40 Kid-Friendly Christmas Movies

I hate to break it to you, but Christmas is right around the corner. I HOPE that this isn't a surprise to anyone. 

Around here, the local radio stations have started playing all Christmas music all the time (and if YOU want to avoid listening to The Carpenters, check out our handy dandy, super-dope Christmas Music Playlist). We have also had snowflake lights lining our small-town streets since November 12, and the Hallmark Channel has Christmas movies on non-stop rotation. So, I've created my own list of 40 kid-friendly Christmas movies and made-for-television cartoons and specials (which your kids will think are Christmas "movies").

You might be able to catch some of these suggested movies on TV throughout the season, BUT there are many kid-friendly Christmas movies that aren't featured on television each year. Check out Amazon for DVD versions of any of the movies listed below. 

I've listed the year and rating for each movie. And as with all of our movie lists, they are listed in alphabetical order (lest we launch into lengthy conversations about rankings). Please use your best judgment as to what movies are appropriate for your family.

1. Alvin and theChipmunks: A Chipmunk Christmas – 1981 – Rated G
2. Arthur Christmas – 2011 – Rated PG
3. A Charlie BrownChristmas – 1965 – Not Rated
4. A Christmas Story – 1983 – Rated PG
5. Christmas with theKranks – 2004 – Rated PG
6. Deck the Halls – 2006 – Rated PG
7. Elf – 2003 – Rated PG
8. An Elf’s Story – 2011 – Rated G
9. Fred Claus – 2007 – Rated PG
10. Frosty the Snowman – 1969 – Not Rated
11. Home Alone – 1990 – Rated PG
12. How the GrinchStole Christmas – 1966 – Not Rated
13. Ice Age: A MammothChristmas Special – 2011 – Rated G
14. It’s a WonderfulLife – 1947 – Not Rated
15. Jingle All the Way – 1996 – Rated PG
16. The Little DrummerBoy – 1968 – Not Rated
17. Meet Me in St.Louis – 1944 – Not Rated
18. Merry Madagascar – 2009 – Rated G
19. Mickey’s ChristmasCarol  - 1983 – Rated G
20. Mickey’s Once Upona Christmas – 1999 – Rated G
21. Mickey’s Twice Upona Christmas – 2004 – Rated G
22. Miracle on 34^thStreet – 1947 – Not Rated
23. The MuppetChristmas Carol – 1992 – Rated G
24. National Lampoon’sChristmas Vacation – 1989 – Rated PG-13
25. Olive the OtherReindeer – 1999 – Not Rated
26. The Penguins ofMadagascar: The All Nighter Before Xmas – 2011 – Not Rated
27. The Polar Express – 2004 – Rated G
28. Prancer – 1989 – Rated G
29. Prep & Landing – 2009 – Rated G
30. Prep & Landing:Naughty vs. Nice – 2011 – Rated G
31. Rise of theGuardians – 2012 – Rated PG
32. Rudolph theRed-Nosed Reindeer – 1964 – Not Rated
33. Santa Buddies – 2013 – Rated G
34. Santa Claus IsComing to Town – 1970 – Not Rated
35. The Santa Clause –1994 – Rated PG
36. The Search for Santa Paws – 2010 – Rated G
37. Shrek the Halls – 2007 – Rated G
38. Twas the NightBefore Christmas – 1974 – Not Rated
39. White Christmas – 1954 – Not Rated
40. The Year Without a SantaClaus – 1974 – Not Rated

And if you like this list and are interested in other top-notch movies for your kids to watch, head on over to check out our 50 Classic Kids Movies and 25 Kid-Friendly Halloween Movies lists. They're sure to please!

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