Are you looking for the best Christmas movies for toddlers? Today I’ve gathered several favorites from movies under 30 minutes, to the best animated movies, to the simple classics we all love. I’m certain you’ll find a new family favorite below to enjoy this Christmas season.
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The Christmas Movies listed below are all rated PG or lower and appropriate your younger children including toddlers. But, you know your family best and make the decision what is appropriate for your little ones. So, for more information about these movies or any others you may be interested in, check out Common Sense Media for more thorough reviews.
I hope you find a new movie or an old classic to share with your family this year! Enjoy!
Best Short Christmas Movies for Younger Kids
We all know toddlers attention spans are short lived, so here you’ll find all our favorite movies for toddler that are under a half on hour long. These short movies are perfect for little ones with beautiful stories and animation.
The Snowy Day
(2016, 38 minutes)- Based on the award-winning book by Ezra Jack Keats. Peter goes on a magical, snowy walk to his Nana’s house to bring home their Christmas Eve dinner.
If You Give A Mouse A Christmas Cookie
(2018, 42 minutes)- While for Mouse, if it’s holiday time, then that means Christmas cookies (including a special one for Santa, of course), caroling…and one nearly-destroyed holiday pageant.
Stick Man
(2015, 27 minutes)- Stick Man lives in the family tree with his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three, and he’s heading on an epic adventure across the seasons. Will he get back to his family in time for Christmas?
Christmas to the Moon and Back
(2017, 27 minutes)- When Little Nutbrown Hare and his friends become lost on Christmas Eve, they are reminded that the greatest gift of Christmas is being with those you love.
Olaf’s Frozen Adventure
(2017, 27 minutes)- A Christmas-themed special featuring characters from Walt Disney Pictures’ 53rd full-length animated motion picture, “Frozen (2013)”.
Bob’s Broken Sleigh
(2015, 46 minutes)- This Christmas movie a young magic-less elf named Bob, who finds himself on a wild sleigh ride after being ambushed by the evil puffin Fishface. Stranded in the middle of a magical forest, it’s up to him and the friends he makes along the way to bring the sleigh back home in time for Christmas – if the puffins don’t get it first!
We’re Going on A Bear Hunt
(2016, 30 minutes)- Stan, Katie, Rosie, Max, the baby, and Rufus the dog decide to go on an adventure in search of bears.
The Snowman
(1982, 26 minutes)- On Christmas Eve, a young boy builds a snowman that comes to life and takes him to the North Pole to meet Father Christmas.
The Snowman and the Snowdog
(2012, 24 minutes)- A young boy whose dog has just died moves into the house in whose backyard the snowman was built. Finding a photograph of the snowman the boy rebuilds him and also a snowdog with the surprise that they come alive.
Best Animated Christmas Movies
Many in this collection of Christmas movies are classics that you may remember from your childhood. And, they’re perfect for younger viewers as well for your upcoming movie night.
Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas
(1999, 66 Minutes)- Mickey and his friends star in 3 heartwarming stories of Christmas past.
Prep & Landing
(2009, 22 minutes)- Wayne gets a new rookie partner, Lanny, after his previous partner got the promotion he wanted. Lanny has to remind Wayne of the Spirit of Christmas and the importance of being an elf in Santa’s Prep and Landing elite unit.
Polar Express
(2004, 1 hr 40 min.)- On Christmas Eve, a young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express, while learning about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas.
Arthur Christmas
(2007, 1 hr 37 min.)- Santa’s clumsy son Arthur sets out on a mission with Grandsanta to give out a present they misplaced to a young girl in less than two hours.
Shrek the Halls
(2007, 21 minutes)- This half-hour animated TV special features the Shrek characters putting their own spin on holiday traditions.
Illumination’s The Grinch
(2018, 85 Minutes)- The Grinch, based on Dr. Seuss’ beloved classic. The Grinch tells the story of a cynical grump who goes on a mission to steal Christmas, only to have his heart changed by a young girl’s generous spirit. Funny, heartwarming and visually stunning, The Grinch is fun for the whole family!
Classic Christmas Movies That Even Toddlers Will Enjoy
What a joy to share these “old” classics with your family just as you enjoyed them when you were little. These classic Christmas movies are top on our list every year. How are you?
