Holidays

39 Christmas Movies for Kids You’ll Actually Watch Together in 2025

by: Gail Christie

Last Updated on Dec 4th 2025

Every family handles the holidays in its own way, but most end up watching a few Christmas movies for kids somewhere along the way. It’s an easy tradition to fall into, and a good one too. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that kids often understand stories better when someone watches with them, which makes a simple movie night feel a little more special without much effort.

The classics stick around for a reason. Traditional types of animation styles like A Charlie Brown Christmas or anything from Disney carry that mix of nostalgia and light-hearted fun that kids fall into instantly. Whether you're after something short, silly or full of wonder, there’s plenty that can make the season feel brighter for little ones.

In this article, we’re sharing the best of the best to help you build a holiday lineup that actually fits your family. Settle in, get the snacks ready and enjoy these Christmas movies for kids.

Short Christmas Movies for Kids

Short Christmas movies for kids work best when attention spans are low and the day is already full. Quick stories keep things light without committing everyone to a long watch. They’re easy to fit in between meals, visitors or the general swirl of Christmas.

1. A Charlie Brown Christmas

*Soft, thoughtful Christmas comfort for little ones (via Amazon)*

Run time: 25 minutes | Best for ages: 4+

Charlie Brown finds himself questioning the true meaning of Christmas in this timeless classic. When his friends focus only on material things, he seeks something deeper. With help from Linus, Charlie learns what Christmas is truly about.

The simple animation and holiday message make it perfect for younger audiences and a treasured family Christmas tradition if you're looking for things to do on Christmas Day.

2. Penguins of Madagascar: The All-Nighter Before Christmas (2011)

Run time: 22 minutes | Best for ages: 5+

In this festive holiday special, the lovable penguins from Madagascar take on the task of saving Christmas at the Central Park Zoo. The penguins' wacky antics and secret-agent-style teamwork make for a hilarious and lighthearted holiday adventure.

Penguins of Madagascar: The All-Nighter Before Christmas is filled with slapstick humor and festive cheer, which makes it great for younger viewers who love the Madagascar series.

3. A Scooby-Doo! Christmas (2002)

*Goofy ghost-hunting with a snowy twist (via Amazon)*

Run time: 22 minutes | Best for ages: 6+

A Scooby-Doo! Christmas blends mystery and holiday cheer and its playful humor makes it a perfect treat for young mystery lovers. In this short holiday special, Scooby-Doo and the gang travel to a town haunted by a headless snowman, threatening to ruin Christmas. As always, they use their sleuthing skills to unmask the villain and save the day.

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4. Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)

*A grumpy heart grows three sizes, every time (via Amazon)*

Run time: 26 minutes | Best for ages: 4+

In this animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss' beloved story, the Grinch plans to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville, only to learn that Christmas is about more than gifts and decorations.

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a wonderful addition to your list of Christmas movies for kids, offering a funny, heartwarming tale of redemption and the true spirit of the holiday season.

If your family loves a bit of friendly competition, turn it into a round of Christmas movie trivia after the movie.

5. Prep & Landing (2009)

*Secret-agent elves handling Santa’s big night (via IMDB)*

Run time: 22 minutes | Best for ages: 5+

In this short animated film, Wayne, an elf who's worked on Santa's Prep & Landing team for years, must save Christmas after a series of mishaps. Filled with humor and adventure, Prep & Landing introduces young viewers to the behind-the-scenes magic of Santa’s operation.

With its shorter running time, it delivers holiday fun in a bite-sized package.

Christmas Movies for Toddlers

Christmas movies for toddlers need a gentler pace and simple storylines that make sense to little ones. Familiar characters, soft animation and calm moments help keep things enjoyable without overwhelming them. Kids love spotting characters they can later find in fun stocking stuffer ideas.

These Christmas movies for kids work well for early mornings, quiet afternoons or whenever the day needs something soothing. Add a couple of these Christmas titles to your bigger family Christmas party ideas and you'll be set for the night.

6. Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas (1999)

*Classic Disney warmth wrapped in three mini stories (via Amazon)*

Run time: 66 minutes | Best for ages: 3+

This charming movie presents three holiday stories featuring beloved Disney characters like Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Donald. Each segment offers a unique Christmas message about love, kindness and the holiday season.

With its colorful animation and iconic characters, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas is a perfect pick for Christmas movies for kids, providing wholesome entertainment that will capture the hearts of young viewers and families alike.

7. Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas (2009)

Run time: 58 minutes | Best for ages: 3+

Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat prepare for Christmas, but both struggle to find the perfect gift for each other. In typical Curious George fashion, the mischievous monkey’s adventures lead to laughter and uplifting moments.

Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas is a lighthearted and delightful choice among Christmas movies for kids, offering simple holiday fun and valuable lessons about giving and friendship that young children will adore.

8. Frosty the Snowman (1969)

*The animated tale that made “happy birthday!” a winter catchphrase (via Amazon)*

Run time: 25 minutes | Best for ages: 4+

When a magic hat brings Frosty the Snowman to life, he spreads holiday cheer to all the children in town. But Frosty must escape the clutches of an evil magician and avoid melting in the warm weather. It has that sing-along quality little kids adore (great for Christmas games), which keeps the mood lively even though the story is simple.

9. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

Run time: 47 minutes | Best for ages: 4+

Rudolph, a reindeer with a glowing red nose, faces rejection from his peers but finds his place when Santa needs him to guide the sleigh through a foggy Christmas Eve.

This stop-motion classic has become a staple Christmas movie for kids, offering a timeless lesson about acceptance and the value of being different. With memorable characters and catchy songs, it’s a family favorite for generations.

10. The Snowman (1982)

*Wordless magic even the young kids enjoy (via IMDB)*

Run time: 26 minutes | Best for ages: 4+

The Snowman has become one of those iconic Christmas movies for kids that never goes out of style, with its stunning visuals and gentle storytelling making it perfect for young children.

The beautifully animated, wordless film tells the story of a young boy who builds a snowman that comes to life on Christmas Eve, then heads off on a quiet, magical journey through the winter night. The Snowman relies on music and visuals instead of dialogue, which makes it especially soothing for very young kids.

11. An Elf's Story: The Elf on the Shelf (2011)

Run time: 26 minutes | Best for ages: 4+

This short animated special follows Chippy, one of Santa's scout elves, who is assigned to help a young boy named Taylor rediscover his belief in Christmas magic.

With colorful animation and a heartfelt message about believing in the holiday spirit, An Elf's Story: The Elf on the Shelf is a sweet Christmas movie for kids. It brings the beloved Elf on the Shelf tradition to life, offering a fun and magical holiday experience for younger viewers.

Christmas Movies for Kids on Netflix

Christmas movies for kids on Netflix make holiday planning easier because everything’s in one place. Whether you want something silly, heartfelt or a bit adventurous, streaming keeps it simple when you don’t want to flip through a dozen platforms.

12. Klaus (2019)

*Gorgeous animation with a fresh Santa origin story (via Rotten Tomatoes)*

Run time: 97 minutes | Best for ages: 6+

Many ask, does Netflix have any classic Christmas movies? Well, if it didn’t before, it does after Klaus. In this beautifully animated film, a postman named Jesper is sent to a remote, frozen town where he meets Klaus, a reclusive toymaker. Together, they form an unlikely friendship and bring holiday joy to a town devoid of Christmas spirit.

Klaus offers a fresh origin story for Santa Claus and is one of the most visually stunning Christmas movies for kids. Truly, hats off to these animators.

13. Angela’s Christmas (2017)

Run time: 30 minutes | Best for ages: 4+

Set in 1900s Ireland, Angela’s Christmas is a touching film that emphasizes the innocence of childhood and the importance of kindness, which plays well with younger kids and parents watching alongside them.

The short film is based on a story by Frank McCourt and follows young Angela as she sets out to make sure everyone, including Baby Jesus, stays warm on Christmas Eve.

