As Christmas 2023 approaches, many people look forward to spending time with loved ones while watching one of the 12 most popular Christmas films, 2023, on IMDB. These Christmas movies for kids are sure to keep the kids (and adults) occupied during the celebrations, with a mix of heartfelt drama and hilarious comedies that teach valuable lessons about life.
12. Four Christmases (2008) – 5.7
Stream Now on Netflix
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Run Time: 88 min
When a flight to Fiji gets cancelled, a cute young couple has to spend Christmas Day with their separated parents instead. Though the premise is interesting, director Seth Gordon (King of Kong) has difficulty making it work successfully. His script and cast (including Sissy Spacek, Mary Steenburgen, and Jon Voight) are uninteresting due to their one-dimensional characters that lack comic potential and organic chemistry.
The lessons that Four Christmases tries to impart on the importance of family may not be easy to take in for some viewers. Even after all this time, Brad and Kate seem set on being self-centred by always looking for excuses to skip holiday gatherings.
Vince Vaughn, who stars alongside Reese Witherspoon as the film’s leads and their relationship never seems to mesh due to a weak script and lack of laughs; moreover, there are all too many predictable holiday gags about odd relatives, inappropriate jokes, uncomfortable gifts – as well as sexual humour present throughout.
11. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) – 8.6
Stream Now on Plex, Prime Video
Genres: Drama, Family, Fantasy
Run Time: 130 min
The 1946 release of It’s a Wonderful Life, now widely regarded as one of the greatest and most inspirational films of all time, was an instant box office flop that nearly bankrupted Liberty Films (which Capra co-founded after World War II).
Despite being led by the always-reliable James Stewart, this black-and-white film was too dismal for audiences still reeling from postwar misery. The FBI even wrote a document calling it “communist class warfare propaganda.”
But instead of becoming a cause of enormous financial pressure for the organization, what could have been devastating turned into an opportunity. It’s a Wonderful Life has largely become an annual staple around the holidays because it fell into the public domain after the original copyright agreement expired and television networks were no longer required to pay to air it.
Russell Shearman, who acted as special effects master on this picture, invented a new snow-producing technique of water, soap flakes, and foaming that is far safer than using untoasted cornflakes or asbestos to make fake snow effects in movies. Fake snow effects are still created using this method, albeit with less danger than in the past.
10. A Christmas Story (1983) – 7.9
Genres: Comedy, Family
Run Time: 93 min
When it was released in theatres in 1983, A Christmas Story did not become an instant classic. However, its reputation has since evolved, and it is now regarded as one of the finest Christmas films of all time. The film’s semi-autobiographical content and infectious Christmas cheer ensure that it has withstood the test of time. Although much of the film was produced in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, three pivotal scenes involving Ralphie’s first encounter with the Red Ryder BB rifle were filmed at the Higbee’s department store in downtown Cleveland.
The movie was based on a short storybook by Jean Shepherd. Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), a young boy of nine, tries various tactics to persuade his parents to buy him a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas, including dropping hints, asking his father (Darren McGavin), writing down his wish list, and even paying a visit to Santa at the mall.
The film’s memorable lines and moments make it difficult to turn away from it; it’s a feel-good, entertaining watch that anyone can enjoy.
9. Violent Night (2022) – 6.7
Stream Now on Prime Video
Genres: Action, Comedy, Thriller
Run Time: 112 min
Violent Night is a fun, intense, original thriller-comedy that mixes explosive action and amusing holiday stereotype parodies, making for an excellent filmgoing experience. While not the most innovative of its kind, Violent Night succeeds admirably in sating viewers’ cravings for mindless violence.
The violence is kept to a minimum so as not to detract from the tale or the characters. David Harbour gives a standout performance as Santa Claus, who is the source of many laughs.
Violent Night includes David Harbour from Stranger Things as an unwelcoming version of Santa Claus in Violent Night, directed by Norwegian filmmaker Tommy Wirkola (Dead Snow and Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters).
