Watching Christmas movies with my little ones is one of my favorite family holiday traditions. We love to snuggle up on the couch with our hot cocoa, popcorn, and comfy slippers and see which holiday special is on for us to watch together. My preschool-age children love animated holiday classics the most. I am excited to share with you 30 Christmas movies that warm my heart both as a teacher and as a mom!
1. A Charlie Brown Christmas
One of the best ways to get into the holiday spirit is by watching A Charlie Brown Christmas. This movie will quickly become one of your family’s favorite holiday movies. However, you may need to be prepared to watch it more than once this holiday season.
Learn More: Amazon
2. Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas
Many preschoolers may already recognize Mickey Mouse from watching their favorite Disney shows and movies. They will love watching Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas this holiday season.
Learn More: Amazon
3. Original Christmas Classics
The Original Christmas Classics collection comes with all of the classic holiday films including Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Special, Frosty the Snowman, Frosty Returns, Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, The Little Drummer Boy, and Cricket on the Hearth.
Learn More: Amazon
4. Merry Christmas, Olivia
Merry Christmas, Olivia is a favorite among toddlers. This animated adventure is made up of 8 fabulous stories that will have your toddler hooked on Olivia the pig!
Learn More: Amazon
5. Curious George- A Very Monkey Christmas
Curious George- A Very Monkey Christmas is sure to bring some holiday cheer – and a whole lot of laughs into your home this Christmas season.
Learn More: Amazon
6. Dora’s Christmas Carol Adventure
Dora the Explorer is a beloved name in our house! Your preschooler will love to join Dora and her friends for holiday fun and adventure in Dora’s Christmas Carol Adventure.
Learn More: Amazon
7. The Polar Express
All Aboard! Is your toddler ready to imagine themselves on an epic adventure riding a magical train at Christmas time? If so, you may want to check out The Polar Express. The Polar Express is certain to become a favorite for the whole family.
Learn More: Amazon
8. Santa Buddies
Santa Buddies is perfect for the pup-loving preschooler in your life. This is a fun story in which Santa Claus and his puppy friend Santa Paws go on an extraordinary adventure to spread the Christmas spirit.
Learn More: Amazon
9. The Star
The Star is one of the most fun holiday specials. This movie features big names in Hollywood including Steven Yeun, Keegan-Michael Key, Oprah Winfrey, Aidy Bryant, and Gina Rodriguez. I would rate this movie as one of the best Christmas films for children.
Learn More: Amazon
10. Once Upon a Sesame Street Christmas
Sesame Street is a very popular children’s show that all preschoolers can enjoy. Once Upon a Sesame Street Christmas features all of your favorite characters from Sesame Street that your children know and love.
Learn More: Amazon
11. Frosty the Snowman
Frosty the Snowman is a classic story that many generations have enjoyed at Christmas time. Frosty the snowman will always be one of my favorite holiday movies for toddlers.
Learn More: Amazon
12. Thomas and Friends: The Christmas Engines
Do you hear the whistle? That’s Thomas and Friends: The Christmas Engines waiting to be viewed! This beloved holiday movie will become one of your family’s favorites in no time.
Learn More: Fandom
13. Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year
Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year is a heartwarming story for the whole family. Winnie the Pooh has always been one of my children’s most beloved characters. I hope your children love this movie as much as my children have.
Learn More: Amazon
14. All I Want for Christmas is You
This Christmas movie features favorite holiday music by award-winning artist Mariah Carey. This movie is about a young Mariah’s wish for a new puppy. Do you think her Christmas wish will be granted? You will have to watch to find out!
Learn More: Amazon
15. If You Give a Mouse a Christmas Cookie
If you Give a Mouse a Christmas Cookie is sure to be a merry time for your preschool child to watch around the holidays. I personally love to watch this movie while the Christmas cookies are baking in the oven. Your children will love to bake their own cookies too!
