40 of the Best Christmas Movies for Kids (and Where to Stream Them!)

Pile some holiday cookies on a plate and make sure there’s enough cocoa for everyone when it’s time for the whole family to sit down for a Christmas movie marathon.

While National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) and Love Actually (2003) are great options for the teen and up crowd, there are some Yuletide titles that spread holiday cheer for everyone in the family — including kids.

From animated classics such as A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) to more modern musicals like Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020), holiday flicks can be found on streaming services including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and more.

Ahead are the best Christmas movies for kids and where to watch them.

All the New 2024 Christmas Movies Coming to Hallmark, Lifetime, Netflix, Great American Family and More

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

The Fox, the Boy, the Mole and the Horse in ‘The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse,’ 2022.

Apple TV+/Courtesy Everett

Alongside co-director Peter Baynton, Charlie Mackesy brings his best-selling picture book to the screen. Retaining his hand-painted illustration style, this Oscar-winning animated short tells the heartwarming tale of a young lost boy (voiced by Jude Coward Nicoll) searching for a home alongside his unlikely companions — a mole (Tom Hollander), fox (Idris Elba) and horse (Gabriel Byrne) — as they share cheerful and hopeful thoughts.

Watch The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse on Apple TV+

A Charlie Brown Christmas

‘Peanuts’ characters in ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas,’ 1965.
apple tv+

Turn on the TV and gather around the Christmas tree — or, in this case, a little forlorn fir — because it’s time to watch the ultimate holiday classic, A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)! Rediscover the true meaning of Christmas alongside Charlie Brown (voiced by Peter Robbins), Snoopy (Bill Melendez) and their pals as they attempt numerous ways to get into the holiday spirit.

Watch A Charlie Brown Christmas on Apple TV+

It’s Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown

‘Peanuts’ characters in ‘It’s Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown,’ 1992.

Apple TV+

Once you’ve finished A Charlie Brown Christmas, roll right into It’s Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown. Like its predecessor, the 1992 prime-time animated TV special is based on Charles M. Schulz’s comic strip Peanuts and was the first Christmas-themed special from the franchise since the aforementioned holiday program in 1965.

Watch It’s Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown on Apple TV+

Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas

Manny, Ellie, Sid and Diego in ‘Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas,’ 2011.

Fox/courtesy Everett

In this 2011 Christmas-themed Ice Age TV special, Sid (voiced by John Leguizamo) finds himself on the wrong side of the holiday after ruining the Christmas Rock. To make things right again, Sid and his fellow Pleistocene-age pals Manny (Ray Romano) and Diego (Denis Leary) must embark to the North Pole to convince Santa to take him off the naughty list.

Watch Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas on Disney+

8–Bit Christmas

June Diane Raphael, Neil Patrick Harris and Sophia Reid-Gantzert in ‘8-Bit Christmas,’ 2021.
Sabrina Lantos/Warner Bros.

If the latest and greatest game or gadget tops your child’s wish list, then 8-Bit Christmas (2021) is the film for you! Based on Kevin Jakubowski’s 2013 novel of the same name, the Neil Patrick Harris-led comedy chronicles a 10-year-old’s (Winslow Fegley) quest to get the video game system of his dreams.

Watch 8–Bit Christmas on Max

Arthur Christmas

Arthur Claus in ‘Arthur Christmas,’ 2011.
Moviestore/Shutterstock

Everyone knows Santa delivers presents to every child on Earth in one night, but what they don’t know is there’s an advanced, high-tech system beneath the North Pole helping him accomplish that feat. One Christmas Eve, the Big Man (voiced by Jim Broadbent) is made aware that deliveries were made to all but one girl named Gwen (Ramona Marquez) — so Santa’s youngest son, Arthur (James McAvoy), attempts to save the day!

Watch Arthur Christmas on Tubi

Elf

Will Ferrell (right) in ‘Elf,’ 2003.

