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By Kim Vij 1 Comment

The Best Christmas Movies for Kids

Christmas Movies for Kids

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!

The Best Christmas Movies for Kids
The Best Christmas Movies for Kids
  • 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 t choose from.

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon Affiliate links.

The Polar Express

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

  • Build a Moving Polar Express Train Ride
  • Hot Chocolate Cookie Recipe
  • Fingerprint Train Ornament
Moving Polar Express Train Ride with Preschoolers

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.

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This image has an empty alt attribute
This image has an empty alt attribute

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

Reindeer STEM Activity for Kids

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

There are several movies that 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

Christmas movies to watch with kids this holiday season

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:

  • DIY Star Onament with Pasta
  • Angel Ornament
  • Christmas Star Rice Krispie Treat Recipe
Star Noodle Ornament

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

Making snowman pizza

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.

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.

Hot chocolate cookies on white plate with red, green and gold Christmas garland in background

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 Family Movie Night this Holiday Season

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

The Best Christmas Movies for Kids Checklist
DOWNLOAD MOVIE LIST

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.

Kindness Elves in front of Christmas tree lit with lights sharing kindness elves letters for child
school children in santa hats working on christmas activities and crafts
Children reading christmas books in santa hats with Dad.

Looking for more Christmas fun with your child? You’ll like these…

  • Kindness Elves Printable Letters
  • 50+ Christmas Activities for School Ages
  • The Ultimate List of Must-Read Christmas Books for Kids

Like this idea? Pin for later or share now with a friend!

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Filed Under: Kids Activities, Parenting Tagged With: Christmas, grade school, Movies, Preschool, Toddler

About Kim Vij

Early childhood teacher, author, speaker and mom of 3. Kim shares ways to make learning fun and parenting an adventure by sharing developmentally appropriate activities.

« 50+ Gingerbread Activities for Kids
50+ Christmas Activities for School Aged Kids »

Comments

  1. Dominion Cinemas says

    September 28, 2023 at 12:48 pm

    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!

    Reply

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Early childhood teacher, author, speaker and mom of 3. Kim Vij shares ways to make learning fun and parenting an adventure by sharing all kinds of easy kid crafts, activities, recipes and even travel ideas for families!
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