The Best Holiday Movies for Families

The holiday season is here! And with that, holiday movies are on full rotation in our home. Here is a list of the best holiday movies for families by age group. We also share five ways to make holiday family movie nights extra special!

The Best Holiday Movies for Families by Age Group

Best Holiday Family Movies for Ages 3+

Our kids have watched these films since they were three and still love them, so they made our list! They are all animated and fun for the whole family.

1. The Star is available for rent on Amazon Prime Video
2. Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer is available for rent on Apple TV
3. Angela’s Christmas is available on Netflix with a subscription
4. Angela’s Christmas 2 is available on Netflix with a subscription
5. An Elf Story is available on Netflix with a subscription. Though this is only 26 minutes, my kids watch the Elf on the Shelf series in succession, and they are all adorable! The series includes An Elf Story, Elf Pets: Santa’s Reindeer Rescue, Elf Pets: Fox Cubs Christmas Tale, and Elf Pets: Santa’s St. Bernards Save Christmas

Best Holiday Family Movies for Ages 5+ (a mix of animated and real life)

1. Miracle On 34th Street Remember the sweet little girl from Mrs. Doubtfire? She is the star in this one, and couldn’t be any sweeter! Available on Disney+ with a subscription.
2. The Polar Express is available for rent on Amazon Prime Video.
3. 48 Wishes is available on Netflix with a subscription.
4. The Christmas Chronicles 1 is available on Netflix with a subscription. Sensitive Material Note: the father has died in this film
5. The Christmas Chronicles 2 is available on Netflix with a subscription (and a third one is rumored to be on its way!) Sensitive Material Note: The father has died in this film.
6. A Boy Called Christmas is available on Netflix with a subscription.
7. Arthur Christmas is available and included on Amazon Prime Video with a subscription.
8. The Grinch is available to rent on Apple TV, Hulu, and HBO Max with a subscription.
9. Elf is available to rent on Amazon Prime Video and HBO Max with a subscription.
10. The Claus Family 1 is available on Netflix with a subscription. Both the Claus Family 1 and 2 were initially produced in Dutch and have voiceovers. However, my 6-year-old daughter loved them! Sensitive Material Note: The father has died in this film
11. The Claus Family 2 is available on Netflix with a subscription. Sensitive Material Note: The father has died in this film.
12. Klaus is available on Netflix with a subscription.
13. The Santa Clause 1 is available on Disney+ with a subscription.
14. The Santa Clause 2 is available on Disney+ with a subscription.
15. The Santa Clause 3 is available on Disney+ with a subscription.
16. Christmas on Mistletoe Farm is available on Netflix with a subscription

5 Ideas for a Holiday Twist on Family Movie Night

1. Kick-off movie night with a “cookie chat.”

I want my kids to share the highs and lows of their week with me, so we have a cookie chat each Friday before movie night starts. Fill a bin, a jar, or even a plastic baggie with questions such as “What made you smile this week?” and take turns picking out a card. For a holiday twist, you can ask questions like “What was the best holiday decoration you saw this week?”

2. Make A Popcorn Bar

Pop up some corn and set out your family’s favorites for toppings: holiday-colored M&M’s, mini marshmallows, or Christmas tree pretzels. Target has most, if not all, of these items. To go the extra mile, our dollar tree sells popcorn bags, eight count, for a dollar.

3. Hot Cocoa Bombs

Hot chocolate is always a winner in our house, but if you want to spruce things up, Trader Joe’s is selling snowman hot chocolate bombs right now, and Target has plenty to pick from. It’s a science experiment and holiday favorite rolled into one!

4. Movie Theater Pretend Play

My six-year-old came up with this one entirely on her own. Anxious for Daddy to get home, she set up an entire movie theatre experience! Use 3×5 cards or any paper to make tickets. Get out the play money and cash register. Use whatever play kitchen items you have to set up the movie theatre snack bar. We used these Melissa and Doug juice bottles and extra plastic cups to make fountain sodas.

5. Flick Pick

Use a plastic bag, bin, or festive jar. Have your kids write down or dictate to you all of their favorite holiday movies. We added a few cards that said “new movie” to keep it interesting. Rotate who gets to pick from the flick-pick bag each week!

Do you have a favorite Holiday movie or family movie night tradition? Share it below!