25 Best G-Rated Christmas Movies (& Why You Should Watch Them)
Tis’ the season to be jolly, so the Christmas movie binge-watch can commence. There’s a plethora of Christmas movies just waiting to be discovered, and there is something for everyone to enjoy. If you’re more naughty than nice, you can enjoy that type of movie; if you love cheesy romantic comedies, there’s something for you too; and if you’re the epitome of the Grinch, you can watch Grinch.
No matter whether you like or don’t like Christmas, these movies have it all. So without further ado, let’s dig into the 25 best G-rated movies that your whole family can enjoy throughout this Christmas season and many more to come.
1. Home Alone
What it’s about: Home Alone is a 1990 movie about a boy who wishes never to see his family again after they all gather to take a holiday trip together. Nothing magical about his wish coming true, though; they left him home alone. Kevin, played by Macaulay Culkin, now must navigate through the joys of Christmas while preventing a robbery from happening.
Why you should watch it: Home Alone is an absolute Christmas classic, and it is getting annoying how often it plays during the Holiday season, but it’s still a must-watch for the whole family. If you haven’t watched Home Alone, are you really into the holiday spirit? It’s different, and there’s no romance, just a kid spending Christmas alone
2. Scrooge: A Christmas Carol
What it’s about: Who in the world could resist a Christmas eve in London? The answer to that question is Scrooge. Scrooge is an animated spin-off of the 2009 A Christmas Carol. Scrooge must learn from his past and present to have a better future once the three ghosts of Christmas visit him.
Why you should watch it: Music, magic, joy, and Scrooge are all packed into the 1 hour and 30 minutes of animated fun. Luke Evans voices Scrooge, and the role suits him well. If you’re tired of watching Christmas movies and prefer an animated version, your family will enjoy this new 2022 classic.
3. How The Grinch Stole Christmas
What it’s about: In this live-action film made according to a children’s tale by Doctor Seuss, The Grinch decides to ruin Christmas for the jolly people of Whoville. He comes down from his mountain with his dog and decides to swipe out everything holiday-related, but his plan is interrupted when a young girl, Cindy Lou, touches his soul.
Why you should watch it: The Grinch and Scrooge fall into the same boat of hating Christmas but in a cute and family-friendly way. Jim Carrey’s role as the Grinch is evergreen and will stay in our minds and hearts for generations to come. If you want to check out the 2001 classic, now that you’ll be watching an academy awarded film.
4. A Boy Called Christmas
What it’s about: The story begins with a grandma telling us that back in the day, there was no Christmas. Still, there lived a young boy named Nikolas who set out on a mission to find a glimpse of magic in our world and bring us hope, but Nikolas wasn’t after the magic; he wanted to find his long-lost father who went out on a quest to find the fabled village of Elfhelm.
Why you should watch it: In 2021, CGI should impress us, and that’s exactly what it does in this movie. Much like the Home Alone movie, there is no romance and no consumerist holiday to be celebrated; it’s a search for the hope we experience when the holidays roll around each year.
5. Noelle
What it’s about: Christmas runs in the family, and Noelle’s and Nick’s father is retiring. Nick is supposed to replace him, but unfortunately, it’s not going well for him. Amidst Christmas Eve preparations, Nick takes a break but doesn’t return, so it’s up to Noelle to save Christmas.
Why you should watch it: Anna Kendrick has starred in many comedies, and she brings excellent Christmas-themed acting in this charming and sometimes funny Christmas adventure movie, so it’s definitely worth giving a shot. You can watch the movie on Disney+ and other platforms.
6. Rise of the Guardians
What it’s about: The story follows The Guardians, who have protected children from sorrow for centuries, but it all changes when Pitch Black takes the stage and decides to fill the world with just that. It’s up to Jack Frost to save the day, but can he do it?
Why you should watch it: Technically, Rise of the Guardians is not a full-blown Christmas movie, but it’s easy to see why we put it on the list since you have Jack Frost as the main character, and one of the Guardians is Santa Claus as well. If you prefer to watch something Holiday spirited but has very little to do with Christmas, Rise of the Guardians is an excellent choice.
7. Klaus
What it’s about: Klaus tells the story of unexpected friendship, kindness, and togetherness. The postal academy’s worst student, Jesper, is sent to a town near the arctic circle that’s considered nothing more than depressing. Through all that sadness and depression, Jesper befriends a mysterious carpenter, Klaus, who will later help him bring joy back to the town of Smeerensberg.
Why you should watch it: Klaus is an academy award nominee, and you don’t see Christmas movies as nominees often. Klaus changed things as a nominee for Best Animated Feature Film, so you won’t be sorry if you decide to watch it with the whole family.
