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25 Christmas Movies for Kids & Families

25 Christmas Movies for Kids & Families

Christmas movies get everyone in the spirit, no matter what’s going on around them.


There's nothing we love more than snuggling up with our kids on the couch with homemade hot cocoa, snacks, and cozy blankets—but it's extra-special when we're watching a Christmas movie the whole family will love. Since we're home (for the most part) this holiday season, why not plan Christmas movie marathons with your kids to help celebrate Christmas during the pandemic? Your family can spend the evening with Frosty the Snowman, Kevin McCallister, the Grinch, or Scrooge, or check out one of our other favorite Christmas movies for kids, tweens, and teens. These Christmas movies will help you get through the holiday season—and you might just find a new family favorite!

RELATED: Vote for your favorite holiday character to win $250!

Christmas Movies for ages 3-5

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Ages: 3 and older
Where to watch: Vudu
This old-school, heartwarming classic tells the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer that celebrates being yourself.

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas
Ages: 3 and older
Where to watch: Amazon, Disney+, iTunes, YouTube
Kids will love seeing their favorite Disney characters telling Christmas stories about love and caring, the spirit of giving, and the magic of the season.

A Charlie Brown Christmas
Ages: 3 and older
Where to watch: Broadcasting on PBS, Sunday, Dec. 13 7:30pm and livestreaming on the PBS website. Apple TV+ (free from Dec. 11-13)
Kids will learn the true meaning of Christmas alongside Charlie Brown in this classic movie that tells a timeless message full of holiday spirit.

Frosty the Snowman
Ages: 3 and older
Where to watch: Vudu
This classic tale is full of sing-along fun, as children learn the story of the snowman who comes to life when a magical hat is placed upon his head.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Ages: 4 and older
Where to watch: Amazon
The original animated special from 1966 is a read-aloud adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ original story.

Eloise at Christmastime
Ages: 4 and older
Where to watch: Amazon
Our favorite 6-year-old Plaza resident causes mischief in the hotel at Christmas.

All I Want for Christmas is You
Ages: 4 and older
Where to watch: Amazon, YouTube
This animated movie is based on Mariah Carey’s iconic Christmas song that’s on everyone’s playlists this time of year. But instead of a romantic love story, this movie (and her children’s book with the same name) is about a little girl who just wants a puppy for Christmas.

Santa Buddies
Ages: 5 and older
Where to watch: Amazon, iTunes, HBO Max, YouTube
Find out what happens when a Santa Puppy Paw longs to be a regular pup, escapes the North Pole, and meets up with Golden Retriever pups.

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
Ages: 5 and older
Where to watch: Amazon, iTunes, YouTube
Choreographed by renowned George Balanchine stars Macaulay Culkin (of Home Alone fame) as the Nutcracker Prince. There’s no dialogue other than a quiet narration, but it brings the magic of the holiday ballet to your home.

Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town
Ages: 5 and older
Where to watch: Vudu
This classic Christmas movie tells the story of Kris Kringle’s humble beginnings and follows along to how he became the iconic symbol of the holiday.

The Muppet Christmas Carol
Ages: 5 and older
Where to watch: Amazon, Disney+, iTunes, YouTube
Jim Henson’s beloved characters take on the Dickens holiday classic in which Scrooge is visited by three ghosts and learns he must change his attitude and warm his heart for a happier life.

Christmas Movies for Ages 6-8

Miracle on 34th Street
Ages: 6 and older
Where to watch: Amazon, Disney+, iTunes, YouTube
In this holiday classic, Doris Walker doesn’t believe in Santa at first. But when a Macy’s exec hires a new in-store Santa (and ends up hiring the real Kris Kringle from the North Pole), Doris comes to believe—and ends up saving the day.



The Polar Express
Ages: 6 and older
Where to watch: Amazon, iTunes, YouTube
Based on the book of the same name, this animated holiday movie follows the story of a boy who doesn’t believe in Santa and is whisked away on a train to the North Pole to meet jolly old St. Nick himself.

Klaus
Ages: 6 and older
Where to watch: Netflix
When Jesper, a young postal worker, is sent to a remote island, he can’t leave until he processes 6,000 pieces of mail. The only catch? The residents don’t send mail. But he gets an idea when a child accidentally sends a letter to a hermit and toymaker, who then sends the child back a toy.

The Nightmare Before Christmas
Ages: 7 and older
Where to watch: Disney+, Amazon, iTunes, YouTube
While many may consider this a Halloween movie (Jack Skellington is to Halloween what Santa is to Christmas), we’re considering it a Christmas movie. Skellington tries to bring Christmas to Halloweentown, after all.

Elf
Ages: 7 and older
Where to watch: Amazon, iTunes, YouTube
An instant holiday classic that’s oft-quoted during the holidays, Will Ferrell plays Buddy the Elf, who was raised in the North Pole but isn’t actually an elf. What we particularly love is Buddy’s antics while exploring NYC.

A Christmas Story
Ages: 8 and older
Where to watch: Amazon, iTunes, YouTube
Unlike many other Christmas movies, this holiday classic is an unvarnished look at a 1940s family told from the perspective of Ralphie, who wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas.

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
Ages: 8 and older
Where to watch: Netflix
Jeronicus Jangle is a fantastical inventor, but his apprentice keeps stealing his best inventions. Find out what happens when his granddaughter decides to do something about it. This diverse Christmas film has some flashy musical numbers and positive messages about family, tradition, patience, forgiveness, and curiosity.

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Ages: 8 and older
Where to watch: Netflix, Amazon, iTunes
The 2000 version of the classic Dr. Seuss story reveals how the Grinch came to hate Christmas—and what happens when everyone realizes that Christmas is about family and what’s in your heart rather than what’s under the tree.

Christmas Movies for ages 9 and older

Disney’s a Christmas Carol
Ages: 9 and older
Where to watch: Amazon, Disney+, YouTube
This animated 3-D adaptation of Dickens’ classic stars Jim Carrey as Scrooge, who gets visits from Christmas Past, Present, and Future.

It’s a Wonderful Life
Ages: 9 and older
Where to watch: Amazon, iTunes, YouTube
This black-and-white classic is the heartwarming tale of George Bailey, who comes to learn the tremendous impact he has had on his community—and how the world would be completely different without him.

The Santa Clause
Ages: 9 and older
Where to watch: Amazon, Disney+, iTunes, YouTube
Find out what happens when Scott Calvin, a toy industry exec, puts on Santa’s suit and transforms into jolly old St. Nick—all because of the Santa clause.

Home Alone
Ages: 10 and older
Where to watch: Amazon, Disney+, iTunes, YouTube
You can’t go wrong with this holiday classic! Your kids will be entertained by the holiday hijinx Kevin McCallister gets into as he tries to save his home from burglars. Just remind your kids that the shenanigans Kevin pulls shouldn’t be tried in real life!

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Ages: 10 and older
Where to watch: Amazon, Disney+, iTunes, YouTube
While sequels don’t usually live up to the original, Home Alone 2 holds a special place in our hearts (especially since it takes place in NYC!). Once again, Kevin McCallister goes up against the burglars from the original, but this time he saves Duncan’s Toy Chest, a toy store based on FAO Schwarz.

The Mistle-Tones
Ages: 11 and older
Where to watch: Amazon, Disney+
Holly has always dreamed of landing a spot in the town’s vocal group, The Snow Belles. But when she’s overlooked by the group’s leader, she challenges the Belles to a sing-off for a spot at the town’s Christmas Eve event.

 

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