37 of the Best Christmas Movies for Kids (and Where to Stream Them!)
- - 37 of the Best Christmas Movies for Kids (and Where to Stream Them!)
Skyler Caruso, James Mercadante, Paris C., Carson BlackwelderDecember 10, 2025 at 3:00 AM
0
Illumination/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock
Cindy-Lou Who (voiced by Cameron Seely) and The Grinch (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch) in 2018's 'The Grinch'
While there are plenty of Christmas films for adults, any merry movie marathon needs a few options for kids, too.
Festive flicks like 1989's National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and 2003's Love Actually are solid choices when there are teens and adults around; however, they aren't exactly appropriate for children due to their mature humor and themes.
Still, there are plenty of Yuletide titles that are animated or more lighthearted — including A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965), The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) and Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020) — that spread holiday cheer regardless of audiences' ages.
So, grab the cookies and hot cocoa as you settle in for a film the whole family can enjoy.
Read on for the best holiday movies for kids to enjoy this season — and, most importantly, where to stream them.
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
Apple TV+/Courtesy Everett
From left: The Fox (voiced by Idris Elba), The Boy (voiced by Jude Coward Nicoll), The Mole (voiced by Tom Hollander) and The Horse (voiced by Gabriel Byrne) in 2022's 'The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse'
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 (Jude Coward Nicoll) searching for a home with 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+
A scene from 1965's 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'
Turn on the TV and gather 'round the Christmas tree — or, in this case, a little forlorn fir — because it's time to watch the ultimate holiday classic: 1965's A Charlie Brown Christmas! Rediscover the true meaning of Christmas alongside Charlie Brown (Peter Robbins), Snoopy (Bill Melendez) and their pals as they attempt various ways to get into the holiday spirit.
Watch A Charlie Brown Christmas on Apple TV
It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown
Apple TV+
A scene from 1992's 'It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown'
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 Charles M. Schulz's comic strip Peanuts and centers on beloved characters like Linus, Lucy, Peppermint Patty, Marcie and more across several Christmas-themed storylines.
Watch It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown on Apple TV
Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas
Fox/courtesy Everett
From left: Diego (voiced by Denis Leary), Manny (voiced by Ray Romano), Sid (voiced by John Leguizamo) and Ellie (voiced by Queen Latifah) in 2011's 'Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas'
In this 2011 Christmas-themed Ice Age TV special, Sid (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) embark to the North Pole to convince Santa to take him off the naughty list.
Watch Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas on Hulu
8-Bit Christmas
Sabrina Lantos/Warner Bros. From left: June Diane Raphael as Kathy Doyle, Neil Patrick Harris as adult Jake Doyle and Sophia Reid-Gantzert as Annie Doyle in 2021's '8-Bit Christmas'
If the latest and greatest game or gadget tops your child's wish list, then 2021's 8-Bit Christmas is the film for you! Based on Kevin Jakubowski's 2013 novel of the same name, the Neil Patrick Harris-led comedy chronicles a young boy's (Winslow Fegley) quest to get the video game system of his dreams.
Watch 8-Bit Christmas on HBO Max
Arthur Christmas
Moviestore/Shutterstock Arthur Claus (voiced by James McAvoy) in 2011's 'Arthur Christmas'
Everyone knows 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 helping him accomplish that feat. One Christmas Eve, the Big Man (Jim Broadbent) realizes that deliveries were made to all the children except a girl named Gwen (Ramona Marquez), so Santa's youngest son, Arthur (James McAvoy), attempts to save the day in this Golden Globe-nominated animated film!
Watch Arthur Christmas on Prime Video
Elf
Alan Markfield/New Line Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock
Will Ferrell (right) as Buddy in 2003's 'Elf'
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 to New York City in search of his human biological father, Walter (James Caan). While in the Big Apple, he helps his family and others rediscover the magic of Christmas and falls in love with a department store employee named Jovie (Zooey Deschanel).
Watch Elf on HBO Max
Fred Claus
Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock From left: Kevin Spacey as Clyde, Paul Giamatti as Nick 'Santa' Claus and Miranda Richardson as Annette Claus in 2007's 'Fred Claus'
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 Hulu
Jack Frost
Suzanne Hanover/Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock
Michael Keaton as Jack Frost and Joseph Cross as Charlie Frost in 1998's 'Jack Frost'
What would Christmas be without the music? Jack Frost tells the story of a neglectful musician father (Michael Keaton) who was killed in a car crash and can only be brought back to life by a magical harmonica he gifted to his son, Charlie (Joseph Cross). (And by "back to life," we mean in the form of a snowman!)
