Here are 25 of our favorite family Christmas movies that you can put on your Christmas Movie Countdown list!
Break out the popcorn and hot cocoa and settle in for a wonderful holiday flick to get you in a festive mood!
Whether you're looking to laugh out loud, feel nostalgic or are in the mood for a warm and fuzzy feel-good story, this list has it all! Read on for some perfect movies for your Christmas season!
25 Family Favorite Christmas Movies for a
Fun Holiday Season!
1. A Christmas Story
A Christmas Story has become a classic Christmas movie and is super entertaining for the whole family!
All Ralphie wants is a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas!
From the narrator's fun background narration to the hysterical antics of Ralphie and his friends and family, A Christmas Story has plenty of laughs and nostalgic moments that will make this a favorite Christmas movie you'll have fun watching every year!
This is the one Christmas movie that my husband will actually watch over and over--he gets a really big kick out of it!
We bought him this little fun ornament as memento!
2. Home Alone
When his family leaves for Christmas vacation, eight-year-old Kevin is accidentally left home alone! He not only has to worry about the basics like dinner, but he also has to keep a couple of thieves from breaking into his house!
Filled with plenty of laugh-out-loud and slapstick moments as well as clever, thief-thwarting solutions, Home Alone is a super fun family film to enjoy this holiday season!
3. Elf
Every time I hear the name of this movie I think of my niece who loves this Christmas favorite! She's been enjoying it for years and now that she's all grown up, she hosts Elf watch parties every year and delights in making 'Elf'-themed treats!
Fans of Will Ferrell and all things comedy will enjoy this original tale about a misplaced baby who accidentally made it to the North Pole where he was raised alongside the other elves!
Well, after 30 years, it becomes abundantly clear that the six foot tall elf is actually a human and he sets out to find his family!
If you're looking for plenty of laughs this Christmas season, Will Ferrell and Elf will be a great movie to look forward to watching with your family or with a cup of cocoa!
4. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
We love Rudolph! I never knew why all the other reindeer made such a big deal out of his nose color, but then if they hadn't, we wouldn't have this amazing movie with it's adventure and a little lesson included!
From Clarice to Cornelius Fudge, to Robbie the elf who wants to be a dentist and Sam the Snowman who shivers at the thought of the Abominable Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is filled with great characters to round out one of our absolute favorite Christmas movies!
A terrific adventure along with a great soundtrack make Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer a movie you'll want to have in your own collection for sure!
5. It's a Wonderful Life
George Bailey is a wonderful man that unfortunately has come on hard times and he can't face it anymore. It's Christmas Eve and as he contemplates jumping off a bridge, he ironically rescues Clarence, his guardian angel.
Clarence shows George Bailey what life in his town would have been like if George had never existed and all his good deeds hadn't either.
It's a Wonderful Life is a beautiful movie featuring the incomparable Jimmy Stewart with a heartwarming ending that you'll love rewatching with your family year after year!
I saw this lovely ornament which would make a great gift for fans of It's a Wonderful Life!
6. Little Women
You're absolutely right, Little Women is NOT a Christmas movie! But, it has all of those feel-good elements and one of the most touching scenes happens during the Christmas holiday!
This version of the movie Little Women is absolutely captivating! Prior to watching this film, I really wasn't a huge Little Women fan, but that definitely changed after stepping into the movie theater and viewing this amazing adaptation!
We advise you to absolutely get yourself the dvd, or stream it if that's your preference! The 2019 version directed by Greta Gerwig was so, so good!
Check out our blog post featuring the author of Little Women, Louis May Alcott here!
7. The Santa Clause
The Santa Clause is a really fun original tale that tweens and teens will enjoy along with the rest of the family!
When Tim Allen's character accidentally causes a man to fall off of his roof on Christmas Eve, he finds that he's now been recruited for the recently vacated position of Santa Claus!
Disney's funny and clever original story is a super fun spin on Santa Claus and Christmas movies and will have you reaching for The Santa Clause sequels as soon as the credits are rolling!
8. The Shop Around the Corner
My daughter (and blogging partner!) really loves classic movies and this one is a fun addition to our list! Did you know that You've Got Mail'with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan was based on this heartwarming movie?!
Even though only one scene from The Shop Around the Corner takes place during Christmas, it is the pivotal point for Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan's characters which gives it that quintessential magical Christmas moment!
9. Miracle on 34th Street
Miracle on 34th Street is a Christmas classic that will warm your heart and make your season merry!
