat her with a mix of awkwardness and confusion. Their hostility makes Meredith feel increasingly uncomfortable, so she asks her sister, Julie (Claire Danes), to come and provide emotional support, which alienates the family even further. But before the holiday is over, relationships will unravel while new ones are formed, secrets will be revealed and the family Stone will come together through its extraordinary capacity for love.
Tuesday, November 24th
(5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.) DISNEY•PIXAR’S FINDING NEMO
Please see description on Monday, November 23rd at 8:30 p.m., ET/PT.
(8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.) “PRETTY LITTLE LIARS: 5 YEARS FORWARD”
To give viewers a taste of what’s in store, the one-hour, behind-the-scenes special “Pretty Little Liars: 5 Years Forward” will offer fans a glimpse at what everyone’s favorite characters have been up to inside and outside of Rosewood over the past five years. The episode will feature never-before-seen scenes, backstage tours of brand new PLL sets, interviews with the cast and crew surrounding the highly anticipated time jump, including the style evolution of the Liars, and more. “Pretty Little Liars: 5 Years Forward” repeats tonight at 9:30 p.m., ET/PT.
(9:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.) YOUNG & HUNGRY #2016 “YOUNG & CHRISTMAS”
In “Young & Christmas,” Gabi and Sofia aren’t able to be with their families this holiday season, so they decide to volunteer at a local homeless shelter on Christmas Eve. Yolanda is missing her kids and decides to boycott the holiday, at least until Gabi encourages her to reach out to her estranged sister, Jolanda (Jackee Harry). As soon as the siblings reunite at Josh’s loft, however, old grievances are aired and the family get-together quickly goes from bad to worse. But when Gabi discovers Jolanda is keeping a big secret from Yolanda, will the sisters finally make amends or is more trouble on the horizon? Elsewhere, Josh goes out of his way to cheer up a miserable Elliot, who is missing Alan, while Sofia wrestles with her conscience when a department store clerk (Mindy Sterling) makes an error in her favor. “Young & Christmas” repeats tonight at 10:30 p.m., ET/PT, Thursday, November 26th at 11:00 a.m., ET/PT and Friday, November 27th at 9:00 a.m., ET/PT.
(12:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.) JINGLE ALL THE WAY
High powered businessman Howard Langston (Arnold Schwarzenegger)is hard at work taking last-minute Christmas orders from customers, forcing him to miss yet another one of son Jamie’s (Jake Lloyd) karate awards ceremonies. But Howard will make it up to Jamie… he’ll buy him the toy on every child’s list to Santa and the hottest action figure of the season — Turbo Man! Unfortunately, Howard is facing one BIG problem: It’s Christmas Eve and Turbo Man has been sold out since Thanksgiving. Howard’s down-to-the-wire trek to find the popular toy quickly turns into an odyssey wilder than he could have ever imagined. In the course of his seemingly endless Yuletide misadventures, he finds himself in a no-holds-barred fight-to-the-finish with a crazed postman named Myron (Sinbad), a shady Santa (James Belushi) and a tough policeman, Officer Hummell (Robert Conrad). To make matters worse, while Howard is scrambling across the city for the prize that will redeem him in the eyes of his family, his touchy-feely neighbor Ted (Phil Hartman) has made himself right at home in Howard’s home: relieving Howard’s wife Liz (Rita Wilson) of her baking duties, taking it upon himself to put up the Langston family Christmas lights and holding eggnog parties for the neighbors. It’s enough to scare away even the bravest of men. But to Howard, this is war — and he’s determined to win… no matter what! “Jingle All The Way” repeats on Friday, November 27th at 12:00 a.m., ET/PT, Saturday, November 28th at 7:00 a.m., ET/PT; Sunday, November 29th at 10:00 p.m. and Monday, November 30 at 5:00 p.m., ET/PT.
