The Christmas season is full of festivities around here which means we watch lots of kids’ Christmas movies! Sometimes it’s a family movie night, other times it’s in the background while we bake and decorate.
While we are planning out movie marathons, I thought it would be a great time to share some of our favorite family Christmas movies with you.
I did my best to include movies for all ages on this list of kids’ Christmas movies! Plus, I’m including a printable Christmas countdown advent calendar for you to print if you want to do a family movie night each day up through Christmas!
G-Rated Family Christmas Movies for Kids
Looking for family movies that are good for young kids? Here are some great children’s Christmas movies to watch this holiday season.
Note: some of these older or made-for-TV shows have an NR rating, meaning they’re not rated. While I am listing them as G-rated, you can always check the Common Sense Media site if you want more detailed info about possible sensitive scenes.
This post contains affiliate links; I may earn a commission if you purchase with my links.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Charlie Brown is a true classic for not only the Christmas season but holidays throughout the year. This timeless film is sure to get kids in the spirit of Christmas! (NR)
Where to watch: Amazon DVD, PBS, Apple TV+
Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town
Another favorite for families all over! This adorable classic goes back and explains how our favorite Christmas traditions came to be in a very fun way. (NR)
Where to watch: Prime Video, Amazon DVD, Hulu
Mickey’s Christmas Carol
Help your kids get their first taste of the classic Christmas Carol story. Ebenezer Scrooge, aka Scrooge McDuck, is far too greedy to understand that Christmas is a time for kindness and generosity. With the guidance of some wise ghosts, Goofy and Jiminy Cricket, and a bunch of newfound friends, Scrooge learns to embrace the spirit of the season. (G)
Where to watch: Prime Video, Amazon DVD, Disney Plus
A Muppet Christmas Carol
Muppets are here for Christmas! Watch as the Muppets tell a Charlie Dickens’ classic in a way kids are sure to love. (G)
Where to watch: Amazon DVD, Amazon Prime, Disney+, iTunes, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu
Santa Clause 2
The Santa Clause movies are a true staple of Christmas if you ask me. If you have any non-believers, this might even change their minds as they watch Santa find a wife before time runs out! (G)
Note: the first Santa Clause movie is rated PG, while the second and third are G.
Where to watch: Amazon DVD, Amazon Prime, Disney+, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu
Santa Clause 3
Finish The Santa Clause trilogy with the final chapter. Scott Calvin thinks he can get out of the “Santa Clause” but Jack Frost causes havoc and freezes Christmas! Can Scott save Christmas in the St. Nick of time? (G)
Where to watch: Amazon DVD, Amazon Prime, Disney+, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu
Santa Paws 2
This movie is hands down one of the cutest Christmas movies for kids out there. Ignite the Christmas spirit in your home as you watch the Christmas puppies get into some real trouble – watch the first movie if you haven’t already! (NR)
Where to watch: Amazon DVD, Amazon Prime, Disney+, iTunes, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu
Prancer
In this movie, an 8-year-old little girl is convinced she found one of Santa’s reindeer – but nobody believes her! Kids are sure to get into the spirit of Christmas with this one. (G)
Where to watch: Amazon DVD, Amazon Prime, Disney+, iTunes, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
We can’t possibly forget this true classic of Rudolph! This warm-hearted classic is a must-watch every year. (NR)
Where to watch: Amazon DVD, Vudu
Frosty the Snowman
After Rudolph comes Frosty. I always watched these together growing up. I mean, what’s better than a magical snowman? (NR)
Where to watch: Amazon DVD, Vudu
The Polar Express
If you have a little train lover who also adores Christmas, they are going to love this movie. Watch as a little boy who has doubts about Santa hops aboard a train bound for the North Pole. This is one of the best kids’ Christmas movies. (G)
Where to watch: Amazon DVD, AMC+, SlingTV, YouTube, Google, iTunes, Vudu
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas
Mickey and his friends are back for Christmas! Minnie and Mickey recall one unforgettable Christmas. Goofy and Max retell about a visit from the real Santa. Donald’s nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie remember their dream turning into a comical catastrophe. (G)
Where to watch: Amazon DVD, Disney+, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google, iTunes, Vudu
Noelle
Noelle is Santa’s daughter and is filled with holiday cheer. When she notices her brother – who is supposed to take over for their father – is stressed out, she recommends he take a break. But then when he doesn’t return she’s the one that gets in trouble! (G)
Where to watch: Disney+
Scrooge
Watch this classic retelling of A Christmas Carol in the form of a musical. (1970) (G)
Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Vudu
One Magic Christmas
Abby’s mom isn’t feeling the Christmas spirit. On her way to deliver her letter to Santa, Abby meets an angel who helps her mom find happiness in the holiday season. (G)
