20 BEST Family Christmas Movies (and where to get them)
I love Christmas traditions and I think one of the most simple ones is settling down to watch a Christmas themed movie together on Christmas Eve. Some families might watch the same movies over and over, but I’ll be honest, I’d rather watch a different one each year. They need to be family-friendly, feel good movies that are well made, and finding a different one each year might seem like a challenge, so here’s a list you can choose from!
Don’t forget to get the hot chocolates going (complete with whipped cream, marshmallows and peppermint candy canes) as well as copious amounts of popcorn, and perhaps a few cheeky Christmas cookies!
Grab the blanket on the sofa and get watching and if you’re really a Christmas movie fan – tell me in the comments how many of these you’ve seen!
If you don’t already have Amazon Prime, it’s worth getting the 30 day completely free trial at Christmas – it comes with hundreds of great movies and TV shows too, some of which are highlighted below!
1. Home Alone (1990) PG – Buy on Amazon
“Accidentally left behind when his family rushes off on a Christmas vacation, eight-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) embarks on a hilarious, madcap mission to defend the family home when two bumbling burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) try to break in–and find themselves tangled in Kevin’s bewildering battery of booby traps.” – Amazon
2. Arthur Christmas (2011) U – Watch on Netflix or Buy on Amazon
“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!” – Amazon
3. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1994) PG – Buy on Amazon
“Animated fantasy film, with a screenplay by Tim Burton. When Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas Town, he attempts to get his town’s population of bats, ghouls and goblins to put on Christmas, rather than Halloween, however despite their best attempts it doesn’t quite work out as he’d hoped…. Voices include regular Tim Burton film composer Danny Elfman in lead role as Jack, plus, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara and Paul Reubens.” – Amazon
4. Miracle on 34th Street (1947 & 1994) U – Buy on Amazon
“Six-year-old Susan has doubts childhood’s most enduring miracle Santa Clause. Her mother told her the “secret” about Santa a long time ago, so Susan doesn’t expect to receive the most important gifts on her Christmas list. But after meeting a special departement stare Santa who’s convinced he’s the real thing, Susan is given the most precious gift of all–something to believe in. “ – Amazon
5. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) U – Buy on Amazon
“George Bailey (played superbly by James Stewart) grows up in the small town of Bedford Falls, dreaming dreams of adventure and travel, but circumstances conspire to keep him enslaved to his home turf. Frustrated by his life, and haunted by an impending scandal, George prepares to commit suicide on Christmas Eve. A heavenly messenger (Henry Travers) arrives to show him a vision: what the world would have been like if George had never been born.” – Amazon
6. The Polar Express (2004) U – Buy on Amazon
“Late on Christmas Eve night, a boy (Daryl Sabara) lies in bed hoping to hear the sound of reindeer bells from Santa’s sleigh. When to his surprise, a steam engine’s roar and whistle can be heard outside his window. The conductor (Hanks) invites him on board to take an extraordinary journey to the North Pole with many other pajama-clad children. There, he receives an extraordinary gift only those who still believe in Santa can experience.” – Amazon
7. Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983) – Buy on Amazon
“Make the season merry as Mickey, Goofy, Donald and all their pals star in a heartwarming retelling of Dickens’ unforgettable holiday tale. Ebenezer Scrooge (Scrooge McDuck) is far too greedy to understand that Christmas is a time for kindness and generosity. But with the guidance of some wise ghosts (Goofy and Jiminy Cricket) and a bunch of newfound friends, Scrooge learns to embrace the spirit of the season.” – Amazon
8. Stick Man (2015) U – Watch Free with Amazon Prime or Buy on Amazon
“Join Stick Man on his incredible journey across the seasons as he runs from a playful dog, gets thrown in a river, escapes from a swan’s nest and even ends up on top of a fire. Will he get back to his family in time for Christmas?” – Amazon