Wednesday, November 25th
(4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.) CINDERELLA (1950)
This animated Disney classic has captivated audiences for generations with its spellbinding story, memorable music, spectacular animation and unforgettable characters. Cinderella (Ilene Woods) is essentially a servant in her own house, woefully mistreated by her stepmother Lady Tremaine (Eleanor Audley) and stepsisters Drizilla and Anastasia since her father’s death many years ago. When the king throws a Royal Ball in the hopes the Prince will find a suitable bride, Cinderella’s animal friends do everything they can to make sure she is ready to attend. But when a cruel run-in with her family keeps the young woman at home, all her hopes are dashed – until her Fairy Godmother appears. With a wave of her wand and some “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo,” Fairy Godmother transforms an ordinary pumpkin into a magnificent coach and Cinderella’s rags into a gorgeous gown before sending her off to meet her Prince. But Cinderella’s enchanted evening must end when the spell is broken at midnight, and it will take help from Jaq and Gus and a perfect fit into a glass slipper to create her well-deserved fairy tale ending. “Cinderella” repeats on Thursday, November 26th at 1:45 p.m., ET/PT
(6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.) DISNEY·PIXAR’S MONSTERS, INC.
Set in Monstropolis, a thriving company town where monsters of all shapes and sizes reside, the film follows the hilarious misadventures of James P. Sullivan (John Goodman) and his best friend, roommate, and coworker, Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal). Both work at Monsters, Inc., the largest scream processing factory in the monster world, where Sulley is the top kid Scarer and Mike is his enthusiastic Scare Assistant. The main power source in the monster world is the collected screams of human children. At Monsters, Inc., an elite team of Scarers is responsible for gathering those precious natural resources. Complicating matters is the fact that monsters believe human children to be toxic and direct contact with them is forbidden. When a little girl named Boo (Mary Gibbs) accidentally follows Sulley back into his world, he finds his career in jeopardy and his life in utter chaos. Assisted by Mike, he schemes to rectify his mistake but the trio becomes caught up in a series of complications and unexpected intrigue beyond their wildest dreams. “Disney·Pixar’s Monsters, Inc.” repeats on Thursday, November 26th at 3:45PM ET/PT
(8:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.) DISNEY•PIXAR’S RATATOUILLE
Remy (Patton Oswalt) dreams of becoming a great a French chef despite his family’s wishes and the obvious problem that Remy is, well, a rat in a decidedly rodent-phobic profession. When Fate places Remy in the sewers of Paris, he finds himself ideally situated beneath the same restaurant named famous by his culinary hero, Auguste Gusteau (Brad Garrett). Despite the apparent dangers of being an unlikely, and certainly unwanted, visitor in the kitchen of a fine French restaurant, Remy’s passion for cooking soon sets into motion a hilarious and exciting rat race that turns the culinary world of Paris upside down. Remy finds himself torn between his calling and passion in live or returning forever to his previous existence as a rat. Along the way he learns the truth about friendship, family and having no choice but to be who he really is – a rat who wants to be a chef. “Disney•Pixar’s Ratatouille” repeats on Thursday, November 26th at 6:00 p.m., ET/PT.
(12:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.) SANTA BABY
Mary Class (Jenny McCarthy) is a highly driven business woman who is acknowledged for her great success by everyone but her father…who happens to be Santa Claus (George Wendt). Tired of not being recognized for her thoughts on modernizing Christmas, Mary fled to the big city, leaving home and abandoning her loyal local boyfriend, Luke (Ivan Sergei). But after learning that Santa has fallen ill and is having trouble finishing preparations for Christmas, Mary eagerly returns home to the North Pole to implement her innovative ideas and to motivate the elves to move into the 21st century. But Mary discovers that you can’t teach an old elf new tricks. When everything sacred about Christmas becomes threatened, Mary discovers the true spirit of the holiday and embraces traditions old and new.
Thursday, November 26th
(3:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.) DISNEY•PIXAR’S MONSTERS, INC.
