One of my favorite childhood memories was piling up on the couch with my sibling and cousins, cups of hot chocolate in hand, watching our favorite Christmas movies. Of course, our selection was limited to whatever was on TV or whatever VHS tape we could find at Blockbuster. Suffice it to say, we watched a lot of Charlie Brown and anything and everything Claymation.
Movies have come a long. And while there are some recent Christmas movies that have become almost overnight classics, there are a few oldies but goodies that have stood the test of time.
As you get ready for the holidays, we want to help you make sure that you have the perfect line-up of family-friendly holiday movies at the ready. From time-honored classics to newer Christmas sensations, we’ve put together a list of movies that will be just right for the whole family.
To pick our favorites, we considered the following;
- Rating and age-appropriateness – we’ve made sure these movies are clean, but also provide entertainment for young and old alike.
- Accessibility – are there plenty of ways and places to watch it?
- Message – is the message relevant and appropriate for the whole family?
And so without further ado, here are five holiday movies we’ll be watching this Christmas season!
1. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Rating: G
“A Christmas Carol” is perhaps one of the best-known holiday stories of all times. This Dickens’ classic tale of redemption has been read for generations, made into movies and translated to the stage. But no one tells the story quite like The Muppets. Featuring Gonzo as Dickens and Michael Caine as Scrooge, the always lovable Muppets cast turns this holiday tale into something that the whole family will love. Your little ones will appreciate the kid-friendly portrayal of Dickens’ ghostly themes, kids of all ages will be touched as Scrooge turns his life around, and you’ll enjoy a trip down memory lane with your favorite furry – and ridiculously funny – pals from childhood, The Muppets. As always with this crew, there’s singing. There’s dancing. And there’s no shortage of holiday magic.
Why we love it: This is just good old fashioned fun – for the whole family. From little ones, to teens, to grown-ups, The Muppets are ageless, timeless and always bring the perfect blend of funny and feeling to the screen.
Trailer:
Where you can watch it:
- Order the DVD on Netflix
- Rent or Buy on Amazon Prime Video (streaming) or buy a DVD/Blu-ray copy on Amazon
- Watch for free on HBO, HBO Go or HBO Now
2. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Rating: PG
When George Bailey, a small town man with big dreams that never quite came true, decides that he’s at the end of his rope, it takes a real-life angel – and a walk back through his own life – to bring him around. Jimmy Stewart plays the part of Bailey and with his lovable, charming antics, takes serious topics like war, hopelessness and depression, and turns them into experiences that we can all relate to. Although this film is now 70 years old, the message remains relevant for all of us –if we have the love of friends and family, then we really do have it all. The whole family will enjoy this tale of reflection, sacrifice and love – and I would almost guarantee that you’ll hear “every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings” quoted at least once between now and Christmas!
Why we love it: We love the timelessness of this movie. Even after 70 years, the themes of family, love and sacrifice during the toughest of times are relevant for us all. Basically, this movie is the spirit of Christmas wrapped up in a single, heartwarming script.
Trailer:
Where you can watch it:
- Order the DVD on Netflix
- Rent or Buy on Amazon Prime Video (streaming) or buy a DVD/Blu-ray copy on Amazon
- The Byrd Theatre in Carytown, December 24 at 7:15pm and December 25 at 7:15pm and 9:45pm. These special screenings feature the Byrd’s legendary Mighty Wurlitzer organ and a Christmas Sing-a-Long. Get more information here.
- USA Network, Sunday, December 11 at 9am and Friday, December 16 at 8pm.
- NBC, December 24 at 8pm.
3. A Christmas Story (1983)
Rating: PG
Follow the familiar childhood struggle of Ralphie Parker as he sets out on his quest to get the perfect Christmas present – a Red Ryder BB bun. Far from a portrayal of the “perfect family,” the Parkers are quirky, chaotic and unconventional at every turn. But they share an important message – that no family is perfect and even the best-laid plans can turn upside down. Although “A Christmas Story” takes place in the 1940s, it is filled with relatable characters, hilarious mishaps and all the frustrations of childhood, in any era. The best part of this film is that it shows both parents and kids dealing with their holiday angst – which means that everyone in the family can appreciate this time-tested holiday favorite.
