If you and the kids are looking for the best family Christmas movies to watch this holiday season, here’s a list to work through together. I’ve collected newly released titles as well as some tried and true classics that will guarantee family-bonding moments all month long.
What are the best family Christmas movies to watch with kids? Newer titles like Klaus, Noelle, and The Christmas Chronicles made the holiday list as well as traditional classics like Miracle on 34th Street and Babes in Toyland.
In order to get a full breakdown of how you should spend the next 31 days, here’s the complete list. If you’d like to see a trailer for each of these holiday titles, be sure to keep scrolling.
The Best Family Christmas Movies To Watch With Kids – New Releases And Classics
- Noelle
- The Christmas Chronicles
- Klaus
- The Grinch
- Polar Express
- Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
- Santa Paws
- I’ll Be Home For Christmas
- Miracle on 34th Street
- Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas
- Babes in Toyland
- Elf
- Jingle All the Way
- A Christmas Story
- Fred Claus
- A Charlie Brown Christmas
- It’s A Wonderful Life
- Prancer
- The Santa Clause
- Frosty the Snowman
- Chronicles of Narnia
- Trolls Holiday
- The Star
- Get Santa
- The 12 Dogs of Christmas
- Santa Buddies
- Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
- Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
- The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- The Muppet Christmas Carol
- Arthur Christmas
- March of the Wooden Soldiers
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Noelle
In Disney+’s holiday comedy “Noelle,” Kris Kringle’s daughter is full of Christmas spirit and holiday fun, but wishes she could do something “important” like her beloved brother Nick, who will take over from their father this Christmas. When Nick is about to crumble like a gingerbread cookie from all the pressure, Noelle suggests he take a break and get away…but when he doesn’t return, Noelle must find her brother and bring him back in time to save Christmas.
Noelle’s Movie Synopsis
The Christmas Chronicles
The Christmas Chronicles, a holiday adventure from producer Chris Columbus (“Home Alone”, “Harry Potter”) and director Clay Kaytis (“The Angry Birds Movie”), tells the story of sister and brother, Kate (Darby Camp) and Teddy Pierce (Judah Lewis), whose Christmas Eve plan to catch Santa Claus (Kurt Russell) on camera turns into an unexpected journey that most kids could only dream about.
Christmas Chronicle’s Movie Synopsis
Klaus
This holiday season, discover the unlikely friendship that launched a legend.
Klaus Movie Synopsis
The Grinch
Discover the magic of the Mean One this holiday season! Oscar®-winning director Ron Howard and Oscar®-winning producer Brian Grazer bring Christmas’ best-loved grump to life with the help of the irrepressible Jim Carrey as The Grinch.
The Grinch with Jim Carrey
The Polar Express
When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.
The Polar Express Synopsis
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
Jack Skellington, king of Halloweentown, discovers Christmas Town, but doesn’t quite understand the concept.
The Nightmare Before Christmas Synopsis
Santa Paws
Santa Claus and his faithful canine companion Santa Paws leave their chilly home at the North Pole on an important mission. They must try to persuade the heir of one of their greatest benefactors, toy store owner Mr Hucklebuckle, to continue with his grandfather’s good works.
Santa Paws Synopsis
I’ll Be Home For Christmas
Estranged from his father (Gary Cole), college student Jake (Jonathan Taylor Thomas) is lured home to New York for Christmas with the promise of receiving a classic Porsche as a gift. When the bullying football team dumps him in the desert in a Santa suit, Jake is left without identification or money to help him make the journey.
I’ll be Home for Christmas Synopsis
Miracle on 34th Street
Six-year-old Susan Walker (Mara Wilson) is skeptical of the Christmas myth surrounding Santa Claus, a trait she perhaps learned from her mother, Dorey (Elizabeth Perkins). When tasked with hiring the Santa who will pose with kids at Macy’s, Dorey enlists a man with the curious name of Kris Kringle (Richard Attenborough) who claims to be Santa himself. His assertions are met with scoffs and threats of institutionalization, but a young lawyer, along with Susan and Dorey, comes to his defense.
Miracle on 34th Street Synopsis
Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas
Mickey and his friends tell three stories including “A Very Goofy Christmas” and “Mickey and Minnie’s Gift of the Magi.”
Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas Synopsis
Babes in Toyland
Mary Contrary (Annette) is set to marry Tom Piper (Tommy Sands) when he is kidnapped by Roderigo (Gene Sheldon) and Gonzorgo (Henry Calvin), two goons working for the evil Barnaby (Ray Bolger). Barnaby wants to marry Mary for her inheritance. Instead of killing Tom as instructed, Roderigo and Gonzorgo sell him to Gypsies, which allows Tom to rescue Mary. Soon afterward, Tom and Mary encounter the odd Toymaker (Ed Wynn), who becomes a pawn in Barnaby’s new scheme.
Elf
Buddy (Will Ferrell) was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. As it happens, this is Walter Hobbs (James Caan), a cynical businessman. After a DNA test proves this, Walter reluctantly attempts to start a relationship with the childlike Buddy with increasingly chaotic results.
Elf Synopsis
Jingle All The Way
Workaholic Howard Langston (Arnold Schwarzenegger) wants to make things up to his son, Jamie (Jake Lloyd), and wife, Liz (Rita Wilson). He promises to get Jamie the hottest toy of the season, Turbo-Man — even though it’s Christmas Eve and the toy is practically sold out. As Langston hunts down the elusive gift, he runs into mailman Myron (Sinbad), another father on the same quest. With the clock winding down, Langston’s moral code is tested as he starts to learn the real meaning of Christmas.
Jingle All the Way Synopsis
A Christmas Story
Ralphie has to convince his parents, teachers, and Santa that a Red Ryder B.B. gun really is the perfect gift for the 1940s.
A Christmas Story Synopsis
Fred Claus
Fred Claus has lived almost his entire life in his little brother’s very large shadow. Fred tried, but he could never live up to the example set by the younger Nicholas, who was just a perfect, well, Saint. True to form, Nicholas grew up to be the model of giving, while Fred became the polar opposite: a repo man who then steals what he repossesses.
Fred Claus synopsis
A Charlie Brown Christmas
In this special, Charlie Brown finds himself depressed despite the onset of the cheerful holiday season. Lucy suggests he direct a neighborhood Christmas play, but his best efforts are ignored and mocked by his peers. After Linus tells Charlie Brown about the true meaning of Christmas, Charlie Brown cheers up, and the Peanuts gang unites to celebrate the Christmas season.
Charlie Brown Christmas Synopsis
It’s A Wonderful Life
George Bailey has so many problems he is thinking about ending it all – and it’s Christmas! As the angels discuss George, we see his life in flashback. As George is about to jump from a bridge, he ends up rescuing his guardian angel, Clarence – who then shows George what his town would have looked like if it hadn’t been for all his good deeds over the years.
It’s a Wonderful Life Synopsis
Prancer
An injured reindeer changes the life of a troubled 9-year-old girl whose mother has recently passed away.
Prancer Movie Synopsis
The Santa Clause
After he accidentally kills a man in a Santa suit, they are magically transported to the North Pole, where an elf explains that Scott must take Santa’s place before the next Christmas arrives. Scott thinks he’s dreaming, but over the next several months he gains weight and grows an inexplicably white beard. Maybe that night at the North Pole wasn’t a dream after all — and maybe Scott has a lot of work to do.
Santa Claus Movie Synopsis
Frosty the Snowman
Animated tale of a snowman brought to life by a magician. Directed by Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin, Jr.
Frosty The Snowman Synopsis
Chronicles of Narnia
During the World War II bombings of London, four English siblings are sent to a country house where they will be safe. One day Lucy (Georgie Henley) finds a wardrobe that transports her to a magical world called Narnia. After coming back, she soon returns to Narnia with her brothers, Peter (William Moseley) and Edmund (Skandar Keynes), and her sister, Susan (Anna Popplewell). There they join the magical lion, Aslan (Liam Neeson), in the fight against the evil White Witch, Jadis (Tilda Swinton).
The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe Synopsis
Trolls Holiday Trailer
Poppy, queen of the Trolls, realises her best friend Bridget, a Bergen, has no holidays in her calendar. Poppy, Branch and the Snack Pack hop on the Caterbus Express to Bergen Town to prove how fun it is to celebrate.
Trolls Holiday Movie Synopsis
The Star
A small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day, he finds the courage to break free, embarking on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, a lovable sheep who has lost her flock, and Dave, a dove who has lofty aspirations. Along with three camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become accidental heroes in the greatest story ever told — the first Christmas.
