50 best Christmas movies for kids to watch as a family
1. The Muppet Christmas Carol
The music, the Muppets, the Michael Caine: It doesn’t get more perfect than The Muppet Christmas Carol.
2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Jim Carreyembodies the Grinch so well that it’s almost scary, so this one may be better off for kids that are just a wee bit older.
3. Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch
If animated features are more your family’s speed, check out the 2018 version starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the titular cantankerous Christmas-hater, perfect for young ones.
4. Home Alone
Macaulay Culkin battles burglars Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern as his parents (including Schitt’s Creekstar Catherine O’Haraas his harried mom) scramble to get back home to him.
5. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Kevin McAllister is left behind again and ends up in the Big Apple, where the usual suspects are on his trail.
6. The Santa Clause
Tim Allenstars as a reluctant and incredulous Santa Claus in the making in this Christmas favorite.
7. The Santa Clause 2
Santa is on the hunt for a Mrs. Claus in The Santa Clause 2.
8. The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
Martin Short stars as Jack Frost in the final Santa Clause installment.
9. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
This heartfelt musical starring Forest Whitaker, Keegan-Michael Key, Anika Noni Rose, Phylicia Rashad, Ricky Martin and more features songs by John Legend.
10. Rise of the Guardians
A star-studded cast of characters, including Santa Claus (Alec Baldwin), the Easter Bunny (Hugh Jackman) and the Tooth Fairy (Isla Fisher) are in danger when the evil Pitch Black (Jude Law) steals them away, leaving it up to Jack Frost (Chris Pine) to save the day.
11. Arthur Christmas
James McAvoy voices the clumsy titular hero (and son of Santa!) alongside Bill Nighy and Hugh Laurie.
12. The Polar Express
Based on the classic kids’ book by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express brings the magical Christmas train ride to life.
13. Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas Is You
Inspired by the best holiday pop song ever, Mariah Careyretains her Queen of Christmas title in this cute animated feature about a puppy.
14. Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever
Aubrey Plaza voices the beloved cantankerous cat who finds the spirit of Christmas.
15. The Star
The Star features some serious star power in its voices, including Mariah Carey, Tracy Morgan, Steven Yeun, Kelly Clarkson, Gina Rodriguez, Zachary Levi, Oprah Winfrey, Keegan-Michael Key, Anthony Anderson, Christopher Plummer, Tyler Perry, Kristin Chenoweth, Gabriel Iglesias and more.
16. The Christmas Dragon
When you’re a medieval kid charged with saving Christmas, it helps to have a dragon around.
17. Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws
Because puppies.
18. Shazam!
While not explicitly a Christmas movie, Shazam!is a great option for slightly older kids and features fantastic family and holiday themes, especially at the end.
19. The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
The music and beauty of the sets of The Nutcracker and the Four Realmswill cast a spell on all ages.
20. The Christmas Chronicles
Legendary bada** Kurt Russellas Santa Claus is pure Christmas magic.
21. The Christmas Chronicles 2
Russell returns alongside real-life love Goldie Hawnfor The Christmas Chronicles 2.
22. Jack Frost
Michael Keaton voices the titular king of cold alongside the late Kelly Prestonand some serious rock royalty, including Henry Rollins and cameos from three of Frank Zappa’s kids.
23. Disney’s A Christmas Carol
Jim Carrey is more cartoonish than ever—literally—as Ebenezer Scrooge.
24. Get Santa
Dr. Who star Jodie Whittaker and Willowhimself, Warwick Davis, appear in this delightful British Christmas caper.
25. Babes in Toyland
Your kids will like Babes in Toyland for what it is, a timeless Christmas adventure…and you’ll like seeing a babe like Keanu Reeveshanging out with the adorable Drew Barrymore.
26. Shrek the Halls
Watch out, Grinch! Another green guy is here to mark his place in the Christmas canon in Shrek the Halls, featuring the voice talent of the original Shrek series, including Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy and Antonio Banderas.
27. Alone for Christmas
No one should be alone for Christmas, especially not cute puppies, but it’s worth it for the hijinks that ensue.
28. The Snowman
Based on the beloved children’s book of the same name, The Snowman brings the classic tale to life.
29. The Snowman and the Snowdog
In the sequel to The Snowman, the titular hero has a cold-nosed canine companion.
30. A Charlie Brown Christmas
Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang learn the true meaning of Christmas in this heartwarming tale that never gets old.
31. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Festive, cute as anything and with a message to embrace what makes you unique as your superpower, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is beloved for a reason.
32. Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
See how Santa Claus and other Christmas traditions came to be in this classic stop-motion animated special.
33. Frosty the Snowman
The irony of watching Frosty the Snowman in 2020 is that a Karen is the hero.
34. The Year Without a Santa Claus
The Heat Miser and Snow Miser capture Santa Claus, leaving an elf and a young boy to save Christmas, Kris Kringle and the day.
35. The Little Drummer Boy
We all know (or are) that one friend who prefers animals to people. This is for them.
36. Annabelle’s Wish
Randy Travis narrates this sweet tale of a calf who longs to be a reindeer and the special bond she shares with a little boy.
37. Elliot, The Littlest Reindeer
A tiny horse has a limited amount of time to prepare for his lifelong dream of helping to pull Santa’s sleigh through the sky. You may recognize the voices of Morena Baccarin, Martin Short and John Cleese.
38. A Kung Fu Panda Holiday
The original star-studded cast of Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogenand more return for this sweet, silly celebration.
39. Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas
Mickey Mouse tells three different Christmas stories in this festive anthology.
40. The Dog Who Saved Christmas
Listen, dogs make everything better all the time, so it’s no surprise that they’d rescue Christmas, too. Plus, you’ll recognize the hero canine Zeus’ voice: It’s Mario Lopez!
41. A Doggone Christmas
A telepathic Jack Russell is on the run from the CIA, and his canine Christmas cheer is infectious to everyone around him.
42. The 12 Dogs of Christmas
A town that bans dogs is not a town we ever want to be in, but one girl saves the day, the dogs and the Christmas spirit.
43. Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas
We have to admit, the premise is a little confusing at first: Though billed as a sequel, Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmastakes place before the end of the original Beauty and the Beast, because the enchanted rose is still around, the Beast isn’t a hunky prince and the rest of the characters aren’t human yet. In any case, it’s got all your favorite characters from the original (voiced by the original stars, too!) and is festive and adorable, so just enjoy it for what it is.
44. I’ll Be Home for Christmas
Relive your own youth crush on Jonathan Taylor Thomas with I’ll Be Home for Christmas.
45. Santa’s Apprentice
Orphan Nicholas is chosen to be the new Santa Claus, but it doesn’t come easy.
46. Tom and Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale
The traditional cat and mouse tale gets a festive twist.
47. Prancer
Sam Elliott and Cloris Leachman star in this sweet film about a girl who finds a wounded reindeer and an unending well of faith in Christmas miracles.
48. Saving Santa
An elf is tasked with saving Santa Claus, Christmas and the North Pole in this sweet animated flick.
49. Frozen
Though not explicitly about Christmas, Frozenhas a lot of the elements of the holiday, including snow, a lovable snowman (who doesn’t adore Olaf?!) and reindeer.
50. Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
Because even Halloween lovers always want a little Christmas. Next, check out over 50 funny and iconic quotes from your favorite Christmas movies