Where to watch: Amazon DVD, Disney+, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google, iTunes, Vudu
Nutcracker: The Motion Picture
This is a beautiful movie of the Pacific Northwest Ballet performance of the classic Nutcracker holiday story. (G)
Where to watch: Amazon DVD, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google, iTunes, Vudu
Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You
Young Mariash spots a puppy in a pet store and decides that’s what she wants for Christmas. But before she gets her wish she has to prove herself by taking care of her uncle’s dog, Jack. Let the doggy disasters begin! Features Mariah Carey’s songs and pairs with her storybook. (G)
Where to watch: Amazon DVD, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google, iTunes, Vudu
A Dennis the Menace Christmas
Dennis can be quite a menace even during the Christmas season. Watch as he tries to find the perfect gift for his neighbor, Mr. Wilson. (G)
Where to watch: Amazon DVD, Amazon Prime, SlingTV, AMC, fuboTV, YouTube, Google, iTunes, Vudu
A Very Merry Pooh Year
Celebrate the holidays in the Hundred Acre Wood. Pooh and his friends celebrate Christmas and look ahead to making New Year Resolutions. (G)
Where to watch: Amazon DVD, Disney+, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google, iTunes, Vudu
PG-Rated Kids Christmas Movies
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Everyone adores this movie and for good reason. The Grinch doesn’t exactly like Christmas but the citizens of Whoville are set on instilling the spirit of Christmas, no matter what happens. Kids will love to play this on repeat for Christmas and you can read the Dr. Seuss book, too! There are two versions of this classic – an animated version and a live-action movie with Jim Carrey.
Where to watch: HBO Max, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google, iTunes, Vudu
Elf
While smaller kids might not have the attention span for this one, it’s one of our favorites. Buddy the Elf is on a hunt for his birth father and helps ignite the magic of Christmas along the way.
Where to watch: Amazon DVD, Amazon Prime, SlingTV, AMC, fuboTV, YouTube, Google, iTunes, Vudu
Nightmare Before Christmas
Oh, how we love Jack! He’s had enough of being frightening and has decided to kidnap Santa and take over his role.
Where to watch: Amazon DVD, Disney+, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google, iTunes, Vudu
The Santa Clause
An unsuspecting dad discovers he’s in line to be the next Santa Clause after accidentally killing the previous one. At first, he doesn’t believe it, until he starts gaining weight and growing a white beard.
Where to watch: Amazon DVD, Disney+, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google, iTunes, Vudu
Miracle on 34th Street
What if you just SWORE you saw Santa as a child? 6-year-old Susan was having doubts up until she runs into a department store Santa who she believes is the real deal. You can watch the remake or the B&W original – the original is on Disney+.
Where to watch: Amazon DVD, Amazon Prime, Disney+, YouTube, Google, iTunes, Vudu
The Star
This film is sure to make kids of all ages giggle! We go back to the first Christmas where talking animals go on a wild adventure. Such a cute Christmas movie for kids!
Where to watch: Amazon DVD, SlingTV, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google, iTunes, Vudu
A Christmas Carol
This modern take on a Dickens classic is a delight around Christmas time. A real scrooge is visited by a few ghosts who take him on a journey that helps him discover the true meaning of Christmas.
Where to watch: Disney+, Amazon DVD, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google, Vudu
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
While the traditional Nutcracker is a great story, this reimagined twist is such a fun film to watch. Nutcrackers meets Narnia for some crazy Christmas adventures!
Where to watch: Disney+, Amazon DVD, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google, Vudu
Godmothered
Join the fairy godmother-in-training Eleanor on her quest to prove that people still need fairy godmothers! Unfortunately, she chooses a 30-year-old letter from a little girl who is now a single mother. But that doesn’t stop Eleanor from trying to prove that “happily ever after” does exist!
Where to watch: Disney+
Jingle All the Way
Last-minute gifts are never a good idea during Christmas! In this funny film, Arnold Swarzenegger is on the hunt for a very special gift for his son that he PROMISED to pick up but forgets until the very last minute.
Where to watch: Hulu, Amazon DVD, Amazon Prime, SlingTV, AMC, fuboTV, YouTube, Google, iTunes, Vudu
Klaus
This Netflix original is a heartwarming film featuring a not-so-great mailman teaming up with a reclusive toymaker to bring joy to an arctic town.
Where to watch: Netflix
Home Alone
Home alone movies are some true classics for all families. In this film, we watch the wild adventures he gets into after his family leaves him behind when they head off to Paris for the holidays.
Where to watch: Disney+, Amazon DVD, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google, iTunes, Vudu
A Christmas Story
I’ll be Home for Christmas
A college student is promised his Dad’s Porsche if he makes it home for Christmas. Simple enough, right? Well, all things went to plan until he ends up in the middle of nowhere dressed in a Santa suit! Now he’s on a wild adventure as he tries to get home.
