The best Christmas specials to watch with kids

Christmas telly is at its best when the whole sofa is in on it, from the toddler in the reindeer onesie to the teenager pretending not to watch. Here is every special in our library that we rate for kids, sorted by age, with how long each one runs and anything that might upset the smallest. Most are British, with a few American classics that have long been part of a British Christmas too.

The ages are only a guide: you know your lot best. Every name links to its full listing, with where to watch it now and the date we last checked. A few are not streaming anywhere at the moment, but we have kept them in: they often turn up on the telly over Christmas, and we update their listings when they come back.

Little ones (under 5)

Gentle, short and mostly under half an hour, which is just right for the bit between tea and bath time.

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) →Subscription on Apple TV
Jazz piano, a sad little tree and the gentlest Christmas message going.
25 minutes.

Frosty the Snowman (1969) →Rent on Sky Store
A magic hat, a freight train north and a snowman who just won't stay frosty.
25 minutes. Frosty melts for a bit, which may upset the very smallest.

The Gruffalo (2009) →Free on BBC iPlayer
A Christmas Day tradition: one clever mouse and one very real monster.
27 minutes. The Gruffalo may startle the very smallest.

The Gruffalo's Child (2011) →Free on BBC iPlayer
The Gruffalo's daughter goes looking for the Big Bad Mouse. Big mistake.
26 minutes. The Big Bad Mouse and a dark, snowy wood may startle the very smallest.

The Highway Rat (2017) →Free on BBC iPlayer
He steals all the sweets, so basically your uncle at 3pm.
25 minutes. A menacing robber rat and a few tense moments for the very smallest.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966) →Rent on Apple TV
Half an hour of Seuss, Karloff and one very green heart growing three sizes.
26 minutes.

Robin Robin (2021) →Subscription on Netflix
Felted, funny and sweet: a mouse heist with a robin who doesn't quite fit.
32 minutes.

Room on the Broom (2012) →Free on BBC iPlayer
Room for everyone on the broom, and room for seconds at the table.
25 minutes. The dragon at the end may frighten the very smallest.

Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas (2021) →Subscription on Netflix
Dialogue-free slapstick, a flock on a mission, and one hapless sheepdog.
30 minutes.

The Smeds and the Smoos (2022) →Free on BBC iPlayer
Romeo and Juliet in space, minus the tragic bit.
26 minutes. A space chase with some mild peril.

The Snail and the Whale (2019) →Free on BBC iPlayer
Tiny snail, enormous whale, and a very big lesson in friendship.
26 minutes. A whale in trouble on the beach may worry the very smallest.

The Snowman (1982) →Free on Channel 4
Wordless, wistful, and guaranteed to make the whole sofa sniffle.
26 minutes.

The Snowman and the Snowdog (2012) →Buy on Sky Store
Walking in the Air gets a sequel, and a dog.
24 minutes. Opens with a boy missing his dog, so a few sniffles.

Stick Man (2015) →Free on BBC iPlayer
A very small stick, a very long journey home, one big red helper.
26 minutes.

Tabby McTat (2023) →Free on BBC iPlayer
A singing cat in London and a busker's best friend.
25 minutes. A theft and some worried moments may upset the very smallest.

The Tiger Who Came to Tea (2019) →Rent on Apple TV
He eats everything in the house, so we've all had a similar relative.
23 minutes.

We're Going on a Bear Hunt (2016) →Rent on Apple TV
Can't go over it, can't go under it. Got to go through it.
30 minutes. The bear chase may startle the very smallest.

Zog (2018) →Free on BBC iPlayer
A dragon who keeps crashing: basically your dad on the ice rink.
26 minutes. Some comic bumps and a captured princess, but nothing too scary.

Zog and the Flying Doctors (2020) →Free on BBC iPlayer
Dragons, doctors and a rescue mission: pure Christmas Day telly.
24 minutes. A princess locked up by her uncle, but handled very gently.

Primary school (5 to 11)

A little longer, a lot sillier and now and then a touch scary, in the fun way.

The Box of Delights: When the Wolves Were Running (Episode 1) (1984) →Not streaming right now
A Punch and Judy man, a magic box and a train home for Christmas.
30 minutes. A few spooky moments for the very small.

Father Christmas (1991) →Free on Channel 4
Santa with a sore head and a long list of complaints.
26 minutes. A grumpy Father Christmas with some mild toilet humour, a pub trip and a hangover.

Garfield: A Garfield Christmas (1987) →Not streaming right now
One lazy cat, one farm and the true meaning of second helpings.
24 minutes.

Hey Arnold!: Arnold's Christmas (1996) →Not streaming right now
A secret Santa gift that costs nothing and means everything. Have tissues ready.
25 minutes. Touches on the Vietnam War and a sad family story.

Mr Bean: Merry Christmas, Mr. Bean (1992) →Free on ITVX
Rowan Atkinson, one turkey and the loudest cracker ever pulled.
26 minutes.

The Muppets: A Muppet Family Christmas (1987) →Not streaming right now
Every Muppet crammed into one farmhouse. Mum did not see this coming.
52 minutes.

Phineas and Ferb: Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation (2009) →Subscription on Disney+
A rooftop spa for Santa, plus a gadget to cancel Christmas.
35 minutes.

