Make Family Movie Night Fun with These Holiday Classics
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PSN Team 
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Enjoy Family Movie Night Fun With The Best Holiday Movies
While any night can be a family movie night, nothing says gathering together in front of the television like the holidays. Sharing your favorite holiday movies with your children is part of the season’s magic. There is no better way to bond with your family than when you all cozy up to a good holiday show.
We are delighted to bring you some of our Christmas, Hanukkah (or Chanukah), Kwanzaa, and Las Posadas favorites.
Make Family Movie Night Fun With These Holiday Classics
While any night can be a family movie night, nothing says gathering together in front of the television like the holidays. Sharing your favorite holiday movies with your children is part of the season’s magic. There is no better way to bond with your family than when you all cozy up to a good holiday show.
This year, we have gathered a list of some of our “mom-recommended” favorite holiday classics, both movies and TV shows, including animated ones for the littlest members of your family. We’ve even included a few fun and tasty activities you can do along with these viewings to make the night more memorable.
We could not list all the movies and TV shows here; it would take forever to get through it. You probably have some of your favorite movies and shows to add to this list. If you’re like us, you probably watch some of them all year. The list below represents some of our favorites.
Some children (and some adults) have short attention spans and can only sit through a few minutes of a movie at a time. Celebrate any success and discuss what you saw.
Christmas
Home Alone (PG, Age 7+): A young boy is accidentally left alone when his family goes away on their Christmas vacation. He devises various schemes and antics to thwart the intentions of two bumbling burglars.
Honorable Mentions:
The Santa Clause (PG): A man becomes Santa after the previous one falls off his roof and disappears. (Age 5 and up with parental supervision for young children under 9)
Elf (PG): A human, raised as an elf, returns to New York City to learn about his origins and meet his biological father. (Age 5 and up, although some sites recommend 8 and up)
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (PG): The classic Dr. Seuss story about a green, grumpy grinch who wants to ruin Christmas for the residents of Whoville. (Age 8 and up)
A Christmas Carol (1984) (PG): A mean, old miser learns the meaning of Christmas when three spirits visit him on Christmas Eve. (Age 9 and up)
Miracle On 34th Street (G): This classic 1947 movie is about an elderly man named Kris Kringle who is hired to be Santa at Macy’s. (Age 5 and up)
It’s A Wonderful Life (PG): This holiday classic is about a man who discovers how the people in his life and his town would have turned out if he had not been born. (Age 9 and up)
The Search For Santa Paws (G): Santa’s magical pup, an orphan, and her friend team up to help Santa regain his memory. All ages
Animated Movies:
The Polar Express (G): A young boy learns about bravery, friendship, and the Christmas spirit on a magical journey to the North Pole. (Parental guidance is still recommended for children under 13, and it may not be suitable for under 5)
The Muppet Christmas Carol (G): The lovable Muppets portray the characters of Charles Dickens’s Christmas classic. (Age 5 and up)
The Nightmare Before Christmas (PG): Halloween Town’s Pumpkin King, Jack Skellington, tries to bring Christmas home. (Age 7 and up, although some sites recommend it for over 10)
Christmas Shows For Little Ones:
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer: A young reindeer with a red nose overcomes adversity and helps save Christmas.
Frosty The Snowman: A snowman comes to life when a magician’s hat lands on his head.
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Charlie Brown searches for the deeper meaning of Christmas.
Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas: Three wonderful stores featuring Mickey Mouse and the gang.
Mickey’s Christmas Carol: The Charles Dickens story portrayed by classic Disney characters, featuring Mickey Mouse, Scrooge McDuck, Donald, Goofy, and more.
Prep & Landing: Two elves work together to prepare homes around the world for Santa.
Shrek The Halls: Shrek learns about the meaning of Christmas and the importance of being together with family and friends.
The Year Without A Santa Clause: Santa is tired and discouraged and decides to vacation on Christmas. A young boy encourages everyone around the world to send Santa presents.