Learn More: Amazon
16. A Frozen Christmas Time
Dance party, anyone? Lace up your dancing shoes and watch A Frozen Christmas Time with your little ones this holiday season. This family-friendly movie will bring much joy to your preschoolers as they watch it again and again.
Learn More: Amazon
17. Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure
Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure is the ideal Christmas movie for dog lovers far and wide. Beethoven is a St. Bernard who is on a mission to save an elf and bring him home before Christmas day. Do you think he will accomplish his mission?
Learn More: Amazon
18. Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer
Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer is a highly rated Christmas movie about a strong miniature horse that travels to the North Pole to compete for a spot to pull Santa’s sleigh. Elliot’s determination shows children that you can do anything you put your mind to.
Learn More: Amazon
19. Little Brother, Big Trouble: A Christmas Adventure
In the Christmas movie Little Brother, Big Trouble: A Christmas Adventure, Niko is a young reindeer who is determined to save Christmas by finding his little brother who went missing. This movie relays the true meaning of Christmas by emphasizing the importance of family.
Learn More: Amazon
20. The Flight Before Christmas
The Flight Before Christmas is about a flying squirrel who teaches a young reindeer how to properly soar through the sky. The reindeer must overcome a bad case of vertigo in the process. This is a great movie that depicts overcoming obstacles and embracing others with disabilities or medical challenges.
Learn More: Amazon
21. Arthur Christmas
If your child has ever asked, “how does Santa deliver presents to everyone in one night? You may need to watch Arthur Christmas. This movie shares all of the magical stunts that keep Santa on task- until one child is missed and Santa’s son Arthur steps in to help!
Learn More: Amazon
22. Kung Fu Panda: Holiday
Have you ever had to decide between going to two-holiday events? In Kung Fu Panda: Holiday, Po finds himself in a pickle when he has to make an important choice. Will he decide to host dinner for the kung fu masters or spend the holiday with his father?
Learn More: Netflix After School
23. Get Santa
Get Santa is a Christmas movie that the whole family will enjoy. Find out what happens when Santa and his reindeer experience a crash that lands them captured in prison. Will they fix the sleigh and find a way out?
Learn More: Warner Bros. UK
24. Peppa Pig: Peppa’s Christmas
Your little ones will enjoy this collection of 12 Christmas-themed episodes with Peppa Pig. Join Peppa’s family on their search for their Christmas tree and prepare for the Christmas holiday.
Learn More: Amazon
25. Disney’s a Christmas Carol
Disney’s a Christmas Carol tops my personal favorite list of Christmas movies. The eye-catching animations will keep your children’s attention and Jim Carrey’s portrayal of Scrooge will keep the whole family entertained for many years to come.
Learn More: Walt Disney Studios
26. Klaus
Klaus is an entertaining family movie brought to you by Netflix Film. It is about an unlikely friendship between a postman and a toymaker that team up to bring holiday cheer to people in need.
Learn More: Netflix
27. Olaf’s Frozen Adventure
What is your favorite holiday tradition? In Olaf’s Frozen Adventure, your child will enjoy the search for family traditions with Olaf this Christmas season. You may even pick up a few new traditions to try with your own family!
Learn More: Rotten Tomatoes Trailers
28. Home: for the Holidays
Home: for the Holidays is a DreamWorks special featuring all of your favorite characters from the original movie, Home. In this Christmas special, Tip and Oh bring Christmas to the Boovs. Watch to see how it all unfolds!
Learn More: Netflix After School
29. Spirit Riding Free: Spirit of Christmas
Spirit Riding Free: Spirit of Christmas explores the journey of three friends as they travel home on their horses for Christmas. They experience many obstacles along the way. Will they make it home in time for Christmas?
Learn More: Netflix
30. Annabelle’s Wish
Annabelle’s Wish is about a young calf named Annabelle who has always wanted to soar with Santa and his sleigh on Christmas Eve. The only problem is that Annabelle is a calf, not a reindeer. Join Annabelle and her friends to see if her Christmas wish comes true.
Learn More: Amazon
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