Watching family Christmas movies rates as one of many people’s fondest childhood memories. The films you watch with your kids now could well end up becoming a lifelong tradition they share with their own kids and grandkids one day.

Are you looking for something to watch with the family to get into the holiday spirit? Here’s my list of the best family Christmas movies to check out this year!

Our top family-friendly Christmas films

  • National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation: This slapstick comedy in which Clark Griswold tries to give his family the perfect Christmas is my absolute favourite. It has me in stitches every time!
  • The Polar Express: This inspiring adventure of a young boy’s remarkable train ride to the North Pole is the perfect movie to share with anyone who is starting to have some doubts about Christmas magic. 
  • Angela’s Christmas:  This is a great one when you’re looking for something short. It’s a sweet family tale with an important message. If your family loves it, there is a second one, but I’ve not seen it yet.
  • A Boy Called Christmas: This Santa Claus origin story filmed in Lapland is about a boy called Nikolas who is searching for a place called Elfhelm and stumbles upon his destiny as Father Christmas. 
  • The Claus Family: This one has a fun premise: a boy discovers his grandfather is actually Santa Claus. Although most kids would find this really cool, he doesn’t actually like Christmas. But when his grandfather gets sick and he has to help him deliver presents, he realizes that it is up to him to save Christmas.
  • Home Alone: When a young boy’s family accidentally leaves him behind as they go on a holiday trip, he has to hold his own and fend off burglars with some creative approaches that will leave your kids in hysterics. Although there’s definitely some questionable parenting going on, it has a great message about the true meaning of Christmas and is one of the most popular Christmas movies of all time.
  • Klaus: Warm, sweet and funny, this Santa origin story involving a friendship between an Arctic postman and a village toymaker is one of our go-tos.
  • Father Christmas Is Back: This is a comedy in which four very different sisters get together for Christmas in their posh English mansion and receive an unexpected visit from their father. It’s an enjoyable watch, but note that it is rated PG-13, so it’s best for older kids.
  • Holiday In The Wild: This is a fun romantic comedy in which a woman goes on her second honeymoon in Africa alone after her husband ends their marriage and finds a new purpose there. This is not your typical festive movie, but it gives me extreme wanderlust and I love it 🙈
  • The Christmas Chronicles: The Christmas Chronicles is a newer film that quickly became a firm favourite and is one of the best family Christmas movies on Netflix. It involves kids plotting to catch Santa on camera and ending up having to help him save Christmas. If you like this one, there’s a sequel, too!
  • The Grinch: This animated film is about the infamous Christmas hater who tries to stop a town’s holiday celebrations and merriment. This one is perfect for families with younger kids.
  • Arthur Christmas: Another animated pick, this one has a simple premise: Santa’s son is trying to deliver a misplaced gift to a little girl before Christmas morning.
  • Miracle On 34th Street: When I say this tale of a department store Santa claiming to be the real deal is a classic, I’m not kidding – the original is from 1947, although a newer one was made in 1994. The story’s enduring popularity is a testament to just how good it is. I have not watched this with Nina yet, but I fondly recall watching it when I was little.
  • Elf: This hilarious movie is about Buddy, a human who was raised with elves at the North Pole and is shocked to discover he’s not really an elf himself. He then heads to New York City to find his real father and tries to befriend him. It’s upbeat, funny and appropriate for all ages.
  • Godmothered: This movie is about a fairy godmother, but it takes place at Christmastime, when an inexperienced fairy-godmother-in-training sets out to prove herself by helping a woman whose request for help as a girl went ignored.

My To-Watch List

There are quite a few movies on my to-watch list this year. Perhaps I’ll be back next year with a report on some of them. In the meantime, I’ll drop them here in case you need more inspiration. If you’ve seen any of them, I’d love to hear what you think!

  • David And The Elves
  • Falling For Christmas
  • Christmas Made To Order
  • Holiday Home Makeover With Mr Christmas (Series)
  • Christmas Under Wraps

Merry Christmas my dear friends!

Love,

Nakita xxx