As twinkling lights begin to adorn houses and the scent of fresh pine fills the air, there’s no better way to get into the festive spirit than curling up with a good Christmas movie. While there are countless holiday classics that charm audiences of all ages, some films resonate particularly well with the teen crowd. Whether it’s the angst of young love, the hilarity of holiday mishaps, or the warmth of family ties, these movies capture the essence of adolescence amidst the joy of the festive season. Grab your hot cocoa and cozy blanket — we’re diving into the best Christmas movies tailor-made for teens!
When searching out “10 Best Christmas movies for teens” or perhaps “Top 10 Christmas movies”, people often come across lists that actually contain personal opinions, family favorites, top movies by genre, etc. However, what may truly be needed is a list of top Christmas movies for teens and the whole family by overall popular demand.
You will be able to find lots of these films on Amazon Prime and I can provide a free trial for you by clicking this link.
18 Best Christmas Movies For Teens
Here are my favourite Christmas films to watch with my teenagers each and every year!
Miracle on 34th Street
A story about a young girl named Susan who has some trouble getting into the spirit of Christmas until she meets the true Santa Claus. A rather magical movie, and a great choice for entire families to watch.
It’s a Wonderful Life
I was a bit surprised to not see this one at the very top of the list, simply due to the fact that I’ve come across quite a number of people that state it’s their all-time favorite. Starring Jimmy Stewart, this movie conveys the true meaning of Christmas – a heartwarming movie and a favorite of many, many people.
White Christmas
This movie is also a classic and a favorite of many. Released in 1954, starring Bing Crosby singing the title song of the movie. This is a lovely story and a choice movie for Christmas time.
Home Alone
Who could forget the heartwarming story of a young boy left behind on Christmas Eve in the iconic Home Alone? Macaulay Culkin’s character, Kevin McCallister, takes us on an unforgettable ride through a series of hilarious Christmas film antics, teaching everyone a lesson or two about the importance of family during the holiday season. With Christmas classics like these, teens can get into the holiday spirit while the entire family revels in the nostalgic mirth of holiday movies that never grow old.
Polar Express
If you’re in the mood for a whimsical journey to the North Pole, Polar Express, based on the cherished Christmas story, offers a magical adventure that encapsulates the holiday spirit. It’s a great movie to enjoy while sipping hot chocolate and diving into the spirit of Christmas.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Who could forget Snoopy ice skating on the pond with such a happy look on his face? But the major theme is Charlie Brown feeling a bit on the gloomy side, having a difficult time working out, “What is the true meaning of Christmas?”
Love Actually
Directed by Richard Curtis, “Love Actually” is a British romantic comedy set during the Christmas season, exploring various facets of love through interconnected stories. Key narratives include the British Prime Minister’s (Hugh Grant) affection for a staff member, a writer (Colin Firth) connecting with his Portuguese housekeeper despite language barriers, a man (Alan Rickman) tempted by infidelity, and a widow (Liam Neeson) helping his young stepson navigate love and loss. The film skillfully balances humor and emotion, making it a holiday favorite.
Scrooge
This version of the “Scrooge” movies was created in 1970, starring Albert Finney, and has been the most popular of the three similar themed movies on this list. Rather ironically, this movie has received lower critical acclaim than the other two here.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
There are two versions of this movie, both based on the Dr. Seuss story originally released as a movie in the mid-1960’s. The animated older version stars Boris Karloff while the newer “Grinch” is played by none other than Jim Carrey. Both of these movies are quite entertaining and appear to be about equal in popularity.
The Princess Switch and Jingle Jangle
But what if you want something more modern and relatable? Netflix Original movies like The Princess Switch and Jingle Jangle offer a contemporary spin on the holiday classic genre. While the former sees a royal wedding intertwined with holiday cheer, the latter features an original Christmas movie storyline with Forest Whitaker and Keegan-Michael Key in a tale of a young orphan child finding her place in the world.
Christmas in Connecticut
This is an “oldie but a goodie”, starring Barbara Stanwyck in the main role as a writer who is about to get caught telling some “fibs” in her articles for a major publication. This is a romantic and fun movie, originally released in 1945.