Alan Markfield/New Line Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock

Make yourself a bowl of maple syrup-drenched spaghetti, and feast your eyes on Elf. This quotable 2003 comedy follows an elf named Buddy (Will Ferrell) on his journey from the North Pole — and seven layers of the candy cane forest — to New York City in search of his human biological father (James Caan). While in the Big Apple, he helps his family and others rediscover the magic of Christmas.

Watch Elf on Max

Fred Claus

Kevin Spacey, Paul Giamatti and Miranda Richardson in ‘Fred Claus,’ 2007.
Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock

This 2007 family comedy sees a lot of ho-ho-hos and twice as many oh-no-nos! Fred Claus tells the tale of the Claus brothers, Fred (Vince Vaughn) and Nick (Paul Giamatti), who are polar opposites of each other. When the crime-committing Fred finds himself in serious trouble, his saintly sibling bails him out — but only under one condition: He must work off his debt by making toys in Santa’s workshop.

Watch Fred Claus on Hulu

Jack Frost

Jack Frost and Joseph Cross in ‘Jack Frost,’ 1998.

Suzanne Hanover/Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock

What would Christmas be without the music? The dark fantasy drama Jack Frost (1998) tells the story of a musician father (Michael Keaton) who was killed in a car crash and can only be brought back to life by a magical harmonica. (By “back to life,” we mean in the form of a snowman!)

Watch Jack Frost on Hulu

The Polar Express

The Conductor in ‘The Polar Express,’ 2004.
Moviestore/Shutterstock

Can you hear the bells? The Polar Express (2004) chronicles the magical journey of a doubting young boy (voiced by Daryl Sabara) who boards a mysterious train on Christmas Eve, joining several other children making their way to the North Pole. There, they learn that the wonder of the holiday is still alive — but only if they believe.

Watch The Polar Express on Max

The Muppet Christmas Carol

Muppets characters in ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol,’ 1992.

Jim Henson Productions/Kobal/Shutterstock

Join The Muppets for a hilarious and touching spin on the timeless Christmas tale! In this 1992 Brian Henson-directed musical, Michael Caine stars as the curmudgeonly Ebenezer Scrooge, who’s visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future — all on a mission to show him the harm of his actions. Kermit the Frog (voiced by Steve Whitmire) plays Scrooge’s clerk, Bob Cratchit, with other beloved Muppets like Miss Piggy (Frank Oz) and Gonzo (Dave Goelz) appearing throughout.

Watch The Muppet Christmas Carol on Disney+

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

Richard E. Grant, Keira Knightley, Eugenio Derbez and Mackenzie Foy in ‘The Nutcracker and the Four Realms,’ 2018.
WALT DISNEY STUDIOS

A retelling of E. T. A. Hoffmann’s 1816 short story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, this 2018 fantasy adventure stars Mackenzie Foy as Clara. Upon receiving a sealed egg from her late mother, Clara embarks on a journey into a parallel world, where she must set foot into the Fourth Realm — led by Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren) — to fetch the magical key and restore peace among the land.

Watch The Nutcracker and the Four Realms on Disney+

A Christmas Carol

The Ghost of Christmas Present and Scrooge in ‘A Christmas Carol,’ 2009.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

It simply wouldn’t be the holidays without a little humbug… right? Thanks to Disney’s A Christmas Carol (2009) and its miserly Ebenezer Scrooge (voiced by Jim Carrey), viewers get to join the crotchety chap on his ghost-guided journey through his past, present and future in the hopes of transforming his holiday hatred into Christmas cheer.

Watch A Christmas Carol on Disney+

Frozen

Elsa in ‘Frozen,’ 2013.

Walt Disney Pictures/Courtesy Everett

If you’re searching for songs to get stuck in your head, look no further than Disney’s Frozen! The 2013 animated singalong tells the story of Princess Anna (voiced by Kristen Bell) on her quest to find her estranged sister, Elsa (Idina Menzel), whose icy magical powers have trapped their kingdom into an eternal winter.

