Looking for the perfect film for a family snuggle on the sofa? Here’s our pick of the best winter movies for kids (that aren’t just for Christmas!)
When the cold weather sets in, there isn’t much that’s more appealing than a movie night … or afternoon … or snow day treat! Heck, why not have a winter movie marathon and get the whole family involved to choose their favourites for the list?! Grab your blanket, make a vat of slow cooker hot chocolate and pop that popcorn. Because it’s time to take your pick from our list of the best winter movies.
Quick note: these are our favourite wintry films – not holiday movies, these ones are designed to enjoy throughout the winter months, on a snowy day, or when you need something to cool you down in the summer! We’ve got plenty of Christmas movie inspiration too, of course.
Note: This post contains some affiliate links. This means that we may earn a small commission when you click on such links, at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We only share links to products we would use ourselves and all opinions are our own. You can read the full disclaimer here.
We’ve chosen each of these as a good winter movie for kids, from the very little ones up to tweens and beyond. But they are all great family-friendly options and will appeal to a wide range of age groups. From heart warming to hilarious, and fantastical to educational, there’s something for everyone. Which is your favourite?
Frozen
Is it even a winter-themed movies list if Frozen isn’t headlining?! The most iconic of all snow-filled family films of current times! Disney takes us on a rollercoaster journey with sisters Anna and Elsa, and a cast of fabulous companions – not to mention the wonderful Olaf, the snowman. Oh, and the singalong potential is huge of course…
And, if your kids enjoy Frozen, don’t forget there’s Frozen II and short movie Olaf’s Frozen Adventure to add to the playlist too.
Happy Feet
Happy Feet is an enchanting animated film set in the icy landscapes of Antarctica where emperor penguins sing to find love. The story follows Mumble, a young penguin who cannot sing like his peers but is brilliant at tap dancing. A heart warming tale of self-discovery, friendship, and embracing your unique talents which has perhaps aged a little when considered against modern acceptances. But nonetheless it tells of important life lessons and showcases a stellar voice cast including the late Robin Williams, Elijah Wood, and Nicole Kidman.
Ice Age
Perhaps a little tenuous in its winter-themed links, Ice Age does of course keep the wintry weather vibes coming. Set during the Earth’s glacial period, the movie follows a mismatched trio of prehistoric animals. This unlikely group, consisting of a woolly mammoth, a sabre-toothed tiger, and a sloth, embark on a quest to return a human baby to its tribe, discovering friendship and family along the icy way. Great fun, it’s sure to be a family favourite.
The Snowman
A mere 26 minutes long, The Snowman is a true icon of the winter movie world and likely to captivate even the youngest of viewers.
Okay, okay, we know there’s a few Christmas related scenes, and Father Christmas does appear. But, for us, this will always be top of our wintry watches and we couldn’t possibly not include it! You’ll be humming “Walking In The Air” for days! But, did you know it was in fact St Paul’s Cathedral choirboy, Peter Auty, who sang the version in the film, not Aled Jones (who sang the later singles release).
Mr Popper’s Penguins
Mr. Popper’s Penguins tells the tale of Mr. Popper (aka actor Jim Carey… & now you know the vibe of the movie), a businessman whose life turns upside down when he inherits six penguins. Converting his New York apartment into a chilly penguin paradise, it’s a light-hearted journey through chaos, care, and unexpected family fun. A charming watch with the kids on a frosty evening.
Smallfoot
Smallfoot turns the Bigfoot legend on its head with a spirited young Yeti who discovers something he never thought existed—a human. This discovery leads him on an exciting and sweet adventure beyond his snowy village, challenging his community’s beliefs and sparking questions about the wider world. A fun and thoughtful film for family winter movie nights. Oh, and the voice cast is pretty incredible too – Channing Tatum, James Corden, Zendaya, Danny DeVito, …
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe
Always Winter, never Christmas. You couldn’t really ask for a better fit for our criteria for a wintry tale! Though we’re not saying we approve of the concept any more than Lucy did… (and, without wanting to give away too much, even in Narnia a little festive spirit creeps in).
The Chronicles of Narnia is for the slightly older children (Common Sense Media suggests 9+) but what a cracker of a snow day movie for the right audience. Delighting in the fantastical winter wonderland of C.S.Lewis’ imagination, this classic story of good vs evil and eternal winter is surely part of every child’s literary education! And oh, how fabulous is this 2005 screen adaptation…
Little Women
Another of the classics! And whilst Little Women isn’t a winter story per se, there are plenty of wintry scenes and somehow the New England period style lends a vibe that works well at this time of year.
Greta Gerwig’s 2019 screen adaptation is such a joy to watch with slightly older children (10+). A true story of sisterhood – in all its glory! – brought to life by a star cast, including Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, and Timothée Chalamet.