When a man is offered to play the role of Santa Claus at a department store, he soon becomes a popular attraction for the holiday shoppers. When he claims he's the real Kris Kringle however, his employer doubts the claim.
Soon though, people see that he has a real wish to spread the spirt of the holiday, and this leads to a court case. Miracle on 34th Street is a captivating classic and will be the perfect addition to your holiday movie nights, and get you in the spirt of Christmas with it's delightful story!
10. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Clark Griswold and his wife Ellen and two kids are gearing up for an unforgettable Christmas Vacation! With the house wrapped in lights, guests on the way and a Christmas bonus to look forward to, what could go wrong?!
Sit back and prepare to laugh out loud at this classic Griswold adventure that will remind you of some of your own family mishaps and have you wanting to watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation every year!!
11. A Cinderella Story - Christmas Wish
Okay, if you have fans of fairy tales in the house or love a fun rom-com, then they'll enjoy this Cinderella twist for sure!
With a stepmother and stepsisters that are just like the classic fairy tale, Kat Emerson dreams of being a singer and songwriter. Treated like a servant in her own home and working a less-than-perfect job are just a couple of the challenges Kat faces!
As the coveted Wintergarden Christmas Gala approaches, Kat's scheming stepmother and stepsisters are determined to keep her from going. The bright side? Three helpers (a good friend, one with paws and the new Santa (Nick) from her job) are ready to lend a hand in A Cinderella Story-Christmas Wish- a feel good story with some fun original music as well as classic holiday tunes!
12. Home Alone 2 - Lost in New York
Loved the first Home Alone movie? You'll definitely have fun watching Home Alone 2-Lost in New York!
Kevin's family is on their way to Florida but once again he's missed his departure! Left to his own devices, Kevin luckily has his dad's credit card and finds a warm place to sleep and plenty of food to keep his growing belly full!
As luck would have it, the 'Wet Bandits' have escaped from prison and landed in the Big Apple as well! Kevin once again finds he must outrun and outsmart the Wet Bandits which makes Home Alone 2 - Lost in New York just as much fun as the first movie and a perfect choice for a Christmas movie double feature!!
13. The Polar Express
Based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express is a delightfully animated movie featuring Tom Hanks (in several different roles!) and does a beautiful job of bringing this magical Christmas book to life!
Unable to sleep on Christmas Eve, a young boy boards a train headed to the North Pole!
Along with the other children, he experiences the magic of the train ride and seeing the wonders of the North Pole, the elves, reindeer and Santa himself!
Santa grants the boy the first Christmas gift and the magic that surrounds his choice will fill your and your children's hearts with the spirit of Christmas!
An award-winning book and perfect Christmas movie to enjoy some popcorn and hot cocoa with, The Polar Express is destined to be a family favorite!
14. The Muppet Christmas Carol
Guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit, Kermit, Miss Piggy and the rest of the Muppet gang along with Oscar-award winner Michael Caine will have you laughing, crying, singing and embracing the holiday!
Kermit stars as Bob Cratchit with Miss Piggy as his wife Emily Cratchit, and Michael Caine steps into the role of Scrooge for this super adaptation of The Christmas Carol!
Fans of the Muppets will love this Disney version of the Charles Dickens tale and you'll want to add this to your personal Christmas movie collection for sure!
15. Frosty the Snowman
Frosty the Snowman is another classic from my childhood that will forever hold a special place in many children's hearts! There's nothing like a snowman that talks to get kids excited and work together to make sure he doesn't melt!
A magician's hat that doesn't work for its original owner works its magic on a snowman and brings him to life to the delight of the children in town!
Unfortunately, the magician wants his hat back and doesn't care if that means that Frosty will be no more! Magic, friendship, and a special appearance by Santa will hopefully be enough to give Frosty the Snowman that happy ending that we know and love!
16. The Little Drummer Boy
In this classic Christmas tale that has appeared on tv and in stores every year since I could remember, it truly captures the essence of Christmas.
Aaron, an orphaned boy left to survive on his own has a passion for music and when he plays his drum for himself and the animals, he finds peace.
On the night that Baby Jesus is born, The Little Drummer Boy follows the star to Bethlehem and his heart is filled with joy at the sight of the newborn babe and the desire to present a gift. He plays his music for the baby and in the process heals his own heart.
17. The Grinch
Whether it's the animated version or the live action film starring Jim Carrey, How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a classic tale that we love watching again and again!
You can take their decorations, presents and special dinner foods, but the true meaning of Christmas will always remain in the town of Whoville!