Watch Jack Frost on Hulu
The Polar Express
Moviestore/Shutterstock The Conductor (voiced by Tom Hanks) in 2004's 'The Polar Express'
Can you hear the bells? The Polar Express, featuring Tom Hanks in multiple roles, chronicles the magical journey of a doubting young boy who boards a mysterious train on Christmas Eve and joins several other children on 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 Hulu
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Jim Henson Productions/Kobal/Shutterstock
The Muppets characters in 1992's 'The Muppet Christmas Carol'
Join The Muppets for a hilarious and touching spin on the timeless Christmas tale! In this 1992 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 (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
WALT DISNEY STUDIOS From left: Richard E. Grant as Shiver, Keira Knightley as Sugar Plum, Eugenio Derbez as Hawthorne and Mackenzie Foy as Clara in 2018's 'The Nutcracker and the Four Realms'
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 (Anna Madeley), 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 in the land.
Watch The Nutcracker and the Four Realms on Disney+
A Christmas Carol
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures The Ghost of Christmas Present and Scrooge (both voiced by Jim Carrey) in 2009's 'A Christmas Carol'
It simply wouldn't be the holidays without a little humbug … right? Thanks to Disney's A Christmas Carol and its miserly Scrooge (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
Walt Disney Pictures/Courtesy Everett
Elsa (voiced by Idina Menzel) in 2013's 'Frozen'
If you're searching for songs to get stuck in your head, look no further than Disney's Frozen! The 2013 animated sing-along tells the story of Princess Anna (Kristen Bell) on her quest to find her estranged sister, Elsa (Idina Menzel), whose icy magical powers have trapped their kingdom in an eternal winter.
Watch Frozen on Disney+
Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas
Disney From left: Pluto (voiced by Bill Farmer), Mickey Mouse (voiced by Wayne Allwine) and Minnie Mouse (Russi Taylor) in 1999's 'Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas'
Did someone say, "Mickey ears and holiday cheers?" If so, press play on the 1999 anthology collection Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas. 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 (all voiced by Taylor), these Disney favorites recall their most memorable Christmas moments.
Watch Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas on Disney+
The Naughty Nine
Disney+
The cast of 2023's 'The Naughty Nine'
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 A scene from 2009's 'Prep & Landing'
The days leading up to Christmas can be a bit hectic — and no one knows that better than Wayne (Dave 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. There have been three follow-up specials to this 2009 Disney short, with Prep & Landing: The Snowball Protocol launching on Disney+ for the 2025 holiday season.
Watch Prep & Landing on Disney+
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection Jack Skellington (left, voiced by Chris Sarandon) in 1993's 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'
One of the best parts about this 1993 film? If you missed it during 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 — whose speaking voice is by Chris Sarandon and singing voice by Danny Elfman — succeed in his mission to overtake Christmas Town? 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
Disney Tigger (voiced by Jim Cummings), Piglet (voiced by John Fiedler), Gopher (voiced by Michael Gough) and Rabbit (Ken Sansom) in 2002's 'Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year'
Holiday in the Hundred Acre Wood? Sign us up! Join Winnie-the-Pooh (Jim Cummings), Piglet (John Fiedler) and pals as they reminisce about past Christmases in the 2002 festive animated tale A Very Merry Pooh Year. The furry friends also work together to create New Year's resolutions in hopes of becoming the best versions of themselves — Eeyore (Peter Cullen) included.
Watch Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year on Disney+
Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas
PBS Curious George (voiced by Frank Welker) and the Man with the Yellow Hat (voiced by Jeff Bennett) in 2009's 'Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas'
Swing into the holiday season with 2009's Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas! Watch along as George (Frank Welker) and the Man with the Yellow Hat (Jeff Bennett) search for gifts for each other before Christmas morning. The only problem? They have no clue what to buy!
Buy Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas on Prime Video
Angela's Christmas
netflix Angela (voiced by Lucy O'Connell) in 2020's 'Angela's Christmas Wish'
Everyone needs an Angela (Lucy O'Connell) in their lives! The 2017 short, 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. Snuggle up for the 2020 sequel, Angela's Christmas Wish, while you're at it.
Watch Angela's Christmas on Netflix
The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday
Netflix
Snake (left, voiced by Chris Diamantopoulos) and Mr. Wolf (voiced by Michael Godere) in 2023's 'The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday'
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
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
Gareth Gatrell/NETFLIX
Madalen Mills as Journey Jangle in 2020's 'Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey'
If one thing is synonymous with Christmas, it's 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 musical fantasy.
Watch Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey on Netflix
Klaus
Netflix From left: Márgu (voiced by Neda Margrethe Labba), Klaus (voiced by J.K. Simmons), Alva (voiced by Rashida Jones) and Jesper (voiced by Jason Schwartzman) in 2019's 'Klaus'
Mail is essential during the Christmas season, 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 (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
Courtesy of Netflix
Magpie (left, voiced by Richard E. Grant) and Robin (voiced by Bronte Carmichael) in 2021's 'Robin Robin'
Soar into the holidays with the 2021 stop-motion animated story about a young bird (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. Though a family of mice raised her, Robin's optimism could make anything possible!
