If you are searching for kevin costner presents the first christmas and wondering where to watch it, the special is available through Disney+ and Hulu in the United States. The 2025 holiday production features Kevin Costner as host and explores the journey of Mary and Joseph surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ.
The production combines documentary-style storytelling with dramatic recreations to present the Nativity story in a historical and faith-focused context. It was directed by David L. Cunningham and has a runtime of approximately 1 hour and 24 minutes.
This guide covers where to watch the special, its release information, story, cast, runtime, format, and answers to common questions viewers may have.
Key Takeaways
- Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas is a 2025 holiday special hosted by Kevin Costner.
- The program follows the journey of Mary and Joseph leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ.
- It was released on December 9, 2025, on ABC, with streaming availability through Hulu.
- Disney+ lists the special with a runtime of approximately 1 hour and 24 minutes.
- In the United States, the special is available to stream through Disney+ and Hulu, subject to current regional availability.
- David L. Cunningham directed the production, with Kevin Costner among the featured cast.
Kevin Costner Presents the First Christmas: Where to Watch
For viewers in the United States, Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas is available on Disney+ and Hulu. Hulu currently lists one season containing one episode, while Disney+ carries the program as a 2025 documentary/drama special.
The official Disney+ listing identifies the program as a 2025 title with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes.
Is It Available on Disney+?
Yes. Disney+ lists Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas in its catalog. The service identifies it as a 2025 production in the drama and documentary categories.
Disney’s holiday programming information also announced the title for streaming on Disney+ beginning December 10, 2025.
Is It Available on Hulu?
Yes. Hulu lists the special as a 2025 holiday/news program starring Kevin Costner. Its listing describes Costner as the host and confirms that the program focuses on Mary and Joseph’s journey surrounding Jesus Christ’s birth.
Hulu’s holiday programming information also listed the special for streaming beginning December 10, 2025.
Can You Watch It on ABC?
The special originally premiered through ABC’s holiday programming. ABC’s official listing identifies it as Season 1, Episode 1, with a runtime of approximately 1 hour and 24 minutes.
ABC Press announced the holiday special for December 9, 2025, with streaming availability on Hulu.
Because television and streaming availability can change, viewers should check their local service listings before planning a viewing.
What Is Kevin Costner Presents the First Christmas About?
Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas explores the story of Mary and Joseph and the events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ.
Rather than presenting the subject solely as a conventional fictional Christmas movie, the production combines historical and dramatic storytelling. The official Disney+ description says the special explores the hardships, trials, and triumphs experienced by Mary and Joseph.
The story therefore centers on the human journey behind the Nativity narrative, including the challenges surrounding Mary and Joseph and the circumstances leading to the birth of Jesus.
A Different Approach to the Nativity Story
The production is positioned between documentary and drama. Disney+ categorizes it as both Drama and Documentaries, while Apple TV lists it as a documentary and holiday title.
That format allows the special to combine historical context with dramatic recreations rather than functioning solely as a traditional narrative film.
Kevin Costner’s Role in the Special
Kevin Costner serves as the host of the production and is also one of its featured performers.
His role is important to the program’s presentation because the title itself places his name at the center of the special. Official listings consistently describe him as the host who guides viewers through the story of Mary and Joseph.
Costner is widely known for his work as an actor, director, and producer, but this project places him in a hosting and narration-focused role connected to a Christmas and biblical-history presentation.
Cast of Kevin Costner Presents the First Christmas
Although Kevin Costner is the best-known name associated with the production, the official Disney+ listing identifies several additional cast members:
| Cast Member | Role in the Production |
|---|---|
| Kevin Costner | Host |
| Gia Rose Patel | Cast member |
| Ethan Thorne | Cast member |
| Anthony Barclay | Cast member |
| Mohamed Zouaoui | Cast member |
| Kods Joundoul | Cast member |
Disney+ identifies David L. Cunningham as the director and lists these performers alongside Costner.
The available official listings do not provide extensive character descriptions for every performer, so it is better to avoid assigning specific roles without reliable supporting information.
Who Directed The First Christmas?
David L. Cunningham directed Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas. Disney+’s official listing credits Cunningham as director.
Cunningham’s involvement is particularly relevant because the project relies on a mixture of dramatic presentation and documentary-style storytelling. The production’s format requires both historical framing and cinematic recreation to communicate the Nativity story.
Release Date and Runtime
The special was released in 2025. ABC’s episode listing gives the program a date of December 10, 2025, while ABC Press announced its holiday programming premiere for December 9, 2025.
This apparent date difference relates to the way the program’s broadcast and streaming schedules are listed across platforms. Disney+ identifies the release year as 2025 and gives the runtime as 1 hour and 24 minutes.
