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

Mar. 15, 2025

Cindy-Lou Who and the Grinch in ‘The Grinch,’ 2018.Photo:Illumination/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock

Illumination/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock

Pile someholiday cookieson a plate and make sure there’s enough cocoa for everyone when it’s time for the whole family to sit down for aChristmas movie marathon.

WhileNational Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation(1989) andLove 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 asA Charlie Brown Christmas(1965) to more modern musicals likeJingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey(2020), holiday flicks can be found on streaming services includingNetflix,Hulu,Disney+and more.

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

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

A Charlie Brown Christmas

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

It’s Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown

Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas

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

Fox/courtesy Everett

WatchIce Age: A Mammoth Christmason 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, then8-Bit Christmas(2021) is the film for you! Based on Kevin Jakubowski’s 2013 novel of the same name, theNeil Patrick Harris-led comedy chronicles a 10-year-old’s (Winslow Fegley) quest to get the video game system of his dreams.

Watch8-Bit Christmason Max

Arthur Christmas

WatchArthur Christmason Tubi

Elf

Will Ferrell (right) in ‘Elf,’ 2003.Alan Markfield/New Line Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock

Alan Markfield/New Line Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock

Make yourself a bowl of maple syrup-drenched spaghetti, and feast your eyes onElf. 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.

WatchElfon Max

Fred Claus

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

WatchFred Clauson Hulu

Jack Frost

Jack Frost and Joseph Cross in ‘Jack Frost,’ 1998.Suzanne Hanover/Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock

Suzanne Hanover/Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock

WatchJack Froston Hulu

The Polar Express

WatchThe Polar Expresson Max

The Muppet Christmas Carol

Muppets characters in ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol,’ 1992.Jim Henson Productions/Kobal/Shutterstock

Jim Henson Productions/Kobal/Shutterstock

WatchThe Muppet Christmas Carolon 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

WatchThe Nutcracker and the Four Realmson Disney+

A Christmas Carol

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

WatchA Christmas Carolon Disney+

Frozen

Elsa in ‘Frozen,’ 2013.Walt Disney Pictures/Courtesy Everett

Walt Disney Pictures/Courtesy Everett

WatchFrozenon Disney+

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas

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

WatchMickey’s Once Upon a Christmason Disney+

The Naughty Nine

A scene from ‘The Naughty Nine,’ 2023.Disney+

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.

WatchThe Naughty Nineon Disney+

Prep & Landing

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

WatchPrep & Landingon Disney+

The Nightmare Before Christmas

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

WatchThe Nightmare Before Christmason 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

WatchWinnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Yearon Disney+

Aliens First Christmas

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

GoodTimes

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

WatchAliens First Christmason Peacock

Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas

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

WatchCurious George: A Very Monkey Christmason Peacock

Santa and the Three Bears

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

WatchSanta and the Three Bearson 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 toElf Day(2020), a film that chronicles people with pointy ears and pointy hats who work together to save the holiday.

WatchElf Dayon Peacock

Fishmas!

A scene from ‘Fishmas!,’ 2019.WOWNow Entertainment

WOWNow Entertainment

Dive into the Christmas season with 2019’sFishmas!, 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!

WatchFishmas!on Peacock

A Go! Go! Cory Carson Christmas

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

WatchA Go! Go! Cory Carson Christmason Netflix

A Trash Truck Christmas

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

Netflix

WatchA Trash Truck Christmason Netflix

Alien Xmas

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

WatchAlien Xmason Netflix

Angela’s Christmas

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

WatchAngela’s Christmason 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.

WatchThe Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holidayon 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 inElf 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!

WatchElf Pets: Santa’s ReindeerRescueon Netflix

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

Madalen Mills in ‘Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey,’ 2020.Gareth Gatrell/NETFLIX

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 RashadandAnika Noni Rosealso star in this 2020 fantasy musical.

WatchJingle Jangle: A Christmas Journeyon Netflix

Klaus

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

WatchKlauson Netflix

Robin Robin

Magpie and Robin in ‘Robin Robin,’ 2021.Courtesy of Netflix

Courtesy of Netflix

WatchRobin Robinon Netflix

Dragons: Rescue Riders: Huttsgalor Holiday

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

WatchDragons: Rescue Riders: Huttsgalor Holidayon Netflix

Scrooge: A Christmas Carol

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

WatchScrooge: A Christmas Carolon Netflix

Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas

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

WatchShaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmason Netflix

Albert

Albert in ‘Albert,’ 2016.Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon

WatchAlberton Paramount+

Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure

‘Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure,’ 2011.Universal

Universal

WatchBeethoven’s Christmas Adventureon Amazon Prime Video

The Grinch

Cindy-Lou Who and the Grinch in ‘The Grinch,’ 2018.Illumination/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock

WatchThe Grinchon Peacock

source: people.com