Christmas Movies for Kids & Families

Family viewing, sorted by age so movie night is easy. Age guidance comes from Common Sense Media reviews and official network ratings, noted on each title. Titles we haven't confirmed yet sit in their own section at the bottom - we'd rather say “checking” than guess.

Browse more themes: Romance · Faith & inspiration · Kids & family · Classics · Comedies · Animated · 2026 Christmas movies by network

For young kids

Gentle picks confirmed for the youngest viewers.

• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Originally Dec 6, 1964 (TV)
  The stop-motion Rankin/Bass special about a reindeer with a glowing nose who finds he is needed on Christmas Eve. Ages 3+ · Common Sense Media
• Frosty the Snowman Originally 1969 (TV)
  A magic silk hat brings a snowman to life, and he must get to the North Pole before he melts. Ages 3+ · Common Sense Media
• A Charlie Brown Christmas Originally Dec 9, 1965 (TV)
  Charlie Brown looks for the true meaning of Christmas with a sad little tree and a Vince Guaraldi score. Ages 3+ · Common Sense Media
• The Muppet Christmas Carol Originally 1992
  The Muppets retell Dickens, with Michael Caine as Scrooge. Ages 5+ · Common Sense Media
• The Polar Express Originally 2004
  A doubting boy boards a magical train to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. Ages 6+ · Common Sense Media
• A Proud Family Wizmas Premieres Nov 14, 2026
  In this stop-motion musical special, Penny Proud accidentally destroys Christmas, then reluctantly agrees to make things right and save it for the children of... Rated TV-Y · Disney+

For older kids and family viewing

Elementary-age kids and family movie night.

• Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas Originally 1993
  Halloween Town's Pumpkin King discovers Christmas Town and tries to take over the holiday, putting Santa in jeopardy. Ages 7+ · Common Sense Media
• Elf Originally 2003
  A human raised by elves travels to New York to find his birth father. Ages 8+ · Common Sense Media
• The Santa Clause Originally 1994
  A divorced dad accidentally causes Santa to fall off his roof and has to take over the job. Ages 8+ · Common Sense Media
• A Christmas Story Originally 1983
  Nine-year-old Ralphie wants one thing for Christmas: an official Red Ryder BB gun. Ages 8+ · Common Sense Media
• The Man with the Bag Premieres Dec 2, 2026
  When Santa's red bag is stolen by a rogue elf with a grudge, he recruits a thief from his Naughty List to assemble a crew of misfits and save Christmas. Rated PG. Rated PG · Prime Video

For teens and grown-ups

Bigger kids, bigger laughs - check the rating source for younger teens.

• Home Alone Originally 1990
  Eight-year-old Kevin is left behind when his family flies to Paris and has to defend his house from burglars. Ages 10+ · Common Sense Media
• A Dog's Perfect Christmas Premieres Nov 4, 2026
  A teenager, her grandfather and his trusty basset hound struggle to keep the household together at Christmas. From the author of A Dog's Purpose. Rated TV-14 · AllMovie listing
• The One Premieres Nov 6, 2026
  A teen aging out of Chicago foster care takes a one-way train ticket to see the world's tallest Christmas tree. Rated PG-13 · MovieInsider listing

Still confirming age guidance

We like these for families, but we haven't pinned down a trustworthy age rating yet, so they get their own section instead of a guess.

• How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Originally Dec 18, 1966 (TV)
  Dr. Seuss's animated tale of a grump who tries to steal Christmas from the Whos.
• Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town Originally 1970 (TV)
  Rankin/Bass tells how a foundling raised by toymakers became Santa Claus.
• The Year Without a Santa Claus Originally 1974 (TV)
  A cold-stricken Santa decides to skip Christmas, and Mrs. Claus sends elves to change his mind. Featuring the Heat Miser and Snow Miser.
• Snoopy Presents: 12 Days of Snoopy Premieres Nov 13, 2026
  Snoopy lands on Santa's naughty list and sets out to prove he's not such a bad beagle. Music by John Legend, Kamasi Washington with Leon Bridges, and Laufey.
• Fraggle Rock: A Holiday Gift Premieres Dec 4, 2026
  Wembley is named Spirit Captain, but the Fraggles unknowingly take a cherished snow globe from Doc's workshop and the holiday spirit fades.
• Nutmeg & Mistletoe Premieres Dec 25, 2026
  A young girl notices her town has lost its festive spirit and writes Santa a heartfelt letter asking for help.
• Babes in Toyland Originally 1934
  Stannie and Ollie come to Toyland's rescue when the villainous Barnaby schemes against Bo-Peep. Also known as March of the Wooden Soldiers.
• Meet Me in St. Louis Originally 1944
  A year with a St. Louis family on the cusp of the 1904 World's Fair, shadowed by a possible move to New York. Judy Garland introduced Have Yourself a Merry Little...

How this list is picked

Every age label comes from a cited source: a Common Sense Media review or the network or studio's own rating, shown next to each title. Titles rated R, and titles whose Christmas theme or age fit we can't confirm, stay off this page. Age guidance is a starting point, not a verdict - every kid is different. Last updated Thu, Oct 22, 2026.