Kids Will Love These Animated Christmas Movies (And They'll Make You Feel Young Again!)

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Christmas is almost here, and there’s a few things that are essential during the holiday season: matching Christmas pajamas, tons of Christmas cookies and goodies, decorations inside and out, and of course a good line-up of Christmas movies. With new Christmas movies coming out every year and an endless list of Christmas classics, it’s so hard to decide what movies to watch during the hectic holiday season. If you're looking for a flick the whole family can watch, then you're in the right place, because we've rounded up the very best animated Christmas movies for kids of 2023.

From classics that have withstood the test of time like Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas to Frosty the Snowman to new renditions of old favorites like The Grinch and movies that are completely new like Frozen or Home for the Holidays, there’s sure to be plenty of Christmas movies you’ll recognize along with a few new surprises. Plus, there's just something about animated movies that bring a little extra Christmas magic into the mix (especially when it comes to elves and reindeer!).

To be honest, you could probably spend 365 days a year glued to your TV screen and still not able to catch up on all the best Christmas movies on Netflix, best Christmas movies on Max, or the stellar lineup of Christmas movies on Disney +. No worries, though! You'll have a hefty lineup to choose from so pop your favorite popcorn, snuggle up with some blankets and settle in for a movie marathon of animated Christmas movies that'll put the whole family in the Christmas spirit.

Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer

Who doesn't want to be one of Santa's reindeer? When Elliot, a miniature horse, travels to the North Pole, he plans to compete for a spot alongside Santa's famous reindeer.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas

The original Grinch animation from 1966 shouldn't be left behind just because new versions exist. Share the Grinch from your childhood with your family this holiday season.

Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas

Curl up on the couch with cookies and whip up your best hot chocolate recipe while you enjoy a trio of holiday-themed Disney shorts in the timeless Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas.

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas

This beloved Tim Burton movie is part spooky, part festive—and an all-around a joy to watch.

Little Spirit: Christmas in New York

A cab driver in New York tells two young sisters a tall tale about a boy named Leo who moved to the city with his family and lost his dog in Central Park. He is heartbroken until a magical creature named Little Spirit comes along and takes him on an unbelievable adventure.

Polar Express

This heartwarming tale is all about believing in the magic of Christmas. You'll recognize the familiar voice of Tom Hanks.

Trolls Holiday

This short holiday comedy will get all the laughs from your kids as they watch the ever-optimistic Poppy, queen of the Trolls, find out that the Bergens no longer have any holidays on their calendars.

Casper's Haunted Christmas

Casper, The Friendly Ghost, returns home for the holidays in high spirits. After the ruler of the ghost world deemed that Casper failed to fulfill his ghostly duties, he's on a mission to scare at least one person on Christmas Eve. If not, he'll be exiled to the land of wicked ghosts.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

The most famous reindeer of all is the star of perhaps the most famous Christmas movie of all! This classic Rankin/Bass production is no doubt a Christmas movie marathon staple.

Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You

Mariah Carey's most famous Christmas song comes to life in this short movie about a young girl whose annual Christmas wish is to get a puppy.

The Star

A rambunctious donkey teams up with his hilarious animal friends to follow the star that will lead them to the site of the First Christmas.

Dr. Seuss' The Grinch

The classic tale of the Grinch gets the modern treatment in this remake that all ages will enjoy.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Follow Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the gang as they try to put on a holiday play and learn a lesson for the ages.

The Christmas Dragon

Christmas hasn't come for several years in medieval Europe, with Santa Claus becoming a distant memory—until a young orphan girl comes across a magical crystal and discovers she can save Christmas from disappearing completely.

Frosty the Snowman

Who could forget when the children made a snowman in the schoolyard on Christmas Eve and named him Frosty? This is another old-school holiday story that we'll never get sick of.

Shrek the Halls

When Shrek tries to get in the spirit of the season, he gets a little off track by Donkey, Puss in Boots, and his other fairytale friends.

The Small One

Discovering the true meaning of Christmas is a common theme of Christmas movies for kids. In this one, a boy learns just that through his love of his donkey.

The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas

There's a reason Amazon reviewers say their kids watch this Christmas movie over and over again during the holidays. The cute and educational Cat in the Hat spin-off will keep children of all ages entertained.

Disney's A Christmas Carol

This animated remake of the Disney classic follows three ghosts as they take a greedy Scrooge on an eye-opening journey on Christmas Eve. The spirits try to help him discover the true meaning of the season—before it's too late.

