15 Best Christmas Movies to Watch With Your Family (That Won’t Cause Any Fights or Snoozefests)

Let’s be real: every holiday season, your family group chat explodes with “What should we watch?” and somehow ends with everyone fake-laughing through the same 3 movies.

This year? We’ve got you covered with a list that’s funny, heartwarming, nostalgic, and actually worth pressing play. Whether you’re entertaining kids hopped up on candy canes or trying to impress your too-cool cousin, these movies hit the sweet spot.

Sometimes which streaming platform the film is on will change. Sometimes these change every month.

If it is not on the platform below search for the film name and “where to watch” to get a more up to date place for the film.

Let the holiday binge begin.

🎅 Classics That Still Slap

1. Home Alone (1990)

💥 Booby traps. Pizza. Kevin screaming into aftershave.
🍿 Best for: Kids 6+, adults who enjoy chaos
📍 Where to watch: Disney+

Rating: PG
Why: Cartoon-style violence (booby traps), mild language, kids in peril played for comedy.

2. The Santa Clause (1994)

🎅 Tim Allen accidentally becomes Santa. It’s weirder than you remember, and that’s part of the charm.
🍿 Best for: 90s kids and their 2020s kids
📍 Where to watch: Disney+

Rating: PG
Why: Mild language, some thematic elements about death (Santa falling off roof), fantasy peril.

3. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

💔 Feels heavy at times but ends with the warmest fuzzies.
🍿 Best for: Sentimental folks and grandparents
📍 Where to watch: Prime Video, NBC

Rating: PG
Why: Mature themes (despair, suicide ideation), mild violence, emotional intensity despite wholesome tone.

😂 Comedies That Won’t Cause a Holiday Fight

4. Elf (2003)

“YOU SIT ON A THRONE OF LIES.” Enough said.
🍿 Best for: Literally everyone
📍 Where to watch: Max, Prime Video

Rating: PG
Why: Mild language, brief rude humor, some comic peril; overall very family‑friendly.

5. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)

🎄 The Griswolds: making your family seem normal since ‘89.
🍿 Best for: Teens and grown-ups who’ve survived a chaotic holiday
📍 Where to watch: Max, AMC

Rating: PG‑13
Why: Strong language, sexual references, crude humor, adult jokes not aimed at kids.

6. Jingle All The Way (1996)

💪 Arnold vs. toy stores. So bad, it’s amazing.
🍿 Best for: Action fans, 90s dads, chaotic neutral uncles
📍 Where to watch: Disney+

Rating: PG
Why: Mild violence, slapstick action, brief language; safe but chaotic.

🎁 Underrated Gems You Forgot About

7. Arthur Christmas (2011)

🎄 British humor + high-tech Santa operation = gold
🍿 Best for: Kids and anyone tired of the same old reindeer
📍 Where to watch: Netflix

Rating: PG
Why: Mild rude humor, action scenes, thematic tension; very kid‑appropriate.

8. Klaus (2019)

🖌️ Gorgeous hand-drawn animation and a surprisingly moving story
🍿 Best for: Teens, animation nerds, holiday skeptics
📍 Where to watch: Netflix

Rating: PG
Why: Mild violence, emotional themes, some peril; generally gentle and heartfelt.

9. A Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

🎩 The only Dickens adaptation that slaps and features a singing rat
🍿 Best for: All ages (and especially nostalgic millennials)
📍 Where to watch: Disney+

Rating: G
Why: Very mild scary imagery (ghosts), otherwise wholesome and suitable for all ages.

✨ Cozy Modern Picks

10. The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

🎅 Kurt Russell is a cool, gruff Santa. There’s a car chase. What else do you want?
🍿 Best for: Families who love fast-paced festive fun
📍 Where to watch: Netflix

Rating: PG
Why: Mild language, action sequences, some peril; family‑oriented adventure.

11. Noelle (2019)

🧣 Anna Kendrick as Santa’s daughter? Yes please.
🍿 Best for: Tween girls, moms, Disney+ crowd
📍 Where to watch: Disney+

Rating: G
Why: No language, no violence, positive themes; extremely family‑safe.

12. Holidate (2020)

💋 A chaotic rom-com with adult vibes—watch after the kids go to bed
🍿 Best for: Teens 16+, rom-com lovers, couples night
📍 Where to watch: Netflix

Rating: R
Why: Strong language, sexual content, adult themes; not family‑friendly.

👶 Animated Magic for the Littles (and the Young at Heart)

13. The Polar Express (2004)

🚂 Uncanny valley eyes, yes—but still magical
🍿 Best for: Kids 4+, train lovers
📍 Where to watch: Max, Prime Video

Rating: G
Why: Mild peril and intense moments; otherwise safe for young children.

14. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)

💚 26 minutes of pure nostalgic joy
🍿 Best for: Everyone with a heart three sizes too small
📍 Where to watch: Peacock, YouTube

Rating: G
Why: Mild mischief, cartoon menace; short and completely family‑safe.

15. Frozen (2013)

❄️ Not technically a Christmas movie, but the snow, sisterhood, and music make it a must
🍿 Best for: Elsa stans and anyone who still sings “Let It Go”
📍 Where to watch: Disney+

Rating: PG
Why: Mild peril, fantasy action, emotional themes; appropriate for most kids.