Watch Frozen on Disney+

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas

Pluto, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in ‘Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas,’ 1999.
Disney

Did someone say, “Mickey ears and holiday cheers?” If so, press play on the anthology collection Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas (1999). Comprised of stories told by Mickey Mouse (Wayne Allwine) and Minnie Mouse (Russi Taylor), Goofy (Bill Farmer) and Max (Shaun Fleming), along with Donald Duck’s (Tony Anselmo) three nephews (Taylor), these Disney favorites recall their most memorable Christmas moments.

Watch Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas on Disney+

The Naughty Nine

A scene from ‘The Naughty Nine,’ 2023.

Disney+

When rabble-rouser Andy (Winslow Fegley) wakes up to an empty Christmas tree, he discovers he’s landed on Santa’s naughty list. Seeking revenge, Andy gathers a squad of eight fellow troublemakers to stage a North Pole heist and pocket the presents they believe they’ve earned.

Watch The Naughty Nine on Disney+

Prep & Landing

A scene from ‘Prep & Landing,’ 2009.
Disney

The days leading up to Christmas can be a bit hectic — and no one knows that better than Wayne (voiced by David Foley), an intelligent elf from a high-tech team tasked with prepping homes around the world for Santa’s arrival. However, things quickly go south for the North Pole citizen when he’s paired with a rookie elf, Lanny (Derek Richardson), instead of receiving a promotion.

Watch Prep & Landing on Disney+

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Jack Skellington in ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas,’ 1993.
Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

One of the best parts about this 1993 film? If you missed it around Halloween, you can catch it again in December because Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas is a spooky take on the holly, jolly season! Will the Pumpkin King’s — whose speaking voice is by Chris Sarandon and singing voice by Danny Elfman — mission to overtake Christmas Town be a success? Grab the candy canes and candy corn while you watch to find out!

Watch The Nightmare Before Christmas on Disney+

Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year

Tigger, Piglet, Gopher and Rabbit in ‘Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year,’ 2002.
Disney

Holiday in the Hundred Acre Wood? Sign us up! Join Winnie-the-Pooh (voiced by Jim Cummings), Piglet (John Fiedler) and pals as they reminisce about Christmas past in Disney’s A Very Merry Pooh Year (2002). The furry friends also work together to create New Year’s resolutions in hopes of becoming the best versions of themselves.

Watch Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year on Disney+

Aliens First Christmas

Roger Peoples, Benny Peoples, Fran Peoples, Mavo Zox and Charlick Zox in ‘Aliens First Christmas,’ 1991.

GoodTimes

Season’s greetings, Earthlings! Nothing says an “out-of-this-world Christmas plot” like presents and planets — and thanks to Aliens First Christmas (1991), you get just that! No telescopes are needed to watch along as the Peoples family spend the holidays at their new home in the Cosmos with the help from their alien neighbors.

Watch Aliens First Christmas on Peacock

Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas

A scene from ‘Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas,’ 2009.
PBS

Swing into the holiday season with 2009’s Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas! Watch along as George (voiced by Frank Welker) and the Man in the Yellow Hat (Jeff Bennett) search to find each other gifts before Christmas morning. The only problem? They have no clue what to get each other!

Watch Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas on Peacock

Santa and the Three Bears

A scene from ‘Santa and the Three Bears,’ 1970.
LMPC/Getty

Who needs sleep on Christmas? According to Mama Cub (voiced by Jean Vander Pyl), her two little bear cubs do! But when her wide-eyed offspring learn of Santa and the holiday from a park ranger (Hal Smith), they want to skip hibernation and celebrate. (Can you blame them?)

Watch Santa and the Three Bears on Tubi

Elf Day

An elf in ‘Elf Day,’ 2020.
Peacock

Crimes on Christmas? Not on these elves’ watch! When Santa’s beloved tree goes missing after Christmas, the E.L.F. Detective Agency sets out on a mission to track it down. Pointing you to Elf Day (2020), a film that chronicles people with pointy ears and pointy hats who work together to save the holiday.

Watch Elf Day on Peacock

Fishmas!