Frozen

This wintery Disney favorite teaches powerful lessons of bravery and love, as fearless Anna teams up with Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven in an epic journey to find her sister, Elsa.

Mickey's Twice Upon A Christmas

The second collection of short Christmas stories about Mickey and his pals focuses on the importance of sharing and appreciation during the holidays.

Winnie The Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year

Celebrate the season with Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and the rest of the residents of the (snowy!) Hundred Acre Wood as they embark on a holiday adventure.

The Little Drummer Boy

This short, stop-motion film—based on the song of the same name—tells the moving story of an orphan boy who is coping with death at a young age.

Rudolph's Shiny New Year

Baby New Year ran away from home and Santa sends Rudolph to bring him back.

Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas

Inspired by the original Beauty and the Beast, this 1997 animated movie shows all of your favorite characters during the holiday season.

Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas

Celebrate the holidays with Curious George and The Man in the Yellow Hat, the lovable characters from the beloved childrens' book series.

Arthur Christmas

Find out all about Santa's son in this movie that shows what happens when Arthur Claus embarks on a magical adventure to save Christmas.

Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town

This stop-motion holiday special—based on the catchy Christmas tune—explains the backstory of Santa Claus and other beloved Christmas traditions.

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

This oldie-but-goodie is one of the first mainstream animated Christmas movies ever made and has been loved for generations.

Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer

Based on the hit song by the same name, this hilarious story will have your whole family in stitches.

Jack Frost

This is the story of Jack Frost, who becomes human and helps a knight win the lady of his dreams.

Arthur's Perfect Christmas

Everyone's favorite aardvark is here to explain the many ways that people celebrate the holidays in an educational (and entertaining) hour-long special.

The Snowman

Your kids will adore this magical story as the best-selling book's illustrations come to life.

Kung Fu Panda Holiday

All the antics and things you love about the original Kung Fu Panda movie, holiday style.

Klaus

A not-so-good postman in training is sent far away to a snowy town where he becomes friends with a reclusive toymaker, Klaus.

An Elf's Story: The Elf on the Shelf

Chippy the elf's job is to determine who in his house has been naughty and who's been nice. But, when a boy starts to question the magic of Christmas, he must convince him to believe.

The Year Without A Santa Claus (1974)

In this movie, Santa Claus is overworked, tired and ready to throw in the towel. It's up to Mrs. Claus and the elves to convince Santa not to cancel Christmas.

Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas

Shaun's baby cousin, Timmy, goes on a mission to bring back bigger stockings for the flock. His journey doesn't go as planned and he gets lost along the way. Shaun makes it his mission to bring back Timmy before Christmas.

Finding Santa: A Christmas Adventure

Julius, an orphan boy, is teased for still believing in Santa Claus. He almost loses all hope when he finds out the headmaster of his orphanage dresses up as Santa, until the magic of Christmas is revealed to him.

Rise of the Guardians

Jack Frost get all of the magical beings together from Santa Claus to the Easter bunny to protect the imagination and hope of the world's children from an evil force.

If You Give A Mouse A Christmas Cookie

You may already know what happens when you give a mouse a cookie, but what about when you give a mouse a Christmas cookie? Mouse is in the holiday spirit prepping for Santa, going caroling and almost ruining a holiday pageant.

Angela's Christmas

After attending church with her family, a young Irish girl gets a bright idea. Though her intentions are good, her family is not on board.

Santa's Workshop

The elves are hard at work making all the last-minute toys while Santa checks his naughty and nice list, not once but twice.

Santa's Apprentice

Santa Claus is getting ready to hang up his hat and retire, but first he must train his successor. He selects a young orphan boy to become the next Santa Claus and teaches him everything her needs to know.

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Scooby-Doo! Haunted Holidays

A sinister snowman wreaks havoc on a toy store and Shaggy and Scooby are trapped inside. Per usual, it's their job to uncover the mystery of who's behind the monster.

Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas

Manny tells Sid that he's landed on the naughty list after all of his holiday antics. In a desperate attempt to get back on the nice list, he journeys to the North Pole with Crash, Eddie and Peaches to take the matter up with Santa himself.

Prep & Landing

After 227 years on the job, one elf questions whether his job is really making a difference. A young rookie elf helps him to get back into the holiday spirit and see all the impact he makes every Christmas.

Jack Frost

After Jack Frost dies in a car accident, he returns as a snowman to make up for all the time he missed with his son Charlie.

The Nutcracker Prince

The classic tale of the Nutcracker in animation, it's a true Christmas classic.

Saving Santa

The North Pole is under attack and it's up to one brave elf to go back in time and save Santa.

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