Every special, musical, comedy, and classic kids’ Christmas movie your family will want to watch together this holiday season. And trust us, they all deliver tidings of comfort, joy, and laughter
The holiday season is here. That means the tinsel’s been unleashed, every meal includes sugar cookies, and all the screens in the house are tuned to family Christmas movies. From seasonal specials and animated comedies featuring your little ones’ favorite cartoon characters to jazzy musicals and instant yuletide classics that you and yours will treasure for years to come, the following curated list is a festive smorgasbord of kids’ Christmas movies. So grab that batch of cookies from the oven and dig in!
Family Christmas Movies on Netflix
Family Switch
Queen of the body switch, Jennifer Garner of 13 Going On 30 fame stars in this identity switcheroo with Ed Helms from The Office. They star as parents of two who feel their once-tight-knit bond starting to fray. Come the holidays, however, the two are determined to make meaningful memories with their kids. It’s a wish that magically scrambles the families’ identities and leads to a slew of holiday hilarity.
Recommended Ages: 8+
Available on Netflix
The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday
If you and your littles loved the original Bad Guys film as much as we did, then you’re in for a treat. The menagerie of very bad animals is back for another heist, this one tangled up in tinsel and twinkling lights. But before they can carry out the perfect crime they’ve just masterminded, they have to save Christmas.
Recommended Ages: 5+
Available on Netflix
Strawberry Shortcake’s Perfect Holiday
Baking their way through the yummiest season of the year, Strawberry Shortcake and her Berry Besties are using flour power to have the most perfect Winterswirl Eve yet. The only problem is Peculiar Purple Pieman has snagged all the cinnamon. Gather the little ones for this tasty adventure that decks the halls in pink frosting and rewrites the holiday songbook with the cutest tunes.
Recommended Ages: 3+
Available on Netflix
Trolls Holiday
Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, and Zooey Deschanel hit all the right notes in this addition to the happiest little franchise ever. Released in 2017, Trolls Holiday sees its brightly coiffed creatures celebrate Glitterpalooza, the day every troll indulges in song, dance, and glitter bombs. Should you want to keep the glitter flying with the 2021 installment, Trolls Holiday Harmony, it’s over on Hulu.
Recommended Ages: 7+
Available on Netflix
A Boy Called Christmas
Fans of Paddington will find similar comfort in this wintry adventure that gives Father Christmas an origin story full of elves, reindeer, and enchantment. When a little boy named Nikolas heads out to find his father, he, with his talking mouse, Miika, and his flying reindeer, Blitzen, discovers the magic of the Far North’s village called Elfhelm.
Recommended Ages: 5+
Available on Netflix
Scrooge: A Christmas Carol
If you prefer an animated version of Dickens’s classic Christmas story, Netflix offers Scrooge: A Christmas Carol. With a supernatural bent, this musical adaptation promises something for the whole family.
Rated: No Rating
Recommended Ages: 8+
Available on Netflix
Alien Xmas
A young elf receives an alien she believes is simply a toy but is, in reality, much more. While this movie has a brief 42-minute runtime, it will entertain the young and old alike.
Rated: TV-Y
Recommended Ages: 2+
Available on Netflix
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
Released in 2020, this charming live-action musical about a toymaker is part Steampunk and part Dickens. Featuring a predominantly Black cast, including Academy-Award-winning Forest Whitaker, the once-betrayed and disgruntled toymaker finds new hope with his granddaughter.
Rated: PG
Recommended Ages: 8+
Available on Netflix
Klaus
The first original Netflix animated film follows the story of a plucky mailman and a toy maker in a bleak, remote village. They form an unlikely friendship when they decide to spread joy by delivering presents to kids.
Rating: PG
Recommended Ages: 7+
Available on Netflix
A StoryBots Christmas
StoryBots fans will love following along as Bo heads to the North Pole to get gift advice from Santa only to discover that the Jolly Old Elf has gone missing.
Rating: TV-Y
Recommended Ages: 4+
Available on Netflix
The Christmas Chronicles 1 & 2
After two siblings accidentally crash Santa’s sleigh, they head on an all-night journey to get things back on track. Starring Kurt Russell, this crowd-pleasing film got a sequel in 2020 with Goldie Hawn as Mrs. Claus, and it’s just as fun as the original.
Rated PG
Recommended Ages: 10+
Available at Netflix
Supermonsters Save Christmas
Celebrate the holiday season in Pitchfork Pines with this special starring the Super Monsters. Christmas Eve finds the Super Monsters lending Santa a magical helping hand to find his missing reindeer.