14. A Boy Called Christmas (2021)

*Snowy quest, elves and big-hearted adventure (via Netflix)*

Run time: 106 minutes | Best for ages: 8+

The film follows Nikolas, a young boy who embarks on an epic journey to the North Pole in search of his father and the mythical village of Elfhelm. Along the way, Nikolas encounters magical creatures and learns about the spirit of Christmas.

15. Family Switch (2023)

Run time: 100 minutes | Best for ages: 8+

Family Switch is one of Netflix’s lighthearted Christmas movies for kids, which older children enjoy because of its humorous, feel-good story with a touch of magic. This movie explores family dynamics while bringing plenty of holiday cheer.

The humor comes from the body-swap chaos, and older kids usually enjoy watching the parents struggle to keep up.

16. Scrooge: A Christmas Carol (2022)

*Big songs and bold ghosts turn Scrooge’s story into a colorful holiday adventure (via Netflix)*

Run time: 96 minutes | Best for ages: 8+

This animated adaptation of Charles Dickens' timeless classic brings the story of Ebenezer Scrooge to life with a modern twist. Scrooge, a miserly old man, is visited by three ghosts who take him on a journey through his past, present and future, helping him realize the true meaning of Christmas.

The music gives it momentum, and the animation helps younger viewers stay engaged with a story they might otherwise find slow.

17. The Princess Switch (2018)

Run time: 101 minutes | Best for ages: 8+

This lighthearted holiday film follows Stacy, a talented baker from Chicago, who travels to the fictional kingdom of Belgravia for a Christmas baking competition. There, she meets Lady Margaret, a soon-to-be princess who looks exactly like her. The two switch places to experience life from each other's perspective, leading to romance and holiday cheer.

18. The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

*High-energy Santa escapade packed with sibling mayhem (via Netflix)*

Run time: 104 minutes | Best for ages: 8+

Siblings Kate and Teddy Pierce team up with Santa Claus after they accidentally cause his sleigh to crash on Christmas Eve. Together, they race against time to save Christmas. This action-packed holiday adventure is full of festive spirit, humor and touching moments.

The Christmas Chronicles is an exciting Christmas movie for kids, blending adventure and holiday magic. It showcases the importance of family, teamwork and believing in the magic of Christmas.

19. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)

Run time: 119 minutes | Best for ages: 8+

In this vibrant musical fantasy, a young girl helps her grandfather, a once-famous toymaker, rediscover his passion for invention and the feeling of Christmas.

With its dazzling visuals, memorable songs and heartfelt message about family and perseverance, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is a modern holiday classic. The mix of music, magic and family themes makes it a real standout Christmas movie for kids.

20. Rise of the Guardians (2012)

*Santa and friends team up for a magical, high-energy holiday adventure (via Netflix)*

Run time: 97 minutes | Best for ages: 7+

In this action-packed animated adventure, a group of legendary figures, including Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy, join forces to protect the world’s children from the evil spirit, Pitch Black.

Jack Frost, a reluctant new guardian, must find his place among them to save Christmas and all holidays. Rise of the Guardians is an exciting and visually stunning Christmas movie for kids that blends holiday themes with superhero-like action and teamwork.

Christmas Movies for Kids on Disney+

Christmas movies for kids on Disney+ feel familiar in the best way. The mix of classics and newer releases tends to hit the right balance of warmth, fun and nostalgia. If your family leans toward Disney already, this is where you’ll find the films that match the season without much searching.

21. The Santa Clause (1994)

*An ordinary dad slowly turning into Santa (via Rotten Tomatoes)*

Run time: 97 minutes | Best for ages: 6+

In this family comedy, Scott Calvin accidentally becomes Santa Claus after an unexpected incident on Christmas Eve. As he adjusts to his new role, he learns the true meaning of Christmas.

The Santa Clause is a particularly magical Christmas movie for kids, blending humor, heart and holiday vibes. With its unique premise and lighthearted moments, this film is a perfect choice for family movie nights during the holidays.

22. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

Run time: 85 minutes | Best for ages: 6+

Another adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic, the Muppets bring their signature humor and charm to the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, played by Michael Caine.

