16 best Christmas movies for kids 2021: family films to watch this Xmas on Disney Plus, Netflix and Sky

Whether you’re looking for something animated, like Arthur Christmas, or live action, like A Boy Called Christmas, there are loads of family friendly Christmas films to choose from
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When it comes to picking a family friendly Christmas film, it can be difficult to know where to start with so many to choose from.

Whether your kids are keen on the classics, or are in the mood for something new, here are 16 festive films to get the whole family in the Christmas spirit.

Arthur Christmas

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When one of the 600 million kids set to receive a gift from Santa on Christmas is accidentally left out, Arthur Claus takes it upon himself to make sure no child is left behind.

Embarking on an unauthorised mission to deliver one last present before sunrise on Christmas day, accident-prone Arthur will do anything in his power to keep the magic of Christmas alive.

Where to watch: available to stream with a Cinema Pass on NowTV, or to buy or rent from Google Play, Amazon or the Sky Store

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

After his book of ideas, and a unique matador doll, is stolen by his assistant, toymaker Jeronicus loses the spark to create new toys.

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Decades after the betrayal, the once-joyful toymaker finds new hope after his kind and curious granddaughter comes into his life.

Where to watch: available to stream on Netflix

Elf

Elf is a Christmas classic and a firm fan favourite in the festive film category. After discovering his true identity as a human, Buddy the Elf decides to leave Santa’s workshop in a bid to find his real father.

Unfortunately for Buddy, it turns out that his father, Walter Hobbs, is a cynical businessman who is a permanent resident on Santa’s naughty list.

Buddy takes it upon himself to bring Christmas cheer back into his family’s life as he learns to navigate the real world away from the North Pole.

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Where to watch: available to stream with a Cinema Pass on NowTV, or to buy or rent from Google Play, Amazon or the Sky Store

The Muppet Christmas Carol

The Muppets take on the classic Christmas story from Charles Dickens, telling the tale of miser extraordinaire Ebenezer Scrooge.

When Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future, he learns the errors of his ways and has his eyes opened to the true meaning of Christmas.

Where to watch: available to stream on Disney+, or to buy from Google Play, Amazon or the Sky Store

Home Alone

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After accidentally being left behind by his family when they head out on their Christmas holiday to Paris, it’s up to eight-year-old Kevin McCallister to protect the family home from two sneaky burglars.

However, anyone who thinks that Kevin is an easy target it sorely mistaken - a fact that the pair of thieves are set to find out the hard way.

Where to watch: available to stream on Disney+, or to buy or rent from Google Play, Amazon or the Sky Store

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

In the magical land of Whoville lives none other than the Whos, who love everything to do with Christmas. However, living on the outskirts of Whoville is the Grinch, a fuzzy green creature that hates Christmas.

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The Grinch decides that enough is enough - it’s time to put a stop to Christmas. However, his dastardly plan backfires when the people of Whoville show him the true meaning of Christmas.

Where to watch: available to stream with a Cinema Pass on NowTV, or to buy from Google Play, Amazon or the Sky Store 

The Polar Express

On Christmas Eve, a young boy who no longer believes in Santa finds himself aboard a magical train destined for the North Pole.

Along with his fellow passengers, the young boy clad in just his pajamas embarks on a journey of self discovery that will show him that the wonders of life never really fades for those who continue to believe.

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Where to watch: available to stream with a Cinema Pass on NowTV, or to buy or rent from Google Play, Amazon or the Sky Store 

Rise of the Guardians

When an evil spirit known as Pitch Black sets out to take over the world, it’s down to the immortal guardians to come together to stop the evil plan.

Jack Frost, Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and more must work together to protect the dreams and imaginations of children around the world.

Where to watch: available to stream on Netflix or with a Cinema Pass on NowTV, or available to buy or rent from Google Play, Amazon or the Sky Store 

Jingle All the Way

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Arnold Schwarznegger stars in this Christmas caper as Howard Langston, a mattress salesman who is constantly kept busy with his job, much to the disappointment of his son.

Howard vows to make it up to him this year and make Christmas special by buying him an action figure of his son’s favourite TV hero - TurboMan. However, it’s Christmas Eve and the toy is sold out everywhere, forcing Harold to embark on a mad scramble to find one before Christmas arrives.

Where to watch: available to stream with a Cinema Pass on NowTV, or available to buy or rent from Amazon or the Sky Store

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas

Gather round as Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Daisy and Pluto come together to share three wonder-filled stories of Christmas.

Where to watch: available to stream on Disney+

The Santa Clause

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When Scott Calvin and his son discover that the real Santa Claus has fallen off their roof and has been rendered unconscious, Santa’s emergency card dictates that Scott must take his place.

Upon putting on the iconic red Santa suit, Scott unwittingly becomes the new Santa Claus.

Where to watch: available to stream on Disney+, or to buy or rent from Google Play, Amazon or the Sky Store

The Christmas Chronicles

Brother and sister Kate and Teddy Pierce hatch a plan to capture the one and only Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.

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However, when the plan goes all wrong, the siblings must team up with Saint Nick and his loyal elves to save Christmas before it’s too late.

Where to watch: available to stream on Netflix

Klaus

When Jesper finds himself to be the Postal Academy’s worst student, he is sent to Smeerensburg, a small village situated on an icy island above the Arctic Circle.

It’s here that he meets a reclusive toymaker called Klaus, and the two strike up a rather unlikely friendship.

Where to watch: available to stream on Netflix

Robin Robin

This new stop-motion Christmas musical comes from Aardman, the company behind beloved classics like Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep.

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Robin is a robin who has been raised by a loving family of mice, but as she grows older the differences between her and her family become more apparent. When she makes a heartfelt wish upon a Christmas star, will she find out who she really is - and how to fly?

Where to watch: available to stream on Netflix

A Boy Called Christmas

Nikolas, an ordinary young boy, sets out on a quest to the snow north in search of his father who had embarked on a mission to find the fabled village of the elves - Elfhelm.

Taking with him his reindeer Blitzen and loyal pet mouse, Nikolas will soon find his destiny in this magical Christmas tale.

Where to watch: available to stream with a Cinema Pass on NowTV, on Sky Cinema or in actual cinemas in the UK

Nativity!

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Each year, the children of St Bernadette’s Catholic primary school competes with Oakmoor, the local Protestant private school, to see who can produce the best nativity play.

Teacher Paul, played by Martin Freeman, is tasked with heading up the nativity play - however he finds a little lie about a Hollywood producer coming to see the class’ play gets out of hand pretty quickly.

Where to watch: available to stream on Netflix, Amazon Prime and the BBC iPlayer, or available to purchase from Google Play or the Sky Store

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