32 Family Christmas Movies & Where They're Streaming

Share the love for your all-time favorites or discover something new to watch together this year on our list of the best family Christmas movies! Curling up to watch Christmas movies together is a family holiday tradition that's right up there with decorating the tree and baking cookies.

This list includes good Christmas movies for kids of all ages, plus where you can find them streaming. If you want to make sure your movie choice doesn't introduce any doubt about Santa, stick to our list of Santa-safe picks. If your kids are older, you'll want to check out our list of holiday movies for teens.

What are your favorite Christmas movies for the family? Review yours below to help fellow parents!

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    Elf (2003)

    Kelly R:  We like to watch a different assortment of our favorite family Christmas movies every year, but this is the one that's always a must in our house!

    Home Alone (1990)

    Kelly R:  If your kids enjoy slapstick humor as much as mine do, this holiday movie is going to be a home run.

    How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)

    Watch the Grinch's heart grow three sizes as he discovers the true meaning of the holiday in one of the most classic kids Christmas movies of all time.

    The Santa Clause (1994)

    Erika Roh...:  As a self-proclaimed non-believer in Santa Claus, Scott has a chance encounter with Santa as he falls off of Scott's roof! Since it's Christmas Eve, he has no choice but to take the reins and finish Santa's job. This funny, heartwarming comedy is the perfect Christmas movie for kids, even at the "questioning" age, as it solidifies the power of the belief.

    A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

    Kelly R:  Charlie Brown seeks the true meaning of Christmas in a family holiday special that just gets better with age. The music is classic, and it's one of our favorite Christmas albums to listen to every year!

    Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983)

    Michael Farina:  I am amazed that Mickey and crew are able to get across the main points of A Christmas Carol in <30 minutes. Also, Scrooge McDuck was born to play this role!

    The Polar Express (2004)

    The movie adaptation of the beloved Christmas book where a boy boards a magical train to visit the North Pole manages to capture much of the book's original wonder.

    The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

    Vanessa M.:  My family gets together and watches this every Christmas Eve! I love that in spite of being a kids movie, it stays pretty true to the dialogue and storyline of the Charles Dickens novel. Just a tad funnier!

    The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

    Kurt Russell is the Santa Claus we never knew we needed in this fun Netflix Christmas movie about a brother and sister who team up with the big man to save Christmas after his sleigh crashes in Chicago. Check out the sequel, too.

    It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

    Erika Roh...:  This classic Christmas movie embraces what the season is all about - spirituality, love, family, kindness and reflection. Even though old movies aren't typically kids' favorites, the sentiment and plot is something that can't be matched. This movie will certainly spark conversations on what's important and teaches a great appreciation of family and life.

    A Christmas Story (1983)

    Kelly R:  It's hard to miss this family Christmas movie if you turn on the TV during the month of December, but I think it strikes a chord with so many people because it feels like you are watching a real family.

    Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

    Chrissy OGorman:  Based loosely on the beloved song, this is one of those classic Christmas movies for kids that's fun to rewatch every year. Since he is different from the other reindeer, Rudolph is bullied and runs away. But once Rudolph realizes people are looking for him, he comes back and becomes the star of Santa's sleigh!

    Klaus (2019)

    Kelly R:  An original backstory about how the legend of Santa came to be, this is the beautifully animated and beautifully told story of an unlikely friendship between a reluctant postman and a reclusive toymaker. It focuses on the spirit of giving rather than magic and elves, and is filled with funny and poignant moments. This Netflix film instantly became one of my family's favorite Christmas movies for kids!

    Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas (1999)

    Erin P.:  This compilation of Christmas cartoons featuring the classic Disney characters is a hit with my kids. There are three stories in total. Our kids' favorite story is Groundhog Day-where Huey, Dewey and Louie wish it was Christmas every day of the year. Check out the sequel, too: Mickey's Twice Upon A Christmas.

    Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

    Alexandra F.:  This classic Christmas tale about a department store Santa who claims to be the real deal - and whose sanity is therefore questioned and brought to trial - has been one of the best family Christmas movies for decades. I was honestly surprised by how much my then 6 and 8-year-olds were captivated by it, even in black and white. I think it’s the only black and white movie/show they’ve ever enjoyed!

Primary photo:   Arthur Christmas, Sony Pictures Animation Inc.

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