Finding movies that are both good and age-appropriate to sit down and watch with one's family isn't always easy, particularly with there being so many to choose from. This is especially true of classic children's Christmas movies, many of which include content that isn't entirely appropriate for younger children regardless of what the movies' original age ratings might otherwise suggest.
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The festive period can often be pretty stressful for adults, so what better way to unwind than with these classic Christmas movies?
This problem is compounded somewhat by the huge number of streaming platforms that are now available, with many families limited to only one or two providers. Thankfully though, most of the biggest streaming services have at least a couple of good Christmas movies for kids, making it much easier for families to get their fill of festive feelings than it once was.
Updated December 21, 2023, by Tom Bowen: The best Christmas movies can leave a lasting impression on younger viewers, in both the short term and the long. Most adults still look back fondly on the festive flicks that they watched when they were younger, so finding the best Christmas movies for their own children is often very important to them. Whether a champion of morality and positivity or a fun-filled flick packed full of unforgettable feel-good festivities, the best Christmas movies for children find ways to set themselves apart from the crowd, placing them very high up on many parents' to-watch lists this holiday season.
1 Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90% (Certified Fresh)
- Available on Netflix
Netflix has pumped out an awful lot of Christmas movies over the past few years, not all of which have been worth the price of admission. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is one of the good ones though, and a must-watch for those who enjoy well-written songs, tight choreography, and a level of vibrancy seldom found on Netflix.
The movie tells the story of Jeronicus Jangle: an inventor who has dedicated much of his life to creating toys. However, when a sentient doll that he created convinces his assistant to steal his book of inventions, his life falls apart. What follows is a tale of redemption and rediscovery that's full of humorous and touching moments, uplifting songs, and stunning visuals.
2 A Boy Called Christmas
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 84%
- Available on Netflix
For the most part, Netflix originals have flattered to deceive despite their blockbuster budgets, but that's not really the case when it comes to Netflix Christmas movies. The streaming giant's success rate is far higher than it is with any other genre, particularly when it comes to Christmas movies aimed at younger children.
Based on a book of the same name, A Boy Called Christmas tells the story of a young child named Nikolas, who, together with a talking reindeer and his pet mouse Miika, sets out on an epic adventure to find his real father. The visuals are stunning and the voice acting is incredible, with Maggie Smith and Stephen Merchant just two of the big names to grace the cast list.
3 Gremlins
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86% (Certified Fresh)
- Available on HBO Max
A Christmas movie doesn't need to have Santa Claus in it to be a great one, as evidenced by the 1984 flick, Gremlins. Set during the Christmas period, the movie sees a teenage boy named Billy being gifted an adorable little Gremlin named Gizmo for Christmas. However, he fails to follow three simple rules, which results in a hoard of evil Gremlins being unleashed on the town of Kingston Falls.
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Though the movie would be unlikely to get away with just a PG rating were it to be released today, it's still very much within PG-13 territory. What little violence the movie contains is fairly subdued and the language is clean for the most part, making this a great Christmas movie for pre-teens. It's effectively a kid-friendly version of Critters, which takes the idea of evil Gremlin-like creatures quite a bit further.
4 The Christmas Chronicles
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 68%
- Available on Netflix
Kurt Russell probably isn't the first person that springs to mind when most people think of Santa Claus, but the veteran actor fills old Saint Nick's boots surprisingly well in The Christmas Chronicles. The movie tells the story of two young children who decide to stow away in Santa's sleigh and their subsequent attempts to save Christmas when the sleigh later malfunctions.
While kids under the age of five or six may struggle to follow the movie's plot, they should at least be entertained by the bright backgrounds and colorful characters on display. For those who enjoy the movie, there's also a sequel that features almost all of the original cast. It's not quite as good as its predecessor but is still a pretty decent Christmas movie once all's said and done.