9. Nativity (2009) U – Watch on Netflix or Buy on Amazon
“Seasonal, semi-improvised British comedy starring Martin Freeman and Ashley Jensen. Shabby, under-achieving primary school teacher Mr Maddens (Freeman) works at a school that competes annually with a local private school for the best production of the Christmas nativity play. Tired of always playing second fiddle to his arch rival, Gordon Shakespeare (Jason Watkins), Maddens idly concocts a white lie centred around his ex-girlfriend, Hollywood producer Jennifer (Jensen), in which he boasts that she is coming to see his play with a view to turning it into a film. What he omits to mention is that he and she have not spoken to one another for years. Now, with the expectations and burning ambitions of parents and pupils running high, can he possibly turn his elaborate fiction into reality in time to make everyone’s Christmas wishes come true?” – Amazon
10. A Christmas Prince (2017) PG – Watch on Netflix
“When a reporter goes undercover as a tutor to get the inside scoop on a playboy prince, she gets tangled in some royal intrigue and ends up finding love – but will she be able to keep up her lie?” – IMDb
11. The Christmas Dragon (2015) PG – Watch Free with Amazon Prime or Buy on Amazon
“A group of orphans travel to the North in search of Father Christmas and try to help save Christmas with the help of a young dragon, a mysterious warrior and a beautiful elf.” – Amazon
12. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) U – Buy on Amazon
“The Muppet characters tell their version of the classic tale of an old and bitter miser’s redemption on Christmas Eve.” – IMDb
13. Elf (2003) PG – Watch Free with Amazon Prime or Buy on Amazon
“Will Ferrell stars as Buddy, a human being who has spent his whole life believing himself to be an elf. Brought up by Santa (Edward Asner) and his elves at the North Pole, Buddy has spent the last 30 years happily working in Santa’s toy workshop. But when his ungainly size starts to become a liability in the elf-sized working environment, Santa suggests that Buddy head to New York City to find his biological father (James Caan). Needless to say, the unlikely spectacle of a 6’5′ man dressed from head to foot in bright green stands out a mile on the streets of the Big Apple, and the good-natured Buddy finds himself in all sorts of scrapes as he gets used to his new family and surroundings – and they get used to him.” – Amazon
14. Journey to the Christmas Star (2013) PG – Watch Free with Amazon Prime or Buy on Amazon
“When her kingdom falls under an evil curse, a courageous young girl embarks on a perilous journey to find the Christmas Star and rescue a long lost princess, but not everyone wants her to succeed.” – Amazon
15. Dr Seuss The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About Christmas (2014) U – Watch Free with Amazon Prime or Buy on Amazon
“Animated Christmas adventure following the Doctor Seuss character. When The Cat in the Hat (voice of Martin Short) throws a party for his friends on Christmas Eve, a baby reindeer named Ralph is left behind after all the other guests leave.” – Amazon
16. Magic Snowflake (2013) U – Watch on Netflix
“Young Nicolas agrees to do Santa’s work for one year. But the stress of the job threatens the boy’s sense of joy — and Christmas itself.” – Netflix
17. A Christmas Prince (2017) PG – Watch on Netflix
“When a reporter goes undercover as a tutor to get the inside scoop on a playboy prince, she gets tangled in some royal intrigue and ends up finding love – but will she be able to keep up her lie?” – IMDb
18. Deck the Halls (2006) PG – Watch on Netflix or Buy on Amazon
“Two neighbors have it out after one of them decorates his house for the holidays so brightly that it can be seen from space.” – IMDb
19. Curious George: A very Monkey Christmas (2009) U – Buy on Amazon
“Children’s animated adventure following intrepid primate Curious George (voice of Frank Welker) and his friends. With Christmas fast approaching, George and The Man With the Yellow Hat (Jeff Bennett) are having trouble deciding what to get each other as a present. Will they be able to solve the puzzle before the big day? The cast also includes Jim Cummings, Elizabeth Daily and Grey DeLisle.”
