The Best Christmas Movies for Kids

Ranker Film
Updated June 23, 2023 10.3K votes 422 voters
Over 400 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Christmas Movies for Kids
Voting Rules
Vote up great Christmas movies for kids to watch.

Christmas is a time for peace and tranquility, a time for families to come together by the tranquil light of the fire and to reflect on the year gone by over a glass of eggnog.

Unless you've got kids. If you've got kids, Christmas is a delirious marathon, a process that you survive as much as enjoy. Between toy shopping, Christmas parties and winter break, there are times that a parent wants nothing more than to sit their kid in front of a movie for an hour or two, just so they can get a moment to themselves.

Lucky for you, we've got this list of the best Christmas films for children. This list is made up of good, appropriate Christmas movies for young kids because you really don't want to be the parent who accidentally let their kid watch Bad Santa this year. So if you've ever asked yourself "what Christmas films can little kids watch," look to the list below for the answer then vote for your favorites and don't forget to add any movies that we're missing here! Then put on a movie and get an hour to yourself in the midst of Christmas craziness.

Just kidding, don't you have wrapping to do?

Most divisive: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Ranked by
  • Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
    1

    Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

    Janis Orenstein
    161 votes
    • Released: 1964
    • Directed by: Larry Roemer, Kizo Nagashima
    The timeless tale of a crimson-snouted hero comes to life in this beloved stop-motion animation TV special. With an array of unforgettable characters, such as the endearing Rudolph (voiced by Billie Mae Richards) and the lovable Hermey the Elf (Paul Soles), audiences are transported to a whimsical world where misfits find their purpose. First aired in 1964, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has become a cherished holiday tradition for generations, earning its place in pop culture history. Its heartfelt message of acceptance, coupled with the enchanting musical score, continues to resonate with viewers, proving that sometimes, the most extraordinary stories emerge from the most unexpected places.
  • Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
    2

    Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

    Boris Karloff, June Foray, Hal Smith
    158 votes
    • Released: 1966
    • Directed by: Chuck Jones, Ben Washam
    In an enchanting adaptation of the beloved children's book, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! brings to life the tale of a green, misanthropic creature on a mission to ruin the festive season for the residents of Whoville. The show expertly weaves together elements of family, humor, and heartwarming redemption, earning it multiple award nominations. With the Grinch portrayed by the talented Boris Karloff, the audience is taken on a journey of self-discovery and the true meaning of Christmas spirit. To sum it up, one can expect to be charmed by the colorful characters and the unforgettable message this classic story delivers.
  • The Santa Clause
    3

    The Santa Clause

    Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson
    240 votes
    • Released: 1994
    • Directed by: John Pasquin
    In the family-comedy film The Santa Clause, Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) inadvertently becomes Santa Claus. A regular father and business executive, Calvin stumbles upon a peculiar situation on Christmas Eve involving the real Santa. After donning the red suit and delivering gifts worldwide, he wakes up to find it wasn't a dream. The transformation begins gradually, and as the reality sinks in, he must juggle his everyday life with his newfound responsibilities at the North Pole. The movie cleverly weaves humor and fantasy, providing a fresh spin on holiday lore.

    Available On:

    subscription

  • Shrek the Halls
    4

    Shrek the Halls

    Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Mike Myers
    210 votes
    • Released: 2007
    • Directed by: Gary Trousdale
    Hoping to have a nice, quiet holiday with Fiona and the children, Shrek goes in search of advice and buys a book on having a nice holiday. He tries his best to follow the guidelines in the book; however, the book's list does not allow for the invasion of Donkey and all the rest of Shrek's swamp pals.
  • Frosty the Snowman
    5

    Frosty the Snowman

    June Foray, Paul Frees, Billy De Wolfe
    204 votes
    • Released: 1969
    • Directed by: Arthur Rankin, Jr., Jules Bass
    Based on the popular song with the same title, this holiday classic tells the story of a snowman named Frosty, brought to life by a magic hat. As the temperature begins to rise, Frosty worries that he'll melt, so his human friends come up with a plan to put him on a train to the North Pole, where he'll never melt. But the owner of the magic hat, Professor Hinkle, realizes it's really magic, after all, and wants it back. As they journey toward the North Pole, the cold takes its toll on Frosty's human companion, Karen, and he seeks help from none other than Santa himself, who takes Karen home, Frosty to the North Pole and shames Professor Hinkle into letting Frosty keep the cap.
  • A Charlie Brown Christmas
    6

    A Charlie Brown Christmas

    Bill Melendez, Peter Robbins, Geoffrey Ornstein
    233 votes
    • Released: 1965
    • Directed by: Bill Melendez
    Linus reminds the Peanuts gang of the meaning of Christmas, in a beloved holiday classic. As Christmas approaches, Charlie Brown is depressed; he confides in Linus, who tries to cheer him. He visits Lucy's psychiatric booth, but she's no help. He tries throwing himself into the pageant, but it only makes him feel worse. Finally, he decides that they need a Christmas tree for their play -- but his selection leaves the rest of the group laughing. Then Linus reads his friends the story of the Nativity, which prompts them to work on decorating the humble tree and exclaim gleefully, "Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!"