10 Best Holiday Movies for Family Fun

Home Alone is a masterpiece of holiday mischief and pure belly-laugh comedy, and for me, it’s the ultimate family movie. I remember the first time we streamed it together as a family during one of our Christmas movie nights. My youngest, who was about six at the time, had just finished her hot chocolate, leaving a dollop of whipped cream on her nose, and she was howling with laughter when Marv stepped on the Christmas ornaments. I swear, her giggles were so loud we had to pause the movie just to catch our breaths from laughing along with her.

And those slapstick moments? Legendary. Harry getting his head torched by the blowtorch, Marv’s epic tumble on the icy stairs, every single trap is a perfect storm of comedic genius. The paint can scene? Brutal and brilliant. I’ll admit, my wife and I cringed a little at the iron to the face, but my daughter? She was doubled over, tears streaming, yelling, “Run, Kevin, run!” Watching her lose it over every booby trap, with her face still smudged with whipped cream, was pure holiday magic.

But Home Alone isn’t just about the laughs, it’s got real heart. Kevin’s arc from gleeful independence to missing his family hits home, especially when you’re watching it as a parent. That moment when his mom finally comes through the door, and he runs into her arms? It gets me every single time. Watching it back then with my kids reminded me how chaotic and wonderful family life can be.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) is a holiday staple in our house, mostly because we’re all huge Jim Carrey fans. His over-the-top energy and rubbery expressions bring Dr. Seuss’s Grinch to life in a way that’s equal parts hilarious and oddly endearing. Carrey’s Grinch isn’t just a grump, he’s an absolute scene-stealer. From his snarky one-liners to his dramatic flair when crafting his devious plan to steal Christmas, it’s impossible not to laugh out loud. Even now, our family quotes lines like “Am I just eating because I’m bored?” all year long.

That said, I have to admit, when we first watched it years ago, my youngest daughter wasn’t so sure about it. Jim Carrey’s wild, green, furry Grinch, with his exaggerated scowl and mischievous grin, definitely freaked her out at first. I still remember her burrowing under a blanket during the scene where the Grinch rages in his lair. So, if you have little ones, consider this a fair warning, it’s a bit intense for sensitive kids! But once she got a little older, she grew to love it, and now it’s a must-watch for her every year.

What makes this version of the Grinch special is how it balances the humor with heart. Carrey gives the Grinch surprising depth, especially in those quieter moments when you see his loneliness and longing. By the time he’s carving the roast beast with the Whos, you can’t help but root for him.

The Santa Clause (1994) is a movie my wife absolutely adores, along with its two sequels. She’s a big Tim Allen fan, and to her, these films are the perfect blend of humor, holiday cheer, and heartwarming family moments. I’ll admit, Tim Allen does nail the role of Scott Calvin, an ordinary guy hilariously struggling to fill some very big boots after accidentally becoming Santa. The transformation scenes, like when Scott keeps inexplicably gaining weight and growing a white beard are comedic gold. My wife laughs just as hard every time we watch it.

That said, if I had to pick a Tim Allen Christmas movie, I’d go with Christmas with the Kranks. Call me a rebel, but there’s just something about the chaos of skipping Christmas and the battle of the Frosty decorations that cracks me up every time. My wife, of course, consulted on this holiday movie list and made sure The Santa Clause was included while conveniently “forgetting” the Kranks. She’s the boss, after all.

Ironically, the kids aren’t as big on The Santa Clause movies as she is. They enjoy them well enough, but when we do a family vote, this series never makes it to the top of their list. Still, tradition is tradition, and my wife insists on watching all three every year.

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A Christmas Carol (2009) is one of those holiday movies that makes its way into the rotation thanks to my daughter. She’s a big Dickens fan and absolutely loves animation, so this version is right up her alley. The film’s motion-capture style gives it a unique, almost dreamlike quality, and Jim Carrey’s take on Scrooge (and the ghosts!) is both quirky and heartfelt. My daughter insists it’s one of the most faithful adaptations of the story, and honestly, her excitement while explaining the little details makes it hard not to appreciate.

That said, I’ll always be partial to The Muppet Christmas Carol. For me, nothing beats Michael Caine playing it completely straight while surrounded by singing puppets and wisecracking Muppets. It’s charming, light, and has just the right amount of holiday cheer. The 2009 version? It leans a little darker, which doesn’t quite hit the same festive vibes for me. But hey, everyone has their favorite, and this one belongs to my daughter.

Even though it’s not my go-to, I’ll admit there’s something cool about how this movie brings Dickens’s classic to life with a mix of humor and heart. And seeing my daughter geek out over the animation, talking about how they captured Scrooge’s transformation? That’s the real highlight for me

The Polar Express (2004) is a holiday favorite in our house, though I’ll admit, it’s mostly because my wife loves it. She’s such a big fan that we even have a train circling the Christmas tree every year, inspired by the movie. And I get it, there’s something magical about the story of a skeptical boy taking a whimsical train ride to the North Pole. Add Tom Hanks voicing pretty much everyone, from the conductor to Santa himself, and it’s hard not to appreciate this movie on some level. I mean, it’s Tom Hanks! The same guy who made The ‘Burbs a classic. Knowing that he’s lending his voice and charm to so many characters here is definitely a selling point.

For me, the movie’s animation is a bit of a mixed bag, it hasn’t aged as well as others, but it still captures the wonder of a Christmas Eve adventure. My wife, though, is all-in. Every year, without fail, she insists on watching it, mug of peppermint cocoa in hand, while the train under the tree chugs along. It’s become a bit of a tradition, and even though the kids and I tease her about how much she loves it, we all secretly enjoy it too.