Please see description from Wednesday, November 25th at 6:30PM ET/PT
(6:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.) DISNEY•PIXAR’S RATATOUILLE
Please see description from Wednesday, November 25th at 8:30PM ET/PT
(8:45 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.) PLANES (ABC FAMILY PREMIERE)
In this Disney’s high-flying animated comedy, Dusty (Dane Cook) is a crop duster with sky-high dreams and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to take on the world’s fastest flyers in the greatest air race ever. Dusty has a huge heart but two big problems: he’s not exactly built for speed and he’s afraid of heights. His courage is put to the ultimate test as this unlikely hero aims higher than he ever imagined. With a little help from his friends, Dusty finds the courage to be more than he was built for and the inspiration to soar. “Planes” repeats on Friday, November 27th at 5:30 p.m., ET/PT
(12:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.) HOLIDAY IN HANDCUFFS
Trudie (Melissa Joan Hart) is a young woman with a funky, artistic sense of style and a creative spirit. A continuous disappointment to her parents, she’s a would-be painter stuck working as a waitress. After blowing an interview and getting dumped by her preppie, superficial boyfriend, Trudie suffers a spontaneous nervous breakdown. Panicked at the thought of going home alone for the holidays, she kidnaps a handsome and well-dressed customer, David (Mario Lopez) with the sole purpose of bringing him home for Christmas and introducing him to the family as “the one.” When David sees how inadequate Trudie feels around them, he agrees to play along with the charade until he can break free. But he adapts quickly to the crazy family and soon they are all enjoying a happy Christmas – until the police bust in on their holiday fun. Will David want Trudie arrested, or will he or realize she is rather arresting?
Friday, November 27th
(3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.) TARZAN
This Academy Award® winning adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs’s story begins deep within the jungle when baby Tarzan (Tony Goldwyn) is adopted by a family of gorillas. Even though he is shunned as a “hairless wonder” by their leader, Tarzan is accepted by the gorillas and raised as one of their own. Together with his wisecracking ape buddy Terk (Rosie O’Donnell) and neurotic elephant pal Tantor (Wayne Knight), Tarzan learns how to swing through the trees and survive in the animal kingdom. His two worlds collide with the arrival of humans, forcing Tarzan to choose between a “civilized” life with the beautiful Jane (Minnie Driver) and the life he knows and loves with his gorilla family. “Tarzan” repeats on Saturday, November 28th at 1:30 p.m., ET/PT.
(5:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.) PLANES
Please see description from Thursday, November 26th at 8:45 p.m., ET/PT.
(7:45 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.) THE HUNGER GAMES
Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the evil Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. A twisted punishment for a past uprising and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which “Tributes” must fight with one another until one survivor remains. Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson). If she’s ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love. “The Hunger Games” stars Academy Award® winner Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark, Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne Academy Award® Nominee Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy, Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket, Lenny Kravitz as Cinna, Academy Award® Nominee Stanley Tucci as Caesar Flickerman and Donald Sutherland as President Snow. “The Hunger Games” repeats on Saturday, November 28th at 3:30 p.m., ET/PT.
(12:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.) JINGLE ALL THE WAY
Please see description from Tuesday, November 24th at 12:00 a.m., ET/PT.
Saturday, November 28th
(6:30 p.m. –9:00 p.m., ET/PT) DISNEY•PIXAR’STHE INCREDIBLES
This action-packed animated adventure is about a seemingly ordinary family with an incredible secret. Known to the world as superheroes Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) and Elastigirl (Holly Hunter), Bob Parr and his wife, Helen, were among the world’s greatest crime fighters, saving lives and battling evil on a daily basis. Fifteen years later, they have been forced to adopt civilian identities and retreat to the suburbs to live “normal” lives with their three kids, Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack. Itching to get back into action, Bob gets his chance when a mysterious communication summons him to a remote island for a top secret assignment. He soon discovers that it will take a super family effort to rescue the world from total destruction. “Disney·Pixar’s The Incredibles” repeats on Sunday, November 29th at 5:30 p.m., ET/PT.