Watch Robin Robin on Netflix
Scrooge: A Christmas Carol
Courtesy of Netflix
From left: Prudence and Harry Huffman (center, voiced by Fra Fee) in 2022's 'Scrooge: A Christmas Carol'
At the beginning of this film, Scrooge (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 A scene from 2021's 'Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas'
No "bah humbugs" in this picture, only "baas!" Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas chronicles the chaotic Christmas Eve events that unravel when a farmhouse raid to get bigger stockings for the flock inadvertently leads to Timmy (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
Nickelodeon
Albert (voiced by Bobby Moynihan) in 2016's 'Albert'
Tiny trees have big wishes, too! Meet Albert (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
Universal
Beethoven (right, voiced by Tom Arnold) in 2011's 'Beethoven's Christmas Adventure'
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 friends to watch the magic unfold in the 2011 family comedy Beethoven's Christmas Adventure.
Watch Beethoven's Christmas Adventure on AMC+
The Grinch
Illumination/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock
Cindy-Lou Who (voiced by Cameron Seely) and The Grinch (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch) in 2018's 'The Grinch'
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 Williams and Angela Lansbury also voice characters in the flick inspired by Dr. Seuss' classic tale.
Watch The Grinch on Peacock
The Santa Clause
Attila Dory/Walt Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock
Tim Allen as Scott Calvin in 1994's 'The Santa Clause'
In 1994's The Santa Clause, Santa's annual trek around the globe delivering toys is interrupted after he falls off the roof of divorced dad Scott Calvin (Tim Allen), who completes the job. Upon arriving at the North Pole, Scott learns he must become the new Santa before next Christmas rolls around — all while balancing his relationship with his son, Charlie (Eric Lloyd). This film spawned two sequels and a TV series.
Watch The Santa Clause on Disney+
The Christmas Chronicles
Michael Gibson/Netflix Kurt Russell as Santa Claus in 2018's 'The Christmas Chronicles'
Kurt Russell playing Santa alongside longtime partner and collaborator Goldie Hawn as Mrs. Claus? That's perfect casting. The Christmas Chronicles sees a brother-sister duo (Judah Lewis and Darby Camp) join forces with St. Nick to save Christmas after they cause him to lose his sleigh, reindeer and sack of presents when they hitch a ride. Get ready for double the fun, as a sequel was released in 2020.
Watch The Christmas Chronicles on Netflix
Candy Cane Lane
CLAUDETTE BARIUS/AMAZON
Eddie Murphy as Chris Carver in 2023's 'Candy Cane Lane'
Eddie Murphy's Chris Carver makes a deal with an evil Christmas elf named Pepper (Jillian Bell) in an attempt to win his neighborhood block's house-decorating contest in 2023's Candy Cane Lane. The bargain is simple: Chris must find several golden rings before Christmas Eve night, or he'll turn into a glass figurine. You know, typical evil Christmas elf dealings.
Watch Candy Cane Lane on Prime Video
Home Alone
20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock
Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister in 1990's 'Home Alone'
Not that you need us to explain the seminal classic that is 1990's Home Alone to you, but this movie sees the McCallister family embark on a Parisian vacation only to realize they've left their youngest member, Kevin (Macaulay Culkin), back home in Chicago. Not only that, but Kevin must ward off two bumbling burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) while holding down the fort in this film that launched a franchise.
Watch Home Alone on Hulu
Miracle on 34th Street
20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock
Richard Attenborough as Kris Kringle and Mara Wilson as Susan Walker in 1994's Miracle on 34th Street'
A remake of the 1947 film of the same name, 1994's Miracle on 34th Street centers around a department store Santa Claus named Kris Kringle (Richard Attenborough) who claims to be the real Saint Nick himself. Stealing the show is Susan (Mara Wilson), a little girl raised not to believe in Santa but who embraces the holiday spirit. Though it doesn't fully measure up to the Oscar-winning original, this one holds a special place for a new generation.
Watch Miracle on 34th Street on Hulu
Eloise at Christmastime
Amazon Prime
Sofia Vassilieva (left) as Eloise and Julie Andrews as Nanny in 2003's 'Eloise at Christmastime'
Based on Kay Thompson's Eloise books, this 2003 classic sees the titular character (Sofia Vassilieva) try to help the Plaza Hotel owner's daughter find her Mr. Right before she marries Mr. Wrong during the holidays. This film features a stacked cast, including Julie Andrews, Christine Baranski and the late Gavin Creel.
Watch Eloise at Christmastime on Prime Video
The Year Without a Santa Claus
ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
A scene from 1974's 'The Year Without Santa Claus'
An absolute banger of a classic Christmas movie, 1974's The Year Without a Santa Claus asks the question: What if Santa (Mickey Rooney) doesn't want to deliver gifts? This stop-motion creation, adapted from the book of the same name by Phyllis McGinley, is perhaps best known for giving the world the Miser brothers, Snow Miser (Dick Shawn) and Heat Miser (George S. Irving) — who have their own theme songs, of course.
Buy or Rent The Year Without a Santa Claus on Prime Video
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
