Part of the magic of Christmas is sitting down as a family and watching some of the best Christmas movies for kids.
There are so many fun movies that have become classics over the years that families love to watch again and again.
I put together a list of the best family-friendly Christmas movies so you can make sure your child doesn’t miss one.
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Start a new tradition this year and watch one on Christmas Eve to add to the excitement of the season or for kids and families who are really serious about having the most fun for the holidays, watch one every night leading up to Christmas!
Whichever route you choose to go, here are 30 of the best Christmas movies for kids to choose from.
Note: Most of these movies can be conveniently streamed through Amazon Prime Video or purchased as DVDs. See the benefits of Amazon Prime and get a 30 day free trial here.
Best Classic Christmas Movies for Kids
Most parents remember these movies from childhood. We grew up loving these classic Christmas movies for kids and want to pass down them down so our children can continue to enjoy them for years to come.
Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983)
The classic Mickey and Friends retelling of A Christmas Carol with Scrooge McDuck playing Ebenezer Scrooge and Mickey Mouse as Bob Cratchit.
The Little Drummer Boy (1968)
One of the classic stop motion television specials from the 1960s that have stood up to the test of time. It is the heart-warming story of a little Jewish orphan playing music for the newborn baby Jesus.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
The classic 1964 stop motion story of how Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is shunned by the reindeer but ultimately saves Christmas.
Frosty the Snowman (1969)
Another Stop motion classic, this one is the story of Frosty the Snowman, a magical snowman who comes to life and plays with Children.
Santa Claus is Coming To Town (1970)
The classic Christmas story of how Santa Claus came to be.
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
How The Grinch Stole Christmas is a Dr. Seuss book that has been remade into movies several times now but none can beat the 1966 animated special.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
The 1965 animated classic story based on the Peanuts comic strip. The quality of the recording isn’t great but if you can look past it you’ll enjoy the best of the Charlie Brown movies.
The Snowman (1982)
An animated classic Christmas movie from the UK that never really took off in the United States but is beloved abroad.
Prancer (1989)
A girl finds an injured reindeer and nurses him to health who turns out to be Prancer, one of Santa’s reindeer.
Ernest Saves Christmas (1988)
A comedy in which Ernest tries to find a replacement for the aging Santa Claus.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
This Christmas movie has been a time-honored classic for generations. Follow along as one little girl and her mother learn to believe in the magic of Santa again.
A Christmas Story (1983)
Follow along with Ralphie as he navigates boyhood and wishes for a most prized Christmas gift.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
Disaster after disaster strikes the Griswold family as they try to make plans for a big family Christmas celebration.
The Year without a Santa Claus (1974)
What happens when Santa is too tired to deliver gifts? Find out how Mrs. Clause and other helpers help Santa make the right decision for all the boys and girls who are counting on him.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
George Bailey doesn’t want to live another day but his guardian angel convinces him that his good deeds really are worth living for.
Best Modern Christmas Movies for Kids
Even though we love our classics, we can’t deny some of the modern day Christmas movies for kids have won us over and we’d love for our children to add these to their favorite Christmas movie collection.
Jingle All the Way (1996)
Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as a father desperately trying to get a Turbo-Man action figure for his son on Christmas Eve in the comedy Jingle All the Way.
Home Alone (1990)
Holiday shenanigans abound when Kevin is left home alone while his large family goes on vacation without him. There are several sequels but the first one is by far the best.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
For a more comedic take on the classic story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Grinch offers a funny remake of the 1966 classic.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Michael Caine is Scrooge in the Muppet’s retelling of A Christmas Carol. Kermit the Frog plays Bob Cratchit and Gonzo is Charles Dickens.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The citizens of Halloween Town takes over Christmas and makes a terrible mess of it, but along the way, the Pumpkin King has his love for Halloween reignited.
Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas (2009)
The animated Christmas story of what happens to the most curious monkey, Curious George at Christmas time. This movie is shown on PBS every year at Christmas time.
The Santa Claus (1994)
When Scott Calvin accidentally causes Santa Claus to fall off the roof of a house on Christmas Eve he becomes the next Santa. This movie had several sequels but it is best to forget they exist at all, they are not good movies.
The Polar Express (2004)
The story of a young boy who sees a train headed to the North Pole on Christmas Eve and is invited on board.
Rise of the Guardians (2012)
Chris Pine, Jude Law, Alec Baldwin, and Hugh Jackman star in this animated movie based on the book series The Guardians of Childhood by William Joyce.
Arthur Christmas (2011)
The son of Santa sets out to deliver a single present that somehow didn’t get delivered to a little girl.
Elf (2003)
A comedy in which a Human raised by Santa’s elves meets his real father and falls in love.
The dog Who Saved Christmas (2009)
A former police dog is left at home alone on Christmas Eve when burglars try to break in and it is up to him to save Christmas for his family.
Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997)
A flashback to when the Prince was still The Beast and Belle wanted to celebrate Christmas but there is a plot in the house to keep them from falling in love.
Arthur’s Perfect Christmas (2000)
The Christmas special for the Canadian animated educational show Arthur.
Annabelle’s Wish (1997)
The story of a young calf named Annabelle who wants to learn how to fly and become one of Santa’s Reindeer.
Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws (2009)
The ninth film in the Air Bud franchise, it follows the story of Santa Paws who must restore Christmas Spirit in the world.
Father Christmas (1991)
A classic story of what Father Christmas gets up to when it isn’t Christmas.
VeggieTales: The Ultimate Christmas Collection
A collection of wholesome Christian Christmas tales as told by the Veggie Tales.
Paw Patrol: Pups Save Christmas (2013)
The Christmas episode of Paw Patrol in which the pups save Christmas.
Thomas & Friends: Christmas on Sodor (2017)
Thomas and his friends take part in the winter festivities of Sodor Island.
Frozen (2013)
Relive the wave of frozen magic that engulfed us all when Elsa and Anna became a part of our worlds.
Olaf’s Frozen Adventure (2017)
Join Olaf on the adventure of a lifetime as he works to help Elsa and Anna find family traditions of their own.
Jack Frost (1998)
When Charlie discovers and plays his late father’s harmonica, he’s surprised when he magically reappears as Jack Frost, the snowman!
A Christmas Carol (2009)
This story stands the test of time and this remake of the classic didn’t let us down. Jim Carrey delights audiences as only he can as the disgruntled Ebenezer Scrooge.
Barbie In The Nutcracker (2001)
Come along with Barbie as she searches for the Sugarplum Princess.
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018)
Watch out for Mother Ginger in this remake of a classic children’s Christmas movie starring Clara who’s on a mission to save the magical realm.
The Elf on the Shelf Presents: An Elf’s Story (2011)
A helpful elf sets out to help a boy believe in the magic of Christmas again.
Shrek the Halls (2007)
Shrek is at it again, adding his unique and often gross spin on family Christmas traditions.
Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas (2011)
When three pals get in trouble with Santa and find themselves on the naughty list, they have to find a way to get off.
Christmas with the Kranks (2004)
The Kranks are skipping the tree, gifts and festivities this year and going on a cruise instead. Their plans get derailed and they learn a valuable lesson about Christmas.
From old classics to new favorites, watch and enjoy these fun Christmas movies for kids and families each year to keep your holiday traditions alive.
