Find a list of 75 Christmas movies for children, including all details, descriptions, and embedded trailers for hours of Covid-19 safe (Christmas)time at home.
48 Christmas Wishes (2017)
A pair of junior elves decide to find some missing wishes after letters to Santa are accidentally lost forever. Their journey takes them away from the North Pole and into the wide world.
Initial release: November 2, 2017
Directors: Marco Deufemia, Justin G. Dyck
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
A Charlie Brown Christmas is a 1965 animated television special. It is the first TV special based on the comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz. Produced by Lee Mendelson and directed by Bill Melendez, the program made its debut on CBS on December 9, 1965.
Initial release: December 9, 1965
Director: Bill Melendez
A Christmas Story (1983)
Based on the humorous writings of author Jean Shepherd, this beloved holiday movie follows the wintry exploits of youngster Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), who spends most of his time dodging a bully (Zack Ward) and dreaming of his ideal Christmas gift, a “Red Ryder air rifle.” Frequently at odds with his cranky dad (Darren McGavin) but comforted by his doting mother (Melinda Dillon), Ralphie struggles to make it to Christmas Day with his glasses and his hopes intact.
Release date: November 18, 1983 (Canada)
Director: Bob Clark
A Christmas Tree Miracle (2013)
A dysfunctional family loses everything when David, the father, loses his job. They are taken in by an old Christmas tree farmer and, by sticking together, manage to overcome all of the obstacles in their path.
Initial release: December 3, 2013
Director: J.W. Myers
A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish (2019)
An aspiring singer is stalled on her path to success by her stepmother and two wicked stepsisters. When she starts working at a job to help her dreams come true, she starts to fall for the handsome new Santa.
Initial release: October 15, 2019
Based on: A Cinderella Story; by Leigh Dunlap
Produced by: Dylan Sellers; Michelle Johnston
Production companies: Blue Ribbon Content; Front Street Pictures Inc.
A Garfield Christmas (1987)
Everyone’s favourite wise-cracking, lasagne-loving feline Garfield gets festive in this Christmas special.
Initial release: December 21, 1987
Director: Phil Roman
Adapted from: Garfield
A Magic Christmas (2014)
A loving mother (Olivia d’Abo) is obsessed with getting a huge promotion at work. When she is forced to take a family vacation at Christmas, Kris Kringle shows her what life would be like without the love of her family.
Release date: October 28, 2014 (USA)
Director: R. Michael Givens
Music composed by: Misha Segal
Initial DVD release: November 27, 2014 (Germany)
Screenplay: Jon Young, Gregory Poppen
A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa (2008)
A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa is a 2008 NBC television special directed by Kirk R. Thatcher featuring The Muppets in a Christmas mission to personally deliver three letters to Santa Claus, accidentally diverted by Gonzo, to the North Pole.
Initial release: December 17, 2008
Director: Kirk Thatcher
Story by: Paul Williams; Hugh Fink; Scott Ganz; Andrew Samson
All I Want for Christmas Is You (2017)
Young Mariah desperately wants a puppy for Christmas. To prove she’s responsible, Mariah pet-sits a mischievous puppy named Jack, but it’s not long before the playful pooch turns the Careys’ Christmas family holiday upside down.
Initial release: November 13, 2017
Director: Guy Vasilovich
Music by: Richard Evans; Matthew Gerrard; Marco Luciani
Based on: “All I Want For Christmas Is You”; by Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff
Produced by: Steven Rosen; Mike Young; Liz Young
Production companies: Universal 1440 Entertainment; Splash Entertainment; Magic Carpet Productions; Universal Animation Studios
Angela’s Christmas (2018)
A Christmas Eve trip to church with her family gives young Angela an extraordinary idea, one that not everyone approves of.
Initial release: December 8, 2017
Director: Damien O’Connor
Written by: Will Collins; Damien O’Connor
Production companies: Brown Bag Films; 9 Story
Arthur Christmas (2011)
When Santa’s gawky son Arthur learns that owing to a technical glitch a little girl’s Christmas gift has been misplaced, he sets out on a mission to deliver the present before it is too late.