8. The Polar Express
What it’s about: The Polar Express is based on a children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg and is an excellent read and a movie to watch. It follows a young boy that sets off on an adventure on the polar express that will lead him to the North pole. On that train ride, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery, belief, and hope.
Why you should watch it: The polar express is one of those Christmas classics you have to watch, so if you want to sprinkle your Home with a bit of nostalgia, a good storyline, and great animation for 2004 standards, try and give The Polar Express a chance; you won’t regret it.
9. Jack Frost
What it’s about: Jack Frost is a failed star musician that still dreams of becoming one. He failed to spend time with his wife and kid Charlie during his lifetime and tragically passed away. A year later, Charlie plays a tune on his harmonica, and Jack comes back to life, but this time as a snowman. Will they make up for a lost time, and how?
Why you should watch it: Jack frost is a 1998 movie and is considered one of the classics. The CGI might look scary since Jack is pictured as a snowman in this one, but the story sends a powerful message and brings together families. Jack Frost is the way to go if you prefer your Christmas movies to be sprinkled with a bit of sadness. Just make sure not to watch the countless horror movies made under the same name
10. The Christmas Chronicles
What it’s about: The movie follows two children, Teddy and Kate, that believe they have seen Santa Claus on Christmas eve. They sneak into his sleigh, and when they reveal to Santa that they’re there, Santa loses his bag of presents and hat, the two most important things helping him deliver presents throughout the night. They must now save the Christmas spirit and Christmas as a whole together.
Why you should watch it: Even though his beard is a bit grayer than I like my Santa Claus beard to be, Kurt Russel still manages to be one of the best Santas I’ve ever seen. If you still believe in Santa and the joy of Christmas, this movie will keep the faith going with how excellent everything looks.
11. Arthur Christmas
What it’s about: Arthur is Santa’s youngest son, and each year, he witnesses his father bring joy to every child on earth, but this time, he missed a child, and Arthur now has to do everything in his power to make this child’s Christmas a joyous one.
Why you should watch it: Animated movies are something the whole family can enjoy, so it’s unsurprising that Arthur Christmas is another animated movie on the list but has a more modern twist on the whole Santa’s operation thing. If you’d like to experience Christmas through a modern lens, give Arthur Christmas a go.
12. Happiest Season
What it’s about: Abby and Harper are a lesbian couple sharing their life. They pay a visit to Harper’s family during the holiday season. Abby doesn’t realize that Harper hasn’t come out to her family yet. They must navigate through Christmas trying to keep it together.
Why you should watch it: The LGBTQ+ community doesn’t get much representation in Christmas movies. If you need one that manages to do just that, Happiest Season is an excellent choice to make you realize the problems of an LGBTQ+ couple during the holiday season.
13. A Dennis the Menace Christmas
What it’s about: We all know Dennis, he’s an unintentional menace that manages to mess up every little thing by accident, but he always comes out on the other side a winner. During the holiday season, he’s tasked with being Mr. Wilson’s secret Santa and decides to give him the holiday spirit. You can only imagine how that went.
Why you should watch it: Mr. Wilson is the main protagonist in this Christmas movie and acts like a Scrooge of the Dennis the Menace universe. If you enjoy Dennis the Menace and Scrooge, this movie will get you in the Christmas spirit.
14. Deck the Halls
What it’s about: It’s a war between neighbors in this 2006 Christmas movie where Danny, played by Danny De Vito, decides to decorate his house so bright that it can be seen from space. This sets up a fire in the Christmas enthusiast that is Steve, and the two must fight to one-up each other and ruin the Christmas spirit together.
Why you should watch it: You truly can’t go wrong with Danny De Vito as the star cast member in this Christmas movie. It is considered one of the newer classics, so it’s worth adding to your list of Christmas movies you have to watch.
15. Love Hard
What it’s about: Natalie is an LA girl who has a difficult time with love, swiping endlessly on dating apps and getting repeatedly disappointed until she starts talking to a guy from the east coast. She visits him during the holiday season but realizes she has been catfished. Will she stay and find love in the unlikeliest of places?
Why you should watch it: Love hard is a newer Christmas movie that seems to have gathered quite a bit of interest in the audience for the one year it’s been out. If you haven’t already, it’s worth a watch as an unlikely romance ensues in this modern Christmas romantic comedy. There’s even a surprise rendition of Baby It’s Cold Outside, more appropriate for our modern times.
16. Miracle on 34th Street
What it’s about: Santa Claus is in town, but he’s disguised as another ordinary guy in this 1994 remake of the original 1947 film. It is up to one lawyer and a girl to prove he’s the real deal to save Christmas, future Christmases, and one family in the process.
Why you should watch it: Miracle on 34th street is everything you need from a Christmas movie. It has a good, kind-hearted Santa whose eyes seem to pierce into your soul and an amazing, out-of-the-ordinary plot line, so make sure to add it to your watch list.
