Best Family Christmas Movies
It's peek holiday time!
We love turning on the TV and getting wrapped up in a holiday classic, but it is frustrating when the movies don’t start until 8:00pm. I don’t know about you, but my kids are in bed, asleep at 8:00pm on most nights! I need my wind-down time, and I enjoy watching a grown-up holiday movie and still getting to bed before midnight.
Instead of watching the TV versions (good-bye commercials), we opted to just buy the best family Christmas movies this year. Let’s face it, the kids become obsessed and will watch them repeatedly for weeks at a time; not to mention, they make a great ipad upload for car trips. But with so many movie options, what did we choose? My kids are 12, 10, 8, 5, and 4. We needed a good variety, so my husband and I started talking. We each picked our favorites from growing up, and then we added in the ones our children are crazy about!
Top 12 Christmas Movies to Watch with Your Family
Frosty the Snowman: Rated G. The 1969 classic is still love by children today. Songs that everyone will sing along to accompany this movie as a snowman comes to life.
A Christmas Story: Rated PG. “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid!” All nine-year-old Ralphie wants is an official Red Ryder BB gun—and the only things standing in his way are a pink bunny suit, a leg lamp and a tongue sticking to a flagpole.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation: Rated PG. My husband’s absolute favorite. The Griswold’s plans for Christmas turn into an expected disaster!
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas: not rated. The Grinch tried to ruin Christmas in Whoville, but instead learns he is capable of love.
Elf: Rated PG. The tallest elf ever is sent down from the workshop to live with his own kind. This movie is full of maple-syrup humor and moments that everyone will love.
Miracle of 34th Street: Rated G. My personal favorite! Gentle, kind Kris Kringle is hired to play Santa Claus and inspires belief in a family.
Home Alone (the entire series): Rated PG. The movie of my childhood; Home Alone captures every boobie trap a child could ever dream of! When he is forgotten at home while his family leaves for vacation, a young boy protects his home from the “Wet Bandits.”
Curious George, A Very Monkey Christmas: Rated G. We know every word to this movie. The man with the Yellow Hat and George prepare for Christmas as they try to figure out what to give one another.
Charlie Brown Christmas: Rated G. Boosting the most famous ‘pathetic’ tree ever, this film will have kids falling in love with Snoopy and the whole gang!
Polar Express: Rated G. This movie beckons for pajamas and hot cocoa! We even have the polar express train that goes around our tree. This movie follows along as a train picks up children and heads to the North Pole.
The Santa Claus: Rated PG. Oh, Tim Allen, you melt our hearts in this family drama when you become Santa Claus and help us all believe in the Christmas magic.
Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer: Rated G. The island of misfit toys attracts everyone in some way. This old classic just can’t be missed.
