Seasonal Guide
Christmas Movies for Kids, by Scare Level and Streaming Service
Christmas movies are not all cozy. Some have ghosts, runaway trains and a missile or two. This guide sorts seven family favorites by how scary and sad they get, flags the animated ones, and shows where each streams, plus two new 2026 releases to watch for.
Ages 3 and up: A Charlie Brown Christmas. Ages 5 and up: The Grinch (2018) or The Muppet Christmas Carol. Ages 6 to 7 and up: Arthur Christmas, Klaus, The Polar Express or Elf. Age notes are our own judgment, so go by your child's temperament over the number.
Scary and sad meter for all seven
These are our editorial ratings. Tap any title below to see its age-by-age guide on the title lookup. Animated films are marked in the list.
| Film | Scary | Sad | Rated | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Charlie Brown Christmas | Low | Low | G | 25 min |
| The Grinch | Low | Medium | PG | 82 min |
| The Muppet Christmas Carol | Medium | Medium | G | 85 min |
| Arthur Christmas | Medium | Low | PG | 97 min |
| Klaus | Low | Medium | PG | 96 min |
| The Polar Express | Medium | Low | G | 100 min |
| Elf | Low | Low | PG | 95 min |
Cozy pick (ages 3+)
The gentlest Christmas movie there is. Charlie Brown looks for the real point of the holiday, and nothing frightening happens. It is short enough for toddlers and a good first Christmas watch. Ages 3 and up.
Gentle, with a few shivers (ages 5+)
Mostly slapstick, with sled rides and falls. The tense moment is the Grinch nearly slipping off a mountain, and he is rescued. Expect a sad backstory explaining why he hates Christmas. Common Sense Media says 6 and up, and many parents say 5. Ages 5 and up.
A warm, funny version of the Dickens story. The Ghost of Christmas Future is the scary part, and in one possible future Tiny Tim dies. That can upset sensitive kids, so preview it if yours scare easily. Ages 5 and up.
More peril or edge (ages 6 to 7+)
A clever, funny look at how Santa's operation really works. The danger is played for laughs, but a homeowner fires a gun at the characters and military missiles hit the sleigh. Ages 6 and up.
A beautiful origin story for Santa. Two families keep a bitter feud going, with traps and chases, and one character is grieving a loss. It is moving, and more serious than the title suggests. Ages 6 to 7 and up.
Rated G, but not a gentle watch for every child. The train ride is fast and dangerous, and one scene has a puppet frighten a boy in a dark room of toys. Common Sense Media says 6 and up. Ages 6 to 7 and up.
Not scary, but it has mild swearing and crude jokes, which is why Common Sense Media says 8 and up and kids' reviews say 7. Park rangers chase Santa's sleigh at the end, played for laughs. Ages 7 and up.
Where to stream them
Streaming catalogs change often. This is what we found listed on October 19, 2026, so check the service before you plan movie night.
- NetflixKlaus.
- Disney+The Muppet Christmas Carol.
- PeacockThe Grinch (2018).
- Apple TVA Charlie Brown Christmas.
- Rent onlyElf, Arthur Christmas and The Polar Express did not show up on a subscription service when we checked JustWatch on October 19, 2026. Look for them as rentals or purchases, and check the price before you press play.
- FreeWe did not find any of these seven listed as free to stream. Apple made A Charlie Brown Christmas free to stream (with an Apple Account, no subscription) on December 13 and 14 in 2025, so check Apple TV in December for the same.
- Prime VideoNone of these seven are included with Prime right now.
New in 2026
Two family Christmas films have dates, and we have not rated either yet.
- A Dog's Perfect Christmas comes to Netflix on November 4, 2026. A corgi puppy brings a grieving family together, and the story starts with a teenager's mother in a coma. We could not find a rating, so read it first and preview if your kids are sensitive.
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: The Getaway is scheduled for Disney+ on December 4, 2026. Its rating had not been announced when we checked.
Our new family movies this month guide lists new releases.
Use the free WatchWithKids finder with your kids' ages and the services you pay for, or look up any single title on the title lookup to see its scary and sad meters and where it streams. Looking for something spookier? Our Halloween guide covers The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Tips for a good Christmas movie night
- Choose for the youngest child in the room. Our guide to what to watch when your kids are different ages can help.
- Start with the short one. A Charlie Brown Christmas fits before dinner or bedtime.
- Know the sad beats. The Muppet Christmas Carol and Klaus both have moments that land hard for sensitive kids.
- Rent the day before, not a month early. Digital rentals do not run out, so there is no need to rush. But Prime Video rentals usually expire 30 days after you pay, and you get about 48 hours to finish once you press play. Other stores have their own windows, so check the rental page.
FAQ
What are the best Christmas movies for kids on Netflix?
Klaus (PG) is on Netflix as of October 19, 2026. It is a hand-drawn animated story with a feud between two families and a grieving character, so it suits ages 6 to 7 and up. A new family film, A Dog's Perfect Christmas, arrives on Netflix on November 4, 2026. We could not find a rating for it yet, and its story starts with a mother in a coma, so read the rating and preview it before younger kids watch.
What are the best Christmas movies for kids on Disney+?
The Muppet Christmas Carol (G, ages 5 and up) is on Disney+ as of October 19, 2026. The Nightmare Before Christmas is also there, but it is spooky enough that we cover it in our Halloween guide. Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: The Getaway is scheduled for Disney+ on December 4, 2026, and its rating had not been announced when we checked.
What are the best animated Christmas movies for kids?
A Charlie Brown Christmas (ages 3 and up), The Grinch (2018, ages 5 and up), Arthur Christmas (ages 6 and up), Klaus and The Polar Express (ages 6 to 7 and up) are all animated.
What are the least scary Christmas movies for young kids?
A Charlie Brown Christmas is rated G, runs about 25 minutes and has nothing frightening in it. The Grinch (2018) is mostly slapstick, with a sad backstory for the Grinch. A Charlie Brown Christmas suits ages 3 and up, and The Grinch suits about 5 and up.
What are the new Christmas movies for kids in 2026?
A Dog's Perfect Christmas (Netflix, November 4) and Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: The Getaway (Disney+, December 4) are the two family films we found with set dates. Both are still unrated by us, so use the reviews and your own preview.
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