5 Elf
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86% (Certified Fresh)
- Available on Hulu, Paramount Plus & HBO Max
A lot of classic Christmas movies contain content that perhaps isn't entirely appropriate for younger viewers in this day and age. In that same regard, Elf does have one or two mature moments here and there, but, for the most part, it's one of very few Christmas movies that can be thoroughly enjoyed by both adults and young children alike.
The humor that Will Ferrell brings to the role of Buddy is absolutely delightful, while James Caan's portrayal of Walter shows a side to the actor that's rarely captured on film. The masterful use of perspective to convey Buddy's size when compared to the rest of the elves is truly magical as well and helps to create some of the movie's funniest moments.
6 Dr. Seuss' The Grinch
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 59%
- Available on Peacock, Fubo & FXNOW
Though the Jim Carrey version of The Grinch is still a great movie, the 2018 version starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the grumpy green grouch arguably captures the spirit of the Dr. Seuss classic just a little bit better. The fact that it's animated rather than live-action also ensures that there are no scary scenes, which, depending on the age of the people watching, isn't necessarily true of the Jim Carrey adaptation.
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Like many other great animated Christmas movies, The Grinch takes a somewhat serious message and wraps it up neatly in good clean fun. It's a bright and colorful movie with crisp animation that is sure to appeal well to a younger audience. The jokes all fall into family-friendly territory as well, ensuring that parents won't have to answer any awkward questions once the credits start to roll.
7 Klaus
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95% (Certified Fresh)
- Available on Netflix
Though it ultimately missed out to Toy Story 4, that Klaus was even nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature should provide a pretty decent idea of the movie's credentials and quality. In fact, it actually beat Toy Story 4 to the 2019 BAFTA for Best Animated Film; an incredibly impressive achievement considering how much bigger the budget was for Buzz and Woody's fourth outing.
The movie offers up an alternate origin story for Santa Claus and is full of delightfully colorful characters and age-appropriate humor. The voice cast is excellent too, with J. K. Simmons and Joan Cusack doing particularly good jobs of bringing their characters to life. It also serves as a great example of the ever-increasing number of excellent English-language movies that are being made outside of Hollywood.
8 Miracle on 34th Street
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 60%
- Available on Hulu & Fubo
Sometimes, the quality of a kids' movie can be determined by how effective it is at keeping children distracted right up to the final scene. Some parents, however, may instead prefer a movie with a positive message that will provide their kids with an example of how they should behave. For those people, the 1994 remake of Miracle on 34th Street should be right up their alley.
The movie tells the story of a mall Santa named Kris Kringle who claims to be the real deal. This leads to a court case, questions about his mental health, and plenty of heartwarming moments. It's really not the kind of movie that parents can simply turn on before switching over to auto-pilot, but those open to watching along with their young ones and answering the occasional question should get a lot out of Miracle on 34th Street.
9 The Muppet Christmas Carol
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 77% (Certified Fresh)
- Available on Disney+ & Hulu
There have been many different versions of A Christmas Carol over the years, not all of which are entirely suitable for young children. That's not really a criticism that can be levied against The Muppet Christmas Carol, however, with Kermit, Gonzo, and Miss Piggy helping to dilute some of the story's more mature themes and ideas.
One of the things that made Dickens' tale such an enduring one is the positive message that it ultimately imparts and it's that idea of the Christmas spirit that once again takes center stage here. There are plenty of comical moments thrown in there as well though, ensuring that viewers will laugh just as much as they'll learn.
10 The Polar Express
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 56%
- Available on Hulu, HBO Max & AMC
While some adults may come away disappointed by The Polar Express' meandering plot, its fantastically seasonal scenery and heartwarming story are absolutely perfect for young children. Even today, the stop-motion animation remains incredibly impressive and helps to give the movie a sense of magic and wonder that few other Christmas flicks can rival.
Based on Chris Van Allsburg's 1985 children's book of the same name, the movie charts a young boy's extraordinary journey to the North Pole and is full of incredibly memorable moments that will fill young viewers with festive feelings. Tom Hanks is just one of many standout performers and provides the voices of numerous characters including Santa and the titular train's conductor.
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