Summary

• Christmas movies for kids are not only entertaining for younger audiences, but also have entertainment value for more mature audiences.
• Many of the best Christmas films have deep themes that both kids and adults can understand and resonate with.
• These Christmas movies for kids offer a wide variety of options, from animated adventures to vintage classics, that can satisfy specific tastes in film.

When it comes to the best Christmas movies for kids, there are plenty of options that will not only entertain younger audiences, but adults as well. Whether it’s an animated adventure film that explores the true meaning of the holiday, a live-action comedy featuring big movie stars, a vintage Christmas classic that is still watched to this day, or a great Netflix Christmas movie, there is a wide variety of Christmas movies for kids that will satisfy even their most specific tastes in film.

However, just because these movies are made for a younger demographic doesn’t mean that they lack entertainment value for more mature audiences as well. Some of these movies have been nominated for, and even won, Academy Awards, while others are holiday classics that are still being watched by families today. Overall, many of the best Christmas films are not just entertaining for the whole family, but also have deep themes that both kids and adults can understand and resonate with, and these Christmas movies for kids accomplish both of those goals.

Best Animated Christmas Movies For Kids

Klaus (2019)

A reimagining of Santa’s origin story, Klaus is an animated Christmas film written and directed by Sergio Pablos. Taking place in a fictionalized 19th-century Norway, the film follows a young postman, Jesper Johansen (Jason Schwartzman), who delivers mail to and eventually befriends a large reclusive toymaker, Klaus (J.K. Simmons). This is one of the best Christmas movies for kids because not only is it a refreshing and unique take on the Santa story, but it is also a gorgeously animated film that’s worth seeing for the visuals alone.

Watch on Netflix

Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas (1999)

Produced by Walt Disney Television Animation, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas is an anthology film divided into three sections. The first section, titled “Donald Duck: Stuck on Christmas”, stars Donald Duck, his nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie, Daisy Duck, and Scrooge McDuck. The second section, which is called “A Very Goofy Christmas”, features Goofy, Max, and Pete. Finally, the third section, “Mickey and Minnie’s Gift of the Magi”, focuses on Mickey and Minnie Mouse. This is one of the best Christmas movies for kids as it is a fun animated film that features many of fan-favorite, beloved Disney characters.

Watch on Disney+

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

Based on Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip, A Charlie Brown Christmas follows the titular character who is encouraged by his friends to direct the Christmas play but is later mocked by them when they discover that a Christmas tree will be one of the main characters. While A Charlie Brown Christmas has much of the same charm as other Peanuts specials, this one is particularly notable as it uses its charm to tell a very sweet and timeless Christmas story.

Watch on Apple TV

Arthur Christmas (2011)

Created by legendary animation studio Aardman Animations, Arthur Christmas tells the story of Arthur Claus (James McAvoy) who discovers that his father, Santa Claus (Hugh Laurie), accidentally forgot to deliver a gift to a young girl. With the help of his enthusiastic yet reckless Grandsanta (Bill Nighy) and a young elf named Bryony Shelfley (Ashley Jensen), Arthur goes on an adventure to deliver the young girl her present before Christmas morning. Arthur Christmas is one of Aardman’s best films, and it is also one of the best Christmas movies for kids.

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How The Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)

The very first adaptation of the iconic Dr. Seuss children’s book of the same name, How The Grinch Stole Christmas! is a TV movie that tells the story of The Grinch (Boris Karloff), a selfish green creature who hates Christmas and all the celebration and cheer that comes with it. He comes up with a plan to ruin Christmas forever by dressing up as Santa and stealing all the presents in Whoville. Despite being released in 1966, How The Grinch Stole Christmas! has remained a classic, especially among younger audiences, as it is a faithful and entertaining adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s book.

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Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer follows the eponymous young reindeer (Billie Mae Richards) who dreams of one day being able to fly Santa’s sleigh but is constantly being bullied and mocked by the other reindeer for having a bright red nose. Additionally, the film also focuses on an elf character named Hermey (Paul Soles) who is also mocked for wanting to become a dentist instead of a toymaker. Together, Rudolph and Hermey go on an adventure to prove that they are capable of accomplishing their dreams. Considered one of the best and most iconic Christmas movies ever made, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a must-see for kids.