Where to watch: Disney+, Amazon DVD, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google, iTunes, Vudu
Christmas with the Kranks
Arthur Christmas
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Movie
This Netflix original movie tells the story of a betrayed toymaker who finds new joy when his curious granddaughter comes into his life.
Where to watch: Netflix
Get Santa
Santa crashes his sleigh and has to enlist the help of a father and son to find his reindeer and save Christmas.
Where to watch: Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon DVD, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google, iTunes, Vudu
The Man Who Invented Christmas
It’s a Wonderful Life
An old-fashioned Christmas classic, George Bailey is done with life. Until an angel steps in and shows him how important he is to his town and his family.
Where to watch: Amazon DVD, Amazon Prime Free, YouTube, Google, Vudu, iTunes
Jack Frost
Jack is an absent dad and husband who sadly dies before he’s able to change his priorities. But one winter day, his son plays his dad’s harmonica and Jack is brought back to life as a snowman and makes up for lost time with his son.
Where to watch: Amazon DVD, Amazon Prime, fuboTV, AMC, YouTube, Google, iTunes, Vudu
The Christmas Chronicles
Two mischievous siblings decide to capture Santa on Christmas Eve. When their plotting gets messy, they team up with Saint Nick and his elves to save Christmas.
Where to watch: Netflix
The Christmas Chronicles 2
In this sequel, teenager Kate must team up with Santa to help save Christmas from a troublemaking elf.
Where to watch: Netflix
Home Sweet Home Alone
Max Mercer is a 10-year-old boy who is accidentally left home alone for the holidays when his family goes on a trip to Japan. Now he must work to defend his home from a married couple who arrives there to steal a priceless heirloom.
Where to watch: Disney+
PG-13 Christmas Movies for Teens and Tweens
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
This is the ultimate Christmas comedy. Teens are sure to laugh at the raunchy humor as they follow along with the crazy family Christmas adventures!
Where to watch: Amazon DVD, AMC, Amazon Prime, SlingTV, fuboTV, YouTube, Google, iTunes, Vudu
Last Holiday
This movie is a great family film. We learn not to take our life for granted, take risks, and not let fear get in the way. PERFECT movie for the Christmas season!
Where to watch: Amazon DVD, Peacock, Amazon Prime Free, SlingTV, YouTube, Google, iTunes, Vudu
Let It Snow
A snowstorm strands a group of high schoolers together in a small town on Christmas Eve. By Christmas morning, friendships and love lives won’t be the same.
Where to watch: Netflix
Last Christmas
Kate lives in London and works as an elf in a year-round Christmas shop. She soon meets Tom who seems too good to be true but leads her on a merry romance during the holiday season.
Where to watch: Amazon DVD, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google, Vudu
Four Christmases
With their romantic vacation canceled, Kate and Brad must spend Christmas with their families — all four of them.
Where to watch: Amazon DVD, AMC, Amazon Prime, SlingTV, fuboTV, YouTube, Google, iTunes, Vudu
Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas
Madea travels with her niece to surprise her niece’s daughter, Lacey, for Christmas. The real surprise is that Lacey has secretly married a man she’s sure her mom won’t approve of.
Where to watch: Hulu, Amazon DVD, Amazon Prime, TBS, TNT, SlingTV, YouTube, Google, iTunes, Vudu
The Holiday
Two women, one in California and the other in an English town, decided to house swap for the holidays. Soon they both meet local guys who bring some holiday romance.
Where to watch: Hulu, Amazon DVD, Amazon Prime, Freeform, SlingTV, fuboTV, YouTube, Google, iTunes, Vudu
Love Hard
After meeting her perfect match on a dating app, an LA writer learns she’s been catfished when she flies 3,000 miles to surprise him for Christmas.
Where to watch: Netflix
I hope this list of Christmas movies for kids has helped you plan your next holiday family movie marathon! If you’d like a fun printable Christmas movie countdown calendar I’m sharing one for you to use!
The calendar only has G and PG-rated movies, so if you have teens you might want to adjust some of the days to include some of the PG-13 options.
And if you love movie lists, don’t miss these other posts:
Valentine’s Day Movies for Kids
Easter Movies for Kids
Halloween Movies for Kids
And be sure you check out my fun Christmas Scavenger Hunt posts with printable clues to lead your kids on a treasure hunt for their gifts!
Britt | Not Your Mom's Gifts
Thursday 25th of November 2021
Aww I love this list, it gives me so many good feels!! But I do have to admit, I'm surprised by how many of these movies I haven't seen yet. Definitely watching some of these new ones this season & I might even watch "the man who invented Christmas" tonight :) thanks for sharing this list!