The Star Movie Trailer
Get Santa
It’s days before Christmas and reindeer are found running loose through the streets of London. Meanwhile an astonished 9 year-old Tom (newcomer Kit Connor) discovers Santa (Jim Broadbent) in the garden shed. He has crash-landed while test-driving his new sleigh and enlists Tom and his father Steve (Rafe Spall) to help him get back to Lapland. But what happens when Santa is arrested and thrown into prison? Will Steve and Tom be able to break him out in time for Christmas?
Get Santa Synopsis
The 12 Dogs of Christmas
Charming, misguided delinquent Jack gets in trouble again just before Christmas. His probation officer gives Jack a community service task he hopes will bring about an attitude change in Jack — help clean up a local animal shelter that will soon be closing. The longer Jack is around the homeless dogs, the more he sees how much he has in common with them. With only 12 days left to go, Jack sets out on a holiday mission in order to find permanent families for all 12 of the most unwanted pups.
12 Dog Days of Christmas Synopsis
Santa Buddies
Budderball, B-Dawg, Rosebud, Buddha, and Mudbud return for this fantastic festive journey to the magical world of the North Pole. When Puppy Paws, the feisty son of Santa Paws, forgets the true meaning of the season, the Buddies must remind him that Christmas is not about what you get; it’s about what you give.
Santa Buddies Synopsis
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
A musical adventure and a visual spectacle for the ages, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is a wholly fresh and spirited family holiday event. Set in the gloriously vibrant town of Cobbleton, the film follows legendary toymaker Jeronicus Jangle (Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker) whose fanciful inventions burst with whimsy and wonder. But when his trusted apprentice (Emmy winner Keegan-Michael Key) steals his most prized creation, it’s up to his equally bright and inventive granddaughter (newcomer Madalen Mills) — and a long-forgotten invention — to heal old wounds and reawaken the magic within.
Jingle Jangle Synopsis
Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
The original TV classic, “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” has been a holiday viewing tradition for over 35 years and stars the vocal talents of the legendary Fred Astaire and Mickey Rooney. This heartwarming tale explains how Kris Kringle becomes the world’s most famous gift giver, Santa Claus. It also features one of the most popular holiday songs of all time.
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town Movie Synopsis
Disney’s The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
All Clara (Mackenzie Foy) wants is a key – a one-of-a-kind key that will unlock a box that holds a priceless gift. A golden thread, presented to her at godfather Drosselmeyer’s (Morgan Freeman) annual holiday party, leads her to the coveted key—which promptly disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world. It’s there that Clara encounters a soldier named Phillip (Jayden Fowora-Knight), a gang of mice and the regents who preside over three Realms: Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers and Land of Sweets. Clara and Phillip must brave the ominous Fourth Realm, home to the tyrant Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren), to retrieve Clara’s key and hopefully return harmony to the unstable world.
Disney’s The Nutcracker and the Four Realms synopsis
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
It’s up to Santa’s most famous reindeer to save the day when an evil queen conjures up a storm on Christmas.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Movie Synopsis
The Muppet Christmas Carol
The Muppets perform the classic Dickens holiday tale, with Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit, the put-upon clerk of stingy Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine). Other Muppets — Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear and Sam the Eagle — weave in and out of the story, while Scrooge receives visits from spirits of three Christmases — past, present and future.
Muppet Christmas Carol Movie Synopsis
Arthur Christmas
How CAN Santa deliver billions of presents to the whole world in just one night? With an army of one million combat-style Field Elves and a vast, state-of-the-art control center under the ice of the North Pole! So how could this incredible operation have MISSED one child?! To Santa’s young son, Arthur, it threatens to end the magic of Christmas. With retired Grandsanta, a rebellious young elf, an old sleigh and some untrained reindeer, Arthur sets out in a crazy mission to deliver the last present! Deck the halls with excitement, fun and wonder in this new Christmas classic!
Arthur Christmas Synopsis
March of the Wooden Soldiers
Ollie Dee and Stanley Dum try to borrow money from their employer, the toymaker, to pay off the mortgage on Mother Peep’s shoe and keep it and Little Bo Peep from the clutches of the evil Barnaby. When that fails, they trick Barnaby into marrying Stanley Dum instead of Bo Peep. Enraged, Barnaby unleashes the bogeymen from their caverns to destroy Toyland.
March of the Wooden Soldiers Synopsis
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