Christmas movie classics for the whole family
Published on December 10, 2025
There’s nothing quite like gathering by the glow of the tree, mugs of cocoa in hand, to share a story that warms the heart and reminds us what truly matters: family, kindness, courage, and hope.
Whether you’re introducing little ones to the magic of Christmas movies or reconnecting with your own childhood favorites, these classics and hidden gems are perfect for families looking to celebrate this joyful season with stories that gently echo the values we try to nurture at home.
For the youngest (and young-at-heart)
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Best for: All ages
A gentle, sweet reminder of what Christmas is truly about. With its soft jazz soundtrack and humble charm, this classic gives families a chance to slow down amid December’s rush. Its message about simplicity and sincerity makes it easy to cherish year after year.
Where to watch: Apple TV, Prime Video
Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (1970)
Best for: All ages
A whimsical stop-motion adventure that explores generosity, courage, and what makes a hero. Playful songs and a cheerful spirit delight kids, while themes of kindness and bravery speak to parents. The “Santa origin story” content leans into the secular realm, but its strong Christian themes are undeniable and shine bright.
Where to watch: Peacock, Prime Video, YouTube
The First Christmas (1998)
Best for: All ages
Soft, reverent, and beautifully narrated by Christopher Plummer, this stop-motion telling of the Nativity invites families into the quiet wonder of the season. Perfect for parents who want something faith-centered yet gentle and accessible for young children.
Where to watch: YouTube
The Little Drummer Boy (1968)
Best for: All ages
A touching stop-motion classic that highlights humility and the beauty of offering what you have with sincerity. A bit of a tear-jerker, this movie is a lovely way to introduce children to the spirit of giving.
Where to watch: Hulu, Peacock, YouTube
The Grinch (1966 or 2018)
Best for: All ages
While the original cartoon 1966 short remains iconic, the 2018 full-length film lends a modern, but warm reimagining of Dr. Seuss’s classic tale. Themes of belonging, compassion, and learning to give from the heart will resonate with every family.
Where to watch: Peacock, Hulu, Prime Video
The Candy Maker’s Christmas (1991)
Best for: All ages
Slow-paced, but bursting with color and old-world charm, this lesser-known animated special weaves together Christmas joy with a gentle reflection on meaning and craftsmanship. Perfect for families wanting something nostalgic and value-rich.
Where to watch: YouTube, Hoopla
Nicholas: The Boy Who Became Santa (1990)
Best for: All ages
From the Saints and Heroes series comes a tender animated biography of St. Nicholas that highlights generosity, courage, and faith. An especially good pick for families who want a story rooted in the deeper traditions behind the season.
Where to watch: EWTN, Formed
For the whole family
White Christmas (1954)
Best for: Ages 5+
Army buddies, elegant dance numbers, romance, and warmhearted post-war camaraderie — this is holiday comfort at its finest. The film celebrates friendship, sacrifice, and gratitude, wrapped in a snow-globe of vintage musical charm.
Where to watch: Prime Video, The Roku Channel
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Best for: All ages
A joyful, music-filled adaptation of Dickens’ classic redemption tale. The Muppets’ humor keeps kids engaged, while the story’s themes of transformation and mercy resonate across generations.
Where to watch: Disney+, Prime Video
Home Alone (1990)
Best for: Ages 6+ (slapstick violence)
A fast-paced, hilarious holiday adventure following young Kevin McCallister, who unexpectedly finds himself holding down the fort at Christmastime. Kids delight in the slapstick fun, while parents appreciate its warm reminder of family bonds, bravery, and the joy of being reunited.
Where to watch: Disney+, Hulu
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Best for: Ages 9+ (some darker themes of despair)
Jimmy Stewert was immortalized as George Bailey in this timeless story of purpose, sacrifice, family, and the profound gift of one ordinary life. It is undoubtedly one of the most beloved Christmas movies of all time. Teens and adults especially appreciate its depth, while its hopeful finale makes it a perfect Christmas Eve watch.