Rating: TV-Y
Recommended Ages: 3+
Available on Netflix
White Christmas
Dreaming of a white Christmas? You can’t get much more classic than a Christmas movie featuring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney, with tunes from Irving Berlin. It may not have cartoon adventure, but it does have musical numbers and an emphasis on love and family.
Rated: Not Rated
Recommended Ages: 8+
Available on Netflix
Kids’ Christmas Movies on Disney+
Dashing Through the Snow
Lil Rel Howery dons the Santa suit for this festive Disney+ original. It costars Chris Bridges, who Mom will know better as Ludacris (the lyricist behind her favorite 2000 hip-hop hits), as a social worker who learns the true meaning of Christmas after a series of misadventures with his daughter.
Recommended Ages: 10+
Available on Disney+
The Naughty Nine
Retooling heist films like Ocean’s Eleven and The Italian Job for the younger set, this family-friendly romp sees nine youngsters learn they’re on Santa’s Naughty List. Not about to accept a coal-only Christmas, the crew hatch a plan to hit the North Pole and take back the gifts they think they deserve.
Recommended Ages: 5+
Available on Disney+
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
Reimaging the original tale of sugar plum fairies and the little girl who dreams them up, the House of Mouse offers a dazzling and poetic fantasy film emphasizing the importance of love and courage. The magic swirls around Clara as she visits four realms while searching for the key to a mysterious box.
Recommended Ages: 8+
Available on Disney+
The Santa Clauses
While technically not a movie, this mini-series and the latest installment in this modern Christmas franchise finds Santa hanging up his red hat, shaving off his pearly white beard, and retiring. His retirement is short-lived, though, when he realizes he may have hired the wrong replacement and endangered not only his elves but the whole holiday.
Rated: PG
Recommended Ages: 6+
Available on Disney +
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
Kevin Bacon appears in this hilarious and festive holiday special from Marvel Studios: the Guardians take a trip to Earth to find a Christmas gift for Quill. Parents should keep in mind that the original film was rated PG-13, and while the holiday special has not yet been rated, it may be best suited for older kids.
Rated: Not yet rated
Recommended Ages: TV-14
Available on Disney +
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas
The three sweet holiday tales in this anthology star Mickey and his pals in reimaginings of classic stories. Make this viewing a double feature with the sequel Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas, also available on Disney +.
Rated: G
Recommended Ages: 3+
Available on Disney +
Santa Buddies
What’s more playfully fun than a bunch of talking puppies trying to save Christmas? The adorable Santa Buddies are lending their paws to save the big day at the North Pole.
Rated: G
Recommended Ages: 5+
Available on Disney+
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Are your little elves torn about whether their favorite holiday is Christmas or Halloween? Then give ‘em a dose of both. This holiday classic is a little offbeat, a little spooky, and full of a whole lot of crazy stop-motion visuals. It’s perfect for kids who crave a different kind of Christmas movie—and those old enough to enjoy the eerie effects.
Rated: PG
Recommended Ages: 7+
Available at: Disney+
The Santa Claus
Older kids will get a laugh watching Tim Allen (a divorced, uninvolved, turkey-burning dad) take a turn as Santa. The scenes at Santa’s workshop and the North Pole are amazing, but practice some Christmas caution: Allen gets the Santa gig because the original takes a fatal topple off a roof, there’s a lot of talk about divorce, and even a slightly scary scene with police.
Rated: PG
Recommended Ages: 9+
Available on Disney+
The Muppets Christmas Carol
There are a lot of versions of this story out there, but how many of them feature Michael Caine as Scrooge and the big-hearted Kermit as Bob Cratchit? Throw in all the fun musical numbers and Gonzo as the Charles Dickens narrator, and you’ve got a movie night to remember. Fair warning: his job is to scare Scrooge, so the Ghost of Christmas Future is pretty scary.
Rated: G
Recommended Ages: 5+
Available on Disney+
Noelle
Ever wonder what it’s like being Santa’s kids? Anna Kendrick and Bill Hader star in this super fun story about how filling the big man’s shoes might be a little too much pressure. Is the Christmas spirit truly hereditary? Find out!
Rated: G
Recommended Ages: 6+
Available on Disney +
A Christmas Carol
Jim Carrey takes on this classic tale as Ebenezer Scrooge as only he can. Watch as he’s visited by three spirits, and learns the true meaning of Christmas in this live-action film.