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
(1964, 47 minutes)- A misfit reindeer and his friends look for a place that will accept them.
Frosty The Snowman
(1969, 25 minutes)- A living snowman and a little girl struggle to elude a greedy magician who is after the snowman’s magic hat.
The Small One
(1978, 26 minutes)- Ordered by his father to sell his old, small donkey, named Small One, a Hebrew boy in ancient Israel takes the donkey to the Jerusalem market. Finding no buyers there, the boy is about to give up when he meets a kind man named Joseph.
Charlie Brown Christmas
(1965, 25 minutes)- Depressed at the commercialism he sees around him, Charlie Brown tries to find a deeper meaning to Christmas.
White Christmas
(1954, 2 Hours)- A successful song-and-dance team become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their former commanding general.
I realize this movie may be way over little ones heads and there are some war depicted scenes, but I feel the costumes, dancing, and singing make this movie a quick family favorite.
Best Holiday Movies for the Entire Family
Here are simply the best holiday movies the entire family can enjoy together. From toddlers, to preschoolers, to older kids, these movies will quickly become fast favorites for your holiday movie nights.
Elf
(2003, 1 hr 37 min.)- Raised as an over-sized elf, a human travels from the North Pole to NYC to meet his biological father who doesn’t know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christmas spirit.
Santa Buddies
(2009, 1 hr 28 min.)- The Buddies remind Santa Paws’ feisty son, Puppy Paws, about the true meaning of Christmas.
Miracle on 34th Street
(1994, 1 hr 47 min.)- A lawyer and a little girl must prove that a man claiming to be Santa Claus is the real thing.
A Christmas Story
(1983, 1 hr 33 min)- In the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie attempts to convince his parents, his teacher and Santa that a Red Ryder BB gun really is the perfect Christmas gift.
The Santa Claus
(1994, 1 hr 37 min)- When a man inadvertently makes Santa fall off of his roof on Christmas Eve, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place.
Frozen
(2013, 1 hr 42 min)- When the newly crowned Queen Elsa accidentally uses her power to turn things into ice to curse her home in infinite winter, her sister Anna teams up with a mountain man, his playful reindeer, and a snowman to change the weather condition.
All I Want for Christmas Is You
(2017, 1 hr 31 min)- Young Mariah Carey wishes for a puppy in time for Christmas.
Best Family Christmas Movies On Netflix
Looking for the best Christmas movies to stream on Netflix? Here are a few favorites that your young children will enjoy as well.
The Christmas Chronicles
Treat the little lady in your life to a stylish bow subscription. Baby will receive 3 beautiful bows every month. This would be the perfect gift idea for a baby girl’s first Christmas.
Angela’s Christmas
(2007, 30 minutes)- Set in Ireland in the 1910s, ‘Angela’s Christmas’ is a funny, heart-warming and poignant story about the power of family and the innocent desire of a child to ensure everyone is safe, warm and loved at Christmas time.
Angela’s Christmas Wish
Angela has just one wish for Christmas: her father’s return. Her mother has been distracted lately, and Angela and her brothers are convinced it is because she is missing their father as much as they are. Angela comes up with a plan—she will bring their father home from Australia! Angela recruits her brother, Pat, and some new friends to head out into bright, snowy Limerick to go down under. Maybe they can dig their way? Whatever it takes, Angela is determined to make her wish for the family come true.
A Trash Truck Christmas
(2020, 28 minutes) – When Santa crash-lands in the junkyard on Christmas Eve, Hank, Trash Truck and their animal friends all have a hand in rescuing the holiday for everyone.
Trolls Holiday
(2017, 26 minutes)- When the Queen of the Trolls, Poppy, finds out that the Bergens do not have holidays, she enlists help from her friends, Branch and the Snack Pack, to help her bring holidays to the Bergens.
I hope you enjoy your first Christmas movies night with your little one. Did your favorite classic movie make the list? Share your family’s favorite in the comments below.
And, if you’re looking for a good Christmas chick flick, check out my list of the Best Hallmark Christmas movies of all time! Also don’t miss the coziest and comfiest matching Christmas pajamas the entire family will love!
