5 best Christmas movies for toddlers to watch this Christmas 2024

Still from FROZEN 2013 (Image via youtbe/@Disney Princess)
Still from FROZEN 2013 (Image via youtbe/@Disney Princess)

Christmas movies are an important part of building fond memories for children. These Christmas movies are not merely entertainment for toddlers but rather help stir the imagination, build emotional development, and create a feeling of wonder.

The colourful visuals, engaging storylines, and lovable characters in Christmas movies create an experience that appeals to young viewers, helping them understand the magic of Christmas while teaching valuable lessons of kindness, love, and sharing.

Among the many holiday classics, The Polar Express (2004) stands out with its enchanting animation and heartwarming adventure. Then, Elf (2003) adds the laughter and fun that only this fairytale of a man brought up by elves could manage, allowing the youngest audiences to get hooked.

Frozen, released by Disney in 2013, is renowned for its iconic songs and magic winter scenery, which amazes toddlers with its powerful themes. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) conveys a timeless message of what Christmas is all about and thus can be recommended for a younger audience.

Finally, The Snowman, a beautifully animated short film in 1982, will melt hearts with its magical, silent story of a boy and his snowman.


The Polar Express, Elf and 3 other must-see Christmas movies for toddlers

1) The Polar Express (2004)

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Polar Express is an enchanting Christmas film, 2004, helmed by Robert Zemeckis, who also co-authored the screenplay with William Broyles Jr. from Chris Van Allsburg's children's book of 1985.

The film was produced by Steve Starkey, Robert Zemeckis, Gary Goetzman, and William Teitler, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Released on November 10, 2004, the film is about a young boy who is sceptical of Christmas magic and is taken on an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. On the way, he learns about bravery, belief, and the essence of the holiday spirit.

It's also the first film to use new motion-capture animation technology to its fullest extent, it looks very distinctive and very beautiful. Its worldwide gross was $311.3 million and later listed in the 2006 Guinness World Records as the first all-digital capture film.

The Polar Express is a film that toddlers love because of its dynamic visuals, appealing story, and music. This journey effectively captures the essence of Christmas movies.


2) Elf (2003)

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Elf is a Christmas comedy film directed by Jon Favreau, produced by Jon Berg, Todd Komarnicki and Shauna Robertson from a screenplay by David Berenbaum. The film was produced by New Line Cinema and released on November 7, 2003.

The Christmas movie follows Buddy played by Will Ferrel, who was brought up by the elves at the North Pole. Upon discovering that he is human, Buddy travels to New York City to find his biological father.

In the bustling city, Buddy's innocent and over-the-top Christmas spirit brings joy to everyone he meets. Themes of family, belief, and the magic of Christmas are at the core of this film.

With colourful visuals, light humour, and catchy songs, toddlers will like Elf. A simple yet engaging storyline with the humorous innocence of Buddy makes the movie ideal to be watched by young children during the holiday season.


3) Frozen (2013)

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Frozen is an animated musical fantasy film that was released in 2013. The film was directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, produced by Peter Del Vecho, and written by Jennifer Lee.

It draws inspiration from Hans Christian Andersen's 1844 fairy tale The Snow Queen.

The film was produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It had its world premiere on November 19, 2013, at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles and its general theatrical release on November 27, 2013.

The story follows Anna, an irrepressible optimist, who teams up with Kristoff, a mountain man, along with his reindeer sidekick Sven, on an unforgettable odyssey to find her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have inadvertently trapped their kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter.

Encountering mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf along the way, they strive to put things right and save their kingdom from eternal winter.

This Christmas movie has received critical acclaim, holding an IMDb rating of 7.4 out of 10. Frozen is available to stream on Disney+.

Toddlers will love this Christmas movie for its storyline, and memorable characters with songs. The themes of love, family, and self-discovery are portrayed in a manner that is quite clear for a young audience.


4) A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

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A Charlie Brown Christmas is an animated special directed by Bill Melendez had directed, and Charles M. Schulz penned the screenplay.

It was produced by Lee Mendelson based on his own Peanuts comic strip and was first telecast on CBS on December 9, 1965.

This Christmas movie follows Charlie Brown, who feels down during the holiday season. Tasked with directing his school's Christmas play, he seeks the true meaning of Christmas. His journey leads him to a humble, struggling Christmas tree, which, with care and love, becomes a symbol of the holiday's true spirit.

As of December 2024, A Charlie Brown Christmas is available for streaming exclusively on Apple TV+. The special has an IMDb rating of 8.3/10.

A Charlie Brown Christmas is a favourite for toddlers because of its simple storytelling, and charming characters. It is one of the timeless Christmas movies out there.


5) The Snowman (1982)

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The Snowman is a British animated film by Dianne Jackson, produced by John Coates. Raymond Briggs adapted the screenplay from his 1978 picture book. It was produced by TVC London and Channel 4 and premiered on December 26, 1982.

A young boy constructs a snowman that magically comes to life, and they travel to the North Pole to meet Father Christmas. The movie has a wordless storyline, and music and visuals tell the story.

As of December 2024, The Snowman streams on Channel 4's All4 in the UK and on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and YouTube in the US. The film has an IMDb rating of 8.2/10.

Toddlers will love this Christmas movie for its animation, gentle story, and memorable music like Walking in the Air. Its simple narrative is for young children.


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Edited by Prem Deshpande
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