What makes The Polar Express special is its message about belief and the magic of Christmas. And while it might not top my personal list of holiday favorites, I can’t deny the warm memories it’s created for our family.

Elf (2003) is the one Christmas movie in our house that absolutely everyone agrees on—even our grown-up sons, who usually have wildly different tastes. They say it’s “nuts,” and honestly, that’s the best way to describe it. Will Ferrell’s Buddy the Elf is pure chaotic joy, and his infectious enthusiasm for all things Christmas never fails to get us in the holiday spirit. Their favorite moment? The snowball fight in Central Park, hands down. They laugh like kids every time Buddy whips those snowballs faster than a pitching machine. It’s one of those scenes that’s just as funny on the 20th viewing as it was the first time.

Watching Elf has become a staple of our Christmas Eve tradition. Everyone staying over for the holidays knows it’ll be on the schedule, and no one dares to complain. It’s one of those rare movies that perfectly balances over-the-top comedy with heartwarming moments. Buddy’s wide-eyed innocence and his quest to reconnect with his dad give the film so much heart, and by the time it’s over, you’re practically singing “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” along with the cast.

For me, it’s the little details that make Elf so memorable: Buddy chugging a two-liter bottle of Coke, his disastrous attempt at making breakfast spaghetti, or his unabashed glee at the sight of a revolving door. It’s a movie that never gets old, and no matter how busy or chaotic Christmas gets.

Frozen (2013) is the movie that refuses to let go, much like its infamous song, which haunted our house for years. Don’t get me wrong, I understand why my daughter loves it. The story of Elsa, Anna, and their icy adventures is beautifully animated, and Olaf is genuinely hilarious. I’ll even admit that the snowman’s dream of summer still gets a chuckle out of me. But if I have to hear Let It Go one more time, I might just lose my holiday cheer entirely. That song was on everything when my daughter was younger, toys, dolls, singing ornaments, you name it, it played it. It was practically our family’s theme song for a while, whether we liked it or not.

Despite my pleas for any other movie, Frozen remains a must-watch for my daughter, and I get it, millions of fans around the world agree. The bond between Elsa and Anna, the dazzling visuals of Arendelle, and Olaf’s endless optimism make it a modern holiday classic. But every time it gets queued up, I brace myself for flashbacks to a time when our living room was filled with singing Elsa dolls and snowflake-covered everything.

So, yes, Frozen makes the list because it’s my daughter’s pick, and we all make sacrifices for family traditions. I’ll begrudgingly watch it (again), but deep down, I’ll be dreaming of Buddy the Elf or Kevin McCallister making mischief instead. Here’s hoping this year, someone forgets to press play.

The Legend of Frosty the Snowman (2005) is one of those movies that holds a special place in my heart, even if no one else in the house can stand it, especially my wife. She can’t get past what she calls the “watered-down Frosty story,” but for me, this movie is all about nostalgia. It came out the same year my daughter was born, and every Christmas while she was a baby, it seemed to be playing on the TV. Those first Christmases, when she was tiny and snuggled in her little blanket, are memories I’ll never forget. Every time I hear Frosty’s cheerful voice, it takes me right back to those early years of sleepless nights and endless wonder.

Sure, it’s not the most iconic holiday movie, but there’s a sweetness to it that matches those moments. I’d be holding her in my arms, watching Frosty bring a little magic to Evergreen, while she snoozed peacefully. Fast forward to now, and that once-tiny baby is a full-blown teenager, with opinions louder than Frosty’s magic hat. But this movie reminds me of when everything felt simple, and Christmas mornings were all about her tiny giggles and crinkly wrapping paper.

So, while my wife rolls her eyes every time it comes up and my daughter couldn’t care less about it now, I’ll always have a soft spot for The Legend of Frosty the Snowman.

Ice Princess (2005) is one of those movies that I’ve never quite understood the appeal of, but it holds a special place in our family’s holiday rotation. My wife, my daughter, and even her friends must’ve watched it a hundred times back when she was younger. They’d sit on the couch, eyes glued to the screen, totally engrossed in Casey’s journey from physics nerd to ice-skating star. For them, it’s a feel-good story about following your dreams and defying expectations. For me? It’s two hours of ice skating, which just isn’t my thing.

Don’t get me wrong, I gave it a shot. I even tried to appreciate the skating sequences and the whole “science-meets-sport” angle, but it never quite landed for me. I’d usually end up sneaking off to another room while the girls cheered for Casey and debated who had the best costume. The amount of enthusiasm they had for this movie was almost baffling, but seeing my daughter so happy with her friends, sharing popcorn, and quoting lines? That was the part I couldn’t help but love.

Mr. Popper’s Penguins (2011) is one of those movies that just makes you smile—because, really, who doesn’t love Jim Carrey and Penguins? It’s a fun, lighthearted story about a man whose life gets turned upside down when a group of penguins waddles into his fancy New York apartment. Carrey’s comedic genius shines here, whether he’s slipping on ice or trying to keep his new feathery roommates out of trouble. And as someone who can never resist a penguin exhibit at the zoo, I completely get the charm. Penguins just have a way of stealing the show.

This one holds a special place in our family because our sons absolutely love it. In fact, one of them has even passed that love down to his own 3-year-old daughter. Watching him attempt to introduce her to the movie, while she barely sits still long enough to catch a scene, is both hilarious and heartwarming. It’s like watching a tradition in the making, and I can’t help but root for him. Someday, I’m sure she’ll be giggling along with the rest of us as those penguins cause chaos in Mr. Popper’s life.

For us, Mr. Popper’s Penguins is a feel-good family favorite that always brings a laugh, especially during the holidays.

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