I usually try to limit TV for my kids but the Christmas season isn’t complete without movie marathons and these family friendly Christmas movies are the perfect thing to watch with kids of any age!
This post is all about the best family friendly Christmas movies to binge with your kiddos this season!
This post contains affiliate links.
Family Friendly Christmas Movies
What makes these family friendly Christmas movies?
Absolutely every movie on this list is rated either G or PG, so you know there won’t be any swearing or inappropriate scenes. The story lines are all very different so you won’t get bored but also easy to follow for younger kids. Plus, this list has a variety of movies, some cartoon, some real life so you can switch it up each night!
Arthur Christmas (2011)
This animated Christmas comedy shows the high tech system that Santa uses to wrap and deliver all the presents on time. But when Santa misses one present, his clumsy son Arthur is determined to get it delivered before morning!
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hr 37 min
Notable Actors: James McAvoy (Arthur), Hugh Laurie (Steven), Bill Nighy (Grandsanta)
Where to Watch:
- Rent or Buy on Vudu, Apple TV, & Amazon Prime Video
Elliot the Littlest Reindeer (2018)
When a miniature horse named Elliot has dreams of becoming one of Santa’s reindeer, he is willing to do anything to make his dream come true. Elliot will travel to the North Pole to compete for a spot on Santa’s sleigh.
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hr 29 min
Notable Actors: Josh Hutcherson (Elliot), Samantha Bee (Hazel), George Buza (Santa Claus)
Where to Watch:
- Free with Peacock Subscription
- Available to Rent of Buy on Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, & Apple TV
Christmas with the Kranks (2004)
Luther and Nora Krank decide they are skipping Christmas this year to spend all the money on a Caribbean cruise. So when their daughter calls from the airport to surprise them, they are forced to throw Christmas together in a matter of hours.
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hr 38 min
Notable Actors: Tim Allen (Luther), Jamie Lee Curtis (Nora)
Where to Watch:
- Available to rent or buy on Vudu, AppleTV, & Amazon Prime Video
Elf (2003)
After a baby crawls into Santa’s sack and is accidentally taken to the North Pole, he is raised by the elves to become a less than stellar toy maker. After finding out that he is human, Buddy adventures to New York to find his Dad who is currently on Santa’s naughty list.
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hr 36 min
Notable Actors: Will Ferrell (Buddy), James Caan (Walter Hobbs), Bob Newhart (Papa Elf), Zooey Deschanel (Jovie)
Where to Watch:
- Free on Paramount+ and HBO Max
- Available to Rent or Buy on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, & Apple TV
The Christmas Candle (2013)
By the famous author Max Lucado, The Christmas Candle is the story of a small town that believes in a magic wish granting candle they claim is given by an angel. The new reverend in town tries to modernize the town and get rid of the candle.
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hr 40 min
Notable Actors: Hans Matheson (David), Samantha Barks (Emily), Lesley Manville (Bea)
Where to Watch:
- Free on Prime Video, PlutoTV, Vudu, Hulu, YouTube & Apple TV
The Polar Express (2004)
This animated Christmas musical is based on a classic picture book about a little boy who boards the Polar Express on Christmas Eve to take a magical journey to the North Pole. When he gets there he discovers that one of the kids aboard the train will get to receive the first gift of Christmas.
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hr 39 min
Notable Actors: Tom Hanks (Ebenezer Scrooge), Leslie Zemeckis (Sister Sarah)
Where to Watch:
- Rent or Buy on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, AppleTV, & Vudu
Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving (2009)
When Laura’s dad could possibly lose his job, Laura realizes that her stocking could be empty this year. They tell Laura the story of a boy named Nicholas to help her realize the true joy it is to give rather than to receive.
Rating: G
Run Time: 47 min
Notable Actors: Mike Nawrocki (Larry)
Where to Watch:
- Watch free on YouTube
A Christmas Story (1983)
Ralphie tries to convince his parents to get him a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas even though everyone is telling him, “You’re gonna shoot your eye out.” When he receives one on Christmas morning and runs out to try it a bullet ricochets and knocks off his glasses. He ends up smashing his glasses while trying o find them but still is totally in awe of his new gift.
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hr 33 min
Notable Actors: Peter Billingsley (Ralphie), Melinda Dillion (Mother Paker), Darren McGavin (The Old Man)
Where to Watch:
- Rent or buy with Amazon Prime Video & Vudu
The Santa Clause (1994)
When a dad and his son discover Santa has fallen off their roof, the Dad will have to take over as Santa to make sure all the presents get delivered. He has to convince all the sceptics (even himself) that he really is the real Santa.
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hr 37 min
Notable Actors: Tim Allen, John Pasquin
Where to Watch:
- Free with Disney+
- Rent or Buy on Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, & Vudu
Home Alone (1990)
Kevin’s family accidentally leaves him behind when they leave for vacation on Christmas Eve. Kevin loves his new freedom but when he hears of two burglars breaking into vacant homes in the neighborhood, he plays tricks on them to convince them his whole family is still home.
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hr 42 min
Notable Actors: MaCaulay Culkin (Kevin), Joe Pesci (Harry), Daniel Stern (Marv), Catherine O’Hara (Kate)
Where to Watch:
- Free with STARZ Subscription
- Rent or Buy on Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, & AppleTV
Dr. Seuss' The Grinch (2018)
When the Grinch is annoyed by everyone’s Christmas celebrations, he decides to steal all the decorations, trees, and presents while disguised as Santa Clause. The way everyone responds to their things missing makes him rethink his hatred of Christmas.
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hr 25 min
Notable Actors: Rashida Jones (Donna Who), Cameron Seely (Cindy Lou Who), Benedict Cumberbatch (The Grinch)
Where to Watch:
- Rent or Buy on Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, AppleTV, & Redbox
The Star (2017)
This animated movie tells the biblical story of Christmas through the journey of a brave journey and his hilarious animal friends.
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hr 26 min
Notable Actors: Tyler Perry (Cyrus), Steven Yeun (Bo the Donkey, Gina Rodriguez (Mary), Kelly Clarkson (Leah), Oprah Winfrey (Deborah)
Where to Watch:
- Free to stream with Hulu LiveTV
- Rent or buy with Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, & Vudu
This post was all about the best family friendly Christmas movies that your family will love. Don’t forget to print off my free Christmas movie checklist to make sure you watch every single one! I would also love it if you would check out all the other freebies on my free printables page!
-Beautifully Busy Mom
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Meet the Author
This post was written by Monica, a mom of two and a Christmas enthusiast. Her goal is to make holidays full of memories rather than stuff.
