The Best Christmas Movies for Kids to Stream

Take the cookies out of the oven, grab a cup of hot cocoa and settle in with the kids for a Christmas movie marathon.

While films like 1946’s It’s a Wonderful Life and 1947’s Miracle on 34th Street are holiday classics, there are modern-day Yuletide titles that perfectly capture the magic of the season with a family-friendly twist. 

Sure, Hallmark and Lifetime flicks will give you that warm, fuzzy feeling and a swoon-worthy happy ending. However, there’s something about the innocent fun of watching an animated extraterrestrial discover the meaning of Christmas in 2020’s Alien Xmas or following the journey of a Douglas fir tree in 2016’s Albert. Regardless of your kiddos’ festive obsessions — from video games and singalongs to Frosty and a candy-loving elf — streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and more are here to spread a little holiday cheer. 

Keep scrolling for the best Christmas movies for kids and where to watch them.

All the New 2023 Christmas Movies Coming to Hallmark, Lifetime, Netflix, Great American Family and More

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

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

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! Rediscover the true meaning of Christmas alongside Charlie (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

‘It’s Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown’.

Apple TV+

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

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

8–Bit Christmas

Sabrina Lantos/Warner Bros.

If the latest and greatest game or gadget tops your child’s wish list, then 8-Bit Christmas is the film for you! Based on Kevin Jakubowski’s 2013 novel of the same name, the 2021 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

Moviestore/Shutterstock

Everyone knows that Santa delivers presents to every child on Earth in one night, but what they don’t know is that there’s an advanced, high-tech system beneath the North Pole that helps 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 Max

Elf

Will Ferrell in Elf.

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 Buddy the Elf (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 origins of Christmas.

Watch Elf on Max

Fred Claus

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. 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 Max

Jack Frost

Joseph Cross in Jack Frost.

Suzanne Hanover/Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock

What would Christmas be without the music? Jack Frost, a 1998 dark fantasy drama, 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 Max

The Polar Express

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 a slew of other children as they make their way up 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

‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’.

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 Hulu

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

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 Hulu

Disney’s A Christmas Carol

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 Disney’s A Christmas Carol on Disney+

Frozen

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

Disney

Did someone say, “Mickey ears and holiday cheers?” If so, press play on Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas, a 1999 anthology collection. Comprised of stories told by Mickey (Wayne Allwine) and Minnie (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

‘The Naughty Nine’.

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

Disney

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

Watch Prep & Landing on Disney+

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas

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 Christmastown be a success? Grab the candy canes and candy corn while you watch to find out!

Watch Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas on Disney+

Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year

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+

5 More Sleeps ‘Til Christmas

NBC

Who needs a Christmas calendar when you can use sleep to tell time! The young boy (voiced by James Larson) in 2021’s 5 More Sleeps ‘Til Christmas — a Jimmy Fallon-narrated picture based on his bestselling book of the same name — plans out every second of the last few days leading up to Dec. 25. However, just when he thought his meticulous plan would make the time pass faster, things go awry real quick!

Watch 5 More Sleeps ‘Til Christmas on Peacock

Aliens First Christmas

‘Alien’s First Christmas’.

GoodTimes

Season’s greetings, Earthlings! Nothing says an “out-of-this-world Christmas plot” like presents and planets — and thanks to Aliens First Christmas, 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

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

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 Peacock

Elf Day

Peacock

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

Watch Elf Day on Peacock

Fishmas!

‘Fishmas!’.

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

NETFLIX

No sleighs in the making of this film, only cars! The 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

‘A Trash Truck Chrisrmas’.

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 2020 animated film A Trash Truck Christmas. 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

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

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 make sure everyone feels loved, warm and safe at Christmastime.

Watch Angela’s Christmas on Netflix

The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday

‘The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday.’.

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

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 2020’s Elf Pets: Santa’s Reindeer Rescue. 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’.

Gareth Gatrell/NETFLIX

If there’s one thing that’s 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 thanks to his curious granddaughter (Madalen Mills) who comes 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

Netflix

Mail is essential come Christmas time, obviously, as it’s the only way Santa receives wishlists 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 2019’s Klaus 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

‘Robin Robin’.

Courtesy of Netflix

Soar into the holiday spirit with Robin Robin, a 2021 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 be wondering, Don’t all birds know how to fly? Not Robin. She was raised by a family of mice; however, due to her optimism, anything is possible!

Watch Robin Robin on Netflix

Dragons: Rescue Riders: Huttsgalor Holiday

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

‘Scrooge: A Christmas Carol’.

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

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’.

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 the most famous Christmas tree in his hometown.

Watch Albert on Paramount+

Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure

‘Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure’.

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) embarks on a mission to save the holiday. Snuggle up with the kids and your four-legged friend to watch the magic unfold in 2011’s Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure.

Watch Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure on Amazon Prime Video

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education