Rated: PG
Recommended Ages: 8+
Available on Disney +
Beauty and The Beast: An Enchanted Christmas
Inspired by the classic fairytale, this movie is a great way to celebrate the holidays as Mrs. Potts tells the story of the Christmas that almost didn’t happen. Kids will enjoy seeing their favorite characters and the new songs in this tale of friendship and love.
Rated: G
Recommended Ages: 6+
Available on Disney +
Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year
Tiny viewers will love watching Pooh and his friends help Rabbit discover the true meaning of the season. It’s an animated story about friendship and staying true to who you are.
Rated: G
Recommended Ages: 4+
Available on Disney +
Family Christmas Movies on Apple TV+
A Charlie Brown Christmas
For wise kids (and those who have a soft spot for Snoopy), you can’t go wrong with the Peanuts gang. Charlie Brown has some deep thoughts about Christmas commercialization and the holiday blues, but the end is all kinds of merry: the true meaning of Christmas and snappy music to boot.
Special note: A Charlie Brown Christmas will be offered to non-subscribers on AppleTV+ from December 16 – December 17.
Otherwise, subscribers can stream it anytime.
Rated: Not Rated
Recommended Ages: 3+
The Velveteen Rabbit
Based on Margery Williams’ classic children’s book first published in 1922, this film adaptation stays true to the original story of a little boy who loves the plush bunny he got for Christmas so much it comes to life, but also injects a little modern-day flair. Blending live action with 2D animation, this family-friendly gem explores themes of friendship and unconditional love.
Recommended Ages: 3+
Available November 22 on Apple TV+
Frog and Toad “Christmas Eve” Special
Frog and Toad are best friends, and though their amphibious DNA might make you believe they’re pretty similar—they’re nothing alike. Now, it’s Christmas Eve, and the adventurous Frog is stuck in town, while creature-of-comfort Toad worries his buddy will miss the holiday entirely.
Recommended Ages: 3+
Available December 1 on Apple TV+
The Snoopy Show Christmas Special
A holiday special that’s part of a stellar series, The Snoopy Show’s “Happiness Is Holiday Traditions” tags along with Snoopy and Woodstock as they visit the beagle’s brother, Spike, out in the desert. Not to let a few prickly cacti ruin their Christmas spirit, they conquer misadventures for the best holiday ever.
Recommended Ages: 4+
Available December 1 on Apple TV+
Shape Island Winter Special
Based on the best-selling picture books written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen, Shape Island molds its narratives around three shape friends: Square, Circle, and Triangle. In “The Winter Blues,” the series’ holiday special, Square is sad, so the others try to cheer him up with a new Yeti-centric holiday.
Recommended Ages: 3+
Available December 1 on Apple TV+
Sago Mini Friend New Year’s Eve Special
The colorful crew of Sagoville are celebrating closing one chapter and beginning another in “New Year’s Eve Steve.” The special unfurls as Harvey, the floppy-eared dog, gets help from a firefly to stay awake to see the clock strike midnight. One scavenger hunt and a ton of laughs later, the brood just might get their wish.
Recommended Ages: 2+
Available December 22 on Apple TV+
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse
The book on which this snowy special is based was written and illustrated by Charlie Mackesy, and it’s a beautiful work of art that would make the perfect gift for loved ones of all ages. The moving short film, another masterpiece, brings the titular four to life through traditional hand-drawn animation, following along as the friends ponder love, kindness, and hope on their journey home.
Recommended Ages: 5+
Available on Apple TV+
Spirited
Enjoy this musical with the older kids, as Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds, and Octavia Spencer hold nothing back as players in a rejiggered take on Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol. Reynolds stars as Clint Briggs, a miser whose ghostly visits teach him the true meaning of Christmas. Meanwhile, Ferrell embodies the Ghost of Christmas Present, and Spencer plays the gift he wants to unwrap.
Recommended Ages: 13+
Available on Apple TV+
Mariah’s Christmas: The Magic Continues
This year, the self-proclaimed Queen of Christmas is spreading cheer on the stages of the country’s biggest cities during her holiday tour, but if hard pants and big crowds aren’t your family’s style, just queue up this immersive sequel featuring Mariah Carey, her beloved songs, and a few fancy friends. Should you want a quick link to the 2020 original, here you go!