Release date: December 2, 2011 (Indonesia)
Director: Sarah Smith
Music by: Harry Gregson-Williams
Box office: $147 million
Written by: Peter Baynham; Sarah Smith
Production companies: Sony Pictures Animation, Aardman Animations, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Columbia Pictures
Babes in Toyland (1961)
Mary Contrary (Annette) is set to marry Tom Piper (Tommy Sands) when he is kidnapped by Roderigo (Gene Sheldon) and Gonzorgo (Henry Calvin), two goons working for the evil Barnaby (Ray Bolger). Barnaby wants to marry Mary for her inheritance. Instead of killing Tom as instructed, Roderigo and Gonzorgo sell him to Gypsies, which allows Tom to rescue Mary. Soon afterward, Tom and Mary encounter the odd Toymaker (Ed Wynn), who becomes a pawn in Barnaby’s new scheme.
Release date: December 14, 1961 (USA)
Director: Jack Donohue
Adapted from: Babes in Toyland
Box office: $4.6 million (U.S./Canada rentals)
Screenplay: Glen MacDonough, Ward Kimball, Anna Alice Chapin, Joe Rinaldi, Lowell S. Hawley
Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997)
Belle prepares for Christmas despite Beast’s hatred for the season. Forte, a pipe organ, schemes to trick Belle into leaving the castle, as he thinks her attempts might end the curse.
Initial release: November 11, 1997
Director: Andy Knight
Music by: Rachel Portman
Produced by: Lori Forte; Susan Kapigian
Production companies: Walt Disney Video Premiere; Walt Disney Television Animation
Written by: Flip Kobler; Cindy Marcus; Bill Motz; Bob Roth
Christmas Oranges (2012)
A girl is suddenly forced to leave her happy orphanage home and move to a far more harsh institution, where the headmaster takes an instant dislike to her. She keeps her spirits up through her lonely life by looking forward to a traditional Christmas treat, and when the holiday arrives, something unexpected happens.
Initial release: 2012
Director: John Lyde
Christmas with the Kranks (2004)
The Kranks scandalize everyone when they declare that they won’t be celebrating Christmas. But, when their daughter decides to visit home, they get off on a mad rush to organize a spanking Christmas.
Release date: November 15, 2004 (USA)
Director: Joe Roth
Adapted from: Skipping Christmas
Budget: $60 million
Produced by: Michael Barnathan; Chris Columbus; Mark Radcliffe
Music composed by: John Debney, Paul Morabito
Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas (2009)
George, a playful monkey, and his human friend prepare to welcome Christmas and wonder what to gift each other.
Release date: November 25, 2009 (USA)
Directors: Scott Heming, Cathy Malkasian
Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker (2020)
Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker is an American documentary film directed by Oliver Bokelberg. Wikipedia
Initial release: November 27, 2020
Production company: Shondaland
Distributed by: Netflix
Directed by: Oliver Bokelberg
Deck the Halls (2006)
Steve and his new neighbour, Buddy, try to outdo each other in decorating their houses for Christmas. However, Buddy’s extravagantly-decorated house overshadows Steve’s, causing a conflict.
Release date: November 22, 2006 (USA)
Director: John Whitesell
Music by: George S. Clinton
Box office: $46.8 million
Written by: Matt Corman; Chris Ord; Don Rhymer
Production companies: Regency Enterprises; Scott Free Productions (uncredited)
Disney’s A Christmas Carol (2009)
Ebenezer Scrooge, a spiteful and miserly man, encounters three spirits on Christmas Eve, who show him the folly of his ways and prompt him to become a better man.
Release date: November 18, 2009 (Indonesia)
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Adapted from: A Christmas Carol
Music by: Alan Silvestri
Box office: $325 million
Production companies: Walt Disney Pictures; ImageMovers Digital
Dr. Seuss’ the Grinch (2018)
The Grinch grows increasingly annoyed with the ever-growing festive cheer that engulfs the village of Whoville. So, he teams up with his dog to ruin the festive spirit by being a spoilsport.