20. Jingle All The Way (1996) PG – Buy on Amazon
“After promising his young son that Santa will get him the number one item on the boy’s wish list, a well-meaning workaholic father’s Christmas Eve turns into a hilariously nightmarish madcap scramble across the city to find the much sought-after and therefore virtually impossible to find toy.” – Amazon
The Best 20 Family Christmas Movies
1. Home Alone (1990) PG – Buy on Amazon
“Accidentally left behind when his family rushes off on a Christmas vacation, eight-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) embarks on a hilarious, madcap mission to defend the family home when two bumbling burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) try to break in–and find themselves tangled in Kevin’s bewildering battery of booby traps.” – Amazon
2. Arthur Christmas (2011) U – Watch on Netflix or Buy on Amazon
“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!” – Amazon
3. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1994) PG – Buy on Amazon
“Animated fantasy film, with a screenplay by Tim Burton. When Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas Town, he attempts to get his town’s population of bats, ghouls and goblins to put on Christmas, rather than Halloween, however despite their best attempts it doesn’t quite work out as he’d hoped…. Voices include regular Tim Burton film composer Danny Elfman in lead role as Jack, plus, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara and Paul Reubens.” – Amazon
4. Miracle on 34th Street (1947 & 1994) U – Buy on Amazon
“Six-year-old Susan has doubts childhood’s most enduring miracle Santa Clause. Her mother told her the “secret” about Santa a long time ago, so Susan doesn’t expect to receive the most important gifts on her Christmas list. But after meeting a special departement stare Santa who’s convinced he’s the real thing, Susan is given the most precious gift of all–something to believe in. “ – Amazon
5. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) U – Buy on Amazon
“George Bailey (played superbly by James Stewart) grows up in the small town of Bedford Falls, dreaming dreams of adventure and travel, but circumstances conspire to keep him enslaved to his home turf. Frustrated by his life, and haunted by an impending scandal, George prepares to commit suicide on Christmas Eve. A heavenly messenger (Henry Travers) arrives to show him a vision: what the world would have been like if George had never been born.” – Amazon
6. The Polar Express (2004) U – Buy on Amazon
“Late on Christmas Eve night, a boy (Daryl Sabara) lies in bed hoping to hear the sound of reindeer bells from Santa’s sleigh. When to his surprise, a steam engine’s roar and whistle can be heard outside his window. The conductor (Hanks) invites him on board to take an extraordinary journey to the North Pole with many other pajama-clad children. There, he receives an extraordinary gift only those who still believe in Santa can experience.” – Amazon
7. Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983) – Buy on Amazon
“Make the season merry as Mickey, Goofy, Donald and all their pals star in a heartwarming retelling of Dickens’ unforgettable holiday tale. Ebenezer Scrooge (Scrooge McDuck) is far too greedy to understand that Christmas is a time for kindness and generosity. But with the guidance of some wise ghosts (Goofy and Jiminy Cricket) and a bunch of newfound friends, Scrooge learns to embrace the spirit of the season.” – Amazon
8. Stick Man (2015) U – Watch Free with Amazon Prime or Buy on Amazon
“Join Stick Man on his incredible journey across the seasons as he runs from a playful dog, gets thrown in a river, escapes from a swan’s nest and even ends up on top of a fire. Will he get back to his family in time for Christmas?” – Amazon
9. Nativity (2009) U – Watch on Netflix or Buy on Amazon
“Seasonal, semi-improvised British comedy starring Martin Freeman and Ashley Jensen. Shabby, under-achieving primary school teacher Mr Maddens (Freeman) works at a school that competes annually with a local private school for the best production of the Christmas nativity play. Tired of always playing second fiddle to his arch rival, Gordon Shakespeare (Jason Watkins), Maddens idly concocts a white lie centred around his ex-girlfriend, Hollywood producer Jennifer (Jensen), in which he boasts that she is coming to see his play with a view to turning it into a film. What he omits to mention is that he and she have not spoken to one another for years. Now, with the expectations and burning ambitions of parents and pupils running high, can he possibly turn his elaborate fiction into reality in time to make everyone’s Christmas wishes come true?” – Amazon