A scene from ‘Fishmas!,’ 2019.

WOWNow Entertainment

Dive into the Christmas season with 2019’s Fishmas!, a fun and marine-filled adventure that follows Fifi and her friends as they prepare to enjoy their holiday vacation. The only problem? Their shark pal goes missing, and they must search the sea to save the day before their anticipated vacay!

Watch Fishmas! on Peacock

A Go! Go! Cory Carson Christmas

A scene from ‘A Go! Go! Cory Carson Christmas,’ 2020.
NETFLIX

No sleighs in the making of this film, only cars! This 2020 automotive animation tells the story of kid car Cory Carson’s (voiced by Alan C. Lim) mission to bring a snow plow’s (Taron C. Hensley) memory back after he loses it in a crash. The vehicle friends work together to help the jolly, Santa-esque truck remember the magic of Christmas in an attempt to save the holiday.

Watch A Go! Go! Cory Carson Christmas on Netflix

A Trash Truck Christmas

Santa Claus in a scene from ‘A Trash Truck Christmas,’ 2020.

Netflix

You know what really stinks? When Santa’s (voiced by John DiMaggio) sleigh crash-lands in a junkyard on Christmas Eve, an unfortunate occurrence that has the town down in the dumps in the animated film A Trash Truck Christmas (2020). Now it’s up to Hank (Henry Keane), Trash Truck (Glen Keane) and their animal pals to get themselves out so that the holiday doesn’t — wait for it — go to waste!

Watch A Trash Truck Christmas on Netflix

Alien Xmas

A Klept alien in ‘Alien Xmas,’ 2020.
NETFLIX

These aliens do not come in peace! A young elf (voiced by Jon Favreau) mistakes a tiny alien (Dee Bradley Baker) for a toy but doesn’t know the creature has plans to destroy Christmas. How can such creatures cause worldwide havoc? Easy, they simply stop gravity and levitate all of the presents from Earth! Will the extraterrestrial team be successful? Watch the 2020 animated short to find out!

Watch Alien Xmas on Netflix

Angela’s Christmas

Angela in ‘Angela’s Christmas Wish,’ 2020.
netflix

Everyone needs an Angela (voiced by Lucy O’Connell) in their lives! The 2018 movie, based on Frank McCourt’s eponymous children’s picture book, tells the heartwarming story of a young girl’s innocent desire to ensure everyone feels loved, warm and safe at Christmastime.

Watch Angela’s Christmas on Netflix

The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday

Mr. Snake and Mr. Wolf in ‘The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday,’ 2023.

Netflix

Set before the Bad Guys went from naughty to nice in the original 2022 film, this 2023 streaming special sees the titular criminals plotting the ultimate holiday heist. When their attempt to steal a parade balloon goes up in flames and possibly cancels Christmas, the Bad Guys are forced to play Santa to lift the city’s spirits — all in preparation for their big bank robbery.

Watch The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday on Netflix

Elf Pets: Santa’s Reindeer Rescue

Reindeers with Elf on the Shelf in ‘Elf Pets: Santa’s Reindeer Rescue,’ 2020.
NETFLIX

Anything is possible when the Elf on the Shelf, Santa’s reindeer and the Big Man himself join forces — a combination needed when Santa’s sleigh faces test flight troubles in Elf Pets: Santa’s Reindeer Rescue (2020). Thankfully, the whimsical grouping of the North Pole pals unites their powers to hopefully make magic happen just in time for Christmas!

Watch Elf Pets: Santa’s Reindeer Rescue on Netflix

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

Madalen Mills in ‘Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey,’ 2020.

Gareth Gatrell/NETFLIX

If one thing is synonymous with Christmas, it’s obviously the toys! Toymaker Jeronicus Jangle (Forest Whitaker) would agree with you — that is until he rediscovers the deeper meaning of the holiday since his curious granddaughter (Madalen Mills) came into his life. Keegan-Michael Key, Phylicia Rashad and Anika Noni Rose also star in this 2020 fantasy musical.

