12 Best family friendly Christmas movies

“Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. And when he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?” – It’s a Wonderful Life

There are so many touching, influential and positive messaging movies centered around the holidays. Far too many of the modern offerings are shallow and crass (says the Grandma). Why settle for that?

Christmas movies can be family friendly and entertaining! In the midst of laughter and gripping heart stories? Truths about love and joy and kindness can be found.

On that note, a departure from my normal style of posts.

An offering of what our family has enjoyed over the years. Christmas movies that your family can enjoy, together. Because memories are made in the ordinary moments.

Christmas movies create awesome family time

Americans are enjoying just 37 minutes of “quality time” as a family on weekdays.

While the average family is not even spending 40 minutes together on Monday through Friday, the survey showed that quality time did increase to about 2 hours and 40 minutes on weekend days.

Life can be busy, however, family time just can’t be encouraged highly enough! Children anticipate time spent with their grown-ups… especially when they can look forward to a family night.

Movie nights are perfect opportunities to cuddle up and enjoy a story. Make it fun! In these economic times, family friendly movies at home give us a break from the world at large. A refuge, that doesn’t have to cost much (or anything).

Blanket forts, a simple snack, subtle lighting. The mood is set. Who knows? Maybe a conversation will even be sparked about the true meaning of Christmas, and how to take the lesson learned from the movie…and use it practically?

There is NO sales push here to buy from the links listed. And while this post contains affiliate links, they add NO additional cost to you, but may earn me a tiny commission to help support this blog. They are here only for your convenience.

Check out your local library or streaming sources first to save money! We’ve slowly collected them on DVD, so we can always have access to them.

Family-friendly Christmas movies

Click on the movie photo for more information.

Christmas with the Kranks is usually our holiday kickoff family choice.

Spike Frohmeyer: You’re skipping Christmas! Isn’t that against the law?

2. Who can not get misty-eyed when the General gets celebrated in White Christmas?

“May all your Christmases be white. Merry Christmas!”

3. The technology might seem dated now to some, but we are still impressed every year. The Polar Express is so well done! It is amazing how it has blossomed into train ride events across the nation. Fun family memories for sure!

“Seeing Is Believing, But, Sometimes, The Most Real Things In The World Are The Things We Can’t See.” — The Conductor

4. I am a sucker for the old black and whites, but if you prefer the Disney version of A Christmas Carol you can click here. It IS amazingly done, but when my kids were young, some scenes were scary to them.

“Good Spirit, your nature intercedes for me and pities me. Assure me that I may yet change these shadows, by an altered life. I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”- Ebenezer Scrooge

5. Home Alone is such a fun movie…if you have smaller children, there are a few scenes with language you might want to preview.

“Keep the change, ya filthy animal.” — Gangster Johnny

6. I am generally not a Will Ferrell fan, so my family is shocked how much I love Elf. Perhaps because, like Buddy, “smiling is my favorite”.

“Treat every day like Christmas.”- Buddy

7. The Bishop’s Wife was a latecomer, only found a few years ago. What a loss! It is such a sweet and well acted tale by Cary Grant. I loved it!

Sylvester: The main trouble is there are too many people who don’t know where they’re going and they want to get there too fast!

8. Miracle on 34th Street could be a Thanksgiving/Christmas in between. It is a classic for a reason 🙂 If you are a black-and-white movie purist like me, click here.

Doris Walker: “Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.”

9. ♥sigh♥ please, introduce your kids to A Charlie Brown Christmas. We enjoyed the whole collection with other included holidays (The Great Pumpkin) here.

“‘For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.’ … That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.” — Linus

10. I’ve included Christmas Vacation, because it is a classic and some consider it family-friendly. Mmmmm borderline, not for young kids…but super funny when they go to bed, if not for everyone. There is some language and suggestive content, so please preview according to your family’s comfort level. ♥

“Save the neck for me, Clark!” — Cousin Eddie

11. If you are from my generation, you will remember with fondness the “oooohhhh” scene around the Christmas tree from Garfield’s Holiday Celebrations (The price is high since it includes Halloween and Thanksgiving…also good. Perhaps check a resale site like Mercari or Ebay? I’ve included a link for youtube)

Garfield: All right, you guys, just permit me one sentimental moment here. I have something to say: Christmas. It’s not the giving, it’s not the getting, it’s the loving. There, I said it. Now get out of here.

12. I’ve saved the best for last… my favorite movie of all time. We watch It’s a Wonderful Life before bed on Christmas Eve. Not a year goes by without tears and a refreshed heart from the lessons learned via George Bailey.

“Remember, no man is a failure who has friends.”

Here is a Baker’s dozen for you…

13. I grew up loving Santa and the three Bears on TV and still watch it, though alone as no one else in the family enjoys it, haha!

No list would be complete without mention of these shows which used to be called “specials”, that were on once a year. If you missed it? You were out of luck until the next year. So while I have interchanged TV shows/movies in my list, eh…let’s just call it entertainment 🙂

So, here are the beloved specials on DVD!