{"id":1612,"date":"2024-09-30T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-30T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/euamoonatal.com\/?p=1612"},"modified":"2026-10-12T14:09:07","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T17:09:07","slug":"christmas-films-to-watch-classics-and-festive-favourites","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/euamoonatal.com\/en\/christmas-films-to-watch-classics-and-festive-favourites\/","title":{"rendered":"Christmas Films to Watch: Classics and Festive Favourites"},"content":{"rendered":"<html><body><p><strong>Christmas films can bring humour, warmth and a sense of togetherness to a festive evening. Familiar titles such as Home Alone sit alongside newer choices. Pick a film that suits your viewers, check the UK age rating and remember that streaming availability changes.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Favourite Christmas films often combine nostalgia with a little seasonal escapism. For many households, choosing something to watch together is as much a tradition as putting up the decorations.<\/p>\n<p>This selection includes long-established favourites and a look back at several films and specials released in 2023. It is a set of viewing ideas rather than a definitive ranking or a current streaming catalogue.<\/p>\n<p>Prepare some popcorn, agree a choice with the people watching and settle in for a festive evening.<\/p>\n<h2>What makes a Christmas film memorable?<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Family watching a festive scene on television\" src=\"https:\/\/euamoonatal.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/family-watching-a-festive-scene-on-television-1612-1.webp\" alt=\"Family watching a festive scene on television\"><\/p>\n<p>One ingredient is <strong>tradition<\/strong>. Familiar customs, decorations and celebrations can connect a story with a viewer\u2019s own memories.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Messages of love and togetherness<\/strong> also feature in many Christmas stories. Relationships between friends and family often matter more than the presents.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Music<\/strong> can help establish a festive atmosphere, whether through familiar carols or a soundtrack associated with the film.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Comedy<\/strong> offers another way into a story, balancing more emotional moments with a chance to laugh together.<\/p>\n<p>Different viewers value different things, but tradition, relationships, music and humour help explain why some Christmas films invite repeated viewing.<\/p>\n<h2>Five familiar Christmas classics<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Popcorn in a cosy Christmas living room\" src=\"https:\/\/euamoonatal.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/popcorn-in-a-cosy-christmas-living-room-1612-2.webp\" alt=\"Popcorn in a cosy Christmas living room\"><\/p>\n<p>These <strong>five familiar Christmas classics<\/strong> offer different styles of festive storytelling. They are suggestions rather than a claim that every film suits every age; check the UK classification and content advice before watching with children.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>1. The Nightmare Before Christmas<\/strong> \u2014 Stop-motion fantasy brings Halloween and Christmas together through Jack Skellington\u2019s unusual discovery. Its spooky imagery may not suit every young viewer.<\/li>\n<li><strong>2. The Muppet Christmas Carol<\/strong> \u2014 The Muppets\u2019 musical version of Charles Dickens\u2019 story follows Ebenezer Scrooge as ghostly visitors encourage him to reconsider his life.<\/li>\n<li><strong>3. Home Alone<\/strong> \u2014 A child accidentally left behind at Christmas faces burglars in a comedy built around elaborate slapstick, alongside a story about missing his family.<\/li>\n<li><strong>4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas<\/strong> \u2014 The 2000 live-action adaptation of Dr Seuss\u2019 story follows the Grinch\u2019s attempt to spoil the festivities and his changing understanding of Christmas.<\/li>\n<li><strong>5. Miracle on 34th Street<\/strong> \u2014 The 1947 film explores belief and Christmas through a department-store Santa. Specify which version you want when looking it up, as there is also a later remake.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A film can become part of your own tradition because people enjoy returning to it, rather than because it appears on someone else\u2019s essential viewing list.<\/p>\n<h2>Christmas films and specials released in 2023<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Family choosing a Christmas film together\" src=\"https:\/\/euamoonatal.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/family-choosing-a-christmas-film-together-1612-3.webp\" alt=\"Family choosing a Christmas film together\"><\/p>\n<p>These <strong>Christmas films and specials released in 2023<\/strong> provide alternatives to older favourites. They are a retrospective selection, not new releases for the current year. Check current UK availability and age guidance before choosing.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>1. Best. Christmas. Ever!<\/strong> \u2014 A Christmas comedy about old friends reunited over the holidays, with rivalry prompted by a seemingly perfect family newsletter.<\/li>\n<li><strong>2. Dashing Through the Snow<\/strong> \u2014 A father and daughter meet a mysterious man in a red suit during an eventful Christmas Eve in Atlanta.<\/li>\n<li><strong>3. Candy Cane Lane<\/strong> \u2014 Eddie Murphy stars in a festive fantasy comedy in which a Christmas decorating competition leads to unexpected magical complications.<\/li>\n<li><strong>4. Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas<\/strong> \u2014 A musical holiday special rather than a feature film, offering another option for viewers who enjoy festive performances.