25+ Top Family Christmas Movies: Best Movies for Kids and Adults to Watch Together!
This post is all about the top family Christmas movies that both kids and adults can enjoy together!
If you’re ready to cozy up on the couch and get in the holiday spirit, you might be looking for some great Christmas movies to watch.
If you’re like me, you’ll hope to find one of the top family Christmas Movies that the whole family can enjoy.
Discover the top family Christmas movies and shows to find some new and old favorites that you can watch with your kids.
Top Family Christmas Movies: Where to Watch Them
This Christmas movie list includes over 25 movies and shows that you’ll love to watch during the month of December, plus where you should watch them.
These movies and episodes are the top family Christmas movies and shows, because they include themes like friendship, giving, family and togetherness, the winter season, and, of course, Christmas.
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Top Family Christmas Movies on YouTube
We’re starting off with the top family Christmas movies on YouTube, and a few shows you can watch this December with the whole family.
The movies YouTube offers take the top spot because most of these options are free or very affordable!
There are lots of kid-friendly movies and shows about Christmas time that TV networks, such as PBS Kids and Nick Jr., have been uploaded to their YouTube channels for free.
Top Family Christmas Movies: The Classics
1. Arthur’s
Perfect
Christmas (2000)
Plans are underway for the best holidays ever as Arthur, DW, their family and friends make preparations for perfect family traditions for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and more. The only problem is, just like in real life, perfection is hard to attain, and things start to fall apart. 57 m. Free!
2. Frosty the Snowman
(1969)
A living snowman and a little girl struggle to elude a greedy magician who is after the snowman’s magic hat. 25 m with a G rating. Free!
Related: 12 Days of Christmas Books for Kids
3. Rudolph the
Red Nosed Reindeer (1964)
After being told he could not play in any Reindeer Games due to his glowing nose, Rudolph sets out on a fantastic journey to help Santa at the North Pole on Christmas Eve. But Santa’s sleigh is fogged in. But when Santa looks over Rudolph, he gets a very bright idea. Based on the timeless story and song, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is pure holiday magic for the entire family! 28 m.
4. A Garfield Christmas
Special
(2019)
“A Garfield Christmas Special” finds the surly fat cat on an old-fashioned holiday at the family farm with Jon’s mom and dad, brother Doc-Boy and feisty grandma, who’s the cat’s meow. 23 m. Free!
YT Channel
Top Family Christmas Movies: New Favorites
5. PAW Patrol
Pups Save Christmas! (2023)
It’s Christmas Eve and Santa Claus lost the magic Christmas Star! The PAW Patrol pups work together to deliver presents and repair Santa’s sleigh just in time to deliver gifts to all the good children and pups all over the world!
31 m. Free!
6. Mickey Saves Santa
(2016)
Mickey and the rest of the Clubhouse gang are ready to celebrate Christmas Eve when Santa’s sleigh breaks down! 24 m. Free!
7. Bluey “Verandah Santa!”
(2022)
Watch the full episode of Bluey, “Verandah Santa”! It’s Christmas and Bluey is very focused on being good to get more presents. But when a game of Verandah Santa leaves cousin Socks upset, Bluey must learn the virtue of kindness. 8 m. Free!
Top Family Christmas Movies: For Younger Kids
Next up, we’ve got 11 of our favorite Christmas movies you can find by streaming, renting, or buying them.
You’ll love watching these movies with the whole family this holiday season, as they have themes of togetherness, gratitude, family, love, giving, the winter season, and, of course, Christmas.
Top Family Christmas Movies Based on Classic Books
1. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Obvs this movie would be #1! When he becomes depressed at the commercialism he sees around him, Charlie Brown tries to find a deeper meaning to Christmas. 25 m with a G rating. Read the book, too!
2. The Snowy Day (2016)
Based on the award-winning book by Ezra Jack Keats. Peter goes on a magical, snowy walk to his Nana’s house to bring home their Christmas Eve dinner. 38 m with a TV-Y rating.
3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
Based on Dr. Seuss’s book, this is the original movie that started it all! A grumpy hermit hatches a plan to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville. 26 m; unrated.
4. The Snowman (1983)
A boy decides to build a snowman using a tangerine for his nose, coal for his buttons and eyes, and tops him off with a hat and scarf. Later that night, the snowman comes to life! The young boy and the snowman embark on a magical adventure. 27 m with a G rating. Based on a book of the same name.
Top Family Christmas Movies Based on New Kid’s Books
5. Olive the Other Reindeer (1999)
When Santa cancels his annual flight because of a hurt reindeer, a young Christmas loving dog named Olive is convinced she has what it takes to get Santa’s flight off the ground and save Christmas. 45 m with a TV-G rating. Read the book, too!
