25+ Best Christmas Movies for Kids + Families (plus Local Movie Showings)

Need some ideas for your next cozy Christmas movie night?

Whether you’re in the mood for laugh-out-loud comedies, animated favorites, or heart-warming classics, this list will help you decide what to watch this holiday season.

Grab your hot cocoa, cue up your favorite streaming service, and enjoy one of these timeless picks!

These movies and specials range from family-friendly (G or PG) to options better suited for teens and adults (PG-13) — check ratings before watching if you’re planning a family movie night.

Thanksgiving Favorites to Kick Off the Season

Perfect for kicking off the holiday season.

• A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
• Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
• The National Dog Show

Classic Christmas Movies the Whole Family Will Love

The timeless films that never go out of style. From funny to heartwarming, all endlessly quotable.

• Elf
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
• A Christmas Story
• Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
• The Santa Clause
• It’s a Wonderful Life
• White Christmas
• Miracle on 34th Street
• The Muppet Christmas Carol
• The Year Without a Santa Claus

Animated Features + Kids’ Christmas Movies

Perfect for younger kids or a family movie night.

• Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) and The Grinch (2018 animated)
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
• Frosty the Snowman
• Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
• The Polar Express
• Arthur Christmas
• Olaf’s Frozen Adventure
• Klaus
• The Star
• The Elf on the Shelf: An Elf’s Story
• Prep & Landing and Naughty vs. Nice

Funny Christmas Movies

Light-hearted comedies and modern family favorites full of holiday chaos and laughs.

• Scrooged
• Christmas with the Kranks
• Fred Claus
• Four Christmases
• The Christmas Chronicles (1 & 2)
• Noelle
• Spirited

Heartwarming Holiday Favorites

Stories that blend humor, love, and plenty of Christmas spirit.

• Love Actually
• The Holiday
• Last Christmas
• Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

Faith-Based Christmas Movies

For families who want to focus on the true meaning of the season.

• The Nativity Story
• Journey to Bethlehem
• Chasing the Star
• The Chosen: Christmas Specials
• VeggieTales: The Star of Christmas and The Best Christmas Gift

Holiday Specials + Seasonal Favorites

Short-form shows and one-night events to mark the season.

• Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting
• A Charlie Brown Christmas
• The Great Christmas Light Fight
• CMA Country Christmas
• Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Celebration
• The Grinch Musical Special
• The Minions Holiday Special
• World of Disney Magical Holiday Celebration

Movies for Mom time

Looking for something to watch after the kids are in bed? These cozy streaming favorites from Hallmark and Netflix are perfect for your next “Mom Time” movie night. Small-town charm, happy endings, and plenty of twinkle lights.

Best Hallmark Christmas Movies

• Christmas Under Wraps – A beloved Hallmark favorite starring Candace Cameron Bure.
• The Most Wonderful Time of the Year – A feel-good favorite featuring a retired cop playing matchmaker.
• Haul Out the Holly – Festive, funny, and full of neighborhood Christmas spirit with Lacey Chabert.
• A Royal Christmas – Classic “commoner meets prince” Christmas fairytale set in a royal castle.
• A Very Merry Mix-Up – Sweet mistaken-identity story that delivers cozy, romantic vibes.
• Three Wise Men and a Baby – A hilarious and heartfelt story about three brothers learning to care for a baby at Christmas.

Netflix Christmas Movies

• The Christmas Chronicles (1 & 2) – Kurt Russell’s Santa brings fun, adventure, and a dash of chaos.
• Family Switch – A fun body-swap comedy starring Jennifer Garner.
• Best. Christmas. Ever! – Feel-good friendship + holiday chaos.
• The Princess Switch – Double (and triple!) the Vanessa Hudgens in this royal Christmas series.
• A Christmas Prince – Netflix’s first big holiday hit — royalty, romance, and snow-covered castles.
• Holidate – A cheeky romantic comedy that’s festive, funny, and a little less predictable.

Bonus Ideas

• Create a Christmas Movie Marathon weekend — classics Friday, comedies Saturday, kids’ picks Sunday
• Make a family checklist and cross off each movie as you watch
• Host a vote-for-the-favorite night with hot cocoa and snacks

Where to Stream Christmas Movies

You’ll find many of these on:

• Disney+ (family favorites & animated classics)
• Netflix (originals + modern hits)
• Hulu (mix of Hallmark + Freeform)
• Amazon Prime Video (rent or buy classics)
• Hallmark Channel (romantic & family holiday movies)
• Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas (Dec 1–25)
• AMC’s Best Christmas Ever (Nov – Dec)