Abominable
Abominable follows Yi and her friends on an epic journey to reunite a young Yeti, Everest, with his family. Their journey from Shanghai to the Himalayas is filled with stunning landscapes and lessons in friendship. This animated movie captivates with humour, fun adventure, and the magic of discovery.
March Of The Penguins
If your kids are fans of wildlife documentaries, or penguins, or both, then you can’t go wrong with this fabulous film, painstakingly created from a year observing and filming Emperor Penguins in Antarctica.
Narrated by the dulcet tones of Morgan Freeman, March of the Penguins is a stunning glimpse into the resilience and beauty of nature. Do know that it is real life, though: the good and the bad.
Snow Buddies
An unlikely, and adorable, dog sled team has accidentally come to town in Ferntiuktuk, Alaska. Part of the Air Bud (or Disney Buddies) film series, the talking puppies of Snow Buddies learn about teamwork, bravery, and the spirit of adventure as they make new friends in the snowy wilderness. It’s a fun, family-friendly tale set against a frosty backdrop with plenty of golden retriever puppy cuteness to boot.
Frozen Planet
We know, it’s not a movie – it’s a documentary series. But how can we not include the chance for a fabulously informative tour across the polar regions with Sir David Attenborough by our side?! Plus it’s free to access on BBC iPlayer! That’s 14 hours of zero-cost educational entertainment…
Choose between the original Frozen Planet series and 2022’s Frozen Planet II – the latter with its exclusive behind the scenes footage of how they captured life on the ice. Perfect for any budding naturalists.
Harry Potter
There’s just something about the Harry Potter movie series that gives us full-on winter vibes. Are you the same? Perhaps because it’s the Mary Poppins of the current generation – always on over the festive season. Or, perhaps the oak-panelled walls of Hogwarts just scream winter time. Whatever the reason, a Harry Potter movie marathon seems like a great choice for whiling away a winter’s afternoon!
Length: 2hr 32m (Harry Potter & The Philosopher’s / Sorcerer’s Stone)
UK Film Rating: PG (though some of the later films are rated 12)
Release Dates: 2001-2011
Where To Watch: Netflix
Cool Runnings
Who doesn’t love an underdog story?! This Disney classic starring the late John Candy may well have you reliving your own childhood movie nights!
Based loosely on a true story, Cool Runnings is a comedic take (and yes, let’s admit it, cheesily so!) on the debut of the Jamaican bobsled team at the 1988 Winter Olympics. With something for the whole family, it’s a great option for a snuggle on the sofa.
Long Way North
If you’re looking for something a little different, Long Way North may be just the ticket. A beautiful and cinematically-made French-Danish animation, available in English or French with subtitles. It tells the tale of a young Russian aristocrat who runs away in search of her grandfather -an adventurer lost at the North Pole.
Patience may be required at the beginning as the story starts to take shape. But it’s a worthwhile investment – this is a thoughtful tale, told through the eyes of a strong female lead.
Stick Man
The perfect winter movie option for the littlies, or if you’ve got a shorter time slot to fill. At a similar length to The Snowman, this BBC animation of the much-loved Julia Donaldson / Axel Scheffler Stick Man story is sure to keep young children (and beyond!) enthralled. And, whilst there is a bit of a Christmas theme to the tale, with us cheering on Stick Man for his return to the family tree in time to celebrate, there’s plenty of general winter theming to be enjoyed too. Plus, it’s another free watch on BBC iPlayer.
Paddington 2
Just like Harry Potter, there’s something about Paddington 2 that leaves us feeling all the winter feels. Well, the movie does end at Christmas time and there’s plenty of gorgeously snowy scenes so that might have something to do with it! But, it also has all the warm cosies that we’re looking for at this time of year. Plus, it’s not very often of course that a sequel outshines the original quite so well. So any excuse to pop this “cream of the feel-good movies crop” on the screen!
So, whatever type of winter movie your kids are in the mood to watch, hopefully we’ve given you some new movies to try and old favourites to rediscover with the family. Time to go get that hot cocoa and nestle down in front of the screen. Enjoy!
Movie Snack Inspiration
Wondering what to eat as you watch? Check out our snack and treat recipes for easy inspiration.
Some of our favourite movie snacks include:
- Easy Christmas Snack Mix (it’s perfect at any time of year).
- Loaded Turkey Nachos (work just as well with chicken).
- No Churn Cadbury Chocolate Finger Ice-Cream.
Looking for more inspiration?
- 3 Indoor Winter Scavenger Hunts To Play (with free printables)
- Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate Recipe
- Best Children’s Christmas Books – from Tots to Tweens
And be sure to check out our Printable Winter Mindful Moments – with 30 suggestions for some pause, rest and reflect during the winter months.
Share Your Creations!
And be sure to tag #jollyfestive in your photos. We love to see which Christmas activities you’ve been enjoying!