6. A Trash Truck Christmas (2020)
When Santa crash-lands in the junkyard on Christmas Eve, Hank, Trash Truck and their animal friends all have a hand in rescuing the holiday for everyone. Based on a book of the same name. 28 m; unrated.
7. Stickman (2015)
Based on the much-loved children’s picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler (The Gruffalo). Stick Man tells the tale of a happy-go-lucky father’s epic adventure across the seasons as he runs from a playful dog, and more. Will he get back to his family in time for Christmas? 27m with a G rating.
Related: Gifts New Moms Actually Need: A Holiday Gift Guide (from a New Mom)
Top Family Christmas Movies for Little Kids!
8. Winnie the
Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year
(2002)
Ring in the season with Winnie the Pooh in a holiday adventure. 1 hr 3 m with a G rating.
9. Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You (2017)
A story about little a child named Mariah’s Christmas wish for a puppy. 1 hr 28 m with a G rating.
10. Glisten and the Merry Mission (new in 2023!)
Follows Marzipan, a young elfling, and her mother Cinnameg, as Marzipan must believe in the magic of the season and goes on an adventure to rediscover the enchanted snow deer named Glisten and save Christmas. 1 hr 20 m with a G rating.
11. My Little Pony: Winter Wishday (2022)
With different holiday traditions across three pony lands, the Mane 5 race against time to celebrate everyone’s special customs and make it home in time for the Wishing Star. 44 m with a TV-Y rating.
Top Family Christmas Movies for Older Kids
There are lots of great Christmas movies that we love that your youngest kids might not enjoy.
If you can keep your eyes open after the littles go to bed, you and your older kiddos will enjoy staying up and getting cozy under a blanket to watch these 11 top family Christmas movies for older kids.
Top Family Christmas Movies: Family Favorites!
1. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Jim Carrey brings Dr. Suess’s holiday-hating heel to gloriously sinister life in this effects-filled adaptation of the classic story. 1 hr 44 m with a PG rating. Read the book, too!
2. Elf (2003)
Raised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs, who doesn’t know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christmas spirit. *Be careful of “Santa spoilers” in this movie!* 1 hr 37 m with a PG rating.
3. The Polar Express (2004)
A doubting 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. Based on a book of the same name. *Be careful of “Santa spoilers” in this movie!* 1 hr 39 min with a G rating.
Top Family Christmas Movies That Became a Series
4. The Santa Clause (1994)
When a man inadvertently makes Santa fall off his roof on Christmas Eve, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place. *Be careful of “Santa spoilers” in this movie!* 1 hr 37 m with a PG rating. Check out the chapter book, too!
5. Home Alone
(1990)
An eight-year-old troublemaker, mistakenly left home alone, must defend his home against a pair of burglars on Christmas eve.1 hr 43 m with a PG rating.
6. A Christmas Story Christmas
(2022)
Follows the now-adult Ralphie as he returns to the house on Cleveland Street to give his kids a magical Christmas like the one he had as a child, reconnecting with childhood friends, and reconciling the passing of his Old Man. 1 hr 38 m with a PG rating.
Related: 25 Thanksgiving Movies and Shows for Kids
Top Family Christmas Movies: New Releases
7. Candy
Cane Lane (2023)
A man (Eddie Murphy) is determined to win the neighborhood’s annual Christmas decorating contest. He makes a pact with an elf to help him win–and the elf casts a spell that brings the 12 days of Christmas to life, which brings unexpected chaos to town.1 hr 57 m with a PG rating.
8. Klaus (2019)
A simple act of kindness always sparks another, even in a frozen, faraway place. When Smeerensburg’s new postman, Jesper, befriends toymaker Klaus, their gifts melt an age-old feud and deliver a sleigh full of holiday traditions. 1 hr 38 with a PG rating.
9. Alien Xmas (2020)
A young elf mistakes a tiny alien for a Christmas gift, not knowing her new plaything has plans to destroy Earth’s gravity — and steal all the presents. 42 m with a TV-Y rating.
10. Jingle Jangle
(2020)
An imaginary world comes to life in a holiday tale of an eccentric toymaker, his adventurous granddaughter, and a magical invention that has the power to change their lives forever. 2 hr 2 m with a PG rating.
11. The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
After accidentally crashing Santa’s sleigh, a brother and sister pull an all-nighter to save Christmas with a savvy, straight-talking St. Nick. *Be careful of “Santa spoilers” in this movie!* 1 hr 44 m with a PG rating.
That’s All of the Top Family Christmas Movies
Now you’re all set to choose an animated kid’s movie or show on YouTube, find a streamable movie for the youngsters, or stay up to watch a Christmas movie with your older kiddos.
Grab the popcorn and comment below: Which Christmas movie is your favorite?
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