Watch on Amazon Prime Video

The Polar Express (2004)

Co-written and directed by Robert Zemeckis, The Polar Express tells the story of a character named Billy the Lonely Boy (Peter Scolari, Jimmy Bennett, and Matthew Hall) who wakes up in the middle of the night to find a massive train stopped in front of his suburban house. The Conductor (Tom Hanks) invites Billy to get aboard the train as it and the kids inside are currently on their way to the North Pole to visit Santa. Hesitant at first, Billy eventually gets on the train and goes on this epic adventure.

While the film does have some dated elements, it is still considered one of the best Christmas movies for kids because not only is it the first-ever animated film to be made entirely using motion capture technology, but the message of the movie is comforting and heart-warming.

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Disney’s A Christmas Carol (2009)

Robert Zemeckis’ third animated film that was entirely made using motion capture technology, Disney’s A Christmas Carol is an adaptation of the Charles Dickens novella of the same name and follows the selfish Ebenezer Scrooge (Jim Carrey) who is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come, who all show him the true meaning of Christmas. Even though the film underperformed at the box office, it is still a Christmas movie that is worth seeing thanks to Jim Carrey’s performance as Ebenezer Scrooge, Alan Silvestri’s score, and the motion capture animation.

Watch on Disney+

Robin, Robin (2021)

One of the best G-rated movies on Netflix, Robin Robin tells the story of a young robin who gets adopted by a family of mice. However, despite being loved and accepted by her family, Robin knows that she is not truly a mouse. Therefore, Robin attempts to steal a shiny star so that she can prove to both herself and her family that she’s just as much of a mouse as the rest of her loved ones. Robin Robin is a very tightly written short film that is both entertaining and heartwarming to watch, making it one of the best Christmas movies for kids.

Watch on Netflix

The Grinch (2018)

The third adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s iconic children’s book, Illumination’s The Grinch follows a grumpy green creature named the Grinch (Benedict Cumberbatch) who despises the people of Whoville and their love of Christmas and all the festivities that come along with the holiday. With the help of his dog Max, the Grinch dresses up like Santa and attempts to steal all the presents in Whoville for himself. While the film wasn’t greeted warmly by critics, it is still worth watching just for the great-looking animation and Cumberbatch’s performance alone.

Watch on Peacock

Best Live-Action Christmas Movies For Kids

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

Like several other Muppets movies that adapted classic, iconic books like The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz and Muppet Treasure Island, The Muppet Christmas Carol is an adaptation of the classic Charles Dickens novella. The Muppet Christmas Carol is a surprisingly faithful retelling of Ebenezer Scrooge’s (Michael Caine) story and his encounters with the Ghosts of Past, Present, and Yet to Come as it closely follows the original novel’s structure, with the only difference of course being the inclusion of the Muppets. Overall, The Muppet Christmas Carol is a fun, lighthearted Christmas movie featuring the iconic puppets that both kids and adults can sit back and enjoy.

Watch on Disney+

A Boy Called Christmas (2021)

From Monster House director Gil Kenan, A Boy Called Christmas follows a young boy named Nikolas (Henry Lawfull) whose father leaves in an attempt to discover Elfhelm, a hidden village populated by elves. When his father doesn’t return, Nikolas teams up with a reindeer named Blitzen and his pet mouse to go on a journey to find his father while also attempting to discover the mysterious Elfhelm himself. Featuring a unique take on Santa and his elves and an all-star cast that includes Stephen Merchant, Maggie Smith, and Sally Hawkins, A Boy Called Christmas is a must-watch.

Watch on Netflix

Home Alone (1990)

Directed by Chris Columbus, Home Alone is an iconic Christmas movie. The film centers on Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin), a young boy who finds himself home alone after his family accidentally leaves him behind while quickly rushing off to the airport to make their trip to Paris. While Kevin is excited that he is the king of the house, his night is disrupted by two thieves named Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern) attempting to rob the house. Thus, Kevin decides to fight back. The film is simply pure entertainment that anyone can enjoy and love.