Release date: November 9, 2018 (Indonesia)
Directors: Scott Mosier, Yarrow Cheney
Narrated by: Pharrell Williams
Box office: $511.8 million
Adapted from: How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
DreamWorks: Home for the Holidays (2017)
2017 | TV-Y | 45m | Movies Based on Books. Oh takes it upon himself to introduce Christmas joy to his fellow Boovs. Unfortunately, his well-meaning mission nearly destroys the city. Starring:Rachel Crow, Mark Whitten, Kelly Clarkson.
Initial release: December 1, 2017
Director: Blake Lemons
Elf (2003)
Buddy, a human, is raised amongst elves at the North Pole. When he discovers that he is not an elf, he travels to New York to search for his biological father.
Release date: April 2, 2004 (Indonesia)
Director: Jon Favreau
Music by: John Debney
Written by: David Berenbaum
Box office: $223.3 million
Production companies: New Line Cinema; Guy Walks Into a Bar Productions
Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer (2018)
When Blitzen suddenly announces his retirement, Santa needs to find a replacement. Against all odds, Elliot and his best friend, Hazel, set out to prove that he is the horse for the job. As Elliot and Hazel take on the North Pole reindeer try-outs, Hazel learns that Christmas, as we know it, may be headed for disaster. Meanwhile, back at the farm, a sinister lady threatens the lives of their friends, and Elliot is faced with the biggest decision of his life.
Release date: January 5, 2019 (Indonesia)
Director: Jennifer Westcott
Music by: Igor Correia; Robert Melamed
Box office: $2.2 million
Produced by: Lucas Lynette-Krech; Victoria Westcott
Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas (1977)
Emmet and Ma Otter are very poor, but they are very happy and talented singers. Christmas is around the corner, and they both want to get the other a very special present. The prize in the talent show is $50. Both Emmet and Ma get a song ready for the competition; Emmet forms a jug band, and Ma practices alone, to vie with the Riverbottom Gang.
Release date: December 4, 1977 (USA)
Director: Jim Henson
Adapted from: Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas
Theme music composer: Paul Williams
Original network: CBC
Production company: Henson Associates
Fred Claus (2007)
Fred, Santa Claus’s older brother, has landed in jail for stealing. However, Santa agrees to bail him out on the condition that Fred comes to the North Pole and makes toys for Christmas.
Release date: November 9, 2007 (USA)
Director: David Dobkin
Music by: Christophe Beck
Box office: $97.8 million
Story by: Dan Fogelman; Jessie Nelson
Production company: Silver Pictures
Frosty the Snowman (1969)
A discarded magic top hat brings to life the snowman that a group of children made, until a magician, professor Hinkle, wants it back, and the temperature starts to rise. Frosty will melt or no longer be a jolly soul, if the kids cannot get him away from Hinkle and warm weather, so he hops a train to the North Pole with young Karen.
Initial release: December 7, 1969
Directors: Arthur Rankin, Jr., Jules Bass
Narrated by: Jimmy Durante
Production company: Rankin/Bass Productions
Based on: “Frosty the Snowman”; by Steve Nelson; Jack Rollins
Written by: Romeo Muller
Get Santa (2014)
After crashing his sleigh and coming to the attention of the local police, Santa Claus asks a father and son for help to round up his reindeer so he can return home and ensure that Christmas is not ruined for all.
Release date: December 5, 2014 (United Kingdom)
Director: Christopher Smith
Music by: Ilan Eshkeri
Box office: $4.8 million
Producers: Liza Marshall, Tony Scott
Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer (2000)
Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer is a 2000 Canadian–American animated Christmas TV special, directed by Phil Roman. The special was first released on home video in October and then aired on The WB network on December 21, 2000. The title and story are based on the 1979 novelty song of the same name.
Initial release: October 31, 2000
Director: Phil Roman
Production companies: The Fred Rappoport Company, Inc. Phil Roman Entertainment; SFM Entertainment
Story by: Fred A. Rappoport; Elmo Shropshire; Jim Fisher; Jim Staahl
Gremlins (1984)
Billy’s father gets him a pet from China with three very specific instructions. However, when Billy does not follow them, it unleashes a horde of monsters.