Inspired by films like Die Hard, Home Alone, Krampus, and Fatman, Violent Night is a shockingly violent Christmas action film that never feels recycled. Though Harbour gives a stellar performance as the film’s lead and infuses each action sequence with his signature brand of hilarious irreverence, the film’s many subplots and character motivations ultimately detract from what might have been a fantastic trash-compactor genre smorgasbord.
8. Die Hard (1988) – 8.2
Genres: Action, Thriller
Run Time: 132 min
Die Hard, directed by John McTiernan and written by Jeb Stuart and Steven E. DeKnight, was released in 1988. de Souza is a pioneer in the action cinema genre. Starring New York cop John McClane as he journeys into Los Angeles for Christmas break, where he gets engaged in a terrorist takeover of a building.
The film’s success can be attributed mainly to how it pits a working-class hero against the haughty elites who control the LAPD and the FBI. Gruber’s dry sense of humour is a welcome counterpoint to the story’s otherwise tense atmosphere. In addition, the script is more than the typical mindless action movie one-liners.
Bruce Willis’ performance in this film would catapult him into a successful acting career. His success with this timeless masterpiece, which included an iconic hero all viewers could identify with and an exceptional action sequence performance by Alan Rickman as German terrorist mastermind Hans Gruber, prompted numerous imitators to try their hand at the genre.
7. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) – 7.9
Stream Now on Prime Video
Genres: Animation, Family, Fantasy
Run Time: 76 min
The Nightmare Before Christmas is a 1993 stop-motion musical dark fantasy film directed by Henry Selick from an idea by Tim Burton. Chris Sarandon plays King Jack Skellington, who, after discovering a portal that transports him away from Halloween Town and into the realms of other holidays, sets out to bring them all back with the help of Catherine O’Hara, William Hickey, Ken Page, Paul Reubens, Glenn Shadix, Ed Ivory (voice), and Danny Elfman’s original score and songs written primarily for the film.
The film achieves its goal of enjoyment by telling a hilarious, dark, and off-kilter story that mocks two critical holidays. The fantastic animation and endearing characters in this one perfectly convey their essence.
Any stop-motion animation or dark fantasy admirer should see The Nightmare Before Christmas. The Nightmare Before Christmas is the ultimate holiday film that proves Disney can provide more than just kid-friendly entertainment, and it remains enjoyable for young children and adults despite its dated end-of-the-millennium trappings.
6. The Santa Clause (1994) – 6.5
Stream Now on Disney+, Prime Video
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family
Run Time: 97 min
Tim Allen, John Pasquin’s snappy direction, and a few funny wisecracks from young Eric Lloyd make Disney’s 1994 holiday classic The Santa Clause a wonderfully watchable family entertainment. Despite some excessive sweetness and Eric Lloyd, Jr.’s repeated requests for Santa’s attention, The Santa Clause is nevertheless a fun time for the whole family.
Also, numerous racy jokes were cut from subsequent DVD editions due to parental complaints, so it’s worth watching to see if you can spot any of them (like the one about dialling “1-800-SPANK-ME,” which was cut).
The film is based on the novel by Van Allsburg. It follows Scott Calvin (Tim Allen), a divorced father who lives in Lakeside, Illinois, with his son Charlie. The children of the globe need his support to keep believing in Santa even though his ex-wife Laura and her psychiatrist husband Neil no longer do. The fact that Charlie begins to wonder if his mysterious new neighbour, Dr. Neal Miller (Judge Reinhold), is actually the real Santa doesn’t help matters either.
5. The Polar Express (2004) – 6.6
Stream Now on Hulu, Netflix, Prime Video
Genres: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Run Time: 100 min
Adapted from the beloved children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, “The Polar Express” re-teams Tom Hanks with “Forrest Gump” and “Cast Away” filmmaker Robert Zemeckis. This holiday season, take the family to see The Polar Express. It’s got a soft spot for the underdog and enough eye candy to impress grownups.