Watch Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey on Netflix

Klaus

Márgu, Klaus, Alva and Jesper in ‘Klaus,’ 2019.
Netflix

Mail is essential come Christmas time, obviously, as it’s the only way Santa receives wish lists ahead of the big day! For the town of Smeerensburg, the job lies in the hands of new postman Jesper (voiced by Jason Schwartzman), but the duty is bigger than it seems as he’s stationed on a secluded island above the Arctic Circle. Turn on Klaus (2019) to find out what happens when Jesper comes across a mysterious toymaker (J.K. Simmons) who lives alone in a cabin filled with homemade toys!

Watch Klaus on Netflix

Robin Robin

Magpie and Robin in ‘Robin Robin,’ 2021.

Courtesy of Netflix

Soar into the holiday spirit with Robin Robin (2021), a stop-motion animated story about a young bird (voiced by Bronte Carmichael) who makes a wish on a Christmas star to learn how to fly. You might wonder, “Don’t all birds know how to fly?” Not Robin. She was raised by a family of mice; however, her optimism could make anything possible!

Watch Robin Robin on Netflix

Dragons: Rescue Riders: Huttsgalor Holiday

Dak, Duggard the Decisive and Leyla in ‘Dragons: Rescue Riders: Huttsgalor Holiday,’ 2020.
Netflix

The holidays are surely heating up for twins Dak (voiced by Nicolas Cantu) and Leyla (Brennley Brown) and the dragons who raised them, just not in the way you might think! Snowfall marks the start of Odinyule, the Viking holiday of giving, but it’s no faint flurry. The crazy weather threatens to ruin the tradition unless the Rescue Riders can save it.

Watch Dragons: Rescue Riders: Huttsgalor Holiday on Netflix

Scrooge: A Christmas Carol

Prudence and Harry in ‘Scrooge: A Christmas Carol,’ 2022.

Courtesy of Netflix

At the beginning of this film, Scrooge (voiced by Luke Evans) is most definitely on the naughty list. This 2022 animated musical adaptation is a supernatural, time-traveling twist on Charles Dickens’ classic novel. The grumpy old man has one Christmas Eve left to face his past and build a better future. (Ghosts, of course, are involved in the making of this film!)

Watch Scrooge: A Christmas Carol on Netflix

Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas

A scene from ‘Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas,’ 2021.
Netflix

No “bah humbugs” in this picture, only “baas!” Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas (2021) chronicles the chaotic Christmas Eve events that unravel when a farmhouse raid to get bigger stockings for the flock inadvertently leads to Timmy (voiced by Justin Fletcher) going missing. Can Shaun (Fletcher) get Timmy back? Guess ewe will have to watch to find out!

Watch Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas on Netflix

Albert

Albert in ‘Albert,’ 2016.

Nickelodeon

Tiny trees have big wishes, too! Meet Albert (voiced by Bobby Moynihan), the titular character in Nickelodeon’s 2016 animated TV movie. Albert is a Douglas fir tree whose hope and dream is to become his hometown’s most famous Christmas tree.

Watch Albert on Paramount+

Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure

‘Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure,’ 2011.

Universal

Pooches, paws and presents, oh my! When Santa’s sack is stolen by crooks on Christmas Day, the lovable St. Bernard em-barks (sorry, we had to) on a mission to save the holiday. Snuggle up with the kids and your four-legged friend to watch the magic unfold in Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure (2011).

Watch Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure on Amazon Prime Video

The Grinch

Cindy-Lou Who and the Grinch in ‘The Grinch,’ 2018.

Illumination/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock 

Benedict Cumberbatch voices the titular green grouch in the 2018 adaptation of The Grinch, which sees the fur-covered killjoy plotting to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville only to be softened by the kindness and spirit of the winter holiday. Rashida Jones, Pharrell and Angela Lansbury also voice characters in the flick inspired by Dr. Seuss’ classic tale.

Watch The Grinch on Peacock

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education