Release date: June 8, 1984 (USA)
Director: Joe Dante
Music by: Jerry Goldsmith
Box office: $212.9 million
Written by: Chris Columbus
Produced by: Michael Finnell
Holiday Inn (1942)
Lila betrays Jim to be with her dance partner Ted. Jim leaves the town and starts a holiday inn along with Linda. Ted arrives at the inn and tries to steal away Linda.
Release date: 1942 (USA)
Director: Mark Sandrich
Box office: $3,800,000 (US rentals)
Screenplay by: Claude Binyon; Elmer Rice (adaptation)
Music composed by: Irving Berlin, Robert Emmett Dolan
Holiday Rush (2019)
When a widowed radio DJ is fired, he and his four spoiled children must leave their lives of luxury behind and move in with his aunt just before Christmas.
Initial release: November 28, 2019
Director: Leslie Small
Music by: Kathryn Bostic
Produced by: Julie Crank Di Cataldo; Sean Dwyer; Elizabeth Cullen
Production companies: Poke Prod Production
Home Alone (1990)
Eight-year-old Kevin is accidentally left behind when his family leaves for France. At first, he is happy to be in charge, but when thieves try to break into his home, he tries to put up a fight.
Release date: August 16, 1991 (Indonesia)
Director: Chris Columbus
Music by: John Williams
Box office: $476.7 million
Production company: Hughes Entertainment
Home Sweet Home Alone (2021)
A married couple tries to steal back a valuable heirloom from a troublesome kid.
Initial release: November 12, 2021
Director: Dan Mazer
Story by: Mikey Day; Streeter Seidell; John Hughes
Music by: John Debney
Based on: Home Alone; by John Hughes
Produced by: Hutch Parker; Dan Wilson
How the Toys Saved Christmas (1996)
Enchanted toys come to life to do battle with a holiday-hating villain who is bent on stopping Christmas.
Release date: December 5, 1996 (Germany)
Director: Enzo D’Alò
Adapted from: La freccia azzurra
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
Boris Karloff narrates an animated tale about the lonely and heartless title character who decides to dress up as Santa and steal the Christmas decorations, gifts, and feast from the people of Whoville.
Release date: December 18, 1966 (USA)
Director: Chuck Jones
First episode date: December 18, 1966
Budget: $315,000
Adapted from: How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
I’ll Be Home For Christmas (1998)
Estranged from his father (Gary Cole), college student Jake (Jonathan Taylor Thomas) is lured home to New York for Christmas with the promise of receiving a classic Porsche as a gift. When the bullying football team dumps him in the desert in a Santa suit, Jake is left without identification or money to help him make the journey. Meanwhile, his girlfriend, Allie (Jessica Biel), does not know where he is and accepts a cross-country ride from Jake’s rival, Eddie (Adam LaVorgna).
Release date: November 13, 1998 (USA)
Director: Arlene Sanford
Music by: John Debney
Box office: $12.2 million
Story by: Michael Allin
Produced by: Robin French; Justis Greene; David Hoberman; Tracey Trench
It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (2002)
After the Muppet Theater faces closure on account of financial hardships, angel Daniel requests Boss to help its owner Kermit the Frog and his team of muppets.
Initial release: November 29, 2002
Director: Kirk Thatcher
Music by: Mark Watters
Based on: The Muppets; by Jim Henson
Distributor: NBCUniversal Television Distribution
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
George Bailey has so many problems he is thinking about ending it all – and it’s Christmas! As the angels discuss George, we see his life in flashback. As George is about to jump from a bridge, he ends up rescuing his guardian angel, Clarence – who then shows George what his town would have looked like if it hadn’t been for all his good deeds over the years.
Release date: January 7, 1947 (USA)
Director: Frank Capra
Adapted from: The Greatest Gift
Music by: Dimitri Tiomkin
Box office: $3.3 million
Production company: Liberty Films
Jack Frost (1998)
After singer Jack Frost dies suddenly, his young son, Charlie, is unable to overcome his loss. However, Charlie’s life changes when Jack returns as a snowman to be by his son’s side.
