Here is a list of 25 family Christmas movies to watch this holiday season. I love watching Christmas movies and look forward to watching the same ones I have watched since my childhood.
You will most likely recognize most of these family Christmas movies. A lot of these movies are old but still fun to watch. I love how we get to introduce movies we loved to a new generation.
25 Family Christmas Movies
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Christmas lights may be twinkling red and green, but Charlie Brown has the Yuletide blues. To get in the holiday spirit, he takes Lucy’s advice and directs the Christmas play. And what’s a Christmas play without a Christmas tree? But everyone makes fun of the short, spindly evergreen Charlie Brown brings back. Until the real meaning of Christmas works its magic once again.
The Santa Clause
On Christmas Eve Scott Calvin and his son hear someone on top of their roof. They go out to investigate and make Santa fall slip off the roof. Scott puts on the suit and unknowingly becomes Santa Clause himself. They’re taken to the North Pole where Scott learns he needs to become Santa before next Christmas.
He wakes up in the morning thinking it’s all dream but he soon realizes he is Santa Claus. This is a great movie to show to your kids when they have questions about Santa. Like what does he do if there is no chimney?
Home Alone
Kevin gets left behind at home when his family takes a trip to France. Only leaving him home alone wasn’t planned. He has an argument with his family the night before they are all supposed to leave. And Kevin wishes his whole family would disappear.
He receives his wish the next morning. He enjoys having his home all to himself until a couple of thieves try to break into his home. Kevin is able to protect his home and send the bad guys to jail before his family returns home.
Kevin gets left behind again in this sequel. Only this time he takes the wrong plane and finds himself alone in New York City. While his parents are desperately trying to track him down from Florida.
He’s enjoying his vacation away from his family when he runs into the bandits who tried to break into his home. He leads them on a wild chase which ends with them being sent back to jail. All before his parents find in in New York.
A Christmas Story
“You’ll shoot your eye out!” Who doesn’t know where that line is from? This holiday classic follows Ralphie Parker. He’s obsessed with getting a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. Even though the odds (his mom, teacher, and Santa) are against him. He holds on to hope of finding his ideal present under the Christmas tree.
Elf
An orphan baby crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts on Christmas Eve. Then gets transported back to the North Pole and is raised as an elf. Years later Buddy learns he is not an elf and goes on a journey to New York City to find his true identity. He has a wicked sweet tooth and he’s determined to have a relationship with his long lost father.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Clark Griswold dreams of having the best family Christmas. So he tries to make sure everything is perfect. Including the tree and house decorations.
But he’s surprised by the arrival of his cousin Eddie and family. He has to deal with ungrateful in-laws. And the possibility of not receiving a Christmas bonus.
The Polar Express
The Polar Express is a classic holiday story. It is a tale of a young boy who doubts Santa Claus’s existence. On Christmas Eve, a magical train appears outside his home.
He’s invited aboard by the conductor. An amazing adventure lies ahead. As the boy learns that the wonders of life never fade for those who believe.
Mickeys Christmas Carol
This Disney cartoon is my favorite version of a Christmas Carol. Scrooge Mc Duck is Ebenezer Scrooge. He hates Christmas and is very greedy. But with the guidance of some ghosts, Scrooge learns the true meaning of Christmas.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
The Nightmare Before Christmas isn’t just for Halloween. It’s a great Christmas movie too! Jack Skellington is bored with Halloween and is looking for more.
He discovers Christmas town and becomes obsessed with taking over the Holiday. But his mission puts Christmas in jeopardy. Instead of bringing joy, Jack creates a nightmare for good little boys and girls.
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Another version of the classic Christmas tale of A Christmas Carol. The Muppets are in charge of showing Ebenezer Scrooge his evil ways.
As they show him his miserable past he learns from the errors of his past. And the true meaning of Christmas.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
The Grinch is trying to take away Christmas from the townspeople of Whoville. He hatches a plan to dress up as Santa. Then he’ll creep into the houses of Whoville on Christmas Eve night. He plans to steal all the presents.
He succeeds in his evil plan. On Christmas morning waits to hear all the cries of the missing Christmas presents. But instead hears everyone celebrating. Regardless of the missing items.