Where to watch: Plex, Prime Video, YouTube
The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
Best for: Ages 5+
A tender, witty love story set during the holidays. Its themes of honesty, humility, and unexpected friendship appeal to older kids, teens, and parents looking for something timeless. Fun fact: This vintage film was the inspiration behind the iconic 1998 rom-com You’ve Got Mail.
Where to watch: Hulu, Prime Video, Roku channel
The Nutcracker Ballet (various filmed productions)
Best for: All ages
Introduce your family to the enchanting richness of Tchaikovsky’s score, the best of ballet, and the magic of Clara’s journey. Several beautiful filmed productions from 2009 onward are available each season, perfect for enjoying a “Christmas-at-the-theater” evening from home. Performances from the Royal Ballet (London) and New York City Ballet are among some of the finest you can experience.
Where to watch: Apple TV, Prime Video, YouTube
The Bells of St. Mary’s (1945)
Best for: All ages
A slow, uplifting classic about hope, perseverance, and the quiet heroism of everyday kindness. Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman spar as an indomitable priest-nun rivals-turned-teamates duo helping a struggling school at Christmas. This is a comforting choice for a relaxed and reflective family movie night.
Where to watch: Pluto, Roku Channel, Tubi
A Time to Remember (1988)
Best for: Ages 6+ (themes of family tension, a car accident)
A true hidden gem, this heartfelt made-for-TV treasure explores themes of memory, reconciliation, and the surprising ways families find healing. Bursting with song and the nostalgia of small-town America, Donald O’Connor shines as a kind-hearted, musical priest who encourages a young boy’s dream of becoming the next Mario Lanza.
Where to watch: EWTN, Tubi
Tip: If you can’t find your favorites on a streaming platform, are trying to save a little, or simply want to preserve a physical copy for years to come, many of these titles can be found secondhand online or with a quick trip to your local book or other store that still sells DVDs.
Your family’s new Christmas tradition starts here
Whether you’re laughing through The Muppet Christmas Carol or savoring the quiet reverence of The First Christmas, these stories offer more than entertainment. They invite families to slow down, reconnect, and share moments rooted in joy, wonder, and hope.
May your movie nights be cozy, memorable, and full of light this season.
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The Star is pretty good too!!!!!!!!!!
We just saw that at the local theater; they were showing it free for families!! All of the kids LOVED it. 🙂
The Christmas Shoes with Rob Lowe is one of my favorites!
Two others I’d recommend are the Three King (1987) with Lou Diamond Phillips (free on YouTube, and the Bishops Wife with David Niven and Cary Grant.
Another beautiful, full bodied classic is A Christmas Carol with George C. Scott. Made in 1980 with the somberness of Scrooge, but not without little bits of humor. The scene with the ghost of Christmas Future be a bit scary for the youngest. Probably 5+
A Christmas Carol/Scrooge with Alistair Sim as Ebeneezer (1951) is my all- time favorite. Best of all screen versions I think.
Look for Amahl and the Night Visitors, a one-hour opera produced for TV in the early 60s. You won’t regret it.
The Man Who Invented Christmas is excellent as well.
I know there is no real religious content but I have to throw in Elf in my list of holiday film favorites! 🙂
If you’ve ever seen “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” with Mickey Rooney, Elf took its ending directly from that 80s movie! Definitely watch that one and you’ll see the similarities at the end; imitation is the highest form of flattery so I think it’s cool they were inspired by that!!
The Man Who Invented Christmas was very good.
What about “Die Hard”?
Seriously, I’d add “Miracle on 34th Street” to the list as well.
We have thoroughly enjoyed the films on Great American Family. The Christmas films are religious oriented with the true meaning of Christmas content.
The Christmas Blessing on Great American Family was my favorite so far.
How about Scrooge, a musical version of The Christmas Carol featuring Albert Finney. Also, a Hallmark presentation called A Timeless Christmas has become one of my new favorites.
Great movie!
The Nativity Story is very gritty and not for younger viewers, but for pre-teens through adults, it can be a good introduction into some of the cruel realities of the world Jesus was born into, as opposed to the sanitized versions of our usual representations.
