11 of the Best Movies to Watch During the Holidays
‘Tis the season to enjoy our favorite family traditions!
Cozy up with your most comfortable Birdie Bean family pajamas and grab your popcorn and celebrate the spirit of the season with these holiday classics. Ignite imaginations and spend quality time together as a family with 11 movie recommendations that are mom and kid approved!
11 of the Best Movies to Watch During the Holidays
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Rating: PG, Recommended for ages 5+
The Muppet Christmas Carol is a true holiday classic. Incredible music, performances, and lessons learned throughout, this is one you definitely have to watch with the family this year. Michael Caine plays Ebenezer Scrooge from the classic tale, and the Muppets all line up to show him how love is truly the answer.
The Polar Express
Rating: G, Recommended for all ages
Every year on Christmas Eve my family gathers to read The Polar Express at my grandparent's house. This story holds a special place in my heart and has to be recommended to anyone looking for a family night. Remakes of books are usually meh… but luckily this adaptation brings to life a holiday classic for the whole family.
It’s a Wonderful Life
Rating: PG, Recommended for ages 7+
Down-on-his-luck dad George Bailey wishes aloud that he was never born, and the movie follows his story. It's a Wonderful Life ends on a high note, thanks to the help of bumbling angel Clarence Oddbody. It’s a Wonderful Life is a classic that will bring your family together, without a dry eye in the living room as George Bailey's daughter, Zuzu, announces that every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
Rating: PG; Recommended for ages 7+
Jingle Jangle is a fairly new Christmas movie from a couple of years ago, it has holiday classics written all over it. A musical filled with magic and innovative toys, you can’t miss it. This story follows a once happy toy maker whose granddaughter has appeared on his doorstep, giving him a new purpose!
The Elf on the Shelf: An Elf's Story
Rating: Unrated; Recommended for all ages
With the rise of popularity for the Elf on the Shelf, having an animated story to back up your Elf’s life will help your kids believe even more in being good around the holidays. This movie follows Chippy, who is assigned to a family that includes a boy who is questioning the magic of Christmas. Follow Chippy’s journey to learn why his job is so important.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Rating: Unrated; Recommended for all ages
Is it even Christmas if you haven’t watched a Charlie Brown Christmas together as a family? This holiday classic has withstood the test of time and will be the perfect short for kids and a nostalgic pick for parents.
Christmas lights may be twinkling red and green, but Charlie Brown has the Yuletide blues. To get in the holiday spirit, he takes Lucy's advice and directs the Christmas play. And what's a Christmas play without a Christmas tree? But everyone makes fun of the short, spindly evergreen Charlie Brown brings back - until the real meaning of Christmas works its magic once again.
Elf
Rating: PG; Recommended for ages 7+
Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa's elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn't fit in, once an adult, Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, to find his real father. Elf is a Christmas classic that will entertain adults while sharing the true magic of Christmas with your kids and get laughs from the whole family.
Santa Claus
Rating: PG; Recommended for ages 5+
Divorced dad Scott has custody of his son on Christmas Eve. After he walks in on Santa doing his job, they’re magically transported to the North Pole, where an elf explains that Scott is now Santa Claus! And must take his place before next Christmas arrives. Make sure to watch the entire trilogy to see how Scott and his family take the news.
The Grinch
Rating: PG; Recommended for ages 6+
The Grinch and his loyal dog, Max, live a solitary existence inside a cave on Mount Crumpet. His main source of aggravation comes during Christmastime when his neighbors in Whoville celebrate the holidays with a bang. Will the Grinch be able to stop Christmas? Whether you choose to watch the original, the remake or the remake of the remake, the Grinch is sure to be a classic in your home.
Home Alone
Rating: PG; Recommended for ages 10+
When the youngest child in a large family gets left behind at home, he does what every kid would do. Eats way too much junk food and goes through his siblings' things. But when conmen attempt to rob his house, he single-handedly defeats them in his own clever and hilarious way.
Olaf’s Frozen Adventure
Rating: Not rated; Recommended for ages 3+
In keeping with the snowman theme, Disney’s Frozen characters share their take on how holiday traditions are made from family to family and show how different people celebrate different things in this short film.
Don't forget to shop for Christmas pajamas for your family's Christmas movie night this year! Shop our restocked Christmas collection here.
Holiday traditions come in all shapes and sizes! What movies do you love watching with your kids during the holiday season? What were your favorite holiday movies growing up? Share it with us here, or on Instagram @birdiebeanbaby.