Recommended Ages: 4+
Available on Apple TV+
Snoopy Presents: For Auld Lang Syne
Apple TV+ has so. much. Peanuts. content, so go nuts! With For Auld Lang Syne, Lucy takes center stage, missing her grandmother and throwing a NYE party to cheer herself up. The first new holiday special in the Peanuts canon in nearly 20 years, this brilliantly animated short film is already an instant classic.
Recommended Ages: 3+
Available on Apple TV+
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
This stop-motion classic family Christmas movie about Rudolph and his unusual nose is a must-watch for every generation in your house. Parents can join their children on a nostalgic journey to the unforgettable Island of Misfit Toys.
Rated: Not Rated
Recommended Ages: 3+
Available on Apple TV+
Family Christmas Movies on Amazon Prime
A Christmas Story
Warning: Watching A Christmas Story is likely to result in nonstop quoting of all those hilarious one-liners (Go ahead and say it with us: “You’ll shoot your eye out!”). Double warning for the younger tots: “Fudge” is substituted for the F word, one poor kid gets his tongue frozen to a flagpole, and let’s not forget that fishnet stocking leg lamp.
Rated: PG
Recommended Ages: 8+
Available at: Amazon
Candy Cane Lane
Eddie Murphy and Tracee Ellis Ross team up for a holiday adventure about a family man who makes a pact with an elf to get a helping hand in winning his neighborhood’s holiday decorating contest. Of course, things don’t go as he expects, and the 12 Days of Christmas come to leaping to life.
Recommended Ages: 9+
Available November 30 on Amazon
Merry Little Batman
Damien Wayne is home alone and determined to keep a bunch of supervillains from ruining his Christmas, so he turns himself into Little Batman and shows those filthy animals who’s boss. If it all sounds familiar, that’s because this animated tale is DC’s super-twist on Macaulay Culkin’s 1990 classic.
Recommended Ages: 5+
Available December 8 on Amazon
It’s a Wonderful Life
It certainly isn’t new, but no holiday is complete without watching Frank Capra’s seminal holiday film, It’s a Wonderful Life. A heartwarming story that explores the human condition in all its forms, kids young and old always find much to love about George Bailey, a businessman who gets a glimpse at what life would look like without him.
Recommended Ages: 9+
Available on Amazon
The Preacher’s Wife
A remake of The Bishop’s Wife from 1947, this musical drama starring Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington is another holiday must-watch. Featuring a beautiful holy soundtrack sung by the late pop diva, the film sees Denzel’s Dudley help a family in crisis around the holidays.
Recommended Ages: 10+
Available on Amazon
Yogi’s First Christmas
This classic kids’ Christmas movie finds Yogi and his affable sidekick Boo Boo joining in on the holiday fun, even though they should be hibernating. Kids will love meeting other Hanna-Barbera favorites like Huckleberry Hound, Snagglepuss, and Augie Doggie.
Rated: No Rating
Recommended Ages: 3+
Available on Amazon
The Legend of the Christmas Witch
This 2018 Italian film tells the story of an ordinary school teacher who, at night, transforms into Befana, the magical witch who bestows gifts upon all the good children. Available in Italian with English subtitles or a dubbed English version.
Rated: Not Rated
Recommended Ages: 8+
Available on Amazon Freevee
Alone for Christmas
What’s cuter than puppies? Christmas puppies! This is basically the plot to Home Alone, but instead of a kid—you’ve got an adorable pup!
Rated: PG
Recommended Ages: 8+
Available on Amazon
Jingle All the Way
Arnold Schwarzenegger is willing to go to any length to get his son the latest and greatest toy for Christmas in this 1990s film. While there are some funny moments, some are also violent, and the movie may be better for older kids.
Rated: PG
Recommended Ages: 8+
Available on Amazon
The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas
The Cat in the Hat is back again, making a messy party for all of the guests. But when the party is over, The Cat in the Hat, Sally, Nick, and the Fish discover a poor lost baby reindeer they are determined to help find his way home.
Rated: G
Recommended Ages: 2+
Available on Amazon
Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas Is You
Inspired by Mariah Carey’s instant holiday classic song “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” this sweet little cartoon features a young girl named Mariah who wants one thing for Christmas—a puppy! (Again, puppies + Christmas = love). Plus, it features voices by Mariah Carey, Breanna Yde, and Henry Winkler.
Rated: G
Recommended Ages: 4+
Available on Amazon
Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas
Fans of the affable monkey won’t want to miss this adventurous holiday story featuring George and the Man in the Yellow Hat. They both work hard to find the perfect gifts for each other.