(9:00 p.m. –11:15 p.m., ET/PT) WRECK-IT RALPH
For decades, Ralph (John C. Reilly) has played the bad guy in his popular video game. In a bold move, he embarks on an action-packed adventure and sets out to prove to everyone that he is a true hero with a big heart. As he explores exciting new worlds, he teams up with some unlikely new friends, including feisty misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman). Then, when an evil enemy threatens their world, Ralph realizes he holds the fate of the entire arcade in his massive hands. “Wreck-It Ralph” repeats on Sunday, November 29th at 8:00 p.m., ET/PT.
(11:15 p.m. – 2:00 a.m., ET/PT) WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
This family musical fantasy tells the story of eccentric candy maker Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder). Determined to find someone worthy of a dream-of-a-lifetime jackpot, Wonka hides five golden tickets inside five candy bars, with the winners receiving a trip through his factory and enough candy to last, well, forever. Poor but honest Charlie Bucket (Peter Ostrum) is thrilled when he finds a ticket and chooses his Grandpa Joe (Jack Albertson) to visit the factory with him. But when Wonka’s rival Slugworth (Gunter Meisner) offers Charlie a lot of money in exchange for the Everlasting Gobstopper sample, Charlie makes a heartwarming decision that earns him Wonka’s admiration and trust. “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” repeats on Sunday, November 29th at 11:30 a.m., ET/PT.
Sunday, November 29th
(5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.) DISNEY·PIXAR’STHE INCREDIBLES
Please see description from Saturday, November 28th at 6:30 p.m., ET/PT.
(8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) WRECK-IT RALPH
Please see description from Saturday, November 28th at 9:00 p.m., ET/PT.
(10:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.) JINGLE ALL THE WAY
Please see description from Tuesday, November 24th at 12:00 a.m., ET/PT.
Monday, November 30th
(5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.) JINGLE ALL THE WAY
Please see description from Tuesday, November 24th at 12:00 a.m., ET/PT.
(7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.) DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Ebenezer Scrooge (Jim Carrey) begins the Christmas holiday with his usual miserly contempt, barking at his faithful clerk (Gary Oldman) and his cheery Nephew (Colin Firth). But when the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet To Come take him on an eye-opening journey revealing truths Scrooge is reluctant to face, he must open his heart to undo years of ill will before it’s too late.
(9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.) THE POLAR EXPRESS
In this animated classic, Academy Award®-winning team of Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis reunite for the inspiring tale of a young boy and the magical train he boards to the North Pole. The movie is based on the beloved Caldecott Medal children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg.
(12:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.) LITTLE FOCKERS
The test of wills between Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) and Jack Byrnes (Academy Award© Robert De Niro) and escalates to new heights of comedy in the third installment of the blockbuster series. Greg has finally entered the circle of trust and fathered two little Focker twins, only to again earn his father-in-law’s suspicions after he secretly takes a second job. Laura Dern, Jessica Alba, and Harvey Keitel join the returning cast in this second sequel that also stars Owen Wilson, Blythe Danner, Teri Polo, with Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand.
Part of the Disney|ABC Television Group, ABC Family (to be renamed Freeform in January 2016) is distributed in 94 million homes. The network entertains and connects to audiences with bold, relatable programming that celebrates the epic adventure of becoming an adult, from first kiss to first kid. The programming is a combination of network-defining original series and original movies, quality acquired series and blockbuster theatricals. “WATCH ABC Family” (also to be renamed Freeform in January 2016) is an authenticated service which allows viewers with participating TV subscription services access to 24/7 live viewing of the network, as well as continued on-demand access to such popular series at home and on-the-go via a wide array of devices. The network is also the destination for annual holiday events with “13 Nights of Halloween” and “25 Days of Christmas.”
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Judy Manning
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