Classic Christmas movies for the kids

Jingle All The Way

1996

Arnold Schwarzenegger faces his most harrowing enemy yet: the holiday shopping crowd. The Governator in his “family comedy” period is desperate to get the last remaining Turbo-Man action figure on Christmas Eve—even if it means fighting a Santa with candy-cane nunchucks. The contorted mix of action-hero hijinks and lowbrow jokes is just silly enough to make all the members of your family smile.

The Santa Clause

1994

Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) is upset to find that his ex wife and her new husband have told his young son that Santa isn’t real. On Christmas Eve while reading ‘The Night Before Christmas’, Scott calls out to someone climbing on his roof. He accidentally startles Santa Claus, who falls and vanishes, leaving an eight-reindeer sleigh and a suit.

The Polar Express

2004

Chris Van Allsburg’s quietly charming picture book about a train headed for Santa’s workshop becomes an overstuffed animated extravaganza thanks to this Hollywood cacophony of Christmas cheer. The pioneering movie (a major showcase for motion-capture technology) admittedly has dead-eyed characters with creepy skin textures, but the overall experience has wondrous moments of computer-generated spectacle.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

1993

Restless ghoul Jack Skellington tumbles into Christmas Town through a magical portal and becomes so enchanted with the holiday that he abducts Santa and decides to deliver presents himself—spooky gifts for every girl and boy, whether they want them or not. This shrewd seasonal mash-up of Halloween and Christmas is a spine-tingling hoot, with musical numbers galore.

Home Alone

1990

Macaulay Culkin holds down the fort against bumbling burglars while his family accidentally flies to Paris without him in this massive hit that’s every kid’s fantasy—and nightmare. While his Rube Goldberg booby traps and Edvard Munch–inspired visage deliver the laughs, it’s the warmer moments with negligent parents (as well as a mysterious shut-in neighbor) that give heart to this comic evergreen.

The Muppet Christmas Carol

1992

Jim Henson’s lovable menagerie puts its own spin on the venerable Victorian tale (as a musical, no less!) and intriguingly casts Michael Caine as a straight-faced Scrooge amid the slapstick charm of the renowned puppets. Even better casting: Kermit as Bob Cratchit—and his nephew Robin as Tiny Tim. God bless them, everyone!

Elf

2003

Towering comic actor Will Ferrell (Buddy) plays a wide-eyed sweetheart raised to be an elf until he outgrows the North Pole and is sent down to New York to live with his own kind.

It’s a Wonderful Life

1946

The reigning king of Christmas movies, Frank Capra’s poignant fable stars Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey, a man with big ambitions (and a bigger heart) who defers his dream of leaving small-town Bedford Falls, but makes personal sacrifices that create a staggering ripple effect of inspirational goodwill on earth—a great message for young viewers watching at home. He even helps an angel get his wings.