By: Chris Sheehan (Last Updated: Decemeber 1st 2023)

Below is a list of some of the best holiday movies for classroom use. These classic holiday movies are great to show to students right before school breaks. Take a look at the list of top holiday movies below. Each of the holiday movies have a link for a movie worksheet for download that parallels each movie to help keep students on task. Enjoy!

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Rated G
Approx. 105 minutes
How the Grinch Stole Christmas Worksheet

A classic holiday movie is Dr. Seuss' Christmas fantasy about how the Grinch came to dislike Christmas and everything about the holiday. He ends up stealing every Christmas 'thing' from their houses while they are asleep.  By the end of the movie, the Grinch has reminded everyone what Christmas is all about and returns all the stuff he stole, therefore actually saving Christmas. Whoville, the fictitious little village where the story takes place is set inside of an iconic snowflake.  Whoville is preparing for Christmas, in a most commercialistic way.  The folks there pride themselves on spending way too much money and outdoing neighbors; not what Christmas is about at all. 

A little girl, Cyndi Lou, discovers that there is a crotchety creature, the Grinch, that used to live in Whoville. He never participates in Christmas festivities.  Cyndi Lou sets out on a quest to find out why the Grinch hates Christmas and doesn't want to socialize with anyone.  He lives holed up in a cave not far from the village. Cyndi Lou learns that the Grinch was laughed at and bullied as a child, especially at Christmas. Her heart is soft toward the Grinch and together they help the townspeople realize that they don't need 'things' for Christmas to make them happy. They only need each other!

A wonderful Christmas movie to play in the classroom! Full of fantastical wonderment and a beautiful life lesson!

Miracle on 34th Street

Rated G
Approx.  95 minutes
Miracle on 34th Street Worksheet

Easily one of the top holiday movies, The Miracle on 34th Street is about a man who claims to be the real Santa Claus.  The lady who hires him is not a believer and neither is her no-nonsense 8-year-old daughter. He continues to profess that he is the real deal, as well as to prove it. The man is given a trial to prove who he really is and that he is not a lunatic.  The end of this movie brings proof that he is the real Santa Claus as he makes the people around him all believe. A real happily ever after type of movie.

Kris Kringle is the man who replaces the inebriated Santa at the Macy's Day Parade, as well as the store Santa Claus.  Kris proves to be more than just a store Santa as he helps customers find what they want by sending them to other stores. He also gets through to a newly adopted Dutch girl by speaking her language. After witnessing these things while in line to see Santa, the girl has suspicions but doesn't say anything, But Kris has a difficult time trying to get through to his boss ladies' daughter. She has no imagination and doesn't believe in fairy tales. At one point she even gives him an ultimatum, saying that if he would give her a horse, she would believe.  But the one thing she really wants, a home and family, Kris (Santa) provides in the end.

This would be a great Christmas movie to bring to the classroom, as it has become a classic holiday movie in many homes. While this may not be considered realistic fiction, it connects with real life in many practical ways.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Rated PG
Approx. 75 minutes
The Nightmare Before Christmas Worksheet

A creature from Halloweentown strolls into Christmas town where he finds things very interesting. But not interesting enough! He proceeds to put his own spin on Christmas! While this is not a Christmas classic holiday movie, by any stretch of the imagination, it does present one of those feel good lessons, that is if you can read between the spooky lines.

In this magical, somewhat abnormal holiday movie, the pumpkin king from Halloweentown stumbles upon Christmas town and decides that he'll have a go at being Santa Claus and spreading holiday cheer to all.  Of course, he could never be the majestical Santa Claus because he is the pumpkin King, the epitome of Halloween. So, this doesn't quite work out and he realizes that he is not the jolly Christmas character but the adventurous and magical morbid creature that represents Halloweentown. Some may argue whether this is a Christmas film, but there is a perfect mix of both that make it appropriate for Halloween or Christmas. In this move, Tim Burton has held nothing back, it is a horrifically whimsical and morbid fairy tale.

This is the perfect movie for those students that are already amped up for the holiday season. The non-stop antics and animation will keep them on the edge of their seats, all the while, making them scratch their heads at the mixed-up notions of Christmas.

The Polar Express

Rated G
Approx. 90 minutes
The Polar Express Worksheet

An animated Christmas fantasy about a boy who questions his belief in the magical wonderings of Christmas.  He travels to the North Pole where he meets elves and the big guy himself, Santa Claus. This movie is quickly becoming one of the top holiday movies.