<\/li>\n<li><strong>5. The Velveteen Rabbit<\/strong> \u2014 A 2023 family special combining live action and animation, based on Margery Williams\u2019 story about a boy and his treasured toy rabbit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The selection spans comedy, fantasy, music and a shorter family special. Choose by tone and audience rather than assuming that a Christmas label makes every title suitable for everyone.<\/p>\n<h2>Choosing Christmas viewing for the family<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Couple watching television beside a Christmas tree\" src=\"https:\/\/euamoonatal.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/couple-watching-television-beside-a-christmas-tree-1612-4.webp\" alt=\"Couple watching television beside a Christmas tree\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Christmas films for a family evening<\/strong> work best when they suit the people watching. Consider age guidance, running time and sensitivities to frightening scenes or slapstick. Alongside the classics above, these are possible choices:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>1. The Santa Clause<\/strong> \u2014 A festive comedy in which an ordinary father unexpectedly takes on Santa\u2019s role.<\/li>\n<li><strong>2. A Charlie Brown Christmas<\/strong> \u2014 A shorter animated television special about Charlie Brown\u2019s search for meaning amid the festivities.<\/li>\n<li><strong>3. Jingle All the Way<\/strong> \u2014 A comedy centred on a father\u2019s frantic attempt to find a much-wanted Christmas toy.<\/li>\n<li><strong>4. A Christmas Story<\/strong> \u2014 A nostalgic story of childhood Christmas wishes, presented from the perspective of young Ralphie.<\/li>\n<li><strong>5. The Polar Express<\/strong> \u2014 An animated adventure following a boy\u2019s Christmas Eve train journey to the North Pole.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Make watching together comfortable: keep the volume suitable, allow breaks and be willing to switch to something else if a child finds the story upsetting.<\/p>\n<h2>Messages to explore in Christmas films<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Family relaxing together in a decorated Christmas room\" src=\"https:\/\/euamoonatal.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/family-relaxing-together-in-a-decorated-christmas-room-1612-5.webp\" alt=\"Family relaxing together in a decorated Christmas room\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Messages in Christmas films<\/strong> often involve <strong>family<\/strong>, <strong>generosity<\/strong> and <strong>love<\/strong>. Stories about <strong>togetherness<\/strong> can provide a starting point for talking about the relationships we value.<\/p>\n<p>Many stories also explore <strong>facing difficulties<\/strong> and finding ways to help others. In <strong>A Christmas Carol<\/strong>, Scrooge\u2019s transformation makes <strong>redemption<\/strong> and a change in behaviour central themes.<\/p>\n<p>Others celebrate <strong>magic and hope<\/strong> as imaginative elements of a story. Enjoying the fantasy does not mean a family has to interpret every film in the same way.<\/p>\n<h2>Making time for a festive film<\/h2>\n<p>Christmas can offer an opportunity to reflect on <strong>love<\/strong>, <strong>togetherness<\/strong> and <strong>generosity<\/strong>. A shared film is one simple way to spend time with people you care about.<\/p>\n<p>You might talk about a favourite moment afterwards, or simply enjoy a quiet evening without turning it into a lesson.<\/p>\n<p>Whether you choose a familiar classic or a film you have not seen before, check that it suits your viewers. The aim is an enjoyable evening together, with room for everyone\u2019s preferences.<\/p>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions about Christmas films<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Which Christmas films could we watch as a family?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Home Alone, a version of the Grinch story or The Polar Express are possible choices. Check the UK age rating and content advice for the specific film before deciding.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What makes a Christmas film memorable?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Familiar traditions, relationships, music, humour and a distinctive story can all make a film worth returning to. Preferences vary from one household to another.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Which Christmas films and specials came out in 2023?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Examples include Best. Christmas. Ever!, Dashing Through the Snow, Candy Cane Lane, Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas and The Velveteen Rabbit.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How do Christmas films convey meaningful messages?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Many use stories about relationships, difficulties or acts of generosity to explore what matters to their characters. A conversation afterwards can help viewers share their own interpretations.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why do people watch the same Christmas films each year?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Familiar films can become a comforting seasonal ritual and a way to revisit shared memories. There is no need to keep a tradition if your household would prefer something different.<\/p>\n<h2>Sources and Further Reading<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/movies.disney.com\/the-muppet-christmas-carol\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Disney: The Muppet Christmas Carol<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/press.disneyplus.com\/news\/disney-plus-stream-the-happy-holidays-collection-this-season\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Disney: Christmas collection and films<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.universalpicturesathome.com\/movies\/dr-seuss-how-the-grinch-stole-christmas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Universal: How the Grinch Stole Christmas<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.netflix.com\/tudum\/articles\/best-christmas-ever-cast-release-date-photos\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Netflix: Best. Christmas. Ever!