Other listings may display the runtime as approximately 85 minutes, which reflects normal differences in how platforms round program durations.
What Genre Is The First Christmas?
The special does not fit neatly into only one traditional genre.
Disney+ categorizes it as:
- Drama
- Documentary
Apple TV similarly describes it as a documentary and holiday production.
Its subject matter is also strongly connected to religious and historical storytelling because it examines the circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ.
For viewers expecting a conventional fictional Christmas movie, understanding this format is useful. The production is better described as a holiday documentary-drama centered on the Nativity story.
What Makes the Special Different?
One of the most notable features of the production is its attempt to place the Nativity story within a broader historical setting.
The official synopsis emphasizes the hardships faced by Mary and Joseph rather than presenting only the familiar Christmas imagery associated with the birth of Jesus.
The program also uses dramatic performances alongside its documentary-style presentation. This approach can provide viewers with more context around the people and circumstances at the center of the Christmas story.
Historical and Spiritual Context
The story of the Nativity has been presented in countless films, television programs, books, and religious productions. This special approaches familiar material through a combination of historical discussion, dramatic storytelling, and holiday programming.
That makes it relevant to viewers interested in either the historical background of the Nativity or a different presentation of a well-known Christmas story.
Is Kevin Costner Presents the First Christmas Family-Friendly?
The program carries a TV-PG rating on Disney+, while other regional listings can display different age classifications. Disney+ also notes that some flashing-light sequences or patterns may affect photosensitive viewers.
Parents and families should therefore check the rating and content information displayed by their local streaming service before watching with younger children.
The subject matter itself centers on the Nativity and Christmas, but the production is not simply a children’s Christmas program. Its documentary and historical elements may appeal more strongly to older children, teenagers, and adults.
How Long Is Kevin Costner Presents the First Christmas?
The Disney+ listing gives the special a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes.
Some streaming databases list the duration as approximately 85 minutes.
For practical planning, viewers can expect to spend roughly an hour and a half watching the complete special.
Is The First Christmas a Movie or TV Special?
It can be described as a holiday television special rather than a conventional theatrical movie.
ABC lists it as a television episode, while streaming platforms classify it under documentary, drama, and holiday categories.
This distinction matters because viewers searching for the title on streaming services may find it categorized differently depending on the platform.
Where Can International Viewers Watch It?
Availability outside the United States can differ by territory.
For example, Disney+ has a United Kingdom listing for the special and notes that content and platform availability may vary by region.
Therefore, viewers outside the United States should search for the exact title within their local Disney+ or Hulu-supported service rather than assuming that the U.S. catalog is identical to their own.
Streaming rights can also change over time, particularly for seasonal programming.
What to Know Before Watching
If you are deciding whether the special fits your viewing plans, these points provide a quick overview:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas |
| Release year | 2025 |
| Host | Kevin Costner |
| Director | David L. Cunningham |
| Main subject | Mary, Joseph, and the birth of Jesus Christ |
| Format | Documentary/drama holiday special |
| Runtime | About 1 hour 24 minutes |
| Rating | TV-PG on Disney+ |
| U.S. streaming | Disney+ and Hulu |
| Original television home | ABC |
The information above is based primarily on official platform and network listings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Kevin Costner Presents the First Christmas?
In the United States, the special is available through Disney+ and Hulu. Availability can vary by region and can change over time.
When was Kevin Costner Presents the First Christmas released?
The special was released in 2025, with ABC programming information placing its television premiere around December 9–10, 2025.
How long is Kevin Costner Presents the First Christmas?
Disney+ lists the runtime at approximately 1 hour and 24 minutes. Some other listings round the duration to about 85 minutes.
What is Kevin Costner Presents the First Christmas about?
The special explores the journey of Mary and Joseph and the circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ. It combines documentary-style storytelling with dramatic elements.
Is Kevin Costner the narrator or host?
Kevin Costner is officially credited as the host. Platform descriptions identify him as the person presenting the story of Mary and Joseph.
Who directed The First Christmas?
David L. Cunningham directed Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas.
Is The First Christmas available on Disney+?
Yes. Disney+ has an official listing for the 2025 special.
Is The First Christmas available on Hulu?
Yes. Hulu currently lists the special as a 2025 title featuring Kevin Costner.
Conclusion
Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas is a 2025 holiday documentary-drama that explores the journey of Mary and Joseph and the events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ. Hosted by Kevin Costner and directed by David L. Cunningham, the approximately 84-minute special combines historical and dramatic storytelling.
For U.S. viewers looking for kevin costner presents the first christmas, the main streaming options are Disney+ and Hulu, while ABC was its original television home. International availability can vary, so checking the local streaming catalog remains the most reliable way to confirm access.