If you’re looking to get into the Christmas vibe, there’s no better way than turning on the Christmas tree lights, popping some popcorn, and settling down with the family to enjoy a Christmas movie.
Heartwarming, and oozing with hope and redemption, the Christmas movie genre retains its appeal year after year. We’ve picked our top ten Christmas movies that the family will love.
Please note that where to watch these movies was correct at the time of publication. Charges may apply to rent or buy the movies from streaming services. Please refer to the movie listings for age ratings.
The Polar Express (2004)
On Christmas Eve, a doubting boy boards a magical train that’s headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus’s home. An animated film voiced by Tom Hanks, this is as spectacular to look at as it is touching and enchanting.
Watch on: Google Play Movies, NEON, Apple TV, or Microsoft Store
The Grinch (2000)
Inside a snowflake is the magical land of Whoville, populated by the ‘Whos’. All the Whos love Christmas – except for The Grinch, a nasty creature who plots to steal Christmas away forever. Jim Carey stars in this live-action film that brings the Dr Seuss classic children’s book to life.
Watch on: Google Play Movies, Apple TV, or Microsoft Store
Elf (2003)
When one of Santa’s elves learns that he’s actually a human whom Santa inadvertently brought back from an orphanage when he was a baby, he sets out for NYC to track down his real father.
Watch on: Google Play Movies, NEON, Apple TV, or Microsoft Store
Home Alone (1990)
When bratty 8-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) acts out the night before a family trip to Paris, his mother (Catherine O’Hara) makes him sleep in the attic. After the McCallisters mistakenly leave for the airport without Kevin, he awakens to an empty house and assumes his wish to have no family has come true. But his excitement sours when he realizes that two con men (Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern) plan to rob the McCallister residence and that he alone must protect the family home.
Watch on: Disney+, Google Play Movies, Apple TV, or Microsoft Store
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018)
All Clara wants is a key – a one-of-a-kind key that will unlock a box that holds a priceless gift. A golden thread, presented to her at godfather Drosselmeyer’s annual holiday party, leads her to the coveted key—which promptly disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world.
It’s there that Clara encounters a soldier named Phillip, a gang of mice and the regents who preside over three Realms: Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers and Land of Sweets. Clara and Phillip must brave the ominous Fourth Realm, home to the tyrant Mother Ginger, to retrieve Clara’s key and hopefully return harmony to the unstable world.
Watch on: Disney+, Apple TV, or Microsoft Store
The Search For Santa Paws (2010)
After Santa loses his memory during a trip to New York City, it’s up to Paws, a faithful orphan named Quinn, her new friend Will and a wondering group of magical talking dogs to save St. Nick and show the world what Christmas is really about.
Watch on: Disney+, Google Play Movies, or Apple TV
The Santa Clause (1994)
On Christmas Eve, a divorced dad and his son discover Santa Claus has fallen off their roof. When the dad takes the reigns, he finds he is now the new Santa, and must convince a world of disbelievers, including himself.
Superstar comedian and Golden Globe® winner Tim Allen shines bright in Disney’s magical, larger-than-life hit comedy.
Watch on: Disney+, Google Play Movies, Apple TV, or Microsoft Store
Arthur Christmas (2011)
How can Santa deliver billions of presents to the whole world in just one night? With an army of one million combat-style Field Elves and a vast, state-of-the-art control center under the ice of the North Pole!
So how could this incredible operation have MISSED one child?! To Santa’s young son, Arthur, it threatens to end the magic of Christmas. With retired Grandsanta, a rebellious young elf, an old sleigh and some untrained reindeer, Arthur sets out in a crazy mission to deliver the last present.
Watch on: Netflix, Apple TV, or Microsoft Store
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
‘Tis the season for love, laughter, and one of the most cherished stories of all time! Join Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and all the hilarious Muppets in this merry, magical version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale.
Watch on: Disney+, Google Play Movies, Apple TV, or Microsoft Store
The Snowman (1982)
After a night of heavy snowfall, a boy wakes up and plays in the snow, eventually building a large snowman. At the stroke of midnight, he sneaks downstairs to find the snowman magically comes to life. Based on a wordless children’s picture book by Raymond Briggs first published in 1978.
Watch on: (Currently unavailable on streaming services)
Written by Robyn Cody
Robyn creates content on Kidspot NZ. Her hobbies include buying cleaning products and wondering why things don’t then clean themselves, eating cheese scones with her friends, and taking her kids to appointments.
Favourite motto to live by: “This too will pass”
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