Five Christmas Movies To Watch With Your Children

by Staff Writer

Looking for family-friendly Christmas movies to watch with your children? We’re sharing five of our favorite Christmas movies perfect for boys and girls of all ages (and also their parents!) From a Disney fantasy to a kid-centric Hallmark movie we’ve got a flick you’ll want to watch for all the Christmas vibes.

The Nutcracker And The Four Realms

This Christmas fantasy is one of our favorites for the entire family. With a strong teenage girl protagonist and a brave teenaged boy leading the film, this magical story has all the Christmas sweets and toy soldiers a child could want. Inspired by the Nutcracker, this movie is an altogether new story that is sure to become a Christmas favorite.

All Clara wants is a key, a one-of-a-kind key that will unlock a box that holds a priceless gift from her late mother. 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.

Purchase or rent on Amazon.

Northpole

One of the few Hallmark movies we’ve found that really focuses on children, this Christmas-themed movie will keep the attention of kids and adults alike with elves, and peeks inside Santa’s workshop.

Northpole, the magical home to Santa & Mrs. Claus, has grown into a huge city powered by the magic of holiday happiness around the world. Yet as people everywhere get too busy to enjoy festive time together, the city is in trouble. Who can help save the cherished traditions of Christmas? One young boy, Kevin, might have a chance if he can convince his protective mom, Chelsea, to rediscover the magic of the season. With a little added help from Kevin’s charming teacher Ryan, a mysterious elf-like girl Clementine and a gospel singer named Josephine, Kevin is determined to bring his mom in on the fun and prove that one small voice can change the hearts of many. 

Buy or rent on Amazon.

Arthur Christmas

This slightly military-themed Christmas story features special forces elves and cool high tech gadgety alongside classic holiday themes and quaint cozy villages. Generational drama and heartfelt moments abound in this surprisingly touching animated movie, making it one of our faves.

This movie reveals the incredible, never-before seen answer to every child’s question: “So how does Santa deliver all those presents in one night?” The answer: Santa’s exhilarating, ultra-high-tech operation hidden beneath the North Pole. But at the center of this movie is a story about a family in a state of comic dysfunction and an unlikely hero, Arthur, with an urgent mission that must be completed before Christmas morning dawns.

Buy or rent on Amazon.

The Star

This animated look at the biblical foundation of the Christmas holiday features talking animals as they share their view of the Nativity. With some touching moments and a lot of laughs, this movie provides an entertaining and star-studded way to teach your kids about the reason for the season.

In The Star, a small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day he finds the courage to break free, and finally goes on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, a lovable sheep who has lost her flock and Dave, a dove with lofty aspirations. Along with three wisecracking camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become accidental heroes in the greatest story ever told – the first Christmas.

Buy or rent on Amazon.

Klaus

This award-winning and celebrity-voiced animated film explores the mysterious origins of the man we’ll eventually see is Santa Claus. This interesting, quirky tale will keep both youngsters and parents enthralled as you discover how a very interesting character became the one we all know and love.

When Jesper distinguishes himself as the postal academy’s worst student, he is stationed on a frozen island above the Arctic Circle, where the feuding locals hardly exchange words let alone letters. Jesper is about to give up when he finds an ally in local teacher Alva and discovers Klaus, a mysterious carpenter who lives alone in a cabin full of handmade toys. These unlikely friendships return laughter to Smeerensburg, forging a new legacy of generous neighbors, magical lore and stockings hung by the chimney with care.

Watch on Netflix.