The Best Kids Christmas Movies on Netflix in 2025
Updated: November 22, 2025
There are two types of Christmas movie nights:
The Pinterest version (perfectly behaved children, marshmallows melting delicately on cocoa)… and real life.
We’re talking spilled sprinkles, someone yelling “I CAN’T SEE,” and at least one kid who suddenly hates the blanket they’ve used every day since birth.
Luckily, Netflix has Christmas magic on standby. Short, medium, and long movies that fit right into real family chaos. Let’s dive into the best kid-friendly picks—complete with runtimes for your planning sanity.
Short & Sweet Christmas Specials
Perfect for “one quick movie before bedtime,” sudden meltdowns, or when you’re five minutes away from losing it.
An Elf’s Story: The Elf on the Shelf
Runtime: 26 minutes
What it’s about: Follow Chippey, a young Scout Elf fresh out of Elf School, as he tries to prove he’s worthy of protecting a family at Christmas. Kids learn about holiday spirit, kindness, and why touching the Elf is a whole situation. Expect giggles and immediate Elf questions like, “Does OUR elf go to school too?”
Elf Pets: A Fox Cub’s Christmas Tale
Runtime: 28 minutes
What it’s about: A shy baby fox helps Santa restore faith in the magic of Christmas. There’s twinkling winter scenes, sweet storylines, and lots of adorable fox moments. Warning: May lead to kids begging for a pet fox, which is a firm “no” no matter how cute they make their eyes.
Elf Pets: Santa’s Reindeer Rescue
Runtime: 26 minutes
What it’s about: Santa’s reindeer are facing a crisis—low Christmas spirit is making it harder for them to fly. With help from some caring kids and the Elf Pets, we get teamwork, cute reindeer, and the answer to “How does Santa ACTUALLY fly?” (Yes, it’s magic. Always magic.)
Elf Pets: Santa’s St. Bernard Save Christmas
Runtime: 26 minutes
What it’s about: A giant, charming St. Bernard sets out to help Santa by collecting Christmas cheer. Little ones will fall in love instantly with giant puppy eyes and slobber-free cuteness. Will your child ask for a 180-pound dog after this? Absolutely. Stay strong.
The Boss Baby: Christmas Bonus
Runtime: 46 minutes
What it’s about: Boss Baby accidentally gets transported to the North Pole and must handle the “business side” of Christmas. Elves, toy orders, and corporate-level chaos follow. Perfect for kids who love silly humor, and parents who relate to holiday stress at work, home, and life in general.
Longer Christmas Movies (AKA: Time to Drink Your Cocoa While It’s Still Hot)
These magically buy you almost two hours of peace. A Christmas miracle in itself.
Scrooge: A Christmas Carol
Runtime: 1 hour 41 minutes
What it’s about: A modern animated reimagining of Dickens’ classic. Ebenezer Scrooge faces the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future in a heart-tugging visual spectacle. It has songs, stunning scenes, and enough emotion to inspire a conversation about being kind, even to siblings who “breathed wrong.”
Bonus Pick: Klaus
Runtime: 1 hour 36 minutes
What it’s about: A selfish postman and a mysterious toymaker accidentally start a holiday tradition that transforms an entire town. Klaus mixes hilarious moments with deep, cozy storytelling that sticks with kids and adults. It’s the kind of movie that makes you want to hug someone afterward… maybe not the sibling who stole your cookie, but someone.
Parent Survival Tips for Netflix Christmas Movie Nights
• Serve snacks BEFORE hitting play or you’ll miss half the movie rewinding
• If someone screams “I can’t see!” don’t fight—elevate a pillow and keep it moving
• Make a no-pausing agreement unless it’s a group potty break
• Marshmallows disappear faster than Christmas cookies… stock up
Final Thought
Christmas movies aren’t just about the stories on screen. They’re about snuggly blankets, spilled cocoa, laughing together, and creating memories that become your family’s holiday traditions. Netflix just helps keep the magic rolling without a three-hour commitment.
2025 Disney Plus Holiday Movies for Kids & Families here
2025 Prime Video Holiday Movies for Kids & Families here
2025 Peacock Holiday Movies for Kids & Families here