Release date: December 11, 1998 (USA)
Director: Troy Miller
Music by: Trevor Rabin
Box office: $34.6 million
Produced by: Irving Azoff; Mark Canton
Production companies: Azoff Entertainment; The Canton Company
Jingle All the Way (1996)
Howard, a haggard salesman, promises his son a Turbo Man toy for Christmas. He is forced to fight every parent and travel all over town to get the toy after he forgets to buy it.
Release date: November 16, 1996 (USA)
Director: Brian Levant
Music by: David Newman
Box office: $129.8 million
Produced by: Chris Columbus; Michael Barnathan; Mark Radcliffe
Production companies: 1492 Pictures; Fox Family Films;
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)
Decades after being betrayed by his apprentice, a once joyful toy maker finds new hope when his bright young granddaughter arrives on his doorstep.
Initial release: November 13, 2020
Director: David E. Talbert
Production companies: Golden Girl; Brillstein Entertainment Partners; Burr Productions; Get Lifted Film Company; 260 Degrees Entertainment
Cinematography: Remi Adefarasin
Klaus (2019)
After proving himself to be the worst student at the academy, a postman is sent to a frozen town in the North where he discovers a reclusive toymaker named Klaus.
Initial release: November 8, 2019
Director: Sergio Pablos
Music by: Alfonso González Aguilar
Budget: $40 million
Languages: Spanish; English; Northern Sami
March of the Wooden Soldiers (1934)
Opposing the evil Barnaby, Ollie Dee and Stanley Dum try and fail to pay-off Mother Peep’s mortgage and mislead his attempts to marry Little Bo. Enraged, Barnaby’s Bogeymen are set on Toyland.
Directors: Gus Meins, Charley Rogers
Writers: Frank Butler(screen play), Nick Grinde(screen play), Anna Alice Chapin(libretto)
Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Virginia Karns
Merry Madagascar (2009)
Santa and his reindeer crash on the island of Madagascar, and Alex, Marty, Gloria, Melman and the penguins must save Christmas.
Initial release: November 17, 2009
Show: DreamWorks Holiday Classics
Director: David Soren
Music by: Heitor Pereira
Original network: NBC
Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas (2004)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx7MxQ5JBnA
After Donald refuses to be happy and excited for Christmas, Mickey and Minnie decide to teach him the true meaning of the festival.
Initial release: November 9, 2004
Directors: Matthew O’Callaghan, Theresa Cullen, Carole Holliday
Featured song: Share this Day
Narrated by: Clive Revill
Production companies: DisneyToon Studios; Walt Disney Pictures
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas (1999)
An anthology of three short stories that feature heart-warming sequences and shed light on the true meaning of Christmas.
Initial release: November 9, 1999
Directors: Alex Mann, Jun Falkenstein, Bradley Raymond, Toby Shelton, Bill Speers
Music by: J. Eric Schmidt
Production company: Walt Disney Television Animation
Narrated by: Kelsey Grammer
Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983)
Mickey’s Christmas Carol is a 1983 American animated family comedy-drama featurette directed and produced by Burny Mattinson. The cartoon is an adaptation of Charles Dickens’s 1843 novella A Christmas Carol, and stars Scrooge McDuck as Ebenezer Scrooge.
Initial release: October 20, 1983
Director: Burny Mattinson
Music by: Irwin Kostal
Adapted from: A Christmas Carol
Story by: Burny Mattinson; Tony L. Marino; Ed Gombert; Don Griffith; Alan Young; Alan Dinehart
Production company: Walt Disney Pictures
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
In this Christmas classic, an old man going by the name of Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) fills in for an intoxicated Santa in Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day parade. Kringle proves to be such a hit that he is soon appearing regularly at the chain’s main store in midtown Manhattan. When Kringle surprises customers and employees alike by claiming that he really is Santa Claus, it leads to a court case to determine his mental health and, more importantly, his authenticity.
