A Christmas spent at home with immediate loved ones means that families need lots of Christmas movies that are fun for the whole family. Here are a few ideas for classic Christmas movies that have stood the test of time and are sure to please both parents and kids celebrating the holiday at home.
Vincente Minnelli’s 1944 musical “Meet Me in St. Louis” doesn’t just take place during Christmas, but it is the origin of the Christmas standard “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” sung plaintively by Judy Garland (Frank Sinatra later recorded it for his Christmas album, changing a few lyrics to take the tune from “sad” to “tender”). This Technicolor marvel is a visual feast, following the Smith family, living in St. Louis in 1904 on the eve of the World’s Fair. This is a classic for the whole family to enjoy, and a good gateway for introducing younger kids to Classical Hollywood films of the 1940s. Watch it on HBO Max or for a $3.99 rental elsewhere.
Jim Henson’s Muppets are always welcome holiday guests, so queue up “A Muppet Christmas Carol,” a muppety version of the Charles Dickens tale. It’s on Disney+ or $3.99 rental on Amazon/iTunes. Rated G.
Make it a double with more Dickens and the charming, rather underrated recent family Christmas film, “The Man Who Invented Christmas,” about Dickens himself and the writing of “A Christmas Carol,” which cemented the holiday as an important cultural touchstone. Available on Hulu, Kanopy and Showtime. Rated PG for thematic elements and some mild language.
It wouldn’t be Christmas without “Home Alone,” and the Macaulay Culkin-starring holiday flick hasn’t lost its luster throughout the years. It’s the perfect time to introduce your kids to this one, as it’ll be inspirational for 2020 in particular, as we’ll be spending this holiday home alone. So take your cues from Kevin McCallister: Order some pizza, set some booby traps, watch as much TV as your heart desires. And yes, that is Moira Rose (Catherine O’Hara) from “Schitt’s Creek” as Kevin’s mother. Watch it on Disney+ or rent for $3.99 on Amazon/iTunes. Rated PG.
Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” skillfully blends the spooktastic charms of Halloween with Christmas in this stop-motion animated film. Perfect for kids who prefer their cheer more on the macabre side, but this gorgeously animated film features delightful tunes by Danny Elfman and a hero worth rooting for in Jack Skellington. Watch it on Disney+ or rent for $3.99 on Amazon/iTunes. Rated PG for some scary images.
We could all use a laugh this holiday season, and “Elf” has become a new Christmas standard. It’s never too early to introduce your kids to the unique charms of Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf, who finds himself in Manhattan, yearning to make his father (Santa) proud. Watch it on Starz or $3.99 rental on Amazon/iTunes. Rated PG for some mild rude humor and language.
