Cue up a few of these fun family Christmas movies that kids and adults will enjoy over winter break from school.
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There’s no shortage of Christmas holiday movies on every streaming network. Browse this list of our family’s favorites to find your next movie night pick. I’ve included classic stop-motion favorites, cozy Santa stories, and a few newer films that are instant hits for all ages.
Where to watch Christmas movies
For simplicity, I’ve linked to Amazon Prime or Netflix for watch/rent links below (and Disney+ for a few exclusives). Most of them can be found on more than one streaming service, but they sometimes change. My favorite way to find a movie is to just search my tv. I have a Roku and can type the name of the film into a search box, then the tv will show me every service that has it.
Favorite holiday films
This list isn’t exhaustive but includes my family’s favorites in no particular order.
Favorite Christmas Films
Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas
1993 | Rated PG | 1 hour 16 minutes
When the king of Halloween discovers the magic of Christmas, he kidnaps Santa so he can take his place, but things quickly go wrong. Note: This stop-motion Disney classic might be a bit scary for little kids.
Elf
2003 | Rated PG | 1 hour 36 minutes
Buddy the Elf leaves the North Pole to visit New York City and meet his biological father, who doesn't believe in the magic of Christmas.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
1966 | Not Rated | 1 hour 15 minutes
The Grinch hates Christmas, unlike the Whos down in Whoville. When he decides to steal everything from them, he learns the joy of the holiday. Based on the classic Dr Seuss book.
Home Alone
1990 | Rated PG | 1 hour 38 minutes
Kevin has a big family and when they take a big Christmas vacation, they accidentally leave him at home. Robbers plan to break into the house, but they don't know Kevin is waiting with booby traps.
A Christmas Story
1983 | PG | 1 hour 33 minutes
It's the 1940s and Ralphie's family is a bit disfunctinal, but Ralphie just wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas.
The Muppet Christmas Carol
1992 | Rated G | 1 hour 25 minutes
The Muppets tell the classic Dickens story about grumpy Ebenezer Scrooge (the only human actor in the film) and his Christmas Eve visit from three ghosts.
Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
1970 | Not Rated | 51 minutes
This classic Rankin and Bass stop motion story tells the origin of Kris Kringle, who was raised by elves, learned magic, and snuck toys to children at night.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
1965 | Not Rated | 25 minutes
Charlie Brown and friends put on a nativity play and learn the meaning of Christmas.
The Santa Clause
1994 | Rated PG | 1 hour 37 minutes
When Santa falls off of his roof, a divorced dad must take his place. As he re-learns the magic of Christmas, he must remind everyone around him too.
Klaus
2019 | Rated PG | 1 hour 38 minutes
A postman and toymaker become unlikely friends in a mission to bring toys to children in a town that needs them.
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
2020 | Rated PG | 1 hour 59 minutes
A magical toymaker is betrayed by his apprentice and loses everything. Years later working as a pawnbroker, he must repay his debts by Christmas, along with the help of his enthusiastic granddaughter.
A Boy Called Christmas
2021 | Rated PG | 1 hour 46 minutes
When a father disappears on a quest to find the magical elf village, his son Nikolas goes to find him and discovers his own magical destiny. Based on the book by Matt Haig.
Let It Snow
2019 | Rated PG-13 | 1 hour 33 minutes
A snowstorm hits a small town on Christmas Eve, pushing a group of high school seniors to evaluate their friendships, love lives, and dreams. Based on the book by John Green, Lauren Myracle, and Maureen Johnson.
Spirited
2022 | Rated PG-13 | 2 hours 7 minutes
Christmas spirits redeem one soul each year, but the Ghost of Christmas Present decides to save a man considered unredeemable in a contemporary musical retelling of the Dickens classic.
The Christmas Chronicles
2018 | Rated PG | 1 hour 45 minutes
When two kids crash Santa's sleigh, they must spend Christmas morning repairing the sleigh and delivering gifts. This film has a sequel.
The Polar Express
2004 | Rated G | 1 hour 35 minutes
A boy boards a magical train on Christmas Eve that takes him to the North Pole, where he meets Santa and is gifted a magical bell.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
1964 | Not Rated | 52 minutes
This Rankin and Bass stop-motion film tells the story of Rudolph based on the popular holiday song.
The Knight Before Christmas
2019 | Rated TV-14 | 1 hour 32 minutes
Medieval knight Sir Cole is transported to modern time to complete a quest by midnight on Christmas Eve. There he meets Brooke, a teacher disillusioned by love, who helps him.
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
2022 | Rated TV-14 | 44 minutes
Marvel's Guardians try to make Christmas special for Peter Quill, despite the fact that they know little about the holiday, and end up kidnapping Peter's hero, Kevin Bacon.
A Christmas Carol
1999 | Rated PG | 1 hour 33 minutes
Patrick Stewart plays Ebenezer Scrooge in this traditional Dickens classic about a grump who is visited by ghosts on Christmas Eve to soften his heart.
The Year Without A Santa Claus
1974 | Not Rated | 51 minutes
When Santa Claus feels down, Mrs. Claus sends elves to find proof of Christmas spirit. They all get caught up in a battle between Heat Miser and Snow Miser that can only be resolved by Mother Nature.
Olaf's Frozen Adventure
2017 | Rated G | 1 hour 8 minutes
Olaf the snowman and friends sing songs and celebrate the holidays in this collection of shorts for fans of Frozen.
Duck the Halls: A Mickey Mouse Christmas Special
2016 | Rated G | 22 minutes
Donald Duck decides to stay and celebrate Christmas with Mickey Mouse instead of flying south for the winter.
The Nutcracker
1993 | Rated G | 1 hour 33 minutes
Marie receives a nutcracker as a gift on Christmas Eve and wakes surrounded by giant mice. The also-giant nutcracker prince battles the mice to save her in this stage ballet.
Babes in Toyland
1986 | Rated G | 1 hour 35 minutes
11-year-old Lisa grew up too fast and doesn't believe in play. When she's transported to Toyland, she must rescue the residents from a villain and, with the help of a toymaker, believe in toys again.
Bookmark this blog post so you have this list to come back to every December – or for a fun Christmas in July treat!
Check out some other fun and creative ideas on One Mama’s Daily Drama:
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