The Best Family Christmas Movies to Watch This Year

Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square (2020)

Nothing brings to mind “feel-good” quite like these two words: Dolly Parton. In this Netflix movie — too new to be a classic but too sparkly to pass up — the angelic philanthropist dons heavenly wings as she drops in on a frozen-hearted businesswoman (Christine Baranski) who plans to evict the denizens of a small town — on Christmas Eve no less.

Watch it: Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square, on Netflix

Elf (2003)

Will Ferrell's oversize elf heads to New York City in search of his birth father. James Caan plays the less-than-welcoming dad, whose fixed grimace would seem to make him ill-suited for his role as the publisher of children's books. Can openheartedness trump the dyspeptic? In this particular season, whaddaya think?

Watch it: Elf, on Amazon Prime, Hulu

Home Alone (1990)

Feel-good goes hilariously (but not scarily) sadistic when 8-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) fends off two fully incompetent robbers. The bumbling thieves (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) take quite the beating in order for the youngster to learn some enduring truths about his place in a loving family.

Watch it: Home Alone, on Amazon Prime, Disney+

Nothing Like the Holidays (2008)

When the Puerto Rican Rodriguez family gathers in Chicago for a Christmas celebration, the adult kids and cousins expect the usual big, raucous affair. What they don't anticipate is Mom saying she's leaving Dad. Pass the .. .wha?!!! Of course plenty can — and will — happen before that declaration of departure, and family love prevails. This 2008 comedy has a cast to relish: Elizabeth Peña, Alfred Molina, John Leguizamo, Luis Guzmán, Freddy Rodriguez and Debra Messing.

Watch it: Nothing Like the Holidays, on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google Play

Love Actually (2003)

This omnibus holiday romance has aged fairly well, with its collection of couples – current, would-be and unlikely. It's jam-packed with class acts: Hugh Grant as a singleton prime minister; Liam Neeson as a widower; Emma Thompson as a wife aware of the impending departure of her husband (Alan Rickman). Joni Mitchell's version of “Both Sides Now” is brilliantly crushing. But Bill Nighy steals the show as rocker with nary a friend – or so it seems.

Watch it: Love Actually, on Amazon Prime, YouTube

The Santa Clause (1994)

Heroes aren't born so much as rise to the occasion — often after trying to wriggle out of duty. Tim Allen's Scott Calvin is one such soul. When he inadvertently dispatches Santa and then dons the red suit, the fine print states he's it — like it or not. His personal growth — aided by a wise-guy elf and a wee, wise-souled elf — is cause for merriment. Apparently, he got the hang of the gig enough for three sequels.

Watch it: The Santa Clause, on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Disney+, Google Play, Vudu, YouTube

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1965)

An outcast with a blinking red schnoz and an impressive vertical leap meets an outcast with a hankering for dentistry, plus a beachhead of poorly constructed but oh-so-game toys in this made-for-TV stop-motion lesson in acceptance. Even Santa vows to do better. Burl Ives narrates – and sings classics – as Sam the (vest-wearing, pocket-watch-consulting) Snowman.

Watch it: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, on Vudu

It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Those who thrive on payback are always a wee bit frustrated that Mr. Potter never gets his comeuppance in director Frank Capra's perfect snowflake of a tale. Forget seeing him being carted away in handcuffs for theft, we don't even get some “hah!” shot of the banker all alone at a vast and empty dinner table while Jimmy Stewart's George Bailey — a little worse for the wear after seeing what Bedford Falls would have been like without him — basks in the love of family, old friends and his community. Zuzu's petals will give you wings.

Watch it: It’s a Wonderful Life, on Amazon Prime

Die Hard (1988)

You can have your ho-ho-hos. Some families love a yipee-ki-yay. When Holly McClane’s corporate holiday party gets invaded by Euro-baddies (led by the very-much-missed Alan Rickman), estranged husband and off-duty detective John McClane rises to the occasion. People — OK, guys — have come to near blows battling about whether this classic action flick is really a holiday movie. Sure, it’s set on Christmas Eve, but really? It’s shot through with lessons of love and loyalty, so our answer is yes, really. 

Watch it: Die Hard, on Amazon, Apple TV

Lisa Kennedy, a regular AARP film critic, is a former Village Voice editor (1986-96) and Denver Post film critic (2003-15) who writes on popular culture, race and gender for Variety, The New York Times, Essence, American Theatre, the Denver Post, and others.

Editor's note: This article was originally published on Nov. 30, 2020. It has been updated with additional movies and links where you can stream the films on this list.