Prep & Landing (2009) →Subscription on Disney+
Santa gets the glory, but the elves have the black ops.
22 minutes.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) →Buy on Apple TV
Stop-motion, a snow monster and toys nobody wanted, all rescued by Christmas Eve.
52 minutes. Includes bullying and some outdated attitudes that have been discussed in recent years.

Shrek the Halls (2007) →Not streaming right now
An ogre, a promise and a knock at the door. Sounds familiar.
21 minutes.

SpongeBob SquarePants: Christmas Who? (2000) →Not streaming right now
A sea sponge learns what Christmas is for, then tells the whole sea.
22 minutes.

Toy Story That Time Forgot (2014) →Subscription on Disney+
The toys get fully prehistoric. The kids just want another go on the console.
22 minutes.

Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers (1993) →Free on BBC iPlayer
A penguin, a pair of trousers, and the best toy train chase ever.
29 minutes. A scheming penguin and a runaway train chase may be a bit much for the very smallest.

Wallace & Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death (2008) →Free on BBC iPlayer
Cracking cheese-free comedy, crime and crumpets from Aardman's finest duo.
29 minutes. Cartoon peril: a serial killer plot, played for laughs.

The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974) →Rent on Apple TV
A poorly Santa takes the year off. Two elves refuse to let it slide.
51 minutes.

The whole family

For when everyone from Nan to the nine-year-old has squeezed onto the sofa. Grown-ups will get more of the jokes, and nobody will need to dive for the remote.

Bob's Burgers: Christmas in the Car (2013) →Subscription on Disney+
The Belchers' Christmas tree is dead. The family road trip is very much alive.
21 minutes. Mild innuendo and cartoon peril; fine for the family.

Community: Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas (2010) →Subscription on NOW
Stop-motion toyland, a Christmas pterodactyl and one very lonely Abed.
22 minutes. Mild peril and a few grown-up jokes, but fine for most of the family.

Dad's Army: Battle of the Giants! (1971) →Subscription on ITVX Premium
Mainwaring takes on the Eastgate platoon in an hour-long Home Guard showdown.
60 minutes. Dated attitudes and period humour.

Dad's Army: My Brother and I (1975) →Subscription on ITVX Premium
Mainwaring meets his drunken brother Barry. Both are played by Arthur Lowe.
40 minutes. Gentle period humour, some drinking.

Doctor Who: The Next Doctor (2008) →Free on BBC iPlayer
Two Doctors, a pile of Cybermen and one colossal CyberKing.
60 minutes. Cybermen and a giant robot; mild peril.

Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol (2010) →Free on BBC iPlayer
Dickens meets a flying shark, with a bittersweet love story at its heart.
62 minutes. Mild peril; a sad love story; suitable for most ages.

Doctor Who: The Snowmen (2012) →Free on BBC iPlayer
A snowman is for life, not just for Christmas. Especially this one.
59 minutes. Creepy snowmen and some peril; fine for older kids.

Doctor Who: The Time of the Doctor (2013) →Free on BBC iPlayer
A Christmas farewell, with the tissues stationed next to the sprouts.
61 minutes. Alien menace; an emotional farewell.

Doctor Who: Last Christmas (2014) →Free on BBC iPlayer
Santa, an Arctic base under siege. Not the usual Christmas Day plot.
60 minutes. Some scary monsters; may frighten younger children.

Doctor Who: The Husbands of River Song (2015) →Free on BBC iPlayer
River Song, a crashed spaceship and the funniest 60 minutes of Christmas Day.
60 minutes. Sci-fi action and mild peril.

Doctor Who: The Return of Doctor Mysterio (2016) →Free on BBC iPlayer
Caped crusaders, brain-swapping aliens and Christmas in Manhattan. Why not?
60 minutes. Comic-book action and mild peril.

Doctor Who: The Church on Ruby Road (2023) →Free on BBC iPlayer
A new Doctor, a new friend and a goblin-filled Christmas Eve.
55 minutes. Goblins and stolen babies; mild peril.

Doctor Who: Joy to the World (2024) →Free on BBC iPlayer
A hotel across time, a deadly plan and a very festive rescue.
54 minutes. Sci-fi peril and a few scary moments.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: Deck the Halls (1990) →Free on Channel 4
Will turns Bel-Air into Blackpool, one very bright light at a time.
23 minutes. Some dated attitudes and humour.

Friends: The One with the Holiday Armadillo (2000) →Subscription on HBO Max
Ross brings Hanukkah, Chandler brings Santa, and an armadillo saves the day.
22 minutes. Mild innuendo in the wider series; this episode is fine for most of the family.

Friends: The One with Christmas in Tulsa (2002) →Subscription on HBO Max
Chandler quits his job to get home for Christmas. Who wouldn't?
22 minutes. Mild innuendo; fine for most of the family.

The Great British Bake Off: The Great Christmas Bake Off 2025 →Free on Channel 4
Famous faces, festive bakes and Star Baker up for grabs.
59 minutes.

Keeping Up Appearances: The Father Christmas Suit (1991) →Free on BBC iPlayer
Hyacinth at Christmas: the candlesticks are out and the guests are doomed.
29 minutes.

Modern Family: Undeck the Halls (2009) →Free on Channel 4
One burnt sofa, two traditions and a sacked Santa. Peak family Christmas.
22 minutes. Mild comic fighting and a carol-singer punch-up; fine for the family.

Morecambe & Wise: The Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show (1977