Thank you, Jessica, for this excellent lineup to consider.
I think you missed some things in Home Alone ….like “Kevin opens his older brother’s trunk and finds a Playboy magazine that he takes out and looks at.” – read the various parents review breakdowns.
That’s an annual one for us but we start right when they wake up late to avoid the beginning and my husband always does the 10 second skip ahead at the point where Kevin sees the magazine, LOL. So I think it’s fine as long as parents are quick with the remote, haha. 🙂
There’s a good Christmas episode of “Dragnet” that can be found on YouTube. One is the 1954 version in black and white and the 1967 version is in color but it’s basically a duplicate script. It was actually shot at Mission San Fernando in Los Angeles and Catholics are portrayed positively. Much of the story involves a Nativity scene.
The episode is called “The Christmas Story ” and it’s only 30 minutes long. MeTV and FETV sometimes broadcast it on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
“It Came Upon The Midnight Clear” with Mickey Rooney is my absolute favorite from my childhood. The new “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” is really wonderful, as well. Highly recommend both for families.
Don’t forget The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey featuring Tom Barrenger, Christmas Story about an orphan boy who was taken in by a grumpy fellow who he eventually develops a loving relationship with and he becomes Santa, We Three Kings a true story based on the writing of that song, Finding Father Christmas, Engaging Father Christmas, Marrying Father Christmas, Hallmark movies all starring Erin Krakow, One Magic Christmas, The Santa Suit starring Kevin Sorbo, The House Without a Christmas Tree starring Jason Robard, The Christmas Box starring Richard Thomas, Maureen O’Hara and Annette O’Toole. We have all these and watch them every Christmas season.
Also check out “The Nativity Story” (2006). Stars Oscar Isaac as Joseph and directed by Catherine Hardwicke. Beautifully filmed in Morocco and Italy with subtle comic relief dialogue from the three Magi.
“Christmas with the Chosen: Holy Night” (2023) is also a great stand-alone account of the moments before, during and after Jesus’ birth.
“Little Women” (1994). Directed by Gillian Armstrong and starring an amazing all-star cast with Susan Sarandon, Winona Ryder, Christian Bale, Claire Danes, Kirsten Dunst and Eric Stoltz. This is by far the best depiction of Alcott’s coming of age story. Wonderful score by Thomas Newman as well!!
“Holiday Inn” (1942). Directed by Mark Sandrich, this classic combines the fine talents of Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire and Marjorie Reynolds with Irving Berlin’s musical genius and introduces the world to the iconic Christmas song “White Christmas.”
“The Polar Express” (2004). Directed by Robert Zmeckis. This is a stunningly animated adaptation of the book by Allsburg and features the voice of Tom Hanks as the train conductor.
Thanks for this!
Would you mind ever doing an article of recommendations of, yes, Hallmark romances worth watching?
There were many great ones, actually, before ten years ago, before they started using AI (it feels like?) to write them???
For example: the 2014+ series of movies called *Signed, Sealed, Delivered* is EXCELLENT, top notch viewing!! And that includes a superb Christmas installment.
My husband and I loved the Signed, Sealed, Delivered series! Very sweet…
The Juggler of Notre Dame. I purchased it on PrimeVideo and watch it every year.
Veggie Tales as some cute Christmas movies – you can find on PrimeVideo
Since the Fellowship leaves Rivendell on December 25th, technically the Lord of the Rings Trilogy is a Christmas movie. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, could also be on the list as well as a few others.
There is also Arthur Christmas, the Netflix version of Scrooge, and Klaus which is also on Netflix. The rest of the suggestions given I have to agree with as well provided that parents remain vigilant, there is something for everyone.
One of my favorites is The Christmas Tree (1996) about an elderly nun and her evolving friendship with the gentleman from Rockfeller Center who wants “her” tree for Christmas. If you are a softy like me, get your tissues ready. I cry every year! You can watch it on You tube. Not available as DVD 🙁
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is one of the best Christian Christmas movies to have come out in a long time.