<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aboutamazon.com\/news\/entertainment\/prime-video-holiday-movie-candy-cane-lane\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Amazon: Candy Cane Lane<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/tv-pr\/originals\/hannah-waddingham-home-for-christmas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Apple: Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/tv-pr\/news\/2023\/10\/apple-tv-decks-the-halls-with-all-new-kids-and-family-live-action-animated-hybrid-special-the-velveteen-rabbit-launching-globally-november-22\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Apple: The Velveteen Rabbit<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wbclassics.warnerbros.com\/holiday\/featured\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Warner Bros.: holiday classics<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/body><\/html>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Find Christmas films for a cosy evening, from familiar classics to selected 2023 releases, with ideas for choosing something your family will enjoy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":13551,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ocean_front_end_style_editor":"no","ocean_post_layout":"","ocean_both_sidebars_style":"","ocean_both_sidebars_content_width":0,"ocean_both_sidebars_sidebars_width":0,"ocean_sidebar":"0","ocean_second_sidebar":"0","ocean_disable_margins":"enable","ocean_add_body_class":"","ocean_shortcode_before_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_after_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_before_header":"","ocean_shortcode_after_header":"","ocean_has_shortcode":"","ocean_shortcode_after_title":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_bottom":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_bottom":"","ocean_display_top_bar":"default","ocean_display_header":"default","ocean_header_style":"","ocean_center_header_left_menu":"0","ocean_custom_header_template":"0","ocean_custom_logo":0,"ocean_custom_retina_logo":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_height":0,"ocean_header_custom_menu":"0","ocean_menu_typo_font_family":"0","ocean_menu_typo_font_subset":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_size":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_unit":"px","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_line_height":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_unit":"","ocean_menu_typo_spacing":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_unit":"","ocean_menu_link_color":"","ocean_menu_link_color_hover":"","ocean_menu_link_color_active":"","ocean_menu_link_background":"","ocean_menu_link_hover_background":"","ocean_menu_link_active_background":"","ocean_menu_social_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_links_color":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_color":"","ocean_disable_title":"default","ocean_disable_heading":"default","ocean_post_title":"","ocean_post_subheading":"","ocean_post_title_style":"","ocean_post_title_background_color":"","ocean_post_title_background":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_image_position":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_attachment":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_repeat":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_size":"","ocean_post_title_height":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay":0.5,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay_color":"","ocean_disable_breadcrumbs":"default","ocean_breadcrumbs_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_separator_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_hover_color":"","ocean_display_footer_widgets":"default","ocean_display_footer_bottom":"default","ocean_custom_footer_template":"0","ocean_post_oembed":"","ocean_post_self_hosted_media":"","ocean_post_video_embed":"","ocean_link_format":"","ocean_link_format_target":"self","ocean_quote_format":"","ocean_quote_format_link":"post","ocean_gallery_link_images":"on","ocean_gallery_id":[],"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[139,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1612","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-christmas-films","category-articles","entry","has-media"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/euamoonatal.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1612","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/euamoonatal.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/euamoonatal.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/euamoonatal.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/euamoonatal.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1612"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/euamoonatal.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1612\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13592,"href":"https:\/\/euamoonatal.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1612\/revisions\/13592"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/euamoonatal.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13551"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/euamoonatal.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1612"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/euamoonatal.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1612"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/euamoonatal.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1612"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}