20 Best Christmas Movies for Kids 2025
Did you know that 89% of U.S. adults prefer to watch Christmas movies at home during the holidays? As a mom of 5 kids ranging from toddler to teenager, I've experienced how the right Christmas movie transforms chaotic December evenings into peaceful family moments.
With hundreds of Christmas movies available, finding perfect ones for little ones feels overwhelming. After years of trial and error with my own children, I've learned which films truly work for different ages. That's why I've handpicked these 20 best Christmas movies for kids – each carefully selected from my experience watching countless holiday films with my crew.
This curated list ensures every family movie night becomes a cherished Christmas tradition.
And if you're looking to extend the holiday magic beyond movie night, don't miss our collection of Christmas crafts for kids and fun crafts for kids that will keep little hands busy during winter break.
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Top 5 Must-watch Classic Christmas Movies For Kids
1. The Polar Express is one of the most magical Christmas movies ever made. The 2004 animation might look dated, but the story about believing in the Christmas spirit resonates every time. Tom Hanks voices multiple characters, and the 100-minute runtime works well for older kids.
2. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer from 1964 is a stop-motion classic that has endured for generations. The animation looks vintage, but children absolutely love it. The story teaches lessons about accepting differences in just 52 minutes.
Here's what makes these classics so special:
They've stood the test of time for decades
Simple storylines that kids can actually follow
Important life lessons without being preachy
Perfect for starting family Christmas traditions
3. A Charlie Brown Christmas is another winner that's been around since 1965. It's only 25 minutes long, and Charlie Brown's struggle with Christmas commercialization remains relevant. The Vince Guaraldi jazz soundtrack is iconic.
4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas from 1966 showcases Dr. Seuss at his finest. Boris Karloff's narration is legendary, and the message about Christmas being more than presents really resonates. It's 26 minutes of Christmas magic.
5. Miracle on 34th Street (I prefer the 1994 version) rounds out this list beautifully. At 114 minutes, it's longer, but the story about believing in Santa Claus is heartwarming. Some kids might find the courtroom scenes intense.
Best Disney Christmas Movies for Children
Disney creates memorable Christmas movies, and I have solid favorites here.
6. Frozen isn't technically a Christmas movie, but the winter setting makes it perfect for holidays. Anna and Elsa's sisterly bond resonates with families.
The animation is stunning, particularly the ice crystal effects. It runs 102 minutes with memorable musical numbers. The themes of family love and self-acceptance work well for holiday viewing.
7. Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas delivers pure Disney magic in three short stories. This 1999 gem features Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and friends in separate Christmas adventures. Each 20-minute story works perfectly for younger kids.
What I love about this collection:
Donald's nephews learn about Christmas spirit – relatable sibling dynamics
A Very Goofy Christmas – Max and Goofy's father-son relationship hits me right in the feels
Mickey and Minnie's Gift of the Magi – teaches kids about selfless giving
8. Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas takes us back to the magical castle during holidays. It's a 1997 direct-to-video sequel, so the animation isn't as polished as the original. Belle tries to bring Christmas joy to the Beast's castle.
9. A Goofy Movie Christmas episodes showcase great father-son dynamics. Max and Goofy's holiday relationship shows kids that Christmas is about family time. The episodes work well for family bonding moments.
10. The Princess and the Frog features beautiful Christmas scenes set in New Orleans. The vibrant animation and cultural traditions make this a wonderful holiday addition. Tiana's determination teaches kids about following dreams.
Modern Animated Christmas Films Kids Love
The newer animated Christmas films really showcase how far animation technology has come. Klaus on Netflix completely impressed me when I first watched it. The hand-drawn animation style creates a genuinely artistic experience – you could pause it at any moment and appreciate the visual craftsmanship.
11. Klaus tells the origin story of Santa Claus through a fresh creative lens. It follows a spoiled postal worker who gets sent to a frozen town and accidentally starts the Santa Claus legend. The movie runs 96 minutes and teaches children about kindness, generosity, and how small acts of goodness can ripple through a community. The emotional depth of the story works well for both children and adults.
