Posted inMoviesChristmasFilmsKids Christmas

15 Christmas films to watch with the kids in the UAE

From new releases to festive classics

There’s nothing that says Christmas quite like snuggling up on the sofa wrapped in a super soft blanket, sipping on hot chocolate and watching a magical Christmas movie with the whole gang.

Here are some of our all-time family favourites – and it doesn’t matter whether you’re watching for the first, second or even hundredth time, they are still sure to put you in the festive spirit.

The Christmas Chronicles

Back by popular demand, Kurt Russel is back as Santa. This time, Kate Pierce, now a cynical teenager, is unexpectedly reunited with Santa Claus when a mysterious troublemaker threatens to cancel Christmas, forever. Not if Kurt Russel has anything to say about it.
Netflix.

Arthur Christmas

Imagine having Mr. Claus as your dad? Just a day in the life of Arthur Christmas, who has been tasked with an ultra-secret and super-important Christmas mission. Beats a day working at the super-secret toy-making facility.
Netflix.

A Magic Christmas

A bakery owner tries to connect with his family by taking them to a remote cabin for Christmas. With no internet and no television, the teenagers get restless and grumpy, but then a rival family comes on to the scene and everyone’s competitive nature comes to the fore. This is a charming Christmas film that older kids will enjoy.
OSN.

A Christmas Prince Trilogy

Wait, before you head into the absolutely jolly Christmas flick that is A Christmas Price: The Royal Baby, you have to watch the other two first. Well, if you can get through how cheesy they are, but what’s a festive flick without a bit of corniness? It’s about young journalist Amber sent abroad to get the latest scoop on dashing Prince Richard. As the titles to the movies may suggest, then there’s a royal wedding, and baby…
Netflix.

Klaus

For some presents, it’s up to the postman to get the delivery done, especially when it delivers joy to a cold, dark town. In this Academy Award nominee animated movie, a selfish postman teams up with a toymaker to bring happiness to a town.
Netflix.

Shelby: The Dog Who Saved Christmas

Animal films are always going to tug on the heart strings and this cute tale about an abandoned dog and the friendship he strikes up with an isolated tween, does just that. Throw in a little comedy courtesy of Chevy Chase, who plays the tween boy’s grandpa, and you have a magical Christmas film with a very happy ending. It’s the power of paws, gets us every time.
OSN.

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms


Based on Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet this follow-up story sees young Clara transported to a fantasy world of gingerbread soldiers and mice armies after she loses a magical key. There she encounters the regents who preside over the land’s three realms who encourage Clara and a soldier called Phillip to brave the ominous Fourth Realm to retrieve Clara’s key and return harmony to the unstable world. The stunning sets and beautiful costumes make this a modern day Christmas film classic that all the family will love.
OSN.

The Man Who Invented Christmas

In 1843 London, author Charles Dickens finds himself in financial trouble after writing three unsuccessful novels in a row. Desperate for a hit, Dickens relies on real-life inspiration and his vivid imagination to bring Ebeneezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and other classic characters to life in A Christmas Carol, forever changing the holiday season into the celebration known today.
OSN.

Elf

One of the most famous and best-loved Christmas films of all time, we love Elf. “Buddy The Elf, what’s your favourite colour?” still rings in our brains even after the first time we watched Will Ferrell’s silly and hilarious Elf. Most of us may have seen him travel to New York to find his real dad, but that doesn’t stop us watching it every year.
Netflix.

The Grinch


A classic Christmas movie that’s a must-watch every year. The town of Whooville is holly jolly when the holidays hit… Well, almost everyone in Whoville. Our beloved green scrooge – the Grinch – tries to hijack the Christmas festivities in his town. It’ll take one sweet little girl to show him what the season is all about in this animated family-friendly flick. Wintertime is incomplete with without this Dr. Seuss classic.
Netflix.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas

And we can’t forget Jim Carrey’s take on the green scrooge. The 2000 version will always be a favourite Christmas film in our books.
Netflix.

The Polar Express

Don’t believe in Christmas like the poor boy in this animated epic? Hop onboard the magical Polar Express straight to the North Pole and your views will change. Also, Tom Hanks voices nearly everyone in this festive adventure – try and guess who.
Netflix.

The Princess Switch

It’s the ol’ switcheroo in Vanessa Hudgens Christmastime tale. A Chicago Baker and soon-to-be princess trade places during Christmas, and all manner of antics ensue. An easy watch with a few laughs for anytime during Christmas.
Netflix.

The Snowman

Is it even really Christmas if you haven’t watched this beautiful classic? Based on the book by Raymond Briggs, a little boy builds a snowman that comes to life and takes him soaring through the sky on a magical adventure. Get the tissues ready, you’ll need them when you’re “walking in the air.”
Amazon Prime.

The Santa Claus 3: The Escape Clause

The world is very much filled with Christmas movies about the big man in red, but this one takes a slightly different focus. When the evil Jack Frost decides he’d like to take over Christmas Santa Claus finds himself torn in two directions – keeping his new family happy (Father Christmas found his Mrs Claus in The Santa Claus 2) and foiling an evil plot.
Netflix.