Rated: G
Recommended Ages: 3+
Available on Amazon
Frosty the Snowman
The whole family will be a bunch of jolly, happy souls when they watch this classic family Christmas movie about the snowman who was brought to life with a magic hat and some love.
Rated: Not rated
Recommended Ages: 3+
Available on Amazon
Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
Narrated by Fred Astaire, this classic holiday movie tells the story of Santa’s humble beginnings. The kids will get a kick out of seeing the movie’s take on how certain Christmas traditions began (like the flying reindeer and why Santa comes through the chimney).
Rated: Not Rated
Recommended Ages: 5+
Available on Amazon
Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch
This 2018 retelling of the classic Dr. Seuss story about the green grump who wants to stop Christmas is packed full of fun and laughs. Pharrell Williams narrates, while Benedict Cumberbatch voices the cantankerous Grinch.
Rated: PG
Recommended Ages: 6+
Available on Amazon
The Snowman
Based on the classic picture book by Raymond Briggs, The Snowman is worth a watch with your tiny tots. This wordless movie follows the adventures of a young boy whose snowman comes to life. It’s a simple but whimsical story that still offers a healthy dose of holiday magic.
Rated: G
Recommended Ages: 3+
Available on Amazon
The Polar Express
Based on the beautiful best-selling book, this classic family Christmas movie follows a young boy on his journey to the North Pole, where he discovers just how real Santa’s holiday magic is.
Rating: G
Recommended Ages: 6+
Available on Amazon
It’s a Very Muppet Christmas Movie
The classic story of It’s a Wonderful Life gets a kid-friendly twist thanks to the Muppet gang. In this version, the Muppet Theater is in trouble, and a stressed-out Kermit wonders if the world would have been better off without him and his friends. Luckily, his guardian angel (David Arquette) shows him what matters most—with the help of fun musical numbers and a star-studded cast.
Rated: PG
Recommended Ages: 6+
Available on Amazon
Arthur Christmas
What’s the lovable youngest son of Santa to do when he discovers that one child hasn’t received her Christmas present? Go on a madcap mission, of course! You’ll love the family spirit of this movie as we meet Arthur and the whole Claus clan.
Rated: PG
Recommended Ages: 5+
Available on Amazon
Home Alone
A member of the John Hughes movie family, Home Alone is a full-fledged faceoff between eight-year-old Kevin and a couple of witless burglars. If it’s been a while since you’ve seen this one, you may not remember just how violent the slapstick gets. Still, it’s worth a view for older kids who understand the Christmas consequences.
Rated: PG
Recommended Ages: 10+
Available on Amazon
Elf
Don’t be a cotton-headed ninny muggins (pardon our language) and miss out on watching the story of our favorite innocent “elf,” Buddy. This is another family Christmas movie you’ll be quoting all season long. Though a few spots may run a bit boring for little ones, kids will still love seeing the holidays through Buddy’s enthusiastic eyes.
Rated: PG
Recommended Ages: 7+
Available on Amazon
Miracle on 34th Street
This 1994 remake of a 1940s classic has all the tried-and-true favorites of a family Christmas movie: a precocious kid, a lovable Santa, and a smiley ending. But keep in mind, Mom and Dad, that the little girl in the movie does question the existence of Santa Claus—so if this isn’t a hot topic in your house yet, you might want to skip this one!
Rated: PG
Recommended Ages: 6+
Available on Amazon
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
We can’t settle the age-old debate of old Grinch vs. new Grinch—but we’ll admit that the classic ‘toon version holds a special place in our “two sizes too small” hearts. Add it to your holiday movie lineup to get your yuletide dose of Seuss and Whoville.
Rated: Not Rated
Recommended Ages: 4+
Available on Amazon
Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas
There’s a “Gift of the Magi” element at play in this 1977 Jim Henson wholesome classic Christmas tale that is as adorable as it is lively, with original songs by Paul Williams. Kermit the Frog’s turn as the narrator is both funny and adorable.
Rated: Not Rated
Recommended Ages: 4+
Available at: Amazon
Full Court Miracle
This Disney original Hanukkah movie, which happens to be based on a true story, follows a beloved basketball coach as he becomes the coach of a yeshiva in Philly.
Rated: TV-G
Recommended: Ages 8+
Available on Amazon
with additional reporting by DeAnna Janes