How the Grinch Stole Christmas is one story that delivers both an entertaining story and a meaningful message! It's one of the movies that families will love to curl up and watch with their cocoa and Christmas cookies!
18. A Charlie Brown Christmas
Every year we listen to the soundtrack featuring the Vince Guaraldi Trio from A Charlie Brown Christmas!
It has some of the very best holiday music that kids will recognize, adults will reminisce to and even teens will enjoy hearing! Not too many musical soundtracks attract that wide of an audience!
And back to the movie! An award-winning holiday masterpiece, A Charlie Brown Christmas will warm your heart!
Well, Charlie Brown has the Christmas blues and decides to follow Lucy's advice and direct the school play. But, the play needs a Christmas Tree and Charlie Brown finds the least likely candidate to fill the bill!
His lackluster, pine needle-lacking tiny tree doesn't inspire much hope at first, but the true spirit of Christmas shines through with the delightful end of this sweet story! A Charlie Brown Christmas will once again have everyone cheering for Charlie Brown and his friends with this delightful holiday movie!
19. White Christmas
Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen star in this classic Christmas movie that makes a fun trip down memory lane!
In an attempt to revitalize a Vermont country inn, business partners team up to breathe new life into their venture!
Dancing, witty dialogue and Irving Berlin's gorgeous musical score make this a perfect holiday choice and gives modern day viewers the story behind Bing Crosby's classic holiday tune, White Christmas!
20. The Santa Clause 2
Well, Scott Calvin has had eight great years as Santa Claus and his elves agree he's one of the very best!
But, this year Scott's son has landed himself on the 'Naughty List' and he's discovered some fine print to his Santa Clause! He has one month to find and marry a Mrs. Claus or he'll have to give being Santa forever!
A fun follow-up to The Santa Clause, fans will have just as much fun curling up and laughing a-plenty at The Santa Clause 2
21. The Christmas Chronicles
Sister and brother Kate and Teddy Pierce scheme to catch and film Santa in the act on Christmas Eve! But, the plan takes a turn and instead the siblings wind up joining forces with Santa and the elves in trying to save Christmas!
Starring Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, this fun Christmas Netflix original now has a sequel too!
22. The Man Who Invented Christmas
Here's a movie that is lesser known than some of the other modern movie choices, but is well worth the viewing!
Sometimes movies don't garner as much attention for whatever reason - not enough flash, less advertising, not the best timing for its release, etc..
Here is one movie, however, that viewers agree deserves to be on the Christmas movie night list!
Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in just six weeks! The Man Who Invented Christmas shows how he took real life inspiration combined with imagination to write one of the most iconic and classic Christmas stories of all time!
23. The Nutcracker
Every winter, families everywhere get into the spirit of the holiday season with a viewing of the Nutcracker! (Check out our post of fave Nutcracker books!!
Even if you can't enjoy a live performance in person, there are so many amazing filmed versions to choose from!
The Nutcracker performed by The San Francisco Ballet is just one of the many filmed live performances of this holiday story!
Whether you love the traditional Nutcracker ballet or the fantasy adventure version of Disney's The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, there are plenty of options to view and enjoy!
Even among the ballet versions, there are variations and favorites depending on what you like the best!
24. Arthur Christmas
It's no easy task getting all those Christmas presents to all the children in one night, but Santa does the job flawlessly- usually!
In Arthur Christmas, one single child has been missed and it's up to Santa's youngest son, Arthur, to deliver the gift before the sun rises!
With quirky and fun characters, witty dialogue and a fun reimagining of how Santa accomplishes his Christmas task, Arthur Christmas is a fun and entertaining movie to add to that yearly holiday movie night!
25. Frozen
Disney's Frozen is a fun family film that will get you in the mood for all things winter and makes a great addition to your movie collection!
Even though it's technically not a Christmas movie, Frozen has fabulous music, impressive animation and a fresh story line with a perfect message about love and family!
So, get the popcorn, grab your beverage and cozy blanket and join Elsa, Anna and the rest of the cast of Frozen for a fun family movie night during the holiday season! Find more about Frozen here!
So, there you have it! Plenty of choices and variety for a fun, family Christmas movie night!
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Have a favorite family Christmas flick? Let us know in the comments below!
Happy Holidays!
April & Cenzia
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Love Frozen? Check out this post with great ideas for Frozen fans! Books, gifts, a fun craft and more!
Looking for some great books for gifts? Check out our 50 Best Books That Make Great Gifts for Kids suggestions here!
updated 12/19/2023 originally published 11/30/2020