Release date: May 2, 1947 (USA)
Director: George Seaton
Story by: Valentine Davies
Music by: Cyril Mockridge
Box office: $2.7 million (US rentals)
Budget: $630,000
Mrs. Miracle (2009)
A widowed father of six-year-old twins struggles to cope with his family responsibilities. His life is then transformed by the arrival of a kindly housekeeper, who demonstrates miraculous skills around the house and dispenses sound advice on affairs of the heart. Based on the bestselling book by Debbie Macomber.
Initial release: December 5, 2009
Director: Michael M Scott
Adapted from: Mrs. Miracle
National Lampoons Christmas Vacation (1989)
Clark Griswold is really into Christmas and promises to make it a good one until he turns everything completely around, causing a domino effect of disasters.
Release date: December 1, 1989 (USA)
Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik
Music by: Angelo Badalamenti
Written by: John Hughes
Budget: $25 million
Noelle (2019)
Kris Kringle’s daughter is full of Christmas spirit but wishes she could do something important like her brother Nick, who will take over for their father this Christmas. When Nick is about to crumble like a gingerbread cookie from all the pressure, Noelle suggests he take a break and get away…but when he doesn’t return, Noelle must find her brother and bring him back in time to save Christmas.
Initial release: November 12, 2019
Director: Marc Lawrence
Music by: Cody Fitzgerald; Clyde Lawrence
Produced by: Suzanne Todd
Production company: Walt Disney Pictures
Nutcracker: The Motion Picture (1986)
In this Pacific Northwest Ballet performance, it is Christmas Eve and festivities are underway. Clara (Vanessa Sharp) is excited when her godfather, Herr Drosselmeier (Hugh Bigney), arrives with a bag full of gifts, one of which is an intriguing wooden nutcracker. That night, while the rest of the household is sleeping, Clara visits the Christmas tree to inspect her nutcracker and soon finds herself immersed in a dream world that is both dark and enchanting.
Initial release: November 26, 1986
Director: Carroll Ballard
Music by: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Box office: 781,727 USD
Story by: E. T. A. Hoffmann, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Adapted from: The Nutcracker, The Nutcracker, and the Mouse King
Olaf’s Frozen Adventure (2017)
Olaf and Sven set out on a mission to visit every household in Arendelle to find a new Christmas tradition for Elsa and Anna.
Release date: November 22, 2017 (USA)
Directors: Stevie Wermers, Kevin Deters
Cinematography: Alessandro Jacomini (lighting); Cory Rocco Florimonte (layout)
Produced by: Roy Conli
Production companies: Walt Disney Animation Studios; Walt Disney Pictures
Prancer (1989)
Refusing to give up her belief in Santa Claus, a child, Jessica Riggs (Rebecca Harrell), discovers a hurt reindeer in the woods, which she believes to be Prancer. With the help of a sympathetic veterinarian (Abe Vigoda), Jessica takes care of the wounded creature. It’s supposed to be a secret, but eventually, a store Santa Claus (Michael Constantine), the girl’s dad (Sam Elliott), and the entire town find out about Prancer, leading to big problems for Jessica and her family.
Release date: November 17, 1989 (USA)
Director: John D. Hancock
Music by: Maurice Jarre
Box office: $18.6 million
Produced by: Raffaella De Laurentiis
Production companies: Nelson Entertainment; Cineplex Odeon Films
Prep & Landing Series (2009)
Wayne is an elf who believes that Christmas is just a job. After working for 227 years preparing homes for Santa’s arrival, he wonders if all his efforts make any difference. His patience is put to the test when he is paired with Lanny, an idealistic rookie who embraces
the holiday spirit. The elves encounter unexpected challenges on their mission, and Wayne learns that his job does indeed have an impact in a very surprising way.
Initial release: December 8, 2009
Directors: Stevie Wermers, Kevin Deters
Music by: Michael Giacchino
Budget: $14 million
Producer: Dorothy McKim
Production companies: Walt Disney Animation Studios; Walt Disney Pictures
Rise of the Guardians (2012)
When Pitch, an evil spirit, returns to planet Earth to assault children and take over the world, a group of immortal guardians with extraordinary abilities join forces to protect the children.
