Finding out where can i watch rudolph for free feels a bit like trying to find a toy on the Island of Misfit Toys—it’s doable, but the path isn't exactly straightforward.
If you've been scouring Netflix or Disney+ for that red nose, I have some bad news. It isn't there. Honestly, it's almost never on the big streaming platforms. Because of a tangled mess of licensing rights involving Rankin/Bass, NBC, and various music estates, the 1964 stop-motion classic doesn't just sit in a digital library waiting for you to hit play.
The NBC and Freeform Strategy
For years, CBS was the home of the reindeer. But things changed recently.
✨ Don't miss: Why the Picture of Beatles on Abbey Road Still Baffles Us Decades Later
NBC officially took back the rights to broadcast Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman in late 2024. In the 2025 holiday season, NBC aired the special on December 5 and December 11. If you're looking for it in early 2026 or planning for the next winter cycle, your best bet for a "free" viewing is still an old-school antenna or a basic cable package.
Freeform is the other heavy hitter. As part of their "25 Days of Christmas" block, they usually air Rudolph roughly eight to ten times throughout December. Since we are now in mid-January 2026, those televised airings have passed, but the schedule almost always follows this pattern:
- NBC Premiere: Usually the first week of December.
- NBC Encore: A week later, typically mid-week.
- Freeform Marathons: Scattered across December 20th through the 25th.
Can You Stream It for Free Right Now?
Strictly speaking, there is no permanent, "always free" legal streaming home for the 1964 version.
You won't find it on Peacock despite NBC owning the broadcast rights. Why? Music rights. The songs by Johnny Marks—including the title track and "A Holly Jolly Christmas"—are licensed differently for broadcast TV than they are for "on-demand" streaming.
However, people often find the 1948 Max Fleischer short film version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on apps like Tubi, Pluto TV, or the Roku Channel. This is a different animation style and only about eight minutes long, but it’s often listed in search results, which confuses people. If you want the Burl Ives "Sam the Snowman" version, those free apps won't have it.
The YouTube "Hidden" Library
YouTube is a weird middle ground.
Sometimes, people upload the full special, but those get taken down by copyright strikes faster than a snowball in July. What does stay up are the "Free with Ads" movies. While the 1964 Rudolph isn't currently in that rotation, other Rankin/Bass-adjacent specials sometimes pop up.
Some users on Reddit have pointed out that niche channels like "GLU" (God Loves You) on Roku have occasionally hosted the special for free during the off-season, though this is hit-or-miss.
Digital Purchase vs. Rental
If you missed the December TV airings and you're desperate to show it to your kids right now, you basically have to pay.
It’s usually $7.99 to $9.99 on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or Vudu. It rarely goes on sale, even in the summer. Honestly, buying the digital copy once is probably the only way to avoid the "where is it this year?" headache every December.
Your Plan for the Next Holiday Season
To see Rudolph without spending a dime, you need to be proactive about the calendar. Mark your phone for the last week of November. Check the local NBC affiliate schedule. If you use a service like YouTube TV or Fubo, you can "record" the broadcast to your cloud DVR. This allows you to watch it "for free" (within your existing subscription) all year long until you delete it.
Checking your local library is a solid "pro-tip" too. Most libraries carry the 50th Anniversary DVD, and since everyone streams now, those physical discs are usually just sitting on the shelf waiting for a checkout.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the 1948 Version: If you just want the story, search for "Rudolph" on Tubi or Pluto TV to watch the public domain short for free.
- Set a Calendar Alert: Put a reminder for November 20th to search the NBC and Freeform holiday schedules.
- Search Local Libraries: Use the Libby or Hoopla apps to see if your local library offers a digital borrow of the special.
- Check Physical Media: If you see the DVD at a thrift store for $2, buy it—it’s the only way to guarantee a viewing without a broadcast schedule.