Guided by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, Scrooge learns the true meaning of Christmas. With its catchy song and witty characters, The Muppet Christmas Carol is a timeless Christmas movie for kids, offering laughter and life lessons in equal measure.

23. Home Alone (1990)

*The most iconic after-shave scream ever (via Amazon)*

Run time: 103 minutes | Best for ages: 8+

This classic holiday comedy follows Kevin McCallister, an 8-year-old boy who is accidentally left behind when his family goes on vacation for Christmas. As two bumbling burglars try to break into his home, Kevin sets up clever traps to stop them.

Home Alone is one of the most beloved Christmas movies for kids that's also enjoyed by the whole family. It's filled with hilarious moments and lessons about the importance of family during the holidays.

24. Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

*A courtroom fight over whether Santa is real (via TV Guide)*

Run time: 114 minutes | Best for ages: 6+

In this modern remake of the classic film, a department store Santa named Kris Kringle claims to be the real Santa Claus and his sincerity brings hope to a skeptical little girl and her mother. As a legal battle ensues over his identity, the magic of Christmas is put to the test.

It leans more sentimental than silly, which makes it a nice mid-afternoon movie when the house is already winding down.

25. Olaf’s Frozen Adventure (2017)

Run time: 22 minutes | Best for ages: 5+

In this short Christmas special, Olaf sets out on a journey to find new holiday traditions for Anna and Elsa. The charming snowman explores Arendelle and collects sweet ideas from villagers to surprise the sisters. Olaf’s funny, adventurous personality keeps kids entertained, while the music and vibrant animation add holiday magic.

26. Santa Buddies (2009)

*Festive pups save Christmas with plenty of charm and wagging tails (via IMDb)*

Run time: 88 minutes | Best for ages: 4+

Filled with adventure and touching moments, Santa Buddies is a delightful holiday film for younger audiences. It offers plenty of charm and a message about the power of friendship and believing in the magic of Christmas. Younger kids usually latch onto the puppies immediately, and the gentle storyline keeps it easy to follow.

27. Noelle (2019)

Run time: 100 minutes | Best for ages: 6+

In this moving Disney film, Noelle, the daughter of Santa Claus, has always loved spreading Christmas cheer. But when her brother, who is next in line to become Santa, runs away from the pressure, Noelle must step up to save Christmas. Along the way, she learns about responsibility, kindness and the true meaning of the holiday.

Noelle is one of the most charming Christmas movies for kids, filled with humor and a fresh take on the Santa Claus legacy.

28. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

*The movie that keeps the “Halloween or Christmas?” debate alive (via Amazon)*

Run time: 76 minutes | Best for ages: 8+

Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, stumbles upon Christmas Town and becomes enchanted by the holiday. He decides to take over Christmas, but things quickly go awry. With its unique mix of spooky and festive, The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of the most iconic Christmas and Halloween movies for kids. Tim Burton’s imaginative stop-motion animation and Henry Selick's visionary directing create memorable characters and clever songs for a visually stunning and whimsical holiday experience.

Family Christmas Movies for Kids

Family Christmas movies for kids are the ones everyone can sit through without checking the clock. They hold up for older kids but still work for younger ones, making them reliable when you have a house full of people of different ages and moods.

29. A Royal Christmas (2014)

*Fairy-tale castles and Christmas romance for tweens (via TV Insider)*

Run time: 90 minutes | Best for ages: 8+

This magical Hallmark film follows a young woman who discovers her boyfriend is a prince right before Christmas. As she adjusts to palace life, she struggles to win over his skeptical mother. Filled with royal romance and holiday vibes, A Royal Christmas is a sweet pick for older children and teens. This heartening movie brings a sense of fairy-tale magic.

30. Christmas Made to Order (2018)

Run time: 90 minutes | Best for ages: 8+

When an overwhelmed architect hires a holiday coordinator to help organize his family’s Christmas, the two discover the magic of the holiday season together. Christmas Made to Order is one of Hallmark’s most memorable Christmas movies for kids, filled with festive decorations and budding romance. It’s a cozy, feel-good film that showcases the importance of family traditions and the holidays.