Spread The Holiday Cheer With These 15 Fantastic Family Flicks!
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Cosy up this season with a kid-approved festive holiday movie.
There are times during the holidays when you just want to decompress. I am a huge proponent of family game time , however, sometimes just chilling is exactly “what the doctor ordered.” Here is a list of 15 of our favorite kid approved holiday movies.
I want to note, there are many great movie classics and older animated films that I love. They are not on this list simply because for children who grew up watching amazing graphics or who are used to family movies that engage immediately, instead of building characters or a plot, many of the older movies lose appeal with younger audiences.
1. “The Nightmare Before Christmas”
At first, this feels like a Halloween movies.
It is a fun movie where a town of characters who celebrate and specialize in the scary holiday, Halloween, want to experience a heart warming holiday.
They work with what they know, causing laugh out loud moments in their attempt to bring Christmas to Halloween Town.
2. “Jingle All the Way”
This is a hysterical movie about a father who goes to extreme measures to make sure his son gets “the toy” of the year.
The backstory; the dad was so busy he let it slip to get the toy earlier. It seems he lets a lot slip.
While dad goes through many misadventures, he comes to realize he needs to re-prioritize.
3. “The Polar Express”
I do not know that my boys would have love this without experiencing it.
We have a “Polar Express” in Northern Arizona where you ride the train, see the North Pole and even get a bell at the end.
We also read the book.
These activities made the movie seem so real that the magic was able to break through their “not looking for sentiment” hearts.
Are you looking for ways to bring sentiment into the family?
Maybe deepen bonds? Bring more family time and feelings of “closeness” without the “ah mom’s”?
I asked my boys what their favorite memories were growing up, what did we do that made life special?
Here are our 10 “Family Traditions” that we created to make life extraordinary.
4. “Elf”
Buddy, is a human who was raised by elves.
He heads to New York City during the holidays to meet his biological dad.
His impressions are funny, about everything.
It is Will Farrell humor.
5. “The Grinch”
You almost have to watch a “Grinch” movie of some type during the holidays.
There are three that I found: the Dr. Seuss original, the 2000 Jim Carrey version, and the 2018 animated rendition.
I am not a huge fan of Jim Carrey in children’s movies, I feel gives them a slightly off color feel.
However, there are a few to choose from and the story and message is great!
6. “A Christmas Carol” or “Scrooge”
Just like “The Grinch,” you almost have to watch a “Scrooge” during the holidays.
There are 72 titles listed under “A Christmas Carol.”
You could watch one retelling each year for generations!
If you are feeling particularly adventurous and want to put a fun remake in for the kids, have a “blue Christmas” with “The Smurfs Christmas Carol!”
7. “The Santa Clause”
There are three in this series.
Tim Allen is Santa.
It is laugh out loud funny.
Santa is getting older.
He wants his family to be able to experience a “normal” life.
It is time to hang up the red suit.
He needs to find a perfect replacement.
8. “Arthur Christmas”
Santa is the family business.
Arthur’s Grandpa was Santa, and now his dad is Santa.
Eventually, it will be up to Arthur to make sure every child receives their special present when they wake up on Christmas Day.
Arthur is a little absent minded and clumsy, but he loves the idea of being Santa.
He is double checking one Christmas Eve after dad has left and realizes one girl has been forgotten.
Arthur has two hours to make it all okay!
9. “Noelle”
There seem to be a lot of movies about Santa retiring.
Let’s face it, it is a hard job and a lot of pressure!
In this movie, his son has been groomed to take over the family business.
However, he decides the present gig is not for him and walks away from it all.
This means that the fate of future Christmas magic and Santa is dependent on Santa’s daughter, Noelle.
10. “The Christmas Chronicles”
This is also a series of three movies.
This one stars Kurt Russel.
I think of all of the Christmas movies, our house loved these the best.
It all starts with a brother and sister and a video recorder.
Events escalate, the brother and sister have to accompany Santa for his journey of gift giving, and eventually they need to save Christmas.
A truly great and fun performance by Russel on guitar in jail.
11. “Jingle Jangle”
Do your children love musicals?
This is the holiday movie for them!
It is about a toymaker and inventor.
All with pizzazz, energy, and jazz hands.
12. “Klaus”
How did Santa ever begin?
Why did someone start giving presents to every child in the world?
This is a fun story about a postman who failed postman school and was sent to the North Pole.
13. “A Year Without Santa Clause”
This is probably the oldest movie on the list.
I chose it because it was different than the others.
Santa gets a cold and his doctor recommends rest instead of delivering gifts this year.
Mrs. Claus advises against it.
There is talk that people no longer believe in Santa.
Mrs. Claus enlists the help of two elves and Vixon to prove to Santa that people do believe in him.
14. “Jack Frost”
Fabulous message, with a little bit of tears.
Jack is the dad, a singer and musician in a band.
He focuses so much on the success of his music, he neglects his family.
Winter comes and he builds a snowman with his son.
He gives his son his favorite harmonica, telling him it is magic and if played will call him to his side where ever he is at.
Well, Jack dies in a car crash that winter.
A year later, Charlie, his son is remembering his dad and builds a snowman.
He pulls out the harmonica and plays, and the snowman becomes his dad!
The two, father and son, get to spend quality time together that they never had while Jack was alive.
15. “A Boy Called Christmas”
Another one that is completely different.
Two children are watched by their Aunt, which they are not happy about.
Life gets a little better when Aunt ruth tells a story about the origins of Santa Claus.
She tells a story of a king in Finland who demanded the villagers set out to find something that would bring hope to the land.
Christmas movies are a staple during the holiday season. There are plenty of family friendly ones to choose from, whether you are looking for laugh out loud funny, heartwarming, or one with good feeling life lessons. This holiday season, get in those matching PJ’s, break out the Chex Mix and egg nog and enjoy!