Merry Christmas season to one and all! It is finally December which means it is socially acceptable to watch Christmas Movies in the lead up to the big day while curled up on the couch with a Hot Chocolate in your favourite mug! With Netflix, Disney+, Amazon, Sky Movies and the TV Listings in general turning fully to Christmas, it is probably the time where I should admit that I’ve been binge watching Christmas movies since November. It’s my favourite thing to do and they make me happy! So for anyone who doesn’t know where to begin or, you would like some Christmas movie suggestions this post is for you.
This is part one of my Mega Christmas Movie list and we are starting off with the Family Friendly movies, so, as the Ghost of Christmas Present sings in A Muppets Christmas Carol “It is a season of the Heart. A special time for caring.” So, sit back and get ready to go on a journey through 25 Christmas Movies that you need to watch in 2020 to enjoy the true magic of Christmas!
25 Family Friendly Christmas Movies!
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Let the debate begin! Is it a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie? For us, it is both! Both? Both is good! That means you can watch it as many times as you like between October and the end of December. If you are not familiar with this movie, it follows Jack Skellington, King from Halloweentown, as he discovers Christmastown and instantly becomes bewitched by the festive season! He decides to bring Christmas to Halloweentown and abducting Santa Claus is just one part of his plan. Fabulous music, an interesting story and one of Tim Burton’s most famous creations.
Barbie in the Nutcracker (2001)
It wouldn’t be Christmas without at least one movie involving the classic that is The Nutcracker. One of our favourite Nutcracker movies in our household. The Mouse King casts a spell on Clara that makes her shrink! She teams up with the Nutcracker to find the Sugarplum Princess who is the only one who can undo this evil spell! The music in this one is stunning and completely on par to the actual ballet music of the same story.
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018)
The latest take on the world of Nutcrackers, toys that are alive and a realm of fairies. On Christmas Eve, Clara discovers that before passing away her mother left her a key to this magical realm. With this key, the fate of the world is relying on her. Keep an eye out for the star studded cast, some characters might surprise you!
Home Alone Collection
The movies in this collection worth talking about are Home Alone 1,2 and 3. However, there is a number 4 and a Home Alone the Heist (2012) if you feel like exploring them. It all kicks off when eight year old Kevin is left home alone over the Christmas and what he gets up to by himself. Movie two takes place in New York while movie three follows a new child, Alex, and has familiar elements from the first movie. These ones are very light hearted and all about the comedic aspect of the film through pranks and tricks.
Nativity Collection
Little kids, a fun teacher’s assistant and a great cast of unforgettable teachers, these three movies are guaranteed to make you smile. From a school production of the Nativity and new teachers; there is at least one character for everyone to relate to!
The Santa Clause Collection
It wouldn’t be Christmas without The Santa Clause movies! The first movie follows Tim Allen’s character, Scott Calvin, becoming THE Santa Clause. The second movie we see Scott having to find a Mrs. Clause to stay being Santa while movie three is all about Jack Frost trying to steal Christmas! By far, my favourite Christmas collection of movies and one we come back to year in and year out!
Santa Buddies (2009)
The movie series I associate with my siblings! The buddies movies follow a group of Labrador puppy siblings and the adventures they get up to! Santa Buddies is, as the name suggests, involving Santa and his puppy, Puppy Paws, the son of Santa Paws! Santa Paws is fed up being always nice and decides to learn how to have some fun with Butterball, one of the buddies!
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
The movie to the song that ALL children love this time of the year! This one is short and sweet. Trust me, you need to sit down and watch this one with the little ones in your life! It is a stop motion animation and one that has aged beautifully over the year while never losing the magic it brings to people every Christmas!
The Christmas Chronicles Collection
Two movies in this collection! We start off with siblings Kate and Teddy planning to capture Santa Claus on Christmas Eve! When the plan doesn’t go exactly to plan, they must team up with Santa and his elves to save Christmas! While in the latest installment to this collection, Kate as a teenager must help Santa from someone trying to end Christmas forever! My second favourite new Christmas movie of 2020.
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)
One of Netflix latest Christmas additions and the one that may just be my favourite for 2020. It follows the story of a Toy maker whose apprentice betrays him and he loses all joy until his granddaughter appears on his doorstep. This one is truly magic and I don’t want to give too much away. Just go watch it! Just a bit of a warning, it is magical and has been dubbed as the Christmas feel of ‘The Greatest Showman.’
The Star (2017)
One of the most famous stories ever told – The birth of Jesus – from the animals point of view. The kids here adore it and it gets watched at least ten times leading up to Christmas. A lovely retelling of the Christian reason why you celebrate Christmas. It opens with an epic number from Pentatonix and to be fair it has the best Christmas Movie Soundtrack in recent years! Check out the soundtrack if the movie isn’t your thing but I would highly recommend both!
