39 Best Christmas Movies for Families

Need best Christmas movies for families or Christmas sleepover movies for all ages? These holiday season films are great for kids and adults alike! These movies will have your kids laughing, singing along, and even discussing the real meaning of Christmas.

best Christmas movies for families

Best Christmas Movies for Families

The best part of this holiday movie list is that it includes both classics, newer releases, and animated Christmas movies for kids (and even some underrated Christmas movies!) — so there is something for everyone on this list!

What is the best Christmas movie for a family?

Christmas movies good for sleepovers and family Christmas parties:

 
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  • Muppet Christmas
  • White Christmas
  • Christmas Of Many Colors
  • Prancer
  • A Gift To Remember
  • Christmas With The Kranks (one of our favorite comedy family Christmas movies!)
  • Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer
  • Charlie Brown Christmas
  • Home Alone
  • Frosty
  • Scrooge
  • Polar Express
  • How The Grinch Stole Christmas

(see the full Christmas movie title list with movie summary below)

ALSO CHECK OUT: Snow Day Party Ideas For Adults

TIP: We’ve included some great holiday films that are older on this list and may not be available to buy or stream online. However, you can check your local library! They often have older movies for loan.

Best Christmas movies for families and underrated Christmas movies for kids

Ideas for Christmas Sleepover Movies for Family and Kids

1. White Christmas (1954)

Starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye & Rosemary Clooney, this movie tells the story about two WWII veterans who joined a show and performed in a beautiful ski resort called Pine Tree, where they have chance to meet two lovely ladies.

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

2. Home Alone (1990)

This is holiday classic comedy starring Macaulay Culkin tells the story about a boy called Kevin who was left behind in his house by himself due to some unfortunate happenings while his family goes on vacation. The plot is quite funny, but it also delivers lots of valuable lessons, such as family value & close relationship to each other.

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

ALSO CHECK OUT:

Festive Christmas Eve Sleepover Ideas

Ideas For Christmas Party Themes That All Ages Will Love!

3. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

Directed by Bill Melendez and starring Peter Robbins, Sally Dryer & Christopher Shea, this Christmas classic animated movie tells a story about a boy named Charlie Brown who is put in charge of organizing the Christmas play. However, he didn’t feel that the play fits his expectation and it makes him very sad.

Eventually, he found out that true meaning of Christmas was not about making own fantasies come true. This movie might be considered as traditional because it takes place on Christmas Eve.

The movie teaches great lesson to kids such as family values, true happiness and the real meaning of Christmas. One of the best Christmas cartoons!

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

4. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Directed by Henry Selick, this movie might not be considered as traditional because it takes place on Halloween night while Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King in Halloweentown accidentally wanders into Christmastown and decided to take over the holiday himself.

It tells a story about how he missed true meaning of Christmas and how his attempt to “improve” the holiday ended up ruining it.

WARNING: The plot is quite funny, however, this movie has some scary images that might be too freaky for kids under age 8 or 9 years old.

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

5. The Polar Express (2004)

Directed by Robert Zemeckis, this movie tells a story about a young 8-year old boy who travels to the North Pole on The Polar Express.

During his journey, he meets some interesting characters such as visiting Santa Claus at his home and saving others from the terrible monster that threatens Christmas spirit.

A couple decides to skip Christmas one year since they are fed up with the Christmas traffic, obligations, and even festive neighbors. They just want a relaxing vacation in the Caribbean instead. Their plan to cancel Christmas is disrupted when their daughter plans surprise visit with her fiancee and the couple now must rush to make Christmas traditional (like usual) before their daughter and the new fiancee arrives!

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

6. Christmas With The Kranks (2004)

A couple decides to skip Christmas one year since they are fed up with Christmas traffic, costly obligations, and even festive neighbors. So, they plan a relaxing vacation in the Caribbean. They cancel Christmas … until their daughter surprises them with visit with her new fiancee. Now, the Kranks have to hurry to create a traditional Christmas before the guests arrive.

