1. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Rating: G | Run Time: 25m
Where to Watch: Apple TV+
Who hasn’t related to Charlie Brown and his little Christmas tree at some point when feeling low around the holidays? This classic cartoon follows Charlie Brown, Linus, Snoopy, and their pals in search of the true meaning of Christmas.
2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
Rating: G | Run Time: 30m
Where to Watch: Peacock
This is the first cinematic adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s classic holiday book. My Grinch memories are of this cartoon version with Cindy Lou Who and lovable Max the dog, not to mention the iconic song. “You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch…”
3. Frosty the Snowman (1969)
Rating: TV-G | Run Time: 25m
Where to Watch: Hulu
Another favorite based on a classic song. This tale follows Karen and her new pal Frosty—who comes to life with the help of a magic top hat—as they try to get Frosty back to the North Pole.
4. Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983)
Rating: G | Run Time: 26m
Where to Watch: Disney+
A retelling of Charles Dickens’s classic tale, with Mickey as Bob Cratchit, this version is short and sweet at 26 minutes. This version also includes five other holiday shorts like Pluto’s Christmas Tree (with Chip and Dale) and a story about Goofy going skiing.
Christmas Movies for Kids
5. The Polar Express (2004)
Rating: G | Run Time: 1h 39m
Where to Watch: Hulu or Max
As far as holiday movies for kids go, you can’t go wrong with The Polar Express. Based on the bestselling book, Tom Hanks stars as the train conductor of The Polar Express. The train picks up children and takes them to the North Pole on Christmas Eve.
6. Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever (2023)
Rating: PG | Run Time: 1h 5m
Where to Watch: Disney+
If you have a kid who loves reading author Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, then this movie is one to add to the Christmas movie list. Greg Heffley is worried his most-wanted gift for Christmas is off the table after he accidentally gets into some trouble with his friend Rowley. Can Greg stay off the naughty list?
7. Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (1970)
Rating: Not rated | Run Time: 51m
Where to Watch: Prime Video
Fred Astaire and Mickey Rooney voice some of the characters in this stop-motion movie. It explores the origin story of Santa Claus.
8. The Grinch (2018)
Rating: PG | Run Time: 1h 21m
Where to Watch: Peacock or Prime Video
One animated adaptation of the classic Dr. Seuss tale wasn’t enough. In 2018, we were given a new rendition of The Grinch starring Benedict Cumberbatch. Children will love the classic tale, while adults will find themselves giggling at the witty humor throughout. This one is truly enjoyable for the whole family.
9. Arthur Christmas (2011)
Rating: PG | Run Time: 1h 33m
Where to Watch: Prime Video
‘Operation Santa Claus’ is a special mission for Santa’s entire family year-after-year. But for the youngest Claus, Arthur, he’s on his own mission to make sure that the only child who doesn’t receive a present isn’t missed. Join Arthur on his adventure. Can he save the holidays?
10. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Rating: G | Run Time: 1h 27m
Where to Watch: Disney+
Only a few characters in this movie are technically “animated.” The Muppets star in this family favorite filled with music you can’t help but sing along to like “One More Sleep ‘Til Christmas.” Kermit plays Bob Cratchit, Miss Piggy is Emily Cratchit, and Animal as Animal all star with Sir Michael Caine as Scrooge.
11. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Rating: PG | Run Time: 52m
Where to Watch: Prime Video
Based on the song of the same name by Johnny Marks, this classic stop-motion movie brought Santa’s iconic reindeer Rudolph to life. The sweet story also introduced us to Hermey the Elf, who loves dentistry. We also met explorer Yukon Cornelius and the Island of Misfit Toys.
12. The Naughty Nine (2023)
Rating: TV-G | Run Time: 1h 25m
Where to Watch: Disney+
Andy is a typical mischievous fifth grader who finds himself without presents on Christmas morning. Thinking he must have made it on the naughty list, he bands together a group of other “naughty listers.” Together they plan the ultimate heist: get to the North Pole and find the presents they deserve, learning some valuable lessons along the way.
Holiday Movies for Tweens and Teens
13. 8-Bit Christmas (2021)
Rating: PG | Run Time: 1h 37m
Where to Watch: Max
Almost like a reimagined version of A Christmas Story, 8-Bit Christmas is full of 1980s nostalgia. In this story, 10-year-old Jake from Chicago is dreaming about getting the original Nintendo gaming system for Christmas.
14. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
Rating: PG-13 | Run Time: 1h 37m
Where to Watch: Hulu or Max
Laugh along as Clark Griswold’s (played by Chevy Chase) desire to have a “big old-fashioned family Christmas” hits snags at every turn. With some suggestive scenes and language, this one is probably best for the older kids.
15. A Christmas Prince (2017)
Rating: TV-PG | Run Time: 1h 32m
Where to Watch: Netflix
This royal holiday series was a huge hit when it premiered on Netflix back in 2017 and has been adding new films ever since. Amber, a curious reporter, goes undercover as a tutor to get the inside scoop on a famous prince.
However, when she finally does meet Prince Richard, she ends up entangled in royal intrigue and might even find love. Don’t want the magic to end after you watch the first film? Luckily, Netflix also has the movie’s binge-worthy sequels, A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding and A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby.
16. Christmas Wedding Planner (2017)
Rating: PG | Run Time: 1h 24m
Where to Watch: Prime Video
Kelsey Wilson, a wedding planner, gets her big break when she’s hired to organize her cousin’s extravagant holiday wedding. Things take an unexpected turn when Connor McClane, a private investigator hired by an anonymous source, shows up to investigate the wedding and the couple. While Connor’s presence could disrupt the ceremony, he also wins Kelsey’s heart. This movie’s delightful cheesiness is sure to charm you.
17. The Holiday Calendar (2018)
Rating: TV-PG | Run Time: 1h 35m
Where to Watch: Netflix
When a struggling photographer inherits a magical advent calendar, she learns that it may be able to tell her future and point her in the direction of love. If you ask me, anything Kat Graham does is instantly pure gold, but you’ll have to watch and decide for yourself!
18. The Princess Switch (2018)
Rating: TV-G | Run Time: 1h 41m
Where to Watch: Netflix
The Princess Switch has been one of Netflix’s most popular holiday movie series for years. All because of the sheer amount of Vanessa Hudgens in this romantic film.
When a duchess and an ordinary woman from Chicago meet and realize they’re each other’s doppelgängers, they subtly switch places. The best part? There are three installations of this series on Netflix, including The Princess Switch: Switched Again and, most recently, The Princess Switch: Romancing the Star, making for one great trio of holiday movies.
19. The Knight Before Christmas (2019)
Rating: TV-14 | Run Time: 1h 32m
Where to Watch: Netflix
Didn’t get enough Vanessa Hudgens in your holiday season by watching all three Princess Switch movies? Neither did we, which is why The Knight Before Christmas is Netflix’s perfect remedy. In this time-traveling adventure, a medieval English knight is transported to 2019. The hardened high school English teacher he meets is skeptical of true love, but she helps him navigate the modern world all the same.
20. Let It Snow (2019)
Rating: PG-13 | Run Time: 1h 32m
Where to Watch: Netflix
Based on the book Let it Snow: Three Holiday Romances by John Green, Lauren Myracle, and Maureen Johnson, this star-studded holiday movie follows a group of high school seniors who get snowed in on Christmas Eve during the season’s biggest storm. As they’re stranded together, these teens experience an unforgettable holiday that changes their love lives and shapes their futures.