27 G-Rated Christmas Movies for Kids
Celebrating Christmas with young children? Don’t miss this list of G-Rated Kids Christmas Movies for your holiday movie night.
Christmas is one of the most wonderful times of the year! As a mom of 3 under 5, I love incorporating light-hearted and fun Christmas movies into our holiday traditions.
I was surprised by just how many Christmas movies I personally loved that weren’t quite appropriate for my toddlers. The difference between PG and G can be pretty big depending on the film, and many of the films considered some of the best Christmas movies of all time are actually PG!
However, there are quite a few really wonderful kids Christmas movies rated G that the entire family can enjoy. Movies that are rated G means that they are suggested for general audiences, and are suitable for all ages. Parents shouldn’t have to worry about any of the topics or material when their children are viewing the movie.
Here are some of the best G-Rated Christmas Movies the entire family can enjoy this holiday season. Our family has personally watched all of these, and they are all appropriate for children under 5.
Note: Some links may be affiliate links. That means I may make a commission if you use my links to purchase, at no extra added cost to you! I only recommend products that I personally love and believe in. Full disclaimer here.
Christmas Movies Rated G You Can Stream At Home
The Santa Clause 2
While the original is actually rated PG (for a few adult themes and some language), this heartwarming holiday sequel with Tim Allen is a sweet option. In The Santa Clause 2, if Santa doesn’t get married by Christmas Eve he has to stop being Santa forever!
If you’re a fan of the original, you’ll love that this movie brings back much of the original cast in a more little-kid friendly tale.
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
In this final installment of the Santa Clause trilogy, Jack Frost causes havoc and freezes Christmas! Can Scott Calvin save Christmas in the St. Nick of time?
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas
You can’t go wrong with Mickey Mouse! In this collection, Mickey and his friends share 3 “heartwarming stories of Christmas past. “
Stream it on Disney+ and Amazon Prime
Mickey’s Twice Upon A Christmas
Join Mickey and the gang for a new Christmas tale.
Stream it on Disney+ and Amazon Prime
Noelle
Noelle is Santa’s daughter in this cute twist on Christmas being a family business. From the movie synopsis: “Kris Kringle’s daughter is full of Christmas spirit but wishes she could do something important like her brother Nick, who will take over for their father this Christmas.
When Nick is about to crumble like a gingerbread cookie from all the pressure, Noelle suggests he take a break and get away but when he doesn’t return, Noelle must find her brother and bring him back in time to save Christmas.” This is a great one to watch with the whole family.
The Muppet Christmas Carol
The Muppet’s rendition of Charles Dickens’s classic tale puts a unique twist on a favorite holiday story, and featured Michael Caine as Scrooge. Your littles will love seeing Miss Piggy, Kermit and the rest the Muppets, while the grown ups will enjoy how delightfully seriously Michael Caine takes his role as Ebenezer Scrooge in this fun film.
Stream it on Disney+ and Amazon Prime
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
The original holiday special is one you don’t want to miss! Have a holly jolly Christmas with this Claymation favorite filled with some of the best Christmas sing along music.
Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town
In the same tradition of Rudolph, celebrate the season with your little ones while watching the original holiday special about Kris Kringle. “After being discovered by a family of elves, baby Claus is raised by the Kringles and grows up to become a toymaker.”
Stream it on Amazon Prime or Peacock
A Charlie Brown Christmas
This is a wonderful movie to pair with beginning the conversation about the real meaning of Christmas! From the movie synopsis: “Feeling down about the commercialism of Christmas, Charlie Brown becomes the director of the gang’s holiday play. Can he overcome his friends’ preference for dancing over acting, find the “perfect” tree, and discover the true meaning of Christmas?”
Our family incorporates the Santa Sack and Reverse Advent Calendar into our giving back during the holiday season. I’ve used this movie in the past to spark that conversation with our littles.
The Polar Express
This beautiful animated movie was designed to look similar to the original drawings from the famous children’s book. Featuring Tom Hanks as the conductor, “a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.”
While this movie is G, there are a few scenes that might feel a little scary depending on your own child.
Stream it on Apple TV and Amazon Prime
Frosty the Snowman
This sweet animated classic tells the tale of how everyone’s favorite happy, jolly soul came to life one day in the original holiday special. This one is sure to spark the holiday spirit.