17. The Santa Clause
What it’s about: Scott is an ordinary divorced guy who has custody of his kid Eric on Christmas Eve. After a guy in a Santa suit meets his maker, he’s transported to the North Pole and has to take on the role of Santa for the next Christmas. Scott isn’t exactly eager to be Santa and doesn’t even believe it to be true, but as time will tell, he truly is Santa and must save Christmas in time.
Why you should watch it: Not many Christmas movies get a sequel, but Santa Clause is the exception. You’ll certainly enjoy the movie, and if you do, you’ll get to watch two more sequels in this franchise from 1994.
18. The Christmas Star
What it’s about: Santa is a burglar who just broke out of prison and decided to take back his stolen loot in a Santa Suit. Two kids mistake him for the real deal and make his life very difficult when he tries to get rid of them. In a journey of self-discovery, will this con man turn good?
Why you should watch it: The Christmas star is the perfect combination of a more naughty than a nice movie that kids can still enjoy, which means adults can enjoy it as well. Give this star a chance if you’re into that type of Christmas movie.
19. Frozen
What it’s about: The movie Frozen follows Elsa, who is a girl who has magical powers that have been hidden all her life. Her little sister Anna is ”ordinary”, and once Anna finds ”true love” and decides to get married after one day of knowing the fellow, Elsa refuses to give them her blessing, and within that anger, slips up with her powers, freezing the whole town.
Why you should watch it: Frozen isn’t exactly at the top of my list as a Christmas movie, but the magical snowmen, kind reindeer, and snowy mountains and scenery will make you easily confuse it for a Christmas movie. Frozen hit 1.282 billion USD at the box office, and many return to it yearly, so why wouldn’t you?
20. 12 Dates of Christmas
What it’s about: After a bad date, Kate wakes up the day after, only to find that she’s reliving the same day. It happens over and over again until she realizes she must fix her wrongdoings on Christmas Eve 12 times until she gets it right, but the question is, will she, and what constitutes a happy ending for her?
Why you should watch it: If you want a little magical spin on a classic romantic comedy centered around the theme of Christmas, 12 Dates of Christmas is an excellent choice for both adults and kids.
21. The Nightmare Before Christmas
What it’s about: Jack Skellington is Halloween town’s beloved pumpkin king who one day decides he’s tired of scaring people yearly in the real world. He accidentally stumbles upon Christmas town with all the bright colors and joy, making him think of a plan to kidnap Santa Claus and take Christmas under his control.
Why you should watch it: Although it might be a bit scary initially, the scary parts of The Nightmare Before Christmas aren’t so obvious to see through children’s eyes. It’s a Tim Burton classic adored by many as a Halloween and Christmas movie, so it’s definitely worth watching right after Halloween rolls around.
22. The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
What it’s about: Young Clara has a box that only a special one-of-a-kind key opens. The box contains a priceless gift, and once she finds the key, it soon disappears into a parallel world. The land is in disbalance, and Clara must restore it with the help of the friends she met across the other three realms.
Why you should watch it: Although the original Nutcracker ballet composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is filled with horror, the movie and the newer ballet versions bring more holiday cheer into the mix, so be sure to check out the classics upon classic out in this 2018 rendition.
23. Jingle All the Way
What it’s about: Arnold Schwarzenegger plays Howard, a workaholic dad that doesn’t spend time with his son. To make up for everything, he promises to get him an ultra-popular toy for Christmas – Turbo Man. How hard can it be? To Howard’s surprise, the road will be paved with many mishaps.
Why you should watch it: It’s hard to see Arnold Schwarzenegger as a lovely dad trying to save Christmas for his family when he’s big, strong, and most known for his role as The Terminator. Still, he manages to do it with quirky grace, which makes the movie unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
24. The Princess Switch
What it’s about: A week before Christmas, a dutchess decides to trade places with an ordinary woman from Chicago since they’re lookalikes. What winds up happening is that both fall in love with each other’s boyfriends. It doesn’t sound Christmasy, but it gets there, trust me.
Why you should watch it: The Princess Switch is described as an incredibly family-friendly movie similar to The Parent Trap and Roman Holiday. Hence, it’s not inappropriate for the whole family to enjoy this holiday season.
25. A Very Merry Pooh Year
What it’s about: There isn’t much to go over in terms of the plot. Pooh is decorating his Christmas tree, and as the gang gathers and after a few mishaps, Rabbit gets frustrated and decides to move away to make him stay; they all promise to change, personality swaps happen, and chaos ensues.
Why you should watch it: It’s a simple but effective story of how you shouldn’t change who you are because nothing good can come out of it. It’s an easy-going Christmas movie that’s not just for children; even though it may seem like it at first, adults can learn a lot from Pooh and his friends. Chris