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Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York takes place a couple of years after the events of the first film and follows Kevin McCallister who accidentally arrives in New York City after getting separated from his family at the airport. Realizing that he can now celebrate Christmas however he pleases, Kevin begins enjoying his new vacation in the Big Apple. However, his vacation is halted when he re-encounters Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern) who plan on robbing a massive toy store. Many have argued that Home Alone 2 is better than the original, and it is a movie that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults.

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Elf (2003)

By Iron Man and The Jungle Book director Jon Favreau, Elf is about a Buddy (Will Ferrell), an adult human who was raised in the North Pole and discovers that he is not an elf and that Papa Elf (Bob Newhart) is not his real father. He learns that his real father is a selfish book publisher named Walter Hobbs (James Caan), and so Buddy leaves the North Pole to meet Walter and his family while also attempting to find out where he truly belongs in life. Since its release, Elf has remained a staple among moviegoers and is easily one of the best Christmas movies for kids.

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A Christmas Story (1983)

A Christmas Story tells the story of a young boy named Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) who dreams of getting a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. Despite his friends, family, and even a mall Santa telling him that it’s too dangerous for him to own, Ralphie does everything he can to get his hands on it. A Christmas Story has become such a beloved Christmas classic that it has been marathoning on TV during the holiday season since 1997. Its popularity has also led to the development of several sequels, the most recent one being the Max-produced film, A Christmas Story Christmas.

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Jingle All The Way (1996)

Featuring a high-profile cast that includes Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sinbad, Phil Hartman, and Rita Wilson, Jingle All the Way follows two fathers named Howard Langston (Schwarzenegger) and Myron Larabee (Sinbad) who on Christmas Eve vie to buy a hot new toy called the Turbo-Man action figure that both of their sons want for the holidays. While Jingle All the Way is not a perfect film by any means, it is a very entertaining and fast-paced movie that features an energetic comedic performance from Schwarzenegger.

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Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

Directed by Ron Howard, How the Grinch Stole Christmas is the second adaptation of the Dr. Seuss children’s book, and is the first live-action adaptation of the source material. Like the previous screen iterations of How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Ron Howard’s version follows the mean and selfish Grinch (Jim Carrey) who dresses up like Santa and attempts to steal all the presents in Whoville and ruin Christmas for everyone. While the film does have some notable flaws, it is still a great Christmas movie for kids thanks to the production value and Jim Carrey’s kinetic performance as the Grinch.

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Noelle (2019)

Featuring a cast of A-list actors that includes Anna Kendrick, Bill Hader, Shirley MacLaine, Billy Eichner, and Kingsley Ben-Adir, Noelle follows the titular character (Kendrick), the daughter of Santa who hopes to do great things in the North Pole like his brother Nick (Hader). Due to the massive pressure of running the North Pole, Nick decides to take a quick vacation and relax, but when he doesn’t return from his trip, Noelle must go on a journey to find him. The excellent performances help Noelle stand out from any other generic Christmas movie, making it one of the best for kids.

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The Santa Clause (1994)

The first installment in the iconic Disney Christmas franchise, The Santa Clause sees marketing director and divorced father Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) accidentally kill a man who is eventually revealed to be Santa Claus. Following this incident, Scott is transported to the North Pole and is instructed by the elves that he must take up the mantle of Santa Claus and deliver all the presents to the children before Christmas morning. The Santa Clause led to a sequel and TV show, but the original movie is the funniest and most heartwarming.

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Best Christmas Movies For Older Kids

It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)

Directed by Frank Capra, It’s a Wonderful Life tells the story of a man named George Bailey (Stewart) who is so stressed and unhappy with his life that he decides to jump off of a bridge on Christmas. Luckily, he is not only saved by a guardian angel but he is also shown by the mysterious figure all the good he’s done for his community and how it has become a much better place because of his work. It’s a Wonderful Life is not only one of the best Christmas movies ever made, but simply one of the best films ever, and is an absolute must-watch for older kids.

Watch on Amazon Prime Video

Miracle on 34th St (1947)

Miracle on 34th Street follows a mysterious man dressed as Santa who quickly becomes popular after his appearance in the Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City. However, he receives backlash from the public after he claims that he is the real Santa Claus. Therefore, the man is put on trial in which the judge and jury must decide if he truly is who he claims to be, or simply someone suffering from delusions. This Christmas classic has one of the most riveting stories of any movie in the subgenre, which is why it is still regularly screened for the holidays to this day.

