First, I’d just like to say, you’re welcome for taking on this family-friendly Christmas movie endeavor and doing some tough research by watching all of these Christmas films! I kid, I kid, but truly this was so fun. This girl is very devoted and watched these all again to have the freshest take on the movies.To start, I am a very emotional human being… I’m sort of embarrassed to admit there were tears shed for every single one of these movies!! Christmas movies just hit me in such a way, that I can’t help it.
So below is a list of family-friendly Christmas movies for you to watch this season. I’ve tried to make this list as comprehensive as possible, I let you know where to find the movies on their respective streaming service or a link to Amazon for rental! If you’re looking for date night movies, we’ve also got that right over here.
Kick back, grab some hot cocoa, and let’s get to watching!
A Charlie Brown Christmas
This is one of those Christmas movies I cannot live without. I play the score from this movie all throughout the month of December, and I own multiple copies of the movie. Truth be told, we’ve been watching it in this household for months! The reminders of what Christmas should be are timeless. There is a comical beauty in Charlie Brown’s existentialism that I can’t get enough of. This movie can bring a smile to your family’s face no matter their age.
This year, the Christmas special will be on PBS and the PBS Kids website on December 13 at 7:30 p.m. A Charlie Brown Christmas will also be available for free on AppleTV from December 11 through December 13 with no subscription necessary.
The Polar Express
I have to admit, I didn’t see this movie until last year. If you haven’t seen it, it is an animated film based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg. The animation is so high tech, the characters look so lifelike. The movie and book are about believing in the power of Christmas, the joy it brings, and the magic we feel as children. It’s a touching story, rated G, and available to rent on Amazon. You can also pick up the book as a companion to continue to enjoy.
The Santa Clause
I think The Santa Clause may be my number one Christmas movie of all time. This is the movie I used to watch every Christmas while I waited up for Santa. I have clearly always been an emotional person because it made me cry then and it definitely makes me cry now! It’s such a beautiful, funny story about the magic of Christmas. It even hits a little differently as an adult. It’s available on Disney+ along with the other two in the series or Amazon to rent and rated PG.
Home Alone
You can’t have a Christmas movie list without Home Alone! This is another throwback movie that I can never get enough of. I may also need to change professions to whatever the McCallister family was doing! But imagine today leaving an 8-year old home alone while you jet off to Europe? Wow! There are some words that I personally don’t want my 3-year-old repeating, but he enjoyed it all the same. This movie is also available on Disney+ but you can always rent it on Amazon, rated PG.
Klaus
One of the newer movies, Klaus was released last year, and it is an incredibly touching story. It is an original story of how Santa Claus came to be with the help of a mail carrier. It has cute quips, a star-studded cast, and beautiful animation. Klaus is wonderful and teaches a good lesson too! “A true act of goodwill always sparks another.” This Christmas movie is a Netflix original and rated PG.
The Grinch and How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Depending on whether you love the Dr. Seuss original or want something fresher, both of these movies are fantastic. I’m more partial to the original cartoon short than the Jim Carey version, I noticed that one was a little crass at times. So for me, I love the original, including the music, as well. But the new Grinch that came out in 2018 with Benedict Cumberbatch is right behind the original! Updated music, familiar voices, and fun! The new one is available on Netflix, rated PG. How the Grinch Stole Christmas is available on Amazon to rent.
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
Jingle Jangle is a magical new Christmas musical about an incredible toymaker/inventor who has lost a bit of his magic. It’s joyful, magical, and so fun for a Christmas movie! The music makes you want to dance around while you watch. Forest Whitaker is fantastic, you’ll see a few more familiar faces, and fresh new ones. It has heart and imagination, incredible singing voices, and does not disappoint. John Legend helped produce the movie and the music, it features vocals by Ricky Martin too! Anika Noni Rose also stars in this movie, you may remember her as Princess Tiana. This is a Netflix original and it’s rated PG!
The Snowy Day
Based on the book by Ezra Jack Keats, this short film is only 38 minutes long. This Christmas book turned Christmas movie tells of a lovely snowy day prepping for Christmas dinner. The main character sees all the exciting things that go on in the neighborhood bringing all sorts of different people together during this holiday season. It’s a quick, kind, beautiful film that is perfect for all ages! Available on Amazon Prime and it’s rated all ages.
Olaf’s Frozen Adventure
These days you can’t go wrong with a Frozen Christmas movie! This movie is about making traditions together during this holiday season. Olaf experiences traditions from different cultures and religions during “that time of year.” I have been singing the songs from this movie for a while now because they’re so fun and catchy. Who doesn’t love revisiting the cast of Frozen? The movie is 22 minutes long making it for a quick and entertaining watch. It’s available on Disney+ and rated G.
Honorable Mentions Christmas Movies:
Miracle on 34th Street
Well, I love this movie both in the black and white original and the one made in the 90s that now seems to be an antique, as well.
Elf
Ok, this movie is hilarious, and it’s a staple in our house. HOWEVER, I would save this for kids that are a little bit older, just in case.
Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
Stop motion Christmas movies just scream Christmas. The singing of Fred Astaire, the colors. These movies never get old for me.
Don’t forget to step up your at-home movie watching game too! You have plenty of time… watch all the Christmas movies! Tell us below which of these are your must watches or if there’s one you couldn’t have Christmas without!
Great list!! Thanks Ana-Sofia!
This makes me want to jump in Christmas pajamas and watch Christmas movies for the rest of the week 😍😍
This list brings back so many great memories of prior holiday seasons! It makes me feel all warm and cozy just reading it :):)
We are going to finish wrapping presents while watching Christmas movies and this article is an awesome reminder of great movies!! I always get stuck scrolling forever looking for movies! Thanks for making it easy for us. 🙂
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