Legend of Frosty the Snowman
The Frosty the Snowman continues Frosty’s adventures, this time in the town of Evergreen.
Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You
This short film is story about little Mariah’s Christmas wish for a puppy.
An Elf’s Story: The Elf on the Shelf
A young scout elf attempts to help a little boy believe in Christmas. While this movie is technically not rated-G, it is rated TV-Y, with a story this is geared for children under 5.
Elf Pets: Santa’s Reindeer Rescue
“Determined to help Santa get ready for his merry rounds of gift-giving, a team of special elves wrangles in more reindeer and much-needed holiday magic.”
While this movie is technically not rated-G, it is rated TV-Y, with a story this is geared for children under 5.
The Star
Bo, a brave donkey, and all his animal friends go on the adventure of their dreams filled with lots of laughter.
Stream it on Netflix and Amazon Prime
Christmas in the Smokies
Christmas in the Smokies tells the story of a family’s journey to save their historic berry farm against all odds during one fateful holiday season.
Prancer
A little girl who recently lost her mother “experiences holiday magic when she finds an injured reindeer she believes is one of Santa’s.”
Stream it on Apple TV and Amazon Prime
Santa Buddies
If your little ones love dogs, you won’t want to miss this jolly new adventure. Puppy Paws, pup of the legendary Santa Paws, and his friends travel to the North Pole to save Christmas from disaster.
Stream it on Disney+ and Amazon Prime
The Search for Santa Paws
In this fantastic journey, the pups travel to the North Pole in search of Santa.
Santa Paws 2
Another super cute puppy adventure that’s a great G-rated Christmas movie for kids.
Stream it on Disney+ and Amazon Prime
The Year Without a Santa Claus
In this 1974 Christmas TV classic, “When a weary and discouraged Santa Claus considers skipping his Christmas Eve run one year, Mrs. Claus and his elves set out to change his mind.”
Stream it on Apple TV and Amazon Prime
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
In the 1966 Christmas classic, “a grumpy hermit hatches a plan to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville.” This film is unrated, and my kids personally found this Dr. Seuss story a little scary until they were 4, so just a heads up! However, now it’s one of our favorite movies to watch in front of the Christmas tree.
Live Action Christmas Movies Rated G
The next few movies are more adult, but still rated G. You might want to use your discretion as some parts might feel a little scary for children under 5 as these classic Christmas movies are live action movies as opposed to animated films.
Nutcracker the Motion Picture
The colorful holiday classic is designed by famed children’s story author and artist Maurice Sendak. It was written for the first time to be as close as possible to the original story.
Stream it on Apple TV and Amazon Prime
White Christmas
The ultimate Christmas classic staring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney focuses on Bing and Danny’s efforts to team up after the war to save an inn in Vermont.
Miracle on 34th Street
In the original 1947 holiday classic, a department store Santa is out to prove he’s the real Claus in this spirited film. The 1994 remake staring Mara Wilson is technically PG.
Stream it on Disney+, Apple TV and Amazon Prime
Scrooge
The spirit of Christmas becomes a musical celebration of life in this 1970’s Oscar-nominated adaptation of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol.
You might also enjoy these other Christmas posts:
80 Christmas Movie Trivia Questions and Answers {Free Printable}
100 Inspirational Family Christmas Quotes
Easy Christmas Simmer Pot Recipes
What Christmas Movie Should I watch with My Kids?
Here’s the full list of every movie we shared in this article:
- The Santa Clause 2
- The Santa Clause 3
- Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas
- Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas
- Noelle
- The Muppet Christmas Carol
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town
- A Charlie Brown Christmas
- The Polar Express
- Frosty the Snowman
- Legend of Frosty the Snowman
- Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You
- An Elf’s Story: The Elf on the Shelf
- Elf Pets: Santa’s Reindeer Rescue
- The Star
- Christmas in the Smokies
- Prancer
- Santa Buddies
- The Search for Santa Paws
- Santa Paws 2
- The Year Without a Santa Claus
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
- The Grinch (2018)
- Nutcracker the Motion Picture
- White Christmas
- Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
- Scrooge
Find the perfect G-Rated Family Movie Night Choice
Grab a cup of hot cocoa and curl up with one of the options above this Christmas season, knowing these classic holiday movies are all little kid friendly Christmas movies. Which of these are your favorite Christmas movie? Wishing you and your family a merry little Christmas!
