The countdown to Christmas has begun! Which means that instead of ticking off the days on your deranged makeshift home office whiteboard, there’s still time to keep track of how many days until Christmas via the shared cultural experience of the Advent calendar. The act of opening a little cardboard door in a calendar and popping out a weird-tasting chocolate is not relegated to children — and it’s not even relegated to budget candy. These days you can get an Advent calendar full of just about anything — booze, socks (this is very popular!), little random gifts that you’ll probably never use but will still get a serotonin bump from receiving — and themed around your favorite pop culture properties. From classic sitcoms like “Friends” and “The Office” to “The Mandalorian,” and seasonal favorites such as “A Christmas Story” and “Home Alone,” ” get a trinket (or treat) as you count down the days until Christmas.
Buy a loved one — or yourself, no judgment — one of these TV- and movie-themed Advent calendars to experience the fleeting joy of something to look forward to in our current hellscape. For more holiday shopping recommendations, see our roundup of the best gifts for movie lovers. Keep reading for a jolly roundup of Advent calendars.
Jakks Holiday “A Christmas Story” Advent Calendar
It doesn’t feel like the holidays unless “A Christmas Story” is airing on an endless loop. Even though Christmas is just over two weeks away, that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying all 24 days of fun and collectible surprises, which includes stylized posed figures and more to build the world of Ralphie Parker and his cohorts. The Advent calendar comes with fan favorite characters and elements from “A Christmas Story” such as Ralphie in his pink bunny suit, Bumpus hounds, the leg lamp, and more.
Home Alone: The Official AAAAAAdvent Calendar
This “Home Alone” Advent calendar will make a great gift for fans of the ‘90s classic. The interactive calendar features a pop-up Christmas tree with 24 paper ornaments inspired by the film’s most memorable moments, and a bonus booklet of Kevin’s misadventures. Each day, you’ll reveal a new ornament to create a unique holiday centerpiece.
“Star Wars: The Mandalorian” Advent Calendar
Need a sweet surprise for a “Star Wars” fanatic? “The Mandalorian” Advent calendar is filled with out-of-this world chocolates, caramels, gummies, and jellybeans to satisfy your sweet tooth.
“Back to the Future” Advent Calendar
Travel “Back to the Future” with this cool Advent calendar modeled after the 1985 classic. Open the set to reveal the historic clock tower and 24 doors, each with a different surprise item leading up to Christmas. Rock out with Marty McFly, test the plutonium with Doc Brown, or hop on your hoverboard to get away from Biff. The set includes figures, a guitar, speaker, Twin Pines Mall sign, letter to future Doc Brown, hazmat suit, bench, plutonium, and tons of other accessories.
Marvel: The Official Advent Calendar
The Marvel Advent calendar is the ultimate stocking stuffer for Marvel fans. From greeting cards to paper ornaments, buttons, booklets, and more, this Advent calendar is bound to excite fans with adorable souvenirs and holiday-themed keepsakes and other great surprises spread out over 25 days.
Funko Pop! Advent Calendar: “The Office”
Count down the 24 days to Christmas with this Funko Pop! Advent calendar modeled after “The Office.” The collection will be released November 22, and features 24 awesome Pocket Pop vinyl figures (ranging from 1.5” to 2.25” tall, depending on the character) of your favorite characters, including Jim, Pam, Dwight, and Michael. Pre-order today to ensure that it arrives by December.
Friends: The Official Advent Calendar (2021 Edition)
They’ll be there for you — especially with this official Advent calendar, which features 25 days of surprises and more than 40 keepsakes, including ornaments, buttons, and others. There’s even a Holiday Armadillo surprise inside, plus recipe cards and other adorable gifts.
Hype Men’s “Rick and Morty” 15 Days of Socks Advent Calendar
You probably don’t need 25 new socks to get lost in the laundry, so it’s a good thing that this Advent calendar (featuring your favorite mad scientist and his grandson) is only 15 days long. You’ll get four pairs of crew socks and 11 pairs of low-cut socks inspired by “Rick and Morty.” Be sure to follow the recommended laundry directions to keep them looking crisp as you wear them throughout the year.
The Nightmare Before Christmas: Official Advent Calendar of Goolish Delights
Get yourself some spooky holiday cheer with this “Nightmare Before Christmas”–themed Advent calendar, featuring 25 days of treats from Tim Burton’s classic. The pop-up calendar contains 25 gifts including ornaments, mini books, notecards, and more surprises involving Jack Skellington, Sally, Zero, and your other favorite characters. Because Funko “The Nightmare Before Christmas” Advent calendars sold out just about everywhere, you can get one at Walmart and eBay while supplies last but expect to pay more than the usual $40-$50 list price.
Funko Pop! Advent Calendar: Harry Potter
If you’ve been searching for more Funko Pop! figures, great news! Make room for these pocket-sized “Harry Potter” Advent calendar, which will be released next month (you can pre-order it now though). The set features the Wizarding World’s favorite witches, wizards, beasts, ghosts and house elves. The 24 Pocket Pops! vinyl figures include Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and the rest of their pals. The figures range in height depending on the character, but are a maximum of 2″ tall. Potterheads might also like this Harry Potter: A Hogwarts Christmas Pop-Up (Advent Calendar) which recreates the iconic “Harry Potter” Great Hall via a 13″ pop-up Christmas tree, and the 25 keepsakes you’ll get throughout the month.
Disney Storybook Collection Advent Calendar 2021
Countdown to Christmas with Disney. The Disney Storybook Collection Advent calendar holds two dozen magical tales about your favorite Disney and Pixar characters including Mickey, Belle, Peter Pan, Cinderella, and Winnie the Pooh. The calendar features 24, 24-page small paperback books, each individually wrapped in a festive paper sleeve.
Lego “Star Wars” Advent Calendar 2021 Building Set for Kids
We will absolutely not judge any adult who wants to order this Lego “Star Wars” Advent calendar building set for kids (ages six and older) and keep it for themselves. Behind each of the 24 doors is a LEGO mini-figure, LEGO figure, buildable vehicle, weapon, or accessory. The set contains seven LEGO mini-figures, droids and other figures including The Mandalorian and Baby Yoda (both in festive outfits), plus a Scout Trooper, Stormtrooper, Tusken Raider, IG-11, and IT-O interrogator droid.
Funko Advent Calendar: Marvel 80th Anniversary
Get 24 different Marvel superheroes and supervillains with this Funko Pocket Pop! Advent calendar, including Spider-Man, Captain America, the Hulk, and other Avengers. Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.