Release date: November 28, 2012 (Indonesia)
Director: Peter Ramsey
Box office: $306.9 million
Adapted from: The Guardians of Childhood
Music by: Alexandre Desplat
Produced by: Christina Steinberg; Nancy Bernstein
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a 1964 Christmas stop motion animated television special produced by Videocraft International, Ltd. and currently distributed by NBCUniversal Syndication Studios. Wikipedia
Initial release: December 6, 1964
Directors: Larry Roemer, Kizo Nagashima
First episode date: December 6, 1964
Narrated by: Burl Ives
Adapted from: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Santa Buddies (2009)
Puppy Paws, the fun-loving son of Santa Paws gets tired of the North Pole. When he finds Budderball on Santa’s naughty list, he decides to enlist his help to be an ordinary pup.
Initial release: November 2, 2009
Director: Robert Vince
Music by: Brahm Wenger
Based on: Characters; by Paul Tamasy; Aaron Mendelsohn; Kevin DiCicco; Robert Vince; Anna McRoberts
Production companies: Keystone Entertainment; Key Pix Productions
Santa’s Apprentice (2015)
Santa doesn’t want to retire, but rules are rules and he must train someone to replace him. The lucky winner, to be chosen from among millions of children, must be named Nicholas, be an orphan and have a pure heart. On the other side of the planet, there is a little boy who is a perfect match, but his lack of self-confidence and fear of heights make him a poor contestant. Will Santa agree to step down, and help his apprentice take his place?
Directors: Luc Vinciguerra, Paulette Victor-Lifton(voice director)
Writer: Alexandre Reverend(script by)
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town (1970)
A postman (the voice of Fred Astaire) explains why Santa has whiskers, lives at the North Pole and brings presents once a year. Animated.
Initial release: December 14, 1970
Directors: Arthur Rankin, Jr., Jules Bass
Music by: Maury Laws; Jules Bass (lyrics)
Production company: Rankin/Bass Productions
Written by: Romeo Muller
The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
Siblings Kate and Teddy Pierce hatch a scheme to capture Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. When the plan goes awry, the kids join forces with a somewhat jolly Saint Nick and his loyal elves to save the holiday before it’s too late.
Release date: November 22, 2018 (USA)
Director: Clay Kaytis
Music by: Christophe Beck
Story by: Matt Lieberman; David Guggenheim
Produced by: Chris Columbus; Michael Barnathan; Mark Radcliffe
Production companies: 1492 Pictures; Cinesite Animation
The Christmas Project (2016)
During the Christmas season, the Buckley brothers decide to teach the Hagbarts boys, the bullies at school, a lesson. However, their mother decides to send the Hagbart family gifts.
Release date: November 3, 2016 (USA)
Director: Michael Buster
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (1985)
The story of how an abandoned baby, raised by magical creatures, grew to become Santa Claus.
Initial release: 1985
Directors: Arthur Rankin, Jr., Jules Bass
Theme music composer: Bernard Hoffer
Based on: The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum
Written by: Julian P. Gardner
Original release: December 17, 1985
The Little Drummer Boy (1968)
The Little Drummer Boy is a stop motion television special produced by Rankin/Bass Productions, based on the song of the same name. It was first televised December 19, 1968, on NBC, and was followed by a sequel in 1976.
Initial release: December 19, 1968
Directors: Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin, Jr.
First episode date: December 19, 1968
Theme music composer: Maury Laws
Production company: Rankin/Bass Productions
Based on: “The Little Drummer Boy” Katherine Davis; Jack Halloran
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Scrooge, an old miser who dislikes Christmas, is visited by spirits who foretell his future and share secrets from his past and present, which helps change his view on life.
Release date: December 11, 1992 (USA)
Director: Brian Henson
Adapted from: A Christmas Carol
Box office: $27.2 million
Production companies: Walt Disney Pictures; Jim Henson Productions
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Jack Skellington, a being from Halloween Town, finds Christmas Town and is instantly enchanted. The situation becomes riveting when his obsession with Christmas leads him to abduct Santa Claus.
