They’re not too old! Here’s the best list of Christmas and holiday movies for teens and tweens with nearly 40 films. There is something for everyone!
Movies are an absolute must at the holidays.
When our kids are little, one of the best parts of the holidays is making hot cocoa, snuggling up on the couch, and watching all the holiday specials we loved as kids. There is Rudolph and Frosty and of course, we can’t forget Charlie Brown.
But as our kids get older, they can go through a stage of feeling like they’re “too old” for these nostalgic favorites. Or they may just be tired of watching the same old shows and movies. Or they may just think watching movies with their parents is lame (You may also want to read: Some Teenagers Just Need a Little Push to Join the Holiday Magic.)
That doesn’t mean that this tradition can’t go on. It simply means it’s time to move on to movies that are a bit more mature and more enjoyable to older kids. Many of these holiday movies for teens and tweens are classics that the whole family can enjoy, some may seem more like a treat for the adolescents, and some may be new to everyone.
Either way, teens and tweens still love hot cocoa, so don’t skimp on the marshmallows. And although your big kids may have outgrown your lap, they are never too big for a little snuggle on the couch as long as their friends aren’t watching.
Christmas movies for teens and tweens don’t have to fit into a box. They can be musical or funny or silly or romantic or adventurous. Whatever works for your family, do that!
Here are nearly 40 movies for you to watch with your bigs, some oldies but goodies, and some just released last year!
Most of these movies are available on Amazon Prime Video (worth every penny in our opinion!) or another streaming service like Netflix.
The Best Christmas Movies to Watch with Your Teens
National Lampoons Christmas Vacation
This is one of our favorite Christmas movies to watch with teens! The Griswolds are celebrating the perfect Christmas in this holiday classic. The best!
Jingle Jangle, a Christmas Journey
An imaginary world comes to life in a holiday tale of an eccentric toymaker, his adventurous granddaughter, and a magical invention that has the power to change their lives forever.
A new guest makes for an interesting holiday get-together in this movie about family relationships.
Christmas With The Kranks
The Kranks have to cancel their cruise plans and pull Christmas off at the last minute when their daughter surprises them by coming home for the holidays.
Four Christmases
A happy couple has to visit four different sets of families in this comedy about how children of divorced parents navigate the holiday season.
Some really beautiful singing in this musical drama based on Langston Hughes’ play of the same name. A Baltimore teen raised by a single mother travels to New York City to spend the Christmas holiday with estranged relatives, but soon finds their strict rules not so fun. Instead, he sets out on a return journey to his mother and finds the value of faith, healing, and family along the way.
The Family Man
Jack Campbell gets a 2nd chance to be a family man in this heartwarming movie.
Deck The Halls
Danny DeVito stars in this comedy about a neighbor who needs some help getting in the Christmas spirit.
Love Actually
This romantic comedy explores love’s twists and turns during the holidays. Note, there are a lot of adult themes in this movie and some families may not feel comfortable watching it, but it’s one of our favorites. This might be a better Christmas movie for teens than for tweens.
It’s A Wonderful Life
An angel shows a businessman what life would be like if he never existed.
Jack Frost A year after passing away on Christmas Day, Jack Frost comes back to life as a snowman and gets a second chance at connecting with his family.
Holiday Rush (Netflix)
After his sudden firing, a popular radio DJ moves in with his aunt, bringing along his four spoiled children, and a plan to return to the airwaves.
While You Were Sleeping
Sandra Bullock plays a train conductor who rescues a man who gets mugged.
The Holiday
Two women trade homes for the holidays to escape their lives and situations at home.
Fred Claus
A Christmas comedy about Santa’s brother, Fred.
Last Holiday
Recently diagnosed with a terminal illness, a woman decides to take a European vacation.
A struggling but talented photographer inherits an antique holiday advent calendar, the contents of which seem to predict the future. Will this magical calendar lead her to love this holiday season?
Christmas Movies for Tweens:
These movies may be a little more age-appropriate for the 9-12 year-old crowd.
Jingle All The Way A father frantically searches for the perfect Christmas toy on Christmas Eve.
The Christmas Chronicles (Netflix)
After accidentally crashing Santa’s sleigh, a brother and sister pull an all-nighter to save Christmas with a savvy, straight-talking St. Nick.
The Grinch
The live-action version of the Classic starring Jim Carrey!
The Nativity Story
A live-action version of the true meaning of Christmas.
Ernest Saves Christmas
A zany Christmas holiday hit featuring Ernest who is a comedy favorite!
Alien Xmas Alien Xmas is a Netflix Original about a horde of extraterrestrials who attempt to steal the Earth’s gravity in the middle of the Christmas season.
A Christmas Story
In this Christmas classic, all Ralphie wants is a Red Ryder BB gun.
Elf
I mean, come on? Is there a better Christmas movie to watch with your teens? Will Ferrell stars in this movie about a human orphan raised as an Elf who meets his biological father.
Scrooged
A selfish TV executive gets haunted by 3 ghosts sharing lessons with him on Christmas Eve.
Home Alone Series
It all started with Kevin McCallister when he gets left home alone while his family heads off on vacation for Christmas.
Santa Clause Series
This holiday series features Tim Allen as he becomes Santa after the former Santa falls off his roof on Christmas Eve!
Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer This is an animated movie about a mini-horse who wants to fill the spot left on Santa’s team by Blitzen’s retirement.
I’ll Be Home For Christmas If a jokester makes it home by a certain time, his dad’s car is his.
The Best Modern Christmas Movies for Teens and Tweens
Unaccompanied Minors: It’s about a group of kids who get stuck at the airport without their parents on Christmas Eve thanks to a blizzard.
Let It Snow: When a snowstorm hits a small town on Christmas Eve, the friendships and love lives of several high school students become intertwined.
Our Little Secret: Available on Netflix, ten years after a botched proposal, two star-crossed exes must spend Christmas together after discovering their partners are siblings. Awkward much?
A Cinderella Story: A Christmas Wish: The movie follows an inspiring singer named Kat, whose evil stepmother and two stepsisters make her life more than difficult.
The Knight Before Christmas: Available on Netflix, Brooke is a high school science teacher who isn’t really into the idea of love, but a knight named Sir Cole who’s really from the 14th century is about to show her that she doesn’t really know herself as well as she thinks she does.
The Princess Switch: Available on Netflix, when Olivia Richards travels to Belgravia she thinks she’s just there to compete in a baking competition but she ends up switching places with Lady Margaret Delacourt, Duchess of Montenaro.
Red One: When a villain kidnaps Santa Claus from the North Pole, an E.L.F. (Extremely Large and Formidable) operative joins forces with the world’s most accomplished tracker to find him and save Christmas.
Looking for other great movies to watch with your teens and tweens? Check out this awesome list of 80s movies.
Looking for more ideas on what to do with your teens and tweens this holiday? Here are a few more ideas for you!
25+ Christmas Traditions For Families With Tweens and Teens
The Best Advent Calendar for Teens & Tweens
The Best Board Games for Teens
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