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There’s nothing better than a Christmas movie marathon to ring in the holiday season.
From classic Christmas movies that never get old to funny, kid-friendly favorites the whole family will love, the best Christmas movies are those that are guaranteed to bring joy to your living room.
And after more than 125 years of Christmas movies, there are a lot to choose from.
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Whether you’re introducing your kids to the holiday films you grew up watching or searching for a new family favorite to stream on a cozy December night, there’s something on this list for everyone.
So, grab the popcorn, warm up the hot cocoa and settle in. Here are the best Christmas movies to watch with your kids and family this holiday season.
Vintage and classic Christmas movies
Did you know that the first Christmas movie ever made was released in 1898?
That movie, “Santa Claus,” was created by George Albert Smith and was only 76 seconds long, but it told a story of Santa visiting the home of two children on Christmas Eve — and it was groundbreaking.
Over the next 60 years, some of the greatest classic Christmas movies were made — many of which are still shown on TV to this day.
If you’re looking to take a step back in time, here are a few Christmas movies that’ll do the trick.
It’s a Wonderful Life(1946) (Amazon Prime Video)
A Christmas Story(1983) (Hulu)
Miracle on 34th Street (1994) (Hulu)
The Shop Around the Corner (1940) (HBO Max)
Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) (Amazon Prime Video)
White Christmas (1954) (Amazon Prime Video)
The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974) (Amazon Prime Video)
Christmas in Connecticut (1945) (Amazon Prime Video)
A Christmas Carol(1984) (Hulu)
The Bishop’s Wife (1947) (Amazon Prime Video)
Festive and funny Christmas movies
Some of the best Christmas movies have been released in the past 30 years or so.
While the vintage classics are always nostalgic — especially those that are only available in black and white — there’s nothing quite like the modern classics that are on replay constantly in homes everywhere.
These festive and funny favorites deliver big laughs, memorable characters and just the right amount of holiday chaos, making them perfect for family movie nights with kids of all ages.
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Just be careful because some of these movies might have your kid questioning who Santa really is.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) (Peacock)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) (Amazon Prime Video)
Elf (2003) (HBO Max)
The Santa Clause (1994) (Hulu)
The Santa Clause 2 (2002) (Hulu)
The Santa Clause 3 (2006) (Hulu)
The Christmas Chronicles (2018) (Netflix)
The Christmas Chronicles 2 (2020) (Netflix)
Home Alone (1990) (Hulu)
Home Alone 2 (1992) (Hulu)
Jingle All the Way (1996) (Hulu)
Christmas With the Kranks (2004) (HBO Max)
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) (Hulu)
Bad Santa (2003) (HBO Max)
Bad Santa 2 (2016) (HBO Max)
Fred Claus (2007) (Hulu)
Dear Santa (2024) (Paramount+)
Spirited (2022) (Apple TV)
Four Christmases (2008) (Hulu)
Die Hard (1988) (Hulu)
Jack Frost (1998) (Hulu)
Christmas movies for kids and toddlers
If you have younger kids to entertain, then some of the movies above might not do the trick.
Little ones often need stories that are bright, simple, silly or sweet — and, of course, don’t spoil the true magic of who Santa Claus is and the secrets you might be hiding from them.
But don’t worry, the list below is full of holiday magic.
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These movies are perfect for toddlers, preschoolers and early elementary-aged kids, offering colorful animation, gentle humor and heartwarming lessons that hold their attention without overwhelming them.
So, before you put your little ones to bed, don’t forget about these family Christmas movies for kids.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) (Disney+)
The Polar Express (2004) (Hulu)
Klaus (2019) (Netflix)
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) (Apple TV)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) (Amazon Prime Video)
Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town (1970) (Peacock)
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) (Disney+)
Arthur Christmas (2011) (Amazon Prime Video)
Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983) (Disney+)
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022) (Disney+)
Frosty the Snowman (1969) (Hulu)
Don’t forget to check your local TV listings for Christmas movies
In a world full of streaming, it’s easy to forget that Christmas movies are on TV as well.
In fact, many of your favorite TV networks often roll out special holiday marathons, nostalgic throwbacks and made-for-TV favorites you won’t always find on streaming platforms.
You might even stumble upon a forgotten classic or discover a new seasonal tradition.
For example, Freeform kicked off its annual “25 Days of Christmas” holiday movie marathon on Dec. 1 and it’ll be featuring all of the best Christmas movies daily through Dec. 25.
Likewise, AMC’s “Best Christmas Ever” will air from Nov. 29 and through Dec. 26, while TBS’s “All I Watch for Christmas” and TNT’s “Christmas Maximus” began on Nov. 9 and runs through the end of the year.
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Of course, you can browse your TV guide daily to find Christmas movies and holiday specials on pretty much any channel you frequent.