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas: Charming cartoon of how the mean grinch changes his mind after trying to ruin Christmas for the residents of Whoville.
A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa: A wild and funny adventure when Kermit and friends have to deliver three letters to Santa.
Santa Clause Is Comin’ To Town: A mailman tells the story of how Santa Clause came to be.
Christmas Family Activity:
Grinch Popcorn: This is a Parenting Special Needs Magazine favorite. We have devoted an entire article to making this special holiday treat. It is perfect for enjoying while watching your favorite Christmas shows together, giving gifts, or using the preparation as teaching moments. You can find information, ingredients, and directions through the link below.
Hanukkah
Full-Court Miracle (G, Age 7+): Young Yeshiva basketball players search for a coach to help them win during the Hanukkah season. This entertaining movie highlights the importance of honesty and teamwork while showcasing the history of the Hanukkah oil lasting for eight nights, which is compared to a generator miraculously working even when it is out of gas.
Honorable Mentions:
Eight Crazy Nights (PG-13): Adam Sandler portrays a man who gets in trouble and has to perform community service during the holiday. (For older kids and adults)
An American Tail (G): A young mouse gets lost as his family of Russian mice moves to a new country (For any age)
Eight Gifts of Hanukkah (G): A woman receives 8 nights of presents from a secret admirer. (Age 7 and up)
Hanukkah Shows for Little Ones:
A Rugrats Chanukah: The Rugrats learn about the meaning of Chanukah from Grandma Minka.
Shalom Sesame: The Missing Menorah: Grover brings latkes, but Anneliese loses her menorah, and they have to find it.
A Blue’s Clues Festival of Lights: Blue and Josh try to guess the surprise Chanukah guests and celebrate with dreidels, latkes, and songs.
Hanukkah Family Activity:
Kwanzaa
Holiday Heritage (NR, age 8+): A woman returns home to her small hometown and is helped by her ex-boyfriend as she tries to mend fences and help her family heal by encouraging them to celebrate Kwanzaa and Christmas.
Honorable Mentions:
The Black Candle: A Kwanzaa Celebration (NR): A documentary that explores the struggles and triumphs of the African-American family and experience. (All ages)
Kwanzaa Shows for Little Ones:
The Proud Family: Seven Days of Kwanzaa: A homeless family teaches the Proud Family about the true meaning of Kwanzaa and Christmas.
Rugrats: A Rugrats Kwanzaa: Aunt T. visits and tells Susie about the meaning of Kwanzaa.
Kwanzaa Family Activity:
Kwanzaa Rice Krispie Treats: Turn everyday Rice Krispie treats into Kwanzaa goodies with themed cookie cutters, or make your own shapes from sturdy cardboard. Decorate your treats with colored frosting and sugar sprinkles.
Get ingredients, directions, and decorating tips here.
Las Posadas
The Three Caballeros (G): This Disney film featuring Donald Duck has seven segments. One, “Las Posadas,” tells the story of a group of Mexican children celebrating Christmas by reenacting Mary and Joseph’s journey and their search for shelter. Once they are offered shelter, festivities, including piñata breaking, are featured.
Honorable Mention:
The Night of Las Posadas (G): A story that tells the about the Christmas Eve Procession. (Read aloud book online)
While there are fewer movies or shows about Las Posadas, you can find some 2- —to 3-minute video shorts online.
Las Posadas Family Activity:
Get a star-shaped piñata and fill it with little holiday treats, including candy and small toys. You can even decorate a stick or broomstick with colorful streamers and ribbons to make smashing the piñata more fun.
Ratings:
G = General Audiences
PG = Parental Guidance Suggested
NR = No Rating (typically ok for general audiences)
Perfect Bites for Your Movie Night
- Cooking with Kids: “Cheesy” Cauliflower Popcorn
- Cooking With Kids: Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Sodas
- Grinch Popcorn Festive And Fun Perfect For The Holidays
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This post originally appeared on our November/December 2024 Magazine
