Note: An earlier version of this story first published in December 2024. The article below has been updated with new information.
You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen… And chances are, you’re familiar with a certain crimson-snouted caribou who does Santa Claus an absolute solid one foggy Christmas night.
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” the stop-motion animated holiday classic, will air across U.S. television screens Friday, Dec. 5.
But don’t worry if you miss it.
Encore presentations of Rudolph are scheduled later in December. Here’s how to watch the “most famous reindeer of all” before Christmas.
When is ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ on TV?
Rudolph will air Friday, Dec. 5. The animated classic has legs, er, hooves, having first premiered more than 60 years ago on Dec. 6, 1964.
What channel is Rudolph the Red-Nosed reindeer?
You can find Rudolph on NBC. For Indianapolis viewers, Rudolph will be on NBC-affiliate station WTHR. Check your local station guide for the exact channel.
What time is Rudolph on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025?
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” airs 8-9:15 p.m. ET, Friday, Dec. 5.
Will Rudolph be on again?
Did you miss Friday’s showing? WTHR will air a repeat showing of Rudolph at 8 p.m. ET, Thursday, Dec. 11. Viewers also have a chance of catching him on Freeform’s “25 Days of Christmas.”
Story continues after photo gallery.
Rudolph on Freeform’s ’25 Days of Christmas’ 2024
You can watch Rudolph’s adventures on Freeform’s “25 Days of Christmas.” Here’s a schedule of when “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” airs on Freeform.com:
Does Netflix have Rudolph? Does Hulu?
No, the stop-motion version of Rudolph isn’t streaming on Netflix or Hulu, but it is available on other platforms.
Where can you stream ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’?
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” is available to stream on Apple TV+, Google Play and Sling TV. As of Monday, for $9.99, you can buy “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” on Amazon Prime Video.
Watch ‘Rudolph’ on AppleTV+
Who created Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” started out as a children’s story first released by Montgomery Ward in 1939. The department store asked one of its copywriters, 34-year-old Robert L. May, to create a Christmas story the store could give away to shoppers as a promotional gimmick, according to the Smithsonian.
After buying and giving away coloring books for Christmas every year, Montgomery Ward wanted its own book as a cost-saving measure. Rudolph proved popular, writes Smithsonian. In its first year of publication, 2.4 million copies of Rudolph’s story were distributed to children.
Rudolph would later go on to become a cartoon movie and then famously a 1957 Christmas song performed by Gene Autry.
What is Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer about?
Rudolph is ostracized by other reindeer because he was born with a shiny, glowing red nose. But, on a foggy Christmas night, Santa asks Rudolph to guide his sleigh through a terrible storm, an act that saves the holiday and turns Rudolph into a hero.
Rudolph’s stop-motion animated film takes the the original 88-word poem and expands it into a 55-minute movie. In it, Rudolph runs away from home and meets a colorful cast of characters.
They include: Hermey, an elf that wants to become a dentist, Yukon Cornelius the prospector, a snow monster and an island of “misfit toys,” which Rudolph helps rescue before returning home to save Christmas.
Who narrates ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’?
American singer and actor Burl Ives gives a memorable performance as “Sam the Snowman,” serving as the film’s narrator and singing the theme song to “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
The voice cast also includes:
Joe Mason with Asbury Park Press and Jenna Prestininzi with Detroit Free Press contributed to this article.
John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: How to watch ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ tonight, Friday, Dec. 5
Reporting by John Tufts, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