Watch on Hulu

A Christmas Carol (1951)

Yet another film adaptation of Charles Dickens’ book, A Christmas Carol centers on a wealthy, selfish businessman named Ebenezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim) who despises all things Christmas and prevents his employee Bob Cratchit (Mervyn Johns) from seeing his family on the holidays. However, Scrooge is later visited by the spirits of Christmas who show him the errors of his ways and try to turn him into a better person. Alastair Sim has been hailed by critics for creating the most iconic version of Scrooge and his performance alone makes A Christmas Carol one of the best Christmas movies for kids.

Watch on Amazon Prime Video

The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022)

The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special takes place after the events of Thor: Love and Thunder in which the Guardians of the Galaxy have established their base of operations on the planet, Knowhere, after buying it from the Collector. Disheartened that Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) is still depressed from the loss of Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), Mantis (Pom Klementieff) and Drax (Dave Bautista) travel to Earth to retrieve Quill’s favorite actor, Kevin Bacon, as a Christmas present for Peter. Like previous entries, this holiday special has all the fun elements from the previous Guardians movies but with a holiday spin that’s great for Christmas viewing.

Watch on Disney+

Spirited (2022)

Featuring a high-profile cast of famous actors that includes Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds, Octavia Spencer, and Tracy Morgan, Spirited is a reimagining of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The movie follows Ebenezer Scrooge (Will Ferrell), the current Ghost of Christmas Present who wants to help a man named Clint Briggs (Ryan Reynolds) become a better person before retiring from his position. The film is one of the best Christmas movies for older kids as it not only provides a unique take on The Christmas Carol story but also features plenty of entertaining song-and-dance numbers.

Watch on Apple TV+

8-Bit Christmas (2021)

Released on Max in 2021, 8-Bit Christmas is about a man named Jake Doyle (Neil Patrick Harris) who tells a story to his young daughter Annie (Sophia Reid-Gantzert) about the time he got a Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The NES was the only present that young Jake wanted, as it was the hottest new video game console at the time, and he was willing to do whatever it took to get his hands on it. In the same vein as films like A Christmas Story, 8-Bit Christmas is a fun, entertaining Christmas comedy about a boy’s quest to get his dream Christmas and is certainly worth watching.

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Gremlins (1984)

Directed by acclaimed cult filmmaker Joe Dante, Gremlins is a horror Christmas film that follows a young man named Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan) who receives a mogwai called Gizmo as an early Christmas gift from his father. However, what appears to be an adorable and harmless creature soon becomes deadly when Billy accidentally pours water on Gizmo’s head, causing it to spawn clones that eventually become evil gremlins that take over Billy’s hometown. While the film may be a bit violent for younger audiences, it is an absolute must-watch as it is one of the greatest Christmas horror films ever made.

Watch on Apple TV

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

The Nightmare Before Christmas tells the story of Jack Skellington, who has grown tired of repeating the same old Halloween-themed activities, festivities, and song-and-dance numbers in Halloween Town. However, when he accidentally stumbles upon Christmas Town, he learns what that holiday is all about. Excited by this new holiday, Jack returns home and attempts to recreate Christmas in Halloween Town. This is one of the best Christmas movies for older kids as it not only perfectly balances both being a Halloween and Christmas movie, but it is also a phenomenal stop-motion animated musical.

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White Christmas (1954)

Featuring an all-star cast that includes Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen, White Christmas is a musical film and is about two former soldiers turned song-and-dance performers named Bob Wallace (Crosby) and Phil Davis (Kaye) who attempt to create a great musical show for their former general to help save his inn in Vermont from closing. This is one of the best Christmas movies for older kids because not only does it feature plenty of well-coordinated musical numbers, but is also a heartwarming story about trying to do something nice for the people that matter most.

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National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)

The third installment of the Vacation series, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation follows patriarch Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) who is working hard to create the best Christmas experience ever for his wife and kids. However, his plans for a perfect Christmas are brought to a halt when Clark’s cousin, Eddie (Randy Quaid), and his family show up at the house unannounced, which makes Clark’s dream Christmas even more difficult to achieve. This is one of the best Christmas movies for kids as it is an incredibly well-made and hilarious comedy that can be rewatched multiple times and never once gets boring.

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