A young child is invited on a special train to the North Pole as his belief in Christmas begins to waver. The boy and several other children embark on a fantastic voyage on the train. Still, it is not until they reach the Arctic that they understand the meaning of Christmas magic. Their unique trip reminds them of the significance of friendship, courage, and the joy of giving presents together.
The Polar Express, unfortunately, isn’t as enchanted or motivational as it would have us believe. There are various things to complain about, and it’s also a touch slow. The characters’ squiggly faces don’t precisely match their realistic, animated equivalents. The picture has a pleasant enough style and enough exciting moments to hold our interest.
4. Elf (2003) – 7.1
Stream Now on Hulu
Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Family
Run Time: 97 min
Jon Favreau ensures that his version will fill viewers with holiday joy by completely removing any trace of cynicism from the story. Buddy, played by Will Ferrell, is an admirable character who is open, honest, and curious. The stellar cast is completed by Zooey Deschanel and Mary Steenburgen.
This holiday favourite stars Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf, who finds himself in an unfamiliar environment. The script is cheesy but full of hilarious gags, miscommunications, and beautiful scenes. The movie pays homage to numerous traditional holiday comedies but is more than just a hodgepodge of skits.
This film, directed by Jon Favreau, is about a boy named Buddy who grows up to be one of Santa’s elves. Buddy leaves the North Pole to travel to New York City in search of his birth father. Director Jon Favreau, whose last feature was the highly regarded Made, infuses the project with an exciting, can-do attitude. The movie pays homage to numerous traditional holiday comedies but is more than just a hodgepodge of skits.
3. Love Actually (2003) – 7.6
Stream Now on Netflix, Apple TV
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Run Time: 135 min
Love Actually is an earnest movie that tries to make a serious point but ultimately fails. The film’s big moments, like Juliet’s (Keira Knightley) and Peter’s (Chiwetel Ejiofor) weddings, are impressive. Still, the ambiguous ending may leave some viewers frustrated. Neither the decency nor the delicacy to give Harry’s wife, Joanna Anderson, a touching scene is present.
The filmmaker of “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” Richard Curtis, has the emotional fortitude to compose even a memorable line, much less an overarching score. The nine stories he weaves together don’t always go in the same direction but are full of affection. While not every story has a happy conclusion, there are plenty of chuckles, and the music surely helps.
The film’s major flaw is that there are too many characters, all of whom stand out from the others due to their unique characteristics. While that can aid the movie with its star power, it’s also a significant disadvantage for crafting a simple film for the eyes and entertaining for everyone.
2. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) – 7.5
Stream Now on Prime Video
Genres: Comedy
Run Time: 97 min
Laughter is guaranteed when watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. A lovable character, played by Chevy Chase, tries to make Christmas perfect for his family but gets thwarted by misfortune, hostile neighbours, and an electrocuted cat. This film premiered in 1989 and is ideal for Christmas viewing with the family.
It’s one of the few sequels that can be enjoyed without first watching the original. It is an excellent comedy for sharing with loved ones this Christmas season. John Hughes’s short story “Christmas ’59” inspired the American Christmas comedy National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
Many viewers found the film’s humour infuriating, but I found it refreshing and entertaining from beginning to end. It’s witty and entertaining. I’ve liked this film ever since it came out, and I think any fan of vintage comedies should watch it.
1. Home Alone (1990) – 7.7
Genres: Comedy, Family
Run Time: 103 min
Home Alone was released on November 16, 1990. It became an instantaneous movie office success, leading to franchise chances and cementing screenwriter John Hughes’ place in pop culture mythology. Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin, is a hero who fights off several bumbling burglars. This movie changed the course of cinema history and cemented John Hughes’s place in pop culture lore. The original film broke box office records when it was released and has since become a beloved holiday staple.
The film follows an eight-year-old child through his humorous experience after he is left behind at his family’s Chicago vacation home. Kevin is left behind at the big family home as his parents and siblings flee Paris.
This movie obviously satirizes middle-class American family dynamics. The cast is outstanding, as always, delivering excellent turns. The comedy is perfect, especially from Joe Pesci as one of the burglars, Harry Lime, who tries to break into Kevin’s house.