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

7. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

Directed by Robert May, this movie tells a story about a reindeer who runs away, finds new friends along the way, and their struggle against creatures (such as Abominable Snowman). The plot is quite funny and suitable for family viewing and the message of this movie is sweet, especially during the ending scene where Rudolph become Santa’s most trusted and relied-on reindeer as well as his best friend.

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

8. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (1983)

Directed by George Schaefer, this movie tells a story about kids who are responsible for organizing the Christmas Pageant.

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

9. A Gift To Remember (2000)

Directed by David Anspaugh, this movie tells a story about how a woman was about to lose her job but an angel helped her get a Christmas gift for her husband.

10. The Family Channel’s: An Angel For Christmas (1998)

Directed by Robert Iscove, this movie tells a story about how a little girl named Mary Ellen had a troubled life and an angel helped her to find happiness on Christmas day.

11. Four Christmases (2008)

Directed by Seth Gordon, this movie tells a story about newlyweds who refuse to visit their parents for Christmas because they don’t want to face the disappointment and embarrassment of being with their families.

WARNING: Some adult humor and sexual innuendo make this movie best for ages 13+.

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

12. The Preacher’s Wife (1996)

Directed by Penny Marshall, this movie remake tells a story about an angel who helped a minister overcome his problems on Christmas day so he can concentrate on his family and church duties at the same time.

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

13. Scrooge (1951)

A Christmas classic movie directed by Brian Desmond Hurst, it tells a story about a mean old man named Ebenezer Scrooge who is visited by Marley’s ghost. He was shown his past, present and future during the visit to see if he wants to change.

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

14. The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)

Directed by Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr., this movie tells a story about Heat Miser and Snow Miser who were fighting over whether it should be a hot or snowy Christmas.

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

15. Prancer (1989)

Directed by John Hancock, this movie tells a story about a young girl who tries to restore her family’s Christmas spirit when she finds a reindeer that she believes in the real Prancer.

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

16. Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (1970)

Directed by Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr., this movie tells a story about St. Nicholas who sacrifices his life to save a town from the evil capitalist Mr. Potter.

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

17. The Christmas Gift (2017)

Directed by Brett Sullivan, this touching movie tells a story about two kids who wanted to give gifts to their father on Christmas day.

18. The Santa Clause (1994)

Directed by John Pasquin, this movie tells a story about a man who is chosen to be the new Santa and the funny antics that follow along with it.

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

19. The Star (2017)

Directed by Timothy Reckart, this animated movie tells a story about a donkey called Bo who had to take care of his newborn chick and help his friends survive in a dangerous desert while following a star and become involved in the birth of Jesus.

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

20. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Directed by George Seaton, this Christmas classic movie tells a story about Kris Kringle who was hired as a store Santa, but believes he is really Santa.

(I actually like this remake better.)

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

21. Arthur Christmas (2011)

Directed by Sarah Smith and Barry Cook, this animated movie tells a story about Santa’s son named Arthur who did not want to follow his father’s career (and become Santa), so he decided to find a way to create a new system for delivering the Christmas presents. However things don’t go as planned for Arthur and his new job.

WATCH THIS FAMILY CHRISTMAS MOVIE

22. Scrooged (1988)

Directed by Richard Donner, this updated version of the Classic Scrooge movie tells a story about a greedy man who was the president of an American television network. He had planned to cancel all Christmas programming on their channel, but he met three ghosts that shows him his life.

WARNING: Drinking, language, adult humor, and sexual innuendo probably make this movie best for ages 13+.

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

23. The Santa Incident (2010)

Directed by Michael Lembeck, this movie tells a story about a man who became Santa Claus in order to save his toy factory from bankruptcy.

24. The Search for Santa Paws (2010)

This cute movie is about a dog who believed that his owner was Santa Claus. He was forced to travel all over the world in search of his master after he got kidnapped.