In his dreams, an 8-year-old boy is welcomed aboard the Polar Express, a train headed for the North Pole. He is joined by children from all over the world that, like him, are at that age of uncertainty. On the train ride, he finds all sorts of adventure that helps him determine what he really should believe.  And when he finally admits that he has come to believe in the magic of Christmas, he is able to hear the Christmas bells again, just like all the other kids who believe.  He is taught that the true spirit and magic of Christmas lies within his own heart!

A lovely fantastical and adventurous movie to add to the classroom Christmas Collection! What kid isn't enamored by a giant train?

Elf

Rated PG
Approx. 90 minutes
Elf Worksheet

One of the best holiday movies, a realistic fantasy about a boy who grew up around elves at the North pole. He figures out that he is a human and doesn't belong there. Mayhem ensues as he searches for his biological father who he has been told lives in New York City. Imagine the antics of a young boy!

Buddy, who was in an orphanage, crawled into Santa's bag one Christmas Eve and was then adopted into the elf population. He goes through all kinds of mishaps as he tries to do the work of the tiny elves.  He overhears the elves say that he is human. So then goes on a journey to find his biological father. He finds his father, along with his new family in New York, where Buddy tries to blend in. This is a delightful and touching comedy about belonging.

This movie teaches a wonderful lesson about welcoming different people into your lives as it takes us through the holiday season! A funny addition to your classroom Christmas movie collection.

A Christmas Story

Rated PG
Approx. 90minutes
A Christmas Story Worksheet

In this Christmas movie a 9-year-old boy tries to prove that he really can handle what he wants for Christmas.  This is one of those movies that people love to ask holiday movie trivia about. Ralphie wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas.  He spends his time trying to prove to his parents that he deserves and can handle his own BB gun. Even the store Santa has his doubts!

This Christmas story appeals to many boys and girls as they seem to always want to prove that they are not too young or too immature for things they want.

Best G Rated Holiday Movies

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Rated G
Approx. 50 minutes
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Worksheet

Easily a top holiday movies, a reindeer that was laughed at and made fun of, was invited to guide Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve. This is one of the best g rated holiday movies out there. Just like the song mentions, Rudolph was not allowed to play with the other reindeer because of his bright red nose. But there came a time when Rudolph's red nose would come in handy. One year there was a snowstorm on Christmas Eve and Santa had no light to lead his sled. This is when he asked Rudolph if he would guide his sleigh that night.  Then of course the reindeer all got along with him after that.

This film teaches a great lesson for the classroom. Everyone has something about them that makes them stand out, makes them special.

A Christmas Carol

Rated G
Approx. 70 minutes
A Christmas Carol Worksheet

An underhanded, crotchety businessman learns how his present actions affect the rest of his life, along with others'. Ebenezer Scrooge is visited in his dreams by a former colleague that has since passed on.  A colleague that Ebenezer did not treat very well. Actually, Ebenezer had a record of not treating anyone well, not even family.  In these dreams, the spirit shows Ebenezer his past, present, and future life. How he went from a happy child, to a miserly man, and what will become of him in the future. The spirit also makes him aware of how his ways have affected those around him, including the family of the deceased.

Another Christmas movie classic that provides great entertainment, along with a life lesson that we all should learn. Like so many Christmas films, this is worth repeating!

Best Short Christmas Movies for the Classroom Winner

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Rated G
Approx. 25 minutes
A Charlie Brown Christmas Worksheet

Truly the classic of all time is A Charlie Brown Christmas. This is rated as the best short christmas movies for the classroom! In this iconically animated film, Charlie Brown has become taken aback by the materialistic attitude of his friends at Christmas. He notices the commercialism of the holiday and tries to find the deeper meaning of Christmas! Charlie Brown is somewhat frustrated at the approach his friends are taking to the Christmas holiday. He is not really in the Christmas spirit so he directs the Christmas play, thinking it will help.  He gets frustrated at his friends for making fun of his efforts. They are only interested in fancy decorations and presents.  But at the end, Christmas magic takes over once again.

A Christmas classic that is a must have for the classroom.

Frosty the Snowman

Rated G
Approx. 25 minutes
Frosty the Snowman Worksheet

Another animated classic holiday movie that is a children's fantasy that speaks to the magic of Christmas! A snowman comes to life when the kids put a magician's hat on him! Frosty the Snowman is about a snowman that comes to life when the kids find a hat to put on his head. As the temperature gets warmer, one of the kids tries to get Frosty on the train to go to the North Pole.  They end up having an adventurous journey to the North Pole!

A great way to add music to the classroom Christmas Party.  This movie would also be great to watch in January or the winter months, maybe an impromptu movie when kids are expecting a snow day!