The Best G-Rated Christmas Movies

Ranker Film
Updated August 11, 2023 3.0K votes 405 voters 73.8K views
Over 400 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best G-Rated Christmas Movies
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List of G-Rated Christmas movies, ranked from best to worst with movie trailers when available. This list takes the best G-Rated Christmas movies and pits them against each other to see once and for all what the greatest G-Rated Christmas movie of all time is. This list of popular G-Rated Christmas movies includes information like who directed the film, when it was released and which actors starred in the movie. If you think the top G-Rated Christmas movie isn't as high as it should be then be sure to vote it up so it can take its rightful place among the other great G-Rated Christmas movie films on this list. If you're trying to find a specific G-Rated Christmas movie film you can search this list and filter to find what you're looking for.

This is a list that features movies like The Polar Express and The Santa Clause 2.

If you're trying to find out "What are the best G-Rated Christmas movies?" and "What are the most famous G-Rated Christmas movies?" then this list is the perfect resource for you.

Use this list if you're looking for some new Christmas movies that are rated G. Between Netflix, Hulu and other services there are thousands of great Christmas movies rated G, so get out there and start watching.

What kind of directors have worked on Christmas movie G movies in the past? Robert Zemeckis and Michael Lembeck both have, as have other great directors.

Most divisive: Scrooge
Ranked by
  • The Muppet Christmas Carol
    1

    The Muppet Christmas Carol

    Michael Caine, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire
    141 votes
    • Released: 1992
    • Directed by: Brian Henson
    In The Muppet Christmas Carol, the iconic Charles Dickens tale gets a delightful puppet twist. Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine) is visited by spirits of Christmases past, present and future. As he journeys through his life with these spectral guides, Scrooge's icy heart begins to thaw. The Muppets, led by Kermit the Frog (Steve Whitmire) as Bob Cratchit, infuse this classic story with their inimitable charm and wit. This film is a unique blend of comedy, musical and drama genres, presenting an inventive take on a timeless holiday story.

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  • Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
    2

    Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

    Janis Orenstein
    52 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.
  • Frosty the Snowman
    3

    Frosty the Snowman

    June Foray, Paul Frees, Billy De Wolfe
    85 votes
    • Released: 1969
    • Directed by: Arthur Rankin, Jr., Jules Bass
    Frosty the Snowman is an American animated Christmas family television special based on the song "Frosty the Snowman". The program, which first aired on December 7, 1969 on CBS, was produced for television by Rankin/Bass and featured the voices of comedians Jimmy Durante as the film's narrator and Jackie Vernon as the titular character. This special marked the first use of traditional cel animation for Rankin/Bass in a Christmas special. Arthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass wanted to give the show and its characters the look of a Christmas card, so Paul Coker, Jr., a greeting card and Mad magazine artist, was hired to do the character and background drawings. The animation was produced by Mushi Production in Japan, with then-Mushi staffer Osamu Dezaki among the animation staff. Rankin/Bass veteran writer Romeo Muller adapted and expanded the story for television as he had done with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. TV Guide ranked the special number 4 on its 10 Best Family Holiday Specials list.
  • Miracle on 34th Street
    4

    Miracle on 34th Street

    Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn
    95 votes
    • Released: 1947
    • Directed by: George Seaton
    In the heartwarming classic, Miracle on 34th Street, Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) is hired as Santa Claus for Macy's department store. His unshakeable cheer and apparent authenticity capture the imagination of young Susan Walker (Natalie Wood), who's been taught not to believe in Santa by her pragmatic mother Doris (Maureen O'Hara). When Kris's sanity is questioned, a court case ensues to determine if he really is Santa Claus. This blend of drama, comedy, and fantasy won three Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actor for Gwenn's charming portrayal of Santa.

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  • The Polar Express
    5

    The Polar Express

    Tom Hanks, Michael Jeter, Nona Gaye
    150 votes
    • Released: 2004
    • Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
    In the enchanting animation, The Polar Express, a young boy (Daryl Sabara) embarks on an extraordinary journey to the North Pole aboard a magical train. Tom Hanks lends his voice to multiple roles, including the charismatic Conductor and the mysterious Hobo. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, this film is a captivating mix of adventure and fantasy that won three Oscar nominations. With its groundbreaking motion capture technology, The Polar Express offers viewers a visually stunning trip into the heart of Christmas wonderment without revealing Santa's biggest secret.

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  • A Charlie Brown Christmas
    6

    A Charlie Brown Christmas

    Bill Melendez, Peter Robbins, Geoffrey Ornstein
    47 votes
    • Released: 1965
    • Directed by: Bill Melendez
    A Charlie Brown Christmas is a musical animated television film based on the comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz. Produced by Lee Mendelson and directed by Bill Melendez, the program made its debut on CBS on December 9, 1965. In the special, lead character Charlie Brown finds himself depressed despite the onset of the cheerful holiday season. Lucy suggests he direct a school Christmas play, but he is both ignored and mocked by his peers. The story touches on the over-commercialization and secularism of Christmas, and serves to remind viewers of the true meaning of Christmas. The special was commissioned and sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company. It was written over a period of several weeks, and animated on a shoestring budget in only six months. In casting the characters, the producers went an unconventional route, hiring child actors. The program's soundtrack was similarly unorthodox: it features a jazz score by pianist Vince Guaraldi.