Why we love it: Because you can’t make this stuff up. We’ve all had that one thing we wanted more than anything. We’ve also had that one Christmas where nothing seemed to go right. This movie gives kids and grown-ups the chance to laugh together as they see themselves in all of the wacky, but lovable, characters.
Trailer:
Where you can watch it:
- Order the DVD on Netflix
- Rent or Buy on Amazon Prime Video (streaming) or buy a DVD/Blu-ray copy on Amazon
- TBS, “A Christmas Story” Marathon, starting at 8pm on December 24 and playing every two hours around the clock until the final airing at 6pm on December 25.
4. Elf (2003)
Rating: PG
This modern-day classic will keep the whole family laughing as Buddy the Elf (played by none other than Will Ferrell) sets out from the North Pole to find his real father. After growing up thinking he was an overgrown, and slightly dysfunctional, elf, Buddy finds out that his father (a human, of course) is actually living in New York – and worst of all, he’s on the naughty list. As Buddy enter the chaos of the human world for the first time, he brings his larger-than-life Christmas spirit to everyone and everything he touches. Audiences young and old will laugh with (and mostly AT) Buddy, but no one can fail to be touched by his loving and giving spirit as he attempts to bring his wayward father back into Santa’s good graces.
Why we love it: No one can bring the magic of Christmas to a role like Will Ferrell. We love this movie because it’s laughs from start to finish. It doesn’t try to tackle the world’s biggest problems – but it does remind us that Christmas is supposed to be filled with magic and childlike innocence – no matter what our age.
Trailer:
Where you can watch it:
- Order the DVD on Netflix
- Rent or Buy on Amazon Prime Video (streaming) or buy a DVD/Blu-ray copy on Amazon
- Freeform TV, December 12 at 9pm; December 13 at 7pm; December 18 at 9:50pm; December 24 at 7:40 pm; and December 25 at 5:40pm.
- Available for streaming on anytime on go.com (through select cable subscription)
- The Byrd Theatre in Carytown, December 17 at 10am. This special screening features the Byrd’s legendary Might Wurlitzer organ and Warner Brothers’ Classic Cartoons. Get more information here.
5. The Santa Clause (1994)
Rating: PG
While this may not be a movie that you find at the top of all of the “Christmas Classics” lists, we’ve included it for a very important reason. “The Santa Clause” tells the story of Scott Calvin (Tim Allen), a divorced father who accidentally kills Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, while his young son is staying at his house. Now, before you immediately stop reading, know that it IS a comedy – and it DOES have a happy ending! After his mishap, Scott finds himself magically transported to the North Pole where he must take on the role of Santa, himself. The story is filled with slapstick events that are sure to get a laugh, but more importantly, it shows how a father and son grow closer throughout the experience. Not every family fits the “traditional” family mold, and this tale of Christmas-gone-wrong (only to be made right) shows how even unconventional families can come together through the spirit of the holidays. With plenty of laughs and all the feels – “The Santa Clause” is fun for the whole family.
Why we love it: “The Santa Clause” reminds us that not all families are together – emotionally or physically—over the holidays…but that’s ok. By remembering what Christmas is all about – the people, not the presents – we can come together in very special ways.
Trailer:
Where you can watch it:
- Order the DVD on Netflix
- Rent or Buy on Amazon Prime Video (streaming) or buy a DVD/Blu-ray copy on Amazon
- Freeform TV, December 14 at 9pm; December 15 at 7pm; December 17 at 6:50pm; December 18 at 5:10 pm; December 23 at 8:50pm; December 24 at 5:35pm
With so many Christmas movies out there, we have to admit, it was hard narrowing it down. Other favorites like “The Polar Express,” “How The Grinch Stole Christmas,” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” are all well worth the watch. But, we hope that you’ll take the time to enjoy a few of our holiday favorites over the coming weeks, too. And if you have a favorite Christmas movie, we would love to know about it in the comments below. What makes it special to you? Let us know!
