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Aunt Anne’s Top 5 Christmas Movies to Watch with the Whole Family

, | December 5, 2020 | By

FTP staffer Anne Yancey  is a very proud aunt of three, and godmother of two wonderful children.

The whole family has gathered, once again, for Christmas. Everyone’s up for watching a movie, but what can you watch that’s clever and engaging enough for kids from one to ninety-two?

Here’s my Top 5 list of family Christmas movies -- nieces and nephew approved!

Nativity! (2009, PG)

Starring Martin Freeman, this zany British comedy keeps the Christ in Christmas, where it belongs. The underdogs at St. Bernadette’s Catholic School compete with nearby schools to put on an annual, musical Nativity play, this time, hopeful to be “discovered” by their teacher’s ex-girlfriend, who now works in Hollywood. How to watch: Available to stream via Xfinity; purchase on DVD at Amazon.com.

 

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992, G)

The familiar Charles Dickens treasure delivered to you, Henson-style. Starring Michael Caine as Scrooge, and all of your favorite, classic Muppet characters. How to watch: Disney+, Amazon Prime, Google Play, iTunes, YouTube and VUDU.

 

Arthur Christmas (2011, PG)

When despite having an impressive array of high-tech gadgets, Santa Claus accidentally misses delivering a toy to a small girl, a makeshift team composed of his clumsy youngest son, Arthur Claus, some disobedient elves, Grandsanta, and a set of untrained flying reindeer, must get the package delivered by Christmas morning. How to watch: Hulu, Amazon Prime, VUDU, YouTube, iTunes, and Google Play.

 

Klaus (2019, PG)

Includes a warm-hearted origin-type story for the popular idea of Santa Claus: With the assistance of the new postmaster and a reclusive woodsman, a quirky, feuding town is unified through the eyes and hearts of its children. Academy Award nominated for Best Animated Feature. How to watch: Netflix.

 

Elf (2003, PG)

This is the sweet, silly, feel-good adventure of a North Pole elf’s trip to New York City where he meets his human father, falls in love, and spreads cheer. The all-star cast features Will Ferrell, Ed Asner, Zoey Deschanel, Peter Dinklage, Mary Steenburgen, James Caan, and the legendary Bob Newhart, a longtime friend of Family Theater Productions. How to watch: Hulu, Amazon Prime, VUDU, Google Play, YouTube and iTunes.

 

 

Merry Christmas, Y’all!

(Did we mention Anne's from Texas?)

Image: Adobe Stock

Anne Yancey is an Assistant to Feature Producers at Family Theater Productions, with 17 years’ experience as a professional theatre educator.

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