Let’s stop traveling for a moment and focus on Christmas – specifically, the best family Christmas movies out there. Some of these picks will be obvious, but just for fun (and because it’s my website), I popped some very strong opinions at the end. But ultimately, these are the movies we watch every holiday season and adore. Let me know what you think and what I am missing.Â
The Best Family Christmas Movies
Elf
It is hard to believe this movie is over 20 years old. I remember when it was released, and it became an instant classic (if that’s possible). It’s grown with the kids – they get different things out of it every time they watch. And we still crack up at the physical comedy.
Get this on (HBO) Max or Hulu if you are already a subscriber, record from television on TBS or TNT (with commercials), or pay to rent or own on Amazon Prime.
Home Alone
Isn’t it weird that this story plot wouldn’t even be possible in today’s modern world? (See this fantastic Google ad.) But our kids have always loved this movie. I do not like Home Alone 2, but the first one has so many great moments, and I still tear up when mom comes home.
Get this on Disney+.
The Star
I took the boys to see this in the theater when it released and still remember it vividly. This is such a wonderful movie, retelling the Christmas story and the birth of Jesus from the point of view of the animals. While a little heavy-handed with the messaging at times, at least it has humor and a fantastic cast.
Get this on Netflix.
Mickey's Christmas Carol (the short, original Disney version)
Thirty minutes is all it takes to do the perfect Christmas carol movie for families – that, and Goofy as Marley. This is short, sweet, and something I grew up watching every year.
Get this on Disney+.
The Grinch
The only Grinch movie worth anything is the one by Illumination Studios. I love this movie so hard – it feels perfect to me.
Available to Peacock subscribers or for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Even thinking about this movie to write this post has me laughing out loud. It is funny and utterly relatable. Our kids didn’t get to watch this until fairly recently (I would never recommend this for young families), but as teenage boys, they now crack up – particularly at the Aunt Bethany parts.
Get this on Disney+ record from television on TBS or TNT (with commercials),
White Christmas
There was a reason I was so excited to be in the musical theater production last year in my hometown… I love this movie. Does it have a ton of Christmas in it? Actually, no. And some of the musical numbers are really slow. But so many great memories here. Some years our kids join us when we watch this, some years not. But it is one I love.
Get this on Amazon Prime.
Other (probably unpopular) Christmas Movie Thoughts
About Die Hard…I am in the “Christmas movie” camp on this one, and Mr. Family Trip and I watch it together (no kids) every year. No idea why, given it’s not particularly heartwarming. But it is such a Bruce-Willis-late-80s throwback that it almost feels nostalgic. Â Â
About Polar Express… no one in my family likes this movie. At all. The animation is weird, too much Tom Hanks, the story meanders and makes no sense, and the hobo and the conductor are both creepy. We’ve all agreed that this is not on our list.
About A Christmas Story… while I adore this movie (we even considered going to the house while in Cleveland), the kids aren’t that into it.Â
About Love Actually… Mr. Family Trip hates this – he thinks it’s depressing. And once he said that, I couldn’t stop seeing that, too.
About A Charlie Brown Christmas… I love this movie, but we always forget to search for it on the various streaming services. As a kid, it was just kind of always on the network stations.
About The Holiday… I usually watch this once a year, but I am totally alone when I do.
We also do not watch A Miracle on 34th Street or It’s a Wonderful Life. Not sure why, they just didn’t take.
An extra for the road: our kids love the animated anthology Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas (on Disney+). They first watched it when they were little, but now I think it’s one of their traditions. Mr. Family Trip and I don’t usually join in on that one, but they don’t miss it.
Tell me what I am missing in the comments below – and Merry Christmas!
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