The 5 best family-friendly Christmas films to watch on Netflix
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Films

The 5 best family-friendly Christmas films to watch on Netflix

It’s finally that time of the year when we go last-minute shopping for our families, gulp down eggnog, wear ugly matching sweaters and live out every Hollywood Christmas stereotype under the gigantic Christmas trees as we await Santa’s presents!

From being doused by typical dad jokes at dinner tables to incessant family chatter and fun, the Holiday season has officially arrived, and we cannot help but soak in the Yuletide spirit. 

Besides gorging down mouth-watering delicacies and decorating trees, Christmas also signifies cookies-and-candy-filled movie marathons that form a significant part of our family time. From watching old Christmas classics to learning to love new ones, Christmas films are all about celebrating the good things in life. 

Netflix has been very giving in terms of Christmas content, filling its shelves with plenty of titles to watch. Here are our top 5 picks of family-friendly Christmas films that you can watch on Christmas day: 

The five best family-friendly Christmas films to watch on Netflix:

A Christmas Prince (Alex Zamm, 2017)

A journalist is sent to Aldovia to uncover the true facade of the Crown Prince, who is allegedly rude and irresponsible. However, intrigued by him, she stays back as the young princess’ tutor. After they fall in love, the scheming ex-girlfriend and a calculative cousin act as obstacles in the way towards their happily-ever-after.

Like all Holiday rom-coms, the film ends on a warm and fuzzy note. With plenty of mush and fluff to fulfil the craving of lonely hearts, the fictional town of Aldovia is as charming as the overall visuals of the film, making it a pleasant family watch on a cold Christmas morning. 

The Christmas Chronicles (Clay Kaytis, 2018)

After their father’s death, Kate and Teddy constantly trouble their mother. On Christmas Eve, their antics cause Santa to lose his bag of presents, sleigh, reindeer as well as the hat without which he is practically powerless. On top of that, Santa even gets arrested, and it becomes the kids’ responsibility to help finish Santa’s job to prevent the spirit of Christmas from being lost forever.

This Netflix flick explores the trope of troublemakers-turned-angelic children in a quite thrilling and rejuvenating manner. With  Kurt Russell as a showstopper Santa, this Yuletide film is suitable for children and adults alike in its laughter and madness. 

The Polar Express (Robert Zemeckis, 2004)

A Holiday classic, the film revolves around a group of adventurous children, including a non-believing protagonist, who embark on a quest to visit  Santa during Christmas Eve. However, the journey they undertake aboard the Polar Express changes their lives forever. 

The mid-2000s saw a recurrent screening of this film, given its stunning visuals and quintessential Holiday essence. The protagonist’s changing perception shows how he gradually believes in Santa. It is a timeless reminder of how magic awaits “all who truly believe”. 

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Ron Howard, 2000)

The grumpy Grinch is the lone resident of Mount Crumpit, where the consumerism ushered in by Christmas brings him disillusionment and anger. He wants to punish Whoville by stealing presents and trying to prevent Christmas. However, a strange encounter with a little girl helps him confront his past trauma, changing him forever.  

Jim Carrey is spectacular as the cynical and mean-spirited Grinch, who is a green and furry version of Scrooge. His transformation from being a party-pooper to a believer also shows how he finally rages out against his bullies. Hilarious yet dark, Anthony Hopkins’ superb narration adds an extra dimension to this beloved holiday classic.    

Klaus (Sergio Pablos, 2019)

Being the first Netflix animated film to have ever received an Oscar nomination, Klaus is phenomenal. With wonderfully hand-drawn animation and a heartwarming and hilarious tale, Klaus revolves around an incompetent postman who gets transferred to the freezing Smeerensberg, which, he discovers, is Santa’s hideout. 

With its series of unexpected twists and turns, the film is a brilliant exploration of Santa’s past. Without indulging in meaningless Christmas cliches, the film echoes the sentiments of Dr Seuss’ Grinch as it explores and exposes the true meaning of generosity. A force to be reckoned with, this film is a spectacular Yuletide watch that might ruin every other Christmas film for you!