By: Bailey Duran

It’s officially the most wonderful time of year, and we are ready to decorate the Christmas tree, bake sugar cookies, listen to Christmas carols, and soak in all this season has to offer.

The cold weather coupled with the season of Christmas creates incredible opportunities to spend time together as a family. Christmas family movie nights are one of my family’s favorite traditions, and we always enjoy digging through our favorite Christmas movies to watch on a cold December night.

There are a lot of movies out there, and it can be hard to know if they are family-friendly or even if certain movies are worth watching at all.

As our Christmas gift to you, we have written up a list of our favorite, wholesome and family-friendly movies for you to pick from on your next Christmas family movie night.

Without further ado, here are 27 of the best Christmas movies to watch with your family!

  1. The Star - The Star is about the birth of Jesus, but it is told through the eyes of the donkey who carries Mary to Bethlehem. This heartwarming story is full of fun and suspense while beautifully telling the story behind the true meaning of Christmas.  
  1. Barbie in a Christmas Carol - This is the story of Eden, an opera singer who harbors hatred towards Christmas because of her experiences with the holiday as a child. This story is a take on the classic Christmas Carol story, where Eden is visited by three different ghosts (Christmas past, present, and future) who teach her the true meaning of Christmas, love, and friendship.
  1. Barbie in the Nutcracker - The Nutcracker story is told in this fun retelling of the classic. When Clara is shrunk to doll size by an evil rat king on Christmas Eve, she and the nutcracker who she befriends must do what they can to save the prince and the kingdom before time runs out.
  1. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) - This beloved story follows Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer, as he saves Christmas with the help of a few friends and misfits.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (TV Movie 1964) - IMDb
  1. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1998) - In a fun spin on the original story, Rudolph and his friends save Christmas from a snow queen who plans to create a winter storm that will strand Santa and his reindeer for good.
  1. Annabelle's Wish - Grab the tissues for this one. A mute boy and a young cow named Annabelle, who can speak, become best friends. After meeting Santa, Annabelle makes a Christmas wish that changes everything for her human best friend.
  1. The Original Grinch, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and The Grinch - All three of these Grinch stories have their unique take on the Dr. Seuss tale, and each one is so fun to watch. Parental caution is advised on the live-action rendition with Jim Carrey due to some adult humor, however.
  1. The Polar Express - The Polar Express follows a young boy and a train full of children as they travel to the North Pole to see Santa on Christmas Eve.
  1. Elliot the Littlest Reindeer - Elliot, the miniature horse, and his goat friend Hazel set out to compete to be part of the team who pulls Santa’s sleigh, proving that no one is too small to accomplish their biggest dreams.
  1. Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas - In this cute movie for younger viewers, George and the Man in the Yellow Hat can’t decide what to get each other for Christmas, and the clock is ticking as they get closer and closer to Christmas day.
  1. Charlie Brown Christmas - This classic movie is a must! With the help of Snoopy and his other friends, Charlie Brown learns the true meaning of Christmas.
  1. The Search for Santa Paws - Lovers of Air Bud unite! In this movie, Air Bud’s puppies help a runaway pup from the North Pole find his Christmas spirit and grow the Christmas spirit in those around them as well.
  1. Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas - This sweet movie teaches young ones about the spirit of giving and how it is more beautiful to give than receive this holiday season.
  1. Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year and Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too! - Join the members of the Hundred Acre Wood as they bring Christmas cheer and adventure to their friends.
  1. Mickey's Christmas Carol - In another take on the classic Christmas Carol, Scrooge McDuck learns the true meaning of Christmas after being visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future to learn the true meaning of Christmas and giving.
  1. The Santa Clause movies - A lot of laughs (and chaos!) are found in this trilogy about a regular man who finds himself the next Santa –whether he wants to be or not. Parents should be aware of a few instances of adult humor.
  1. Home Alone 1 and 2 - When Kevin is forgotten at home by his family, he’s left to defend his home from two criminals intent on robbing his family’s home. Kevin’s hilarious antics and impressive plan to ward off the robbers will keep the whole family in stitches. Parents should be aware of some instances of language and adult humor.
  1. Miracle on 34th Street - This classic tale tells the story of a young girl and lawyer who set out to prove a man claiming to be Santa is indeed Santa Claus.
  1. Klaus - Klaus is the story of a selfish man and a hermit toymaker who join forces to bring joy to their dark and desolate town by creating toys for the children. This movie emphasizes the impact of a simple act of kindness.
  1. Santa Claus is Comin' to Town - This adorable claymation tells the story of how Santa Claus came to be.
  1. Frosty the Snowman - A snowman, a failed magician, and a magic hat. What could go wrong?
  1. Angela's Christmas - Angela’s Christmas tells the story of a young girl named Angela who sets out to help those around her feel loved and cherished at Christmastime.
  1. Thomas and Friends: Merry Christmas Thomas - Join Thomas and his friends as they celebrate Christmas in Sodor!
  1. All I want for Christmas is You - Inspired by the hit song of the same name, All I Want for Christmas is You is the story of a little girl named Mariah who desperately wants a puppy of her own for Christmas.
  1. The 12 Dogs of Christmas - When Emma finds a puppy in a town that has outlawed dogs, she sets out on a mission to find out why dogs are outlawed, what they’re doing with the dogs, and to change the town’s heart toward these furry friends before Christmas.
  1. Prancer - When Jessica finds an injured reindeer, she nurses it back to health believing that he is one of Santa’s reindeer. Despite the doubt she faces, she works to save Prancer and return him to Santa in time for Christmas.
  1. It's a Wonderful Life - Perhaps the oldest Christmas classic, It’s a Wonderful Life tells the story of George Bailey, a man who wishes he had never been born. An angel comes to fulfill his wish and shows him the many lives he has impacted during his time on earth – and how those people needed him in his life.

We hope this list of some of our favorite Christmas movies bring some fun, laughter, and peace of mind to your family movie nights.

Merry Christmas!

Family-Friendly Movies to Watch with Your Kids this Christmas

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