Release date: October 13, 1993 (USA)
Director: Henry Selick
Story by: Tim Burton
Budget: $24 million
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018)
On Christmas Eve, Clara realises that before dying, her mother left her with an inheritance to a magical world of fairies and toy soldiers that are alive. She holds the key to the fate of this world.
Release date: November 2, 2018 (Indonesia)
Directors: Lasse Hallström, Joe Johnston
Music by: James Newton Howard
Box office: $174 million
Produced by: Mark Gordon; Larry Franco
Adapted from: The Nutcracker, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King
The Polar Express (2004)
A young boy boards a train and embarks on an extraordinary journey to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus. His life takes a turn after he encounters special people that make his journey memorable.
Release date: October 30, 2004 (USA)
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Adapted from: The Polar Express
Box office: $314.1 million
Production companies: Castle Rock Entertainment; Shangri-La Entertainment; ImageMovers; Playtone; Golden Mean Productions;
The Princess Switch (2018)
One week before Christmas, a duchess switches places with an ordinary woman from Chicago, who looks exactly like her, and they each fall in love with each other’s beaus.
Initial release: November 16, 2018
Director: Michael Rohl
Produced by: Amy Krell; Brad Krevoy; Linda L. Miller
Production company: Motion Picture Corporation of America
Written by: Robin Bernheim; Megan Metzger
The Santa Clause (1994)
By helping Santa Claus with a Christmas crisis, Scott unknowingly agrees to become the next Santa Claus. Now, he has to deal with a suspicious former wife while trying to keep his secret safe.
Release date: November 11, 1994 (USA)
Director: John Pasquin
Music by: Michael Convertino
Box office: $189.8 million
Produced by: Robert Newmyer; Brian Reilly; Jeffrey Silver
Production companies: Walt Disney Pictures; Hollywood Pictures; Outlaw Productions
The Snowy Day (2016)
Based on the award-winning book by Ezra Jack Keats. Peter sets out on a magical walk to help Nana with the mac`n’cheese for their traditional Christmas Eve dinner.
The Snowman (1982)
When a young boy starts making a snowman on Christmas, it magically comes to life. The snowman then takes him on a journey to meet Santa Claus.
Release date: December 26, 1982 (USA)
Directors: Dianne Jackson, Jimmy T. Murakami
Featured song: Walking in the Air
Production company: TVC London
Based on: The Snowman; by Raymond Briggs
Producer: John Coates
The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)
Sidelined by a nasty cold and feeling unneeded, Santa decides not to make his annual Christmas journey. Elves Jingle and Jangle scour the world to find people who still believe, hoping to convince the jolly old elf to make his trip anyway.
Initial release: December 10, 1974
Directors: Arthur Rankin, Jr., Jules Bass
Featured song: Snow Miser
Composer: Maury Laws
Production company: Rankin/Bass Productions
Adapted from: The Year Without a Santa Claus
Trolls Holiday (2017)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaRbSlrmAr0
Poppy, queen of the Trolls, realises her best friend Bridget, a Bergen, has no holidays in her calendar. Poppy, Branch and the Snack Pack hop on the Caterbus Express to Bergen Town to prove how fun it is to celebrate.
Initial release: November 20, 2017
Director: Joel Crawford
Composer: Jeff Morrow
Based on: Treasure Toys (Holiday Edition)
Producer: Holly Edwards
White Christmas (1954)
Singers Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye) join sister act Betty (Rosemary Clooney) and Judy Haynes (Vera-Ellen) to perform a Christmas show in rural Vermont. There, they run into Gen. Waverly (Dean Jagger), the boys’ commander in World War II, who, they learn, is having financial difficulties; his quaint country inn is failing. So what’s the foursome to do but plan a yuletide miracle: a fun-filled musical extravaganza that’s sure to put Waverly and his business in the black!
Release date: October 14, 1954 (USA)
Director: Michael Curtiz
Box office: $30 million
Written by: Norman Krasna; Norman Panama; Melvin Frank
Produced by: Robert Emmett Dolan
