A Christmas Story, Elf, and More Getting 24-Hour Marathons on TNT and TBS for the Holidays

Fans will have multiple chances to catch broadcasts of beloved films on TBS and TNT.

By Patrick Cavanaugh - October 26, 2023 04:36 pm EDT

Throughout the '90s, A Christmas Story became a staple of the holiday season, with fans often having to coordinate the times in which they would catch the hilarious adventure on TV. The film became such a success that, starting in 1997, an annual 24-hour marathon of the film would be broadcast on TNT from December 24th through December 25th, which then pivoted to TBS in 2004. With the holiday season kicking off in the coming weeks, the marathon tradition is set to return, and with TNT and TBS having the rights to a number of other iconic holiday films, there will be multiple broadcast marathons that fans can tune in to.

This coming holiday season will also see the network offering up 24-hour marathons of contemporary classics like Elf and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, but the marathons won't be limited to feature films, as sitcoms like Modern Family, Family Matters, Friends, and The Big Bang Theory will also be airing marathons of holiday-inspired episodes.

Per press release, "TBS and TNT kick off Winter Break with festive films and holiday-themed episodes throughout November and December. The programming begins on November 4th with spirited movies Jack Frost, Fred Claus, The Polar Express, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and Elf, which is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its theatrical release. As part of annual tradition, TBS and TNT will host 24-hour marathons of A Christmas Story, Elf, and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Other classics airing throughout the season include Four Christmases, Deck the Halls, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966), and many more. In addition, the broadcast premieres of A Christmas Story Christmas and 8-Bit Christmas will debut in November.

"TBS will continue spreading the holiday cheer with the premiere of an American Dad! Christmas episode on December 18th. Holiday-themed episodes of Friends, The Big Bang Theory, and for the first time ever, Modern Family, will air throughout the winter season. To celebrate the launch of Winter Break, TBS and TNT have partnered with Auntie Anne's to create the Winter Break Bundle available in locations nationwide and through online delivery that includes 2 pretzels, 2 cups of pretzel nuggets, and 4 dips. It is the perfect snack to pair with this season's merry movies and holiday favorites."

Scroll down to see the upcoming holiday schedule of programming on TNT and TBS and head to www.wbd.com/winterbreak to learn more.

A Christmas Story

TBS

Saturday, December 2nd at 8 p.m. ET
Sunday December 3rd at 6:30 p.m. ET
24-hour marathon airs from Sunday, December 24th at 8 p.m. to December 25th at 8 p.m. ET

TNT

Monday, November 13th at 8 p.m. ET
Tuesday, November 14th at 3 p.m. ET
Thursday, December 14th at 8 p.m. ET
Sunday, December 17th at 5:33 p.m. ET
Monday, December 18th at 7:45 p.m. ET
24-hour marathon airs from Sunday, December 24th at 8 p.m. ET to Monday, December 25th at 8 p.m. ET

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A Christmas Story Christmas

TBS

Saturday, December 2nd at 10 p.m. ET
Sunday, December 3rd at 8:30 p.m. ET

TNT

Monday, November 13th at 8 p.m. ET (TV PREMIERE)
Sunday, November 26th at 10 p.m. ET
Sunday, December 17th at 7:33 p.m. ET
Monday, December 25th at 9 p.m. ET

8-Bit Christmas

TBS

Saturday, November 25th at 8 p.m. & 10:15 p.m. ET (TV PREMIERE)
Sunday, December 10th at 10:15 p.m. & 2:45 a.m. ET
Saturday, December 16th at 10:07 p.m. ET

TNT

Monday, December 18th at 9:45 p.m. & 2:45 a.m. ET
Saturday, December 23rd at 10 p.m. ET
Saturday, December 24th at 6:45 p.m. ET

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Modern Family

TBS

Thanksgiving-Themed Episodes Marathon

Thursday, November 23rd begins at 3:30 p.m. ET

Holiday-Themed Episodes Marathons

Saturday, December 16th begins at 1:30 p.m. ET
Sunday, December 24th begins at 1:30 p.m. ET

American Dad!

TBS

All-New Episodes

Thursday, November 20th at 10 p.m. ET
Monday, December 18th at 10 p.m. ET

Holiday-Themed Episodes Marathon

Monday, December 18th starting at 10:30 p.m. ET

Friends

TBS

Thanksgiving-Themed Episodes Marathon

Thursday, November 23rd starting at 10 a.m. ET

Holiday-Themed Episodes Marathons

Saturday, December 16th starting at 8:30 a.m. ET
Sunday, December 24th starting at 8 a.m. ET

The Big Bang Theory

TBS

Thanksgiving-Themed Episodes Marathon

Thursday, November 23rd starting at 6 p.m. ET

Holiday-Themed Episodes Marathons

Saturday, December 16th starting at 5 p.m. ET
Sunday, December 24th starting at 5 p.m. ET

Family Matters

TBS

Holiday-Themed Episode Marathon

Sunday, December 24th starting at 6 a.m. ET

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Elf

TBS

Saturday, November 4th at 7:30 p.m. ET
Sunday, November 5th at 7 p.m. ET
Sunday, November 19th at 5 p.m. ET & 10 p.m. ET
24-hour marathon airs from Friday, November 24th at 8 p.m. to Saturday, November 25th at 8 p.m. ET

TNT

Sunday, November 12th at 8 p.m. ET
Monday, November 13th at 6 p.m. ET
Thursday, November 23rd at 7 p.m. ET
Friday, November 24th at 3:30 p.m. ET
Monday, November 27th at 8 p.m. ET & 10 p.m. ET
Thursday, November 30th at 8 p.m. ET & 10 p.m. ET

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National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

TBS

Saturday, November 4th at 9:30 p.m. ET
Sunday November 5th at 12:30 p.m. ET
Saturday, November 11th at 7:45 p.m. ET & 9:45 p.m. ET
Friday, November 17th at 8 p.m. ET & 10 p.m. ET

TNT

Sunday November 5th at 8 p.m. ET & 10 p.m. ET
Sunday, November 19th at 8 p.m. ET
Thursday, November 20th at 4:30 p.m. ET
Thursday, November 23rd at 9 p.m. ET
Friday, November 24th at 1:30 p.m. ET
24-hour marathon airs from Saturday, November 25th at 10 p.m. ET to Saturday, November 26th at 10 p.m. ET