The Snowman (1982)
A family favourite with one of the best songs ever associated with the Christmas Season. A snowman comes to life after a young boy builds him and their adventures take them on a trip to meet Santa! I like to think every Christmas ad tries to evoke the same feelings people get when they see this short animated film. “We’re Walking in the Air” is the famous song that is the only talking/lyrics in the entire animation!
Miracle on 34th Street
The Christmas movie I associate with my childhood. I cannot begin to try to tell you how many times I watched this movie! THE Santa Claus for me. The story follows nine year old Susan who is skeptical about Santa Claus and his story. While her mother tries to hire the best Santa for Macy’s store, Susan begins to learn the true meaning of Christmas and old Saint Nick!
Arthur Christmas (2011)
This one is such a feel good animated film! Arthur is Santa’s son who discovers that, due to a technical glitch, a little girl’s Christmas present has been misplaced. He sets out on an adventure to deliver said present before it is too late! This movie shows that Operation Santa Claus is nothing without the one person that believes that every child believing is what truly matters.
Klaus (2019)
A stunning 2D animation that will take your breath away! Klaus shows that even a simple small act of kindness can have a knock on effect. Follow Jesper, a postman who is stationed in a mean frozen town in the north who befriends Klaus; they decide to deliver toys for free to the local children.
Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018)
Is this movie solely on the list because Benedict Cumberbatch voices The Grinch? Yes, yes it is! Oh and animated Max (the dog) and the moose! That moose still cracks me up! The movie is nothing we haven’t seen before from The Grinch but it is a lovely animated version of the story. For the little little people in your life, this might be a good introduction movie to show them The Grinch before they watch the best movie of The Grinch ever made as he doesn’t seem as scary in this movie!
Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas (1999)
Another movie on the list that I associate with my siblings. Three stories are told in this film while we learn the true meaning of Christmas. The stories follow Huey, Dewey and Louie (Donald Duck’s Nephews), Goofy and his son Max and Minnie and Mickey Mouse.
Mickey’s Twice Upon A Christmas (2004)
The second installment of Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas but this one stands alone because the animation is completely different and can be a stand alone movie in itself and not compared to the previous one. I watched this for the first time this year and was surprised that it was as good as Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas. As always, there are three stories to teach us the true meaning of Christmas.
Beauty and the Beast Enchanted Christmas (1997)
Belle is my favourite Disney Princess and this movie was a Christmas favourite for my sister growing up! It takes place during Christmas at the Enchanted Castle where Belle prepares the castle for Christmas despite the Beast hating Christmas! Highlights include the whining glasses, the emotional song the angel sings and all your favourite characters celebrating Christmas.
Olaf’s Frozen Adventure (2017) and the Frozen Saga (2013&2019)
I may be a massively emotional person but I think everyone will agree with me saying Olaf’s Frozen Adventure is a lovely, heartfelt story. Anna and Elsa are getting ready to celebrate Christmas with Olaf and their friends but they realise they have no Christmas Traditions. Olaf decides to go from door to door in Arendelle to make a list of everyone’s Christmas Traditions so that Anna and Elsa can begin some themselves. Also with Elsa’s special powers, the Frozen movies themselves are a must watch this Winter Season.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
The best of the best when it comes to Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch! Jim Carey plays the iconic role of The Grinch and is, to many, THE Grinch that we all can’t help but love! This movie shows the meaning of the Christmas Spirit when six year old Cindy-Lou decides, in the spirit of Christmas, to change The Grinch’s mind about the most magical time of the year!
Elf (2003)
The Christmas energy in this one is the majority of the people in my household! Christmas is our favourite time of the year and who doesn’t agree with Will Ferrell’s character, Buddy, when it comes to SANTA being the best! Buddy the Elf is raised in the North Pole. When he finds out he is not really an elf, he embarks on a journey to find his real father in New York! The size of Buddy’s heart and love is what makes this movie truly special.
The Polar Express (2004)
One of the best Christmas animation movies in my opinion with a darker side! This one is all about the Children who are beginning to believe there is no such thing as Santa! Cue the Polar Express; a train that collects said children on Christmas eve to bring them to the North Pole to hopefully change their minds! One thing done incredibly well in this movie is the jingle of the bell, trust me you’ll understand when you see that part!
Noelle (2019)
The character that Emma likes to compare my love of all things Christmas to and she is 100% right! Noelle is the new Santa Claus’ sister. To help him destress before Christmas, she suggests he takes a weekend to relax. This results in Santa going missing! Along with finding her brother before Christmas Eve, Noelle learns the true meaning of Christmas with a little help from her friends.
The Muppets Christmas Carol (1992)
One Christmas tradition that will never be changed. This movie is on tv every Christmas Day morning and it always gets watched in our house. A true Christmas classic, A Christmas Carol, told with the Muppets as key characters! A must see movie for all the family at Christmas time! Scrooge is visited by three Christmas Ghosts to hopefully change his fate!
Well there you have it! 25 films the entire family can enjoy! I’ll catch you guys on Sunday for the Second Installment where we will be looking at 25 Christmas Movies for the Older Kids and the Adults!
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