The Holiday (2006)
The Holiday stars Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Jack Black. The film revolves around two women, Amanda (played by Cameron Diaz) and Iris (played by Kate Winslet), who are both going through difficult breakups during the holiday season.
In an attempt to escape their heartbreak and the familiarity of their surroundings, the two women decide to swap homes for the Christmas holidays. Amanda, who owns a successful business that creates movie trailers and lives in a luxurious home in Los Angeles, exchanges houses with Iris, a columnist living in a charming English cottage in Surrey.
During their respective vacations:
- Amanda meets Iris’s brother, Graham (played by Jude Law), and they begin a passionate romance, although they both initially have reservations due to their personal histories and the temporary nature of her stay.
- Iris befriends an elderly neighbor, Arthur (played by Eli Wallach), a retired Hollywood screenwriter who introduces her to a bygone era of film. She also starts to form a connection with Miles (played by Jack Black), a film composer who is experiencing his own romantic troubles.
The movie weaves together these two parallel stories of love, self-discovery, and new beginnings in the backdrop of the festive holiday season. The landscapes of sunny California and snow-draped Surrey serve as contrasting and yet equally enchanting settings for these tales of newfound love and personal growth.
Christmas Chronicles
Then there’s the enchanting Christmas Chronicles, featuring Kurt Russell as a charismatic Kris Kringle. This movie can infuse your holiday season with action-packed sequences without losing the essence of a heartwarming Christmas story. Its sequel, cleverly intertwined with the original movie, allows for a movie marathon for big kids and adults alike.
Scrooged
Here is the second of the three “Scrooge” themed movies, starring Bill Murray. Anyone who has seen this movie may agree with me when I say that Bill Murray plays a despicable and hateful character very well! He also plays up the part nicely when he turns over a new leaf and discovers the meaning of Christmas and the importance of his friends.
Certainly! “Elf” is a popular Christmas comedy film released in 2003, directed by Jon Favreau and starring Will Ferrell, James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Mary Steenburgen, and others. Here’s a brief description:
Elf (2003)
Buddy (played by Will Ferrell) is a human who was adopted and raised by Santa’s elves in the North Pole. After growing up and realizing he doesn’t quite fit in — not only because of his enormous size compared to the elves but also due to some of his ineptitudes — Buddy decides to travel to New York City to find his real father, Walter Hobbs (played by James Caan).
Upon arriving in New York, Buddy experiences culture shock as he navigates the big city with his childlike innocence and elfish behavior. Along the way, he forms a relationship with a department store worker named Jovie (played by Zooey Deschanel) and tries to connect with his father, stepmother Emily (played by Mary Steenburgen), and half-brother Michael.
While the film centers on Buddy’s quest to find family and identity, it’s also about the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of belief in magic and the spirit of the holiday. Buddy’s enthusiasm for Christmas and his genuine joy and love for everyone around him contrast with the often-cynical and hustle-and-bustle attitude of the city.
Throughout the movie, there are many humorous situations that arise from Buddy’s childlike wonder and naivety, as well as touching moments that capture the heart of the Christmas spirit. The film has since become a holiday classic, loved by many for its blend of comedy, warmth, and holiday cheer.
Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer
This is one of a few different stop-motion animation movies narrated by Burl Ives. This movie is quite charming for anyone to watch, and is especially loved by children. The original release of this movie was in 1964.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and Fred Claus
For those seeking a mix of humor and holiday spirit, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and Fred Claus, revolving around Santa’s brother played by Vince Vaughn, offer laugh-out-loud moments. Clark Griswold’s plans for a perfect Christmas and the hilarious chaos that ensues will remind you that the most wonderful time of the year can also be the most complicated.
A Christmas Carol
This version of “Scrooge” was released in 1951 and has received the highest critical acclaim and positive public reviews of the three movies on this list. The performance of the main star (Alastair Sim) is truly amazing – a wonderful movie for anyone.
Summary
If you are searching for the Best Christmas Movies, just about any of the above movies should work out to be a hit – based on general popular demand, these have proven to be the most loved Christmas films ever.
I have also previously shared Best Podcasts for Teenagers and Films I Want My Teenagers to Watch