10. A Christmas Prince (2017) PG – Watch on Netflix
“When a reporter goes undercover as a tutor to get the inside scoop on a playboy prince, she gets tangled in some royal intrigue and ends up finding love – but will she be able to keep up her lie?” – IMDb
11. The Christmas Dragon (2015) PG – Watch Free with Amazon Prime or Buy on Amazon
“A group of orphans travel to the North in search of Father Christmas and try to help save Christmas with the help of a young dragon, a mysterious warrior and a beautiful elf.” – Amazon
12. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) U – Buy on Amazon
“The Muppet characters tell their version of the classic tale of an old and bitter miser’s redemption on Christmas Eve.” – IMDb
13. Elf (2003) PG – Watch Free with Amazon Prime or Buy on Amazon
“Will Ferrell stars as Buddy, a human being who has spent his whole life believing himself to be an elf. Brought up by Santa (Edward Asner) and his elves at the North Pole, Buddy has spent the last 30 years happily working in Santa’s toy workshop. But when his ungainly size starts to become a liability in the elf-sized working environment, Santa suggests that Buddy head to New York City to find his biological father (James Caan). Needless to say, the unlikely spectacle of a 6’5′ man dressed from head to foot in bright green stands out a mile on the streets of the Big Apple, and the good-natured Buddy finds himself in all sorts of scrapes as he gets used to his new family and surroundings – and they get used to him.” – Amazon
14. Journey to the Christmas Star (2013) PG – Watch Free with Amazon Prime or Buy on Amazon
“When her kingdom falls under an evil curse, a courageous young girl embarks on a perilous journey to find the Christmas Star and rescue a long lost princess, but not everyone wants her to succeed.” – Amazon
15. Dr Seuss The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About Christmas (2014) U – Watch Free with Amazon Prime or Buy on Amazon
“Animated Christmas adventure following the Doctor Seuss character. When The Cat in the Hat (voice of Martin Short) throws a party for his friends on Christmas Eve, a baby reindeer named Ralph is left behind after all the other guests leave.” – Amazon
16. Magic Snowflake (2013) U – Watch on Netflix
“Young Nicolas agrees to do Santa’s work for one year. But the stress of the job threatens the boy’s sense of joy — and Christmas itself.” – Netflix
17. A Christmas Prince (2017) PG – Watch on Netflix
“When a reporter goes undercover as a tutor to get the inside scoop on a playboy prince, she gets tangled in some royal intrigue and ends up finding love – but will she be able to keep up her lie?” – IMDb
18. Deck the Halls (2006) PG – Watch on Netflix or Buy on Amazon
“Two neighbors have it out after one of them decorates his house for the holidays so brightly that it can be seen from space.” – IMDb
19. Curious George: A very Monkey Christmas (2009) U – Buy on Amazon
“Children’s animated adventure following intrepid primate Curious George (voice of Frank Welker) and his friends. With Christmas fast approaching, George and The Man With the Yellow Hat (Jeff Bennett) are having trouble deciding what to get each other as a present. Will they be able to solve the puzzle before the big day? The cast also includes Jim Cummings, Elizabeth Daily and Grey DeLisle.”
20. Jingle All The Way (1996) PG – Buy on Amazon
“After promising his young son that Santa will get him the number one item on the boy’s wish list, a well-meaning workaholic father’s Christmas Eve turns into a hilariously nightmarish madcap scramble across the city to find the much sought-after and therefore virtually impossible to find toy.” – Amazon
How many have you seen? Is there anyone who’s seen all 25 on this list?
-2 Comments-
Home alone is a true Christmas classic!
Thanks for the competition, my family would love a Home Alone marathon.