Best 16 Holiday Films to Watch with the Family

There are few things better than getting cozy on the couch with a bowl of freshly-popped popcorn and watching a holiday-themed movie as a family when it’s dark and cold outside. Make these 16 family-friendly movies your go-to checklist for Thanksgiving and Christmas so you don’t miss out!

A Family Thanksgiving

This might just be mom’s choice, because this Hallmark original is about a single female attorney who is thrust into an alternative life where she is forced to play the role of a mother and wife. It doesn’t take long for her to realize how hard it is to be a mom, but the role slowly begins to grow on her. She starts to recognize what she has been missing out on while trying to become partner at her firm.

Charlie Brown Thanksgiving & Christmas

The Charlie Brown holiday movies are absolute classics. Fun for all ages, the Thanksgiving movie features Charlie Brown as he navigates Peppermint Patty’s open invitation to all the Peanut characters to visit his house for Thanksgiving dinner. Plus, Snoopy makes an appearance when he makes his version of the Thanksgiving meal for Woodstock and others. The Christmas movie focuses on Charlie Brown as he wrestles with the commercialism of Christmas. Fortunately, his friend Lianus helps him to appreciate Christmas once again by reminding him of the true reason for Christmas: the birth of Jesus, the Savior of the world.

Christmas on 34th Street

A personal favorite, make sure to watch this on Thanksgiving Day because it opens with the New York City Cole’s Thanksgiving Day parade, when Kris Kringle himself is recruited to be the parade’s Santa. PR executive Dorey Walker quickly convinces him to be Cole’s Santa for the season, but she doesn’t know what to do about the fact that he claims to be the real Santa. Her six-year-old daughter Susan also has her own internal struggle with whether or not to believe Santa is real. This movie will captivate you like no other. If you’ve ever doubted Santa Claus before, rest assured, because by the end of this movie, you’ll know he’s real.

Elf

Follow Buddy as he journeys to New York City from the North Pole to find his birth father, only to discover he doesn’t believe in Santa. This movie is hands-down a family Christmas classic and should be watched annually. Buddy’s wild antics are hilarious without fail, whether it is your first time watching or your fifteenth, and the friendships he develops throughout his time in New York will warm your heart.

Eloise at Christmastime

If you have girls, you simply have to put Eloise at Christmastime on your must-watch list. Eloise is spunky and sassy and is everything you would expect of a six-year-old girl. The daughter of the New York Plaza hotel’s owner is getting married, but Eloise is determined to convince her to break it off and marry her first love. Eloise is not afraid to get into mischief if it means a little fun, and her British nanny is constantly in hot pursuit of her as she runs through the halls looking for adventure.

Free Birds

If you’re looking for a fall-themed adventure movie, check this film out. It offers a light-hearted adventure tale of two turkeys who time travel back to 1621 and resolve to prevent all turkeys from becoming the Thanksgiving dinner centerpiece. They quickly encounter opposition, though, in colonist Myles Standish, who is eager to hunt the turkeys for the pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving meal.

Frosty the Snowman

Everyone loves Frosty, the snowman who “came to life one day” because of a magical top hat. This wholesome animated movie follows Frosty and his young companion as he heads north in an attempt to avoid melting as spring approaches, both oblivious that the magician is following them to steal the hat back.

Home Alone

If you or your family are looking for movies that will make you laugh until you cry, look no further than the Home Alone franchise. After being accidentally left by his family when they go on vacation, Kevin McCallister relishes his newfound freedom… that is, until he encounters the Misfit Bandits. Join Kevin as he fights these con men in the most creative, outlandish ways.

It’s a Wonderful Life

If your kids are under 10, there’s a chance this black & white movie won’t be their favorite. However, the storyline is tender and worth watching. As George mentally spirals, his guardian angel Clarence shows up to show him flashbacks of his life, pointing out the good George has contributed to the world. This inspiring movie will remind you of the beauty of your own life.

Jack Frost

If your kids liked Frosty the Snowman when they were little, there’s a good chance they will enjoy seeing this snowman come to life as well. This holiday comedy revolves around Jack Frost, an often-absent father, who returns to his son in the form of a snowman after a fatal car accident. Join Jack and Charlie on their snow-filled adventures!

Jim Henson’s Turkey Hollow

Stuck in eccentric Turkey Hollow for Thanksgiving, Tim and Annie Emerson decide to search for the Howling Hoodoo monster to entertain themselves. Soon, they find more than they bargained for and begin an unforgettable journey you and your kids will want to watch play out.

Scrooged

This is a modern spin-off of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and is perfect for a parent-teen bonding night. The comedic movie will have you laughing hard as Frank Cross, a successful but coldhearted television executive, encounters the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Future.

The Grinch

There’s a Grinch adaptation for everyone, from the new and old animated Grinch movies for your littles to the live-action one for your teens. No matter how many times you’ve watched it, you’ll be filled with the holiday spirit when you watch the Grinch’s hard, tiny heart triple in size. So pick your favorite version and watch the Grinch attempt to ruin Whoville’s Christmas cheer!

The Muppet Christmas Carol

Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and the whole gang is back in a special spin-off of Dickens’ holiday classic, A Christmas Carol. Be prepared for lots of singing and merrymaking!

The Polar Express

Would it be Christmas without a trip to the North Pole on the Polar Express? All aboard for this wild ride to learn the true meaning of Christmas. Fun for all ages, this animated movie is charming and one your children definitely need to see.

The Santa Clause

These installments will keep your family occupied for weeks between the three movies and the new television series. When Santa falls from Scott Calvin’s roof, Scott picks up his coat. Immediately, he and his son Charlie are transported to the North Pole, where he finds himself “stuck” becoming Santa Claus. Though he doesn’t initially believe it, his rapidly growing belly and white beard are signs that it’s true. If your family has been watching the Santa Clause movies for a while, you’ll be excited to watch the show that continues the family’s story and Scott Calvin’s crazy Santa adventures.

Other Movies:

Another set of Christmas classics includes the claymation films like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town, Jack Frost, Rudolph’s Shiny New Year, Rudolph & Frosty’s Christmas in July, and The Year Without a Santa Claus. However, your children may or may not appreciate these mid-1900s films like their parents did growing up. If you have older children, you might enjoy inviting them into the world of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Be sure to also keep an eye out for the new holiday movies coming out this year, including The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, That Christmas, and Red One.

CODEWORD: BestHolidayMovies