12. Arthur Christmas is this hilarious British film about Santa's clumsy son who has to save Christmas when one present gets missed. The voice cast includes Hugh Laurie and James McAvoy, and the humor works for both kids and adults. It's got this amazing message about Christmas being about caring for every single child, not just the masses.
Here's what makes these modern films special:
Stunning animation that rivals Pixar quality
Complex storylines that keep adults engaged too
Diverse characters and cultural representation
Streaming availability on platforms kids already use
13. The Grinch (2018) from Illumination Studios is way more colorful and kid-friendly than the live-action version. Benedict Cumberbatch voices the Grinch, and honestly, his performance is pretty fantastic. The animation style is similar to Despicable Me, so kids who love those movies will definitely dig this one.
14. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey on Netflix is this incredible musical fantasy that celebrates invention, family, and believing in yourself. The cast is predominantly Black, which is awesome for representation in holiday films. Fair warning – it's 122 minutes long, so maybe save this one for when you've got time to really settle in.
15. Smallfoot isn't specifically a Christmas movie, but it's got winter themes and teaches kids about friendship and accepting differences. The yeti characters are adorable, and the music is surprisingly catchy. Plus, it's got Channing Tatum as a yeti, which is pretty funny if you think about it.
Perfect Live-Action Christmas Movies for Family Night
Live-action Christmas movies hit different, you know? There's something about real people in real(ish) situations that makes the Christmas magic feel more tangible.
16. Elf is probably the most quotable Christmas movie ever made – my family still says "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear" randomly throughout December.
Will Ferrell's performance as Buddy the Elf is absolutely perfect. The movie balances childlike wonder with adult humor beautifully, making it enjoyable for everyone from age 6 to 96. It runs 97 minutes and teaches kids about staying positive, believing in yourself, and the importance of family (both biological and chosen).
17. The Santa Clause trilogy with Tim Allen is comedy gold, though I'd stick with the first one for younger kids. The premise of accidentally becoming Santa Claus after putting on the suit is brilliant, and kids love watching Scott Calvin transform. The first movie is 97 minutes of pure Christmas magic with just enough heart to balance the laughs.
18. Home Alone is a classic, but let me be real with you – some of the slapstick violence might be too intense for sensitive kids under 8. That said, Kevin McCallister's resourcefulness and the ultimate message about family sticking together make it worth watching. Just maybe preview it first if you've got particularly sensitive little ones.
The best live-action Christmas movies for families:
Elf – Pure joy and Christmas spirit (ages 6+)
The Santa Clause – Magical transformation story (ages 7+)
The Christmas Chronicles – Modern Santa adventure (ages 8+)
Jingle All the Way – Father-son bonding comedy (ages 8+)
19. The Christmas Chronicles on Netflix features Kurt Russell as a totally cool, motorcycle-riding Santa. The special effects are impressive, and the sibling dynamic between the main characters feels really authentic. It's 104 minutes of adventure that shows kids Christmas magic is real if you believe in it.
20. Jingle All the Way with Arnold Schwarzenegger is this frantic comedy about a dad trying to get the hot Christmas toy for his son. It's pretty over-the-top (it's Schwarzenegger, after all), but the message about being present for your kids rather than just buying them stuff is solid gold.
Wrapping It Up
These 20 Christmas movies offer magical entertainment for every family! From classics like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to modern gems like Klaus, each film delivers Christmas magic, valuable lessons, and unforgettable characters.
Beyond entertainment, these carefully selected movies teach children about kindness, family, generosity, and Christmas spirit. Whether introducing toddlers to holiday films or creating traditions with older kids, this list ensures every movie night becomes a cherished memory.
Ready for your family's Christmas movie marathon? Grab hot chocolate, dim the lights, and let these wonderful films fill your home with holiday joy!
