Ages 7+ | Some slapstick violence

This is the year. If your kids are old enough to understand the difference between movie logic and real life, Home Alone is still an absolute blast. Yes, the burglars get absolutely demolished by an 8-year-old's booby traps. Yes, some of the humor is dated. But the core story—a kid who feels invisible in his chaotic family proving he's capable—still resonates.

Parent tip: The violence is cartoonish but extensive. If your kids get anxious about people getting hurt (even bad guys), maybe wait another year. Also, be prepared for them to ask why Kevin's parents didn't just call the neighbor to check on him. Because, you know, that's a very reasonable question.

Ages 6+ | Some mild language, New York cynicism

Elf is basically the perfect family holiday movie. It's funny for adults, visually engaging for kids, and has genuine heart without being saccharine. Will Ferrell's Buddy is essentially a golden retriever in human form, and watching him navigate New York City never gets old.

The "Santa's not real" conversation happens in this movie, so if you're still maintaining the magic with older kids, heads up. But honestly, most kids by age 6-7 can handle the meta-conversation about belief.

Ages 5+ | Some intense sequences

Look, the animation still hits that uncanny valley for some adults (those eyes!), but kids genuinely don't care. The story about belief, the hot chocolate song, the whole vibe—it's a December staple for a reason.

Heads up: The train sequences can be intense for sensitive younger kids. There's a lot of near-misses and perilous moments. If your 5-year-old is still working through anxiety about things going wrong, maybe preview it first.

Ages 6+ | Emotional themes, some scary moments

Disney's prequel to the 2019 Lion King remake is actually... pretty good? It tells Mufasa's origin story, and unlike some prequels that feel unnecessary, this one adds genuine depth to the character. The animation is stunning, the voice cast is solid, and it doesn't just rehash the original.

The catch: There are some genuinely scary moments with predators and peril. If your kids handled the original Lion King's stampede scene, they'll be fine here. But this isn't Bluey-level chill.

Streaming note: Disney+ release is expected late December, but no confirmed date yet. If you want to catch it in theaters during winter break, it's a solid choice.

Ages 8+ | Complex themes, some scary imagery

The movie adaptation of the Broadway phenomenon is finally here, and if you have theater kids or Wizard of Oz fans, this is their moment. The production design is incredible, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are both excellent, and it actually respects the source material.

Important: This is Part 1 of a two-part adaptation, ending at intermission of the stage show. So yes, you're getting a "to be continued" ending. Also, it's 2 hours and 40 minutes. Bring snacks.

Age consideration: The themes are more complex than typical family fare—prejudice, propaganda, moral ambiguity. Your 8-year-old who loves deep conversations will eat this up. Your 8-year-old who just wants to see talking animals might get restless.

Ages 7+ | Action sequences, mild language

If your kids are into Sonic (and let's be real, what elementary schooler isn't?), this is a safe bet. The third installment introduces Shadow, voiced by Keanu Reeves, and it's exactly what you'd expect: fast-paced, colorful, funny enough for adults to not hate their lives.

Why it works: These movies understand their assignment. They're not trying to be Pixar-level emotional storytelling. They're fun, energetic adaptations that respect the games while being accessible to non-gamers.

Ages 6+ | Anxiety themes

This DreamWorks film dropped on Netflix earlier this year and absolutely deserves more attention. It's about a kid with severe anxiety who meets the literal personification of Dark, and they go on an adventure to help him overcome his fears.

Why it's great: It actually treats childhood anxiety with respect and nuance. It's not "just get over it" or "there's nothing to be scared of." It's about learning to coexist with fear. Plus, it's genuinely funny and visually creative.

Perfect for: Kids who struggle with bedtime fears, worry a lot, or just love imaginative storytelling. Also great conversation starter about managing anxiety.

Ages 5+ | Mild peril

This Illumination film about a family of ducks going on migration is exactly what you need when you just want something pleasant and uncomplicated. It's funny, it's pretty, and it doesn't require your full attention (which, let's be honest, is sometimes what December movie-watching needs to be).

Bonus: Great for mixed-age groups. Your 5-year-old will laugh at the physical comedy, your 10-year-old won't be bored, and you can fold laundry while it's on.

Ages 10+ | Violence, LGBTQ+ themes

If somehow you missed this when it came out, December break is the perfect time to catch up. It's a medieval sci-fi mashup about a shapeshifter and a disgraced knight, and it's genuinely one of the best animated films of the past few years.

Why it matters: The story tackles prejudice, found family, and identity in ways that feel organic, not preachy. The main knight character is in a same-sex relationship, which is treated as completely normal (because it is). The animation style is unique and gorgeous.

Content note: There's more action violence than typical family fare—people get hurt, there are weapons, the stakes feel real. It's PG, not G, for good reason.

Ages 4-6: Stick with Migration, The Polar Express, and Elf. These have clear good guys, happy endings, and age-appropriate humor.

Ages 7-9: You can add Home Alone, Sonic 3, Mufasa, and Orion and the Dark. Just preview the scary parts if your kid is sensitive.

Ages 10+: Everything above, plus Wicked and Nimona if they're ready for more complex themes and longer runtimes.

Disney+ has the deepest holiday library—all the classics plus new releases. If you only have one streaming service, this is your December MVP.

Netflix is surprisingly solid this year with Orion and the Dark and Nimona, plus their holiday rom-com lineup if you need something after the kids go to bed.

Max (formerly HBO Max) has Elf and The Polar Express, which is basically worth the subscription for December alone.

Peacock has Migration and will eventually get Wicked, though probably not until January or February.

December movie-watching is about more than just keeping kids occupied (though let's not pretend that's not part of it). It's about building traditions, having shared experiences, and yeah, sometimes just getting everyone in the same room for 90 minutes without someone asking for a snack.

Your December strategy:

And remember: if your kids want to watch Home Alone seventeen times instead of exploring your carefully curated list, that's actually fine. Repetition is how they build those cozy holiday memories you're going for anyway.

Need more recommendations? Check out our guides on best movies for family movie night or alternatives to Disney Plus if you're trying to diversify your streaming diet.