The list of Christmas movies to choose from has grown quite a bit. Here are our top picks for the best Christmas movies for kids. This ultimate Christmas movie list includes not only your favorite classic Christmas movies but also a few new Christmas movies you shouldn’t miss this holiday season.
Plus they are listed by age for easy selection!
- Christmas Movies for Preschoolers & Toddlers
- Christmas Movies for Elementary School Ages
- Christmas Movies Inspired by Popular Kids Movies
- Holiday Movies with your Favorite Disney Characters
- Religious Christmas Movies for Kids
- Christmas Movies for Older Kids
- Family Christmas Movies
- Christmas Movies on Netflix for Kids
- Christmas Movies on Amazon Prime for Kids
- Christmas Movies on Disney Plus for Kids
- Christmas Movies for Parents
The Best Christmas Movies for Kids
One of my most favorite things to do during the holidays is to plan out the Christmas Movies we’re going to watch as a family. There are so many options available but some stay true to the spirit of Christmas, year after year. I’ve put together this list of the best Christmas movies just for you and your family.
These include the classic Christmas movies you expect year after year to watch. However, I’ve also included some new Christmas movies that I hope you’ll enjoy just as must as our family does.
The good news is that it’s divided this Christmas movie list into age-appropriate movies to make it easier for you to choose from.
Disclosure: This post contains Amazon Affiliate links.
If I had to choose just one movie to watch during the whole holiday season with the kids it would be The Polar Express. In the movie, a young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. It captures the spirit of Christmas in such a special way.
Polar Express Activities Ideas for Movie Night
Christmas Movies for Preschoolers & Toddlers
This collection of movies are most appropriate for younger viewers. They’ve been mom-tested and teacher-approved. You will also find a few options in the Disney Movies and Popular Movies sections too.
- Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas
- Peppa’s Christmas
- Sesame Street Holiday Double Feature
- Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas
- PBS KIDS: Christmas Collection
- An Elf’s Story – Elf on the Shelf Movie
- Angela’s Christmas
- A Charlie Brown Christmas
- Klaus
- Arthur Christmas
- Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Frosty the Snowman
- The Original Christmas Specials Collection
Activity Ideas for these Preschool Holiday Movies
- Rudolph Flying Reindeer STEM Challenge
- Reindeer Fingerprint Ornament
- Kindness Elf Ideas for Busy Parents
Christmas Movies for Elementary School Ages
As the kids get older they are ready for more complicated movie plots, one of which is the Grinch. Each one of these has a different twist to it, which one is your favorite? After the Polar Express, I highly recommend watching The Santa Clause Movie and The Grinch with your child if you only have time for a few Christmas movies.
- The Grinch
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas with Jim Carry
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas – Original
- The Santa Clause
- Santa Clause 2
- Santa Clause 3 – The Escape Clause
- A Boy Called Christmas
Christmas Movies Inspired by Popular Kids Movies
Several movies were inspired by your favorite movie characters, here are just a few that made our list of favorites.
- Trolls Holiday
- Merry Madagascar
- Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas Special
- Shrek the Halls
- Dragons Holiday: Gift of the Night Fury
- Dragons: Rescue Riders: Huttsgalor Holiday
Holiday Movies with your Favorite Disney Characters
Disney captures Christmas in such a magical way, here are a few extra special holiday movies to explore this holiday season. There are a few more on Disney Plus that feature the Disney Parks during Christmas which can be a fun treat if you’re not able to see them in person.
- Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas
- Olaf’s Frozen Adventure
- Mickey’s Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse
- The Muppet Christmas Carol
- Mickey’s Christmas Carol
- A Christmas Carol – 1984
- Dashboard
- Prep and Landing
Religious Christmas Movies for Kids
It’s important during this time of year to remember the true reason for the season. Here are a few movies about the First Christmas to explore with younger children.
- The First Christmas: The Birth of Jesus
- The VeggieTales Christmas Classics Collection
- The Star
- The Very First Noel Christmas
Activity Ideas after watching these religious holiday movies:
Christmas Movies for Older Kids
For the oldest kids, we move away from the animated movies a bit more into some fun Christmas plots. Here are my favorites over the years for Christmas movies with my kids as they grew older.
- Elf
- Jack Frost
- Prancer
- The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
- Christmas Chronicles
- Christmas Chronicles 2
- Home Alone
- Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
- Home Alone 3
Snack Ideas for Christmas Movie Night
- Christmas Roll Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Hot Chocolate Cookie Recipe
- Snowman Pizza Recipe
- Kale Christmas Tree Pizza Recipe
Family Christmas Movies
Here are some classics that are just a must watch as a family, the kids need to be a little bit older to truly appreciate them. I’ll confess we watch them each and every year, it’s become a tradition during December for these Christmas classic movies.
You can also have some extra fun with this Printable Christmas Movie Trivia.
Once your movie is over, head around your community to do this free printable Christmas lights scavenger hunt or to play a holiday game of Christmas charades!
- It’s a Wonderful Life
- Miracle on 34th Street
- White Christmas
- National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
- Scrooged
- Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
- Noelle
- Holiday Rush
There are also a few new ones from Netflix this past year that I think you’ll enjoy, especially for the adults.
With streaming options these days it can get a little more complicated as you’re choosing what to watch. I’ve included links to each of the platforms to help make it easier for you.
Christmas Movies on Netflix for Kids
Here’s the link to all of the holiday movies for kids on Netflix, trust me you’ll thank me later.
Christmas Movies on Amazon Prime for Kids
Here’s the link to all of the Christmas movies on Amazon prime for kids, bookmark to keep it handy this holiday season. Many of the movies that are featured on this post will take you straight to Amazon as well to view together.
Christmas Movies on Disney Plus for Kids
I’ve added this link to all of the Disney Plus Christmas Movies, sometimes it helped to have the list before you start movie night to help your family decide which one to watch together.
Christmas Movies for Parents
I’ll admit I like sneaking in a few Hallmark Christmas Movies or Lifetime Christmas Movies too, once the kids are in asleep. For the whole family there are some good options on Freeform 25 Days of Christmas Movies too.
Watch The Great British Baking Show: Holidays if you’re fan of the show. This special holiday episode was a hit with my family and inspired a few holiday recipes for us to bake together. If you need a really good laugh, watch A Bad Moms Christmas.
Get your 25 Days of Christmas Movies Checklist
If I’ve missed one of your family’s favorite movies for the holidays, leave a comment and I can add it to our list.
Looking for more Christmas fun with your child? You’ll like these…
Thank you for putting together this fantastic list of Christmas movies for kids! As a parent, it can be overwhelming to find movies that are both entertaining and suitable for young viewers during the holiday season. Your suggestions cover a wide range of themes and provide plenty of choices for my little ones to enjoy. I appreciate the time and effort you’ve put into curating this list, making it so much easier for me to plan our movie nights during this festive time. Keep up the great work!