10 Christmas Movies Older Kids Will Love

Christmas specials and movies are as traditional and commonplace as candy canes and red ribbons, and there are literally hundreds to choose from this time of year for both the young and young at heart. That’s all sweet and perfectly sentimental, but what about those youngsters that have grown out of the likes of Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman?

Not all Christmas flicks are created equal, and some kids grow tired of the bright and fuzzy stop-motion shorts of yesterday. Thankfully, there are more than enough kid-friendly holiday films with a slight edge to satisfy even the pickiest of viewers.

10 Miracle on 34th Street (Remake)

The black-and-white aesthetic of the original classic might put a few younger viewers off, but the remake definitely captures the spirit of the first film with an updated and contemporary setting. The story and the message are still the same, but what truly sells the film for viewers of any age is Richard Attenborough as Kris Kringle. There’s an unmistakable magic throughout his performance that will definitely keep kids’ attention.

9 The Christmas Chronicles

Attenborough isn’t the only Santa to step up to the plate. Where Kris Kringle was one of the more traditional iterations of St. Nick, Kurt Russell’s rockstar Santa of The Christmas Chronicles will undoubtedly open viewers’ eyes to a different brand of Christmas cheer.

For those young viewers who have grown tired of every other store-bought Santa on the block, this flick will definitely knock the socks off of any cynic in the audience.

8 Klaus

Klaus is a very interesting take on the Santa mythos, but one that has just as much for young viewers as it does for any parents in the room. Think of it as a more stylistic take on Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town involving a reluctant postman, a miserable town, and a mysterious bearded toymaker. The animation is beautiful, the story is heartwarming, the performances are engaging, and the comedy is sharp and witty. Definitely give this one a watch this Christmas.

7 Rise of the Guardians

Though not strictly a Christmas movie, this fantasy adventure will win any superhero fan over. Imagine the Avengers if they were made up of holiday figures like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and Jack Frost and the result is the Guardians.

The biggest reason for featuring this film on the list has to be Alec Baldwin’s interpretation of Nicholas St. North, a swashbuckling, Russian Santa who will certainly be everyone’s favorite member.

6 Elf

It’s common knowledge that Elf has essentially become a modern holiday classic. Plus, what better way to introduce young viewers to the comedic stylings of Will Ferrell? This flick serves as many kids’ first non-animated Christmas special, and rightfully so. There’s plenty of grown-up humor, but enough that older kids will surely enjoy. Not to mention, Buddy the Elf’s holiday cheer is just so infectious. How could one not smile at his can-do attitude?

5 Home Alone

Home Alone should serve as a rite of passage for kids graduating from the likes of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and into more refined tastes. In all honesty, is it even possible for someone not to like seeing Kevin McAlister throw down with the Wet Bandits every year?

The slapstick and comedic timing in this flick are borderline sadistic at times, perfect for kids who enjoy over-the-top cartoon antics every Saturday morning.

4 How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Karloff will always be classic and Cumberbatch was a bit lukewarm, but when it comes to the Grinch with most viewer appeal, Carrey takes the crown. How the Grinch Stole Christmas is an outlandish take on a familiar favorite, but one many viewers can get behind year after year. The biggest factor is Jim Carey’s performance behind that incredible makeup, showing just how much skill and range the actor possesses.

3 Disney’s A Christmas Carol

There are dozens of versions of A Christmas Carol, but if there’s one version older kids should definitely see, it’s Robert Zemekis’s version by Disney. Despite its motion capture madness, this version is perhaps one of the most accurate versions on the market but has enough contemporary humor and language for kids to understand.

Not only that, but it’s perhaps the darkest and even scariest version available to all audiences. It’s absolutely ideal for kids who like a little creep factor in their cartoons.

2 The Nightmare Before Christmas

Speaking of creep factor, there are few Christmas movies or even Disney movies for that matter meant for a specific audience of kids better than The Nightmare Before Christmas. Tim Burton’s tale of holidays colliding is exactly what some kids crave when they’ve outgrown the cutesy stuff. How many Christmas flicks feature zombies, skeletons, and monsters kidnapping Santa Claus? It’s deliciously twisted for viewers wanting some tricks with their Christmas treats.

1 A Christmas Story

Ralphie Parker’s saga in his quest to get his Red Ryder BB gun will forever be etched into the annals of Christmas history. What makes this film worth mentioning is its perspective, the POV of a kid looking forward to beautiful, glorious, Christmas is a concept everyone can relate to. Not to mention that it’s also home to some of the most quotable lines out of any Holiday film. It’s certainly worthy of a few major awards.

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