All-Time Classic Christmas Movies To Watch In 2023

From classic Christmas movies on Netflix to new feel-good festive flicks on Disney Plus, there are plenty of Christmas movies to add to your family’s watch list this year!

The Christmas tree is up, Advent calendars are on the go and the Christmas shopping is underway (well, for some, anyway!). What’s left? Snuggling up with a cup of hot cocoa and watching our favourite Christmas movies (after a Christmas dinner feast)! There are one too many classics but we’ve done the legwork to help narrow down the huge list of festive flicks to the absolute best family-friendly Christmas movies, to suit all ages.

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Spirited (2022) – A musical take on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

Starring Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds in the lead, Spirited follows a miserly man who treats everyone around him with terrible selfishness – he embarks on a journey through time to discover how he ended up so miserable and alone. This movie is as entertaining as it is heartwarming, we highly recommend adding this to your list!

Available to watch on: Apple
Suitable for: Older kids and up
Run time: 127 minutes

Watch the trailer here.

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A Christmas Story (1983) – A classic comedy Christmas movie

A classic 80s American film told from the perspective of a 9 year old boy. Ralphie tries to convince his parents, his teacher and Santa that he needs a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. This film is the quintessential coming-of-age, light-hearted Christmas movie and truly fills the room with joy and laughter!

Available to watch on: Amazon Prime
Suitable for: Older kids and above
Run time: 93 minutes

Watch the trailer here.

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Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) – Nostalgic family favourite

The Harry Potter legacy continues into new generations and we’re so for it In fact, it’s one Sassy Mama’s Christmas tradition to watch the Harry Potter series with her family. If we had to pick, we’re always down to rewatch (for the zillionth time!) Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, especially when it’s Christmas at Hogwarts!

Available to watch on: HBO Go
Suitable for: Younger kids and above
Run time: 152 minutes

Watch the trailer here.

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Miracle on 34th Street (1947) – A true Christmas classic to watch with the family

Don’t be discouraged by the fact that it was released over 70 years ago! While it may be an older film, it still holds up as a fantastic Christmas movie. Its timeless story, captivating performances, and exploration of belief and wonder make it a true gem.

Available to watch on: Amazon Prime and Disney Plus
Suitable for: Older kids and above
Run time: 96 minutes

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Beauty and the Beast (1997) – A Disney princess Christmas favourite!

Tale as old as time! Though “Beauty and the Beast” isn’t explicitly about Christmas, the Disney princess classic takes place in winter and gives us a warm sense of comfort every time as if we’re going down memory lane. Best believe the little ones will be itching you for a Disneyland trip to spot Belle after this!

Available to watch on: Disney Plus
Suitable for: Older kids and above
Run time: 72 minutes

Watch the trailer here.

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Klaus (2019) – Animated family Christmas movie

We love this animated film, which follows a selfish young man who meets a kind-hearted reclusive woodsman and toymaker. With a storybook-like animation style, this Christmas comedy tells an alternate Santa Claus origin story from the point of view of postman Jasper in 19th-century Norway.

Available to watch on: Netflix
Suitable for: Toddlers and above
Run time: 98 minutes

Watch the trailer here.

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Elf (2003) – An iconic Christmas movie suitable for all ages

A classic movie with an iconic cast (Will Ferrell, Zooey Deschanel and Peter Dinklage to name a few), Elf chronicles around Buddy, a human, is raised amongst elves at the North Pole. When he discovers he’s human, he journeys to New York to find his biological father and discover more about who he is.

Available to watch on: Apple TV
Suitable for: Younger kids and above
Run time: 97 minutes

Watch the trailer here.

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Home Alone (Complete Series) – Legendary family Christmas movie series

If you haven’t introduced your children to the legend that is Kevin McCallister, it’s high time! We don’t think there’s been a Christmas since 1990 where this family favourite hasn’t been watched by a Sassy Mama. With loveable baddies, classic lines and Christmas tunes galore, there’s soon to be a whole new generation of Home Alone fans.

Available to watch on: Disney Plus
Suitable for: Younger kids and above
Run time: 103 minutes

Watch the trailer here.

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How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) – Modern take on Dr Seuss’ classic Christmas tale

You can’t forget this Christmas favourite! Based on Dr Seuss’ 1957 tale, the well-known story is brought to life through this Christmas family comedy. With Jim Carrey behind a green face mask and mastering the art of distorted facial expressions, this one might be more suitable for a slightly older age group. Be prepared for lots of evil cackles (from your screen) and lots of loud laughter (from your sofa)!

Available to watch on: Netflix
Suitable for: Older kids and above
Run time: 104 minutes

Watch the trailer here.

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The Christmas Chronicles: Part 1 (2019) & Part 2 (2020) – Action-adventure movie with Santa Clause

Up for a ride in Santa’s sleigh? From befriending miniature elves to watching Santa jam it out with a rock band, you’ll be surprised by what goes on in Santa’s workshop. These action-packed Christmas movies include your favourite reindeer, a trip to the North Pole, some naughty elves and more! Will they save Christmas? Watch and find out…

Available to watch on: Netflix — The Christmas Chronicles and The Christmas Chronicles 2
Suitable for: Older kids and above
Run time: 115 minutes

Watch the trailer here.

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The Holiday (2006) – Classic rom-com Christmas movie for older kids and parents

Suitable for older tweens and teens, this feel-good-fest follows the adventures of two women who decide to swap homes (from one side of the world to the other) in a bid to escape their complicated love lives. But what happens when a couple of handsome strangers fall into their lives?

Available to watch on: Netflix
Suitable for: Tweens and above
Run time: 135 minutes

Watch the trailer here.

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The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) – Family-friendly version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

These famous puppets tell their own story adaptation of Charles Dickens’ famous Christmas tale. Michael Caine takes the lead as Ebenezer Scrooge while Kermit the Frog plays a convincing Bob Cratchit with Miss Piggy as his beloved wife. Over the course of the movie, three spirits open Scrooge’s eyes to his life lessons and less-than-kind ways and help him become a better person.

Available to watch on: Disney Plus
Suitable for: Toddlers and up
Run time: 86 minutes

Watch the trailer here.

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The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) – Classic stop-motion Christmas movie that you can’t forget!

Tim Burton and director Henry Selick definitely changed Christmas for us! Though this is a dark fantasy (not the scary kind), the kids love it and so do we. Jack Skellington, the King of “Halloween Town”, stumbles upon “Christmas Town” and schemes to take over the holidays but finds himself instantly enchanted instead.

Available to watch on: Disney Plus
Suitable for: Older kids and above
Run time: 79 minutes

Watch the trailer here.

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Editor’s note: “All-Time Classic Christmas Movies To Watch In 2023 For All The Family“ was most recently updated in November 2023 by Fashila Kanakka. With thanks to team Sassy Mama for their movie recommendations.