65+ Festive Family Movies to watch this Christmas

Who doesn’t love a good Christmas movie? As far as I’m concerned, cosying up in front of the fire with blankets galore and watching a good Christmas movie one of the best parts of Christmas. If it snows outside? PEAK. FESTIVE. VIBE.

The thing is, there are SO many Christmas movies out there, and they launch more every year, so I’ve put together a handy list of Christmas movies for kids (and big kids) that you can enjoy as a family.

• A Boy Called Christmas – it’s a newbie but it’s easily making it’s way into my top 10 Christmas movies of ALL time!
• Spirited – a new Will Ferrel offering for 2022
• Home Alone 1, 2, 3, 4 and that random one in 2012 – classics and truly unbeatable. Well, 1 and 2. I’ll leave you to decipher your thoughts on the rest…
• Home Sweet Home Alone – different, it’s new for this year on DisneyPlus and one of those films I just didn’t really fall for but wasn’t as bad as I expected.
• Elf – SANNNNTAAAAAA. Iconic. A must.
• The Santa Clause 1, 2 and 3 – speaking of Iconic… Honestly, one of my faves from my childhood and still a classic hit. I think 3 went a bit wayward but 1 and 2 are golden. There is also a new series coming for 2022 so I will be there with my hot chocolate and mince pies!
• Noelle – this was a gorgeous offering from the last few years, and an instant hit in our household!
• Falling for Christmas – another new offering for 2022 from Lindsay Lohan
• Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey – one of the most artistically sound Christmas movies I have seen in ages. It’s also one of very few Christmas family big budget films you will find with a predominantly Black cast and I think that is hugely important for diversify our viewing. It’s a beauty.
• The Christmas Chronicals 1 & 2 – if you haven’t seen them, go away, stop reading and WATCH THEM. They are such lovely films and the dynamic between the kids, Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn is *chef’s kiss*.
• The Nutcracker and the Four Realms – another very artistic and beautiful Christmas film. Was is my fave? No. Was it worth the watch? Yes. It’s a modern take on one of the most classic stories.
• The Grinch (cartoon version) – Out of all The Grinch variations, I liked this the best, it was a heart warming story!
• The Polar Express – if you’re looking for a classic and you know it clap your hands…
• The Christmas Dragon – Not a lot to say about this, I’m pretty sure I dozed off BUT the kids enjoyed it.
• The Star – if you want biblical that has a little bit of fun and isn’t soley focussed on the night of the nativity but Mary and Joseph and all that jazz, then this one is a winner from an entertainment-without-the-mass-genocide-of-first-borns stand point. Edith loved it.
• Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure – if you’re a fan of the big dog, you know this is one for you.
• Rise of the Guardians – the kids enjoyed this, I’ll be honest, I don’t remember much…
• Gremlins – I mean the kids all thought it was scary and I’m not a fan BUT I’m including it because it’s… yeah. Everyone loves it.
• The Nativity 1, 2 and 3 – three is awful, but 1 in particular is one of Toby’s fave films EVER. He watches it all year long and will frequently request it!
• Miracle of 34th Street – ok, don’t spam me with abuse, but I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen it… I know, I know. I probably have and I just didn’t love it…
• Prancer and Prancer Returns – I loved this as a kid!
• Klaus – a tale of a postman and a reclusive toy maker. Bit of cute animation that held their interest!
• It’s a wonderful Life – another classic I can’t say I remember! I knowwww. I’m sorry, I 100% watched it as a child but it didn’t stick with me.
• Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer – Edith watched this on her ipad and I’m reliably informed it was good. Will it be the Christmas win? Probs not, but once you have exhausted the best, you have an option for drives to Grandparents if they are a distance!
• Santa Paws 1 & 2 – The kids love it!
• Frozen 1 & 2 – I see you, suggesting its not a Christmas movie and all I have to say is… sod off, there is snow so we are counting it.
• The Princess Switch 1, 2 and 3 – we watched this the other day and surprisingly Reuben liked it best!
• A Christmas Carol – obvs. Pick a remake, any remake – there are two in 2022.
• A Muppet’s Christmas Carol – once again, I’m serving you classics.
• Deck the Halls – calamity capers!
• Christmas with the Kranks – Tim Allen fans this one is for you!
• Arthur Christmas – I really like this movie, it’s so heartfelt and actually one of the better animations!
• National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – really exposing myself with this blog post, but this is another classic I’m not that into. Slap stick comedy has never been my thang!
• Jingle all the way – I love this one, we did put it on for the kids one year and they thought it was ok, but it was ‘old’. Sob.
• Jack Frost – what a belter! Still gets me every time.
• The Nightmare Before Christmas – it’s a Halloween film, cough.
• Fred Claus – I thought this one was good!
• Robin Robin – bit Wallace and Gromit I think!
• Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas – obvs.
• Mickey’s Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse – this is actually brill, one for the disney lovers.
• Christmas… again?! – Ok, we haven’t seen this one, but it’s on our list as one of Disney’s 2021 offerings!
• Godmothered – though technically not a Christmas film (I don’t think so anyway) it’s got a festive vibe and I love that.
• The Claus Family 1 & 2 (2022) – Dutch film (dubbed) that is very sweet!
• I’ll be home for Christmas – one to watch whilst explaining your tween crush on JTT…
• Good Luck Charlie – another comedy Christmas film with a feel good vibe.
• 48 Christmas Wishes – Old school fun!
• 8-bit Christmas – a new one that, again, I haven’t seen yet but will be watching at the weekend!
• Christmas on Mistletoe farm – a new offering for 2022, this is tipped to be clamity capers on a farm, very similar to Nativity etc with kids trying to bring on the Christmas joy.
• The Noel Diary – new for 2022, this may or may not be for older kids but it sounds really intriguing and like an adventurous Christmas film for sure.
• A Christmas Story Christmas – new for 2022 and the long awaited sequel to A Christmas Story!