Jingle All the Way
A workaholic Dad, Howard Langston tries to make up all the time he has missed with his son. By promising to get him the hottest toy of the season. He sets out to find the toy on Christmas Eve.
Even though it’s sold out everywhere. As he hunts down the sought after toy, he runs into another father on the same quest. With time running out Howard begins to learn the real meaning of Christmas.
A Wonderful Life
A Wonderful Life is a Christmas classic that everyone should watch. When your feeling down and nothing is going right in your life think of George Bailey.
After George wishes he had never born, an Angel comes to Earth to make his wish come true. The Angel shows George how many lives he had affected. And how their lives would be different if he never existed.
Miracle on 34th Street
A young girl is unsure if Santa Claus exists. Her mother works for a large department store and hires the Santa who will pose with kids. She hires a man with the name of Kris Kringle.
The man claims to be Santa himself. He is then met with many unbelievers and the possibility of imprisonment. But a lawyer who believes and the young girl comes to his defense.
Prancer
Refusing to give up her belief in Santa Claus, Jessica discovers a hurt reindeer in the woods. Which she believes to be Prancer. With the help of a veterinarian, the girl takes care of the wounded reindeer. It’s supposed to be a secret. But the entire town finds out about Prancer. Which leads to big problems for Jessica and her family.
Ernest Saves Christmas
Santa Claus is looking for his replacement and Ernest is the man to help him out. Traveling to Florida to pass his reign on to a children’s show host.
But Santa gets into unexpected trouble. And it’s up to Ernest to assist Saint Nick with his important mission. Otherwise, the future of Christmas could be in jeopardy.
Frosty the Snowman
A magic top hat brings a snowman to life that a group of children made. Until a magician wants it back and the temperature starts to rise. Frosty will melt if the kids cannot get him away from the magician and the warm weather. To save himself Frosty and his friend hop on a train to the North Pole.
Babes In Toyland
An eleven-year-old girl takes care of her siblings and cooks for her family. She has no time for childish things. During a blizzard on Christmas Eve, she’s sent to Toyland. She arrives before a young woman marries the unpleasant Barnaby Barnacle.
The young girl has to stop the evil Barnaby to bring peace back to Toyland. She gets sent home by the Toymaster. Who she finds out is Santa Claus.
Winnie the Pooh Christmas
It all starts when Christopher Robin writes a letter to Santa. He forgets to add what Pooh wanted for Christmas. So Pooh tries to get the letter back. Pooh is able to add his Christmas wish. And a few more for his friends.
He then tries to send the letter to the North Pole. But doesn’t succeed. On Christmas morning they are all surprised to find the gifts they asked for.
One Magic Christmas
A tired mother is having a had time finding the Christmas spirit. Her husband lost his job. And due to his unemployment, they have to move out of their home.
She has a miserable job as a grocery store clerk and doesn’t see how much worse it could get. Until her daughter meets an angel who shows her how bad life could be.
The Christmas Star
A con man dresses up as Santa Claus to break out of jail and recover his stolen loot. But things don’t go as planned. After he’s mistaken for Santa Claus by kids who end up making his life very difficult.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to life in this claymation movie. The red-nosed reindeer gets teased by the other reindeer for being the smallest of Santa’s reindeer and for his red nose.
But one a foggy Christmas night he proves himself to the other reindeers. When he becomes lead on Santa’s sleigh. Lighting the way.
The Nutcracker Prince
The main character, Clara receives a nutcracker from her uncle. The Nutcracker brings her into a fantasy world where she learns the legend of Hans, The Prince of the Dolls.
Hans transformed into a nutcracker by a spell from mice. He has to slay the Mouse King to break the spell.
I loved watching this cartoon version of The Nutcracker when I was a kid. This movie is hard to find on DVD unless you want to spend a lot of money. But you can currently find it on YouTube.
I hope you enjoyed this list of family Christmas movies! There are many fun Christmas movies to watch with your kids. Some of our favorites are Home Alone and The Christmas Story. These were my favorites when I was a kid and now my kids love watching these movies too.
What family Christmas movies do you enjoy watching? Let me know in the comments:)
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