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

25. Fred Claus (2007)

Directed by David Dobkin, this movie tells a story about an older brother who became Santa Claus after their father died. His brother Fred, who became an anti-Christmas cynic, came to visit him a week before Christmas and gets caught up in the festivities.

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

26. Frosty the Snowman

This animated movie tells a story about a snowman named Frosty who came to life after donning a magic hat.

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

27. Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish (1998)

Directed by Donald Petrie, this movie tells a story about a young boy named Richie Rich who had many things in life ,but he wanted to have at least one true friend. He was going to get what he wished for when he traveled to Australia with his dog Cadbury.

28. Frosty Returns (1992)

Directed by Jahn Teuber, this movie tells a story about a snowman called Frosty and is a follow-up to the original Frosty movie.

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

29. Jack Frost (1998)

Directed by Michael Cooney and Keita Amemiya, this movie tells a story about Jack who was going to celebrate Christmas with his family on the night before. Unfortunately, he died in an accident and came back as a snowman after failing to get into heaven.

WARNING: Might be sad and intense for younger children.

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

30. Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure (2011)

Directed by Brian Levant, this movie tells a story about a young Saint Bernard named Beethoven who was going to spend Christmas with his family.

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

31. Sold Out (2013)

Directed by Matt Wiele, this movie tells a story about kids who wanted to buy gifts for their parents on Christmas day but they ran out of money and found themselves in trouble.

32. Thomas Kinkade’s Call Of Santa (2013)

Directed by Jordan Ornelas, this movie tells a story about a boy who wanted to help his dad and restore their Christmas spirit when they were going through financial difficulties.

33. Christmas Angel (2011)

Directed by Michael Landon Jr, this movie tells a story about a man who traveled to California every Christmas because it was his wife’s favorite place.

He made friends with an elderly resident called and they had fun during their trips until something bad happened to them.

34. Christmas Of Many Colors : Circle Of Love (2016)

Directed by Stephen Kloosterman, this movie tells a story about an Alabama minister who was going to spend Christmas with his family. He remembered how his father had taught him valuable lessons when he was younger and wanted to pass it on to his own children. Inspired by Dolly Parton’s life.

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

35. Coat of Many Colors (2015)

Directed by Sarah Thorp, this movie tells a story about an Appalachian family who was going to spend Christmas with their extended family members. Also inspired by Dolly Parton’s life.

If you’re looking for best Christmas movies for Christian families, definitely add Coat of Many Colors and Christmas of Many Colors. They will not disappoint!

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

36. Elf (2003)

Directed by Jon Favreau, this movie follows Elf, who is a human. After inadvertently wreaking havoc on the elf community due to his ungainly size, a man raised as an elf at the North Pole is sent to the U.S. in search of his true identity.

Seriously one of the best funny Christmas movies for families!

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

37. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)

The Whos of Whoville love Christmas a lot and it shows. But one day, their happiness is taken away when a mean creature called the Grinch decides to steal all of their decorations, food and presents so no one will have a very merry Christmas… or will he?

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

38. Mickey’s Christmas Carol/Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas (1983-2000)

Three Christmas themed tales are dramatized featuring Disney characters Mickey Mouse in “Christmas Carol”, Huey, Dewey and Louie in “Toy Tinkers” and Donald Duck in “Tea For Two Hundred”.

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

39. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

A retelling of the classic story featuring Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit, Miss Piggy as his wife and a very special guest appearance by Scrooge himself.

WATCH THIS HOLIDAY MOVIE

These are some of our favorite Christmas movies, but obviously we can’t include everything on one list — there are just too many great options out there! So, be sure to share your favorite holiday movies with us as well.

We hope you have fun with some of these best Christmas movies for families for your Christmas activities!

DISCLOSURE: Affiliate links are used on this site. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please refer to our DISCLOSURE.

About the author

Friends have called Jackie the "Midwestern Martha" [Stewart] because of her 20 years of over-the-top theme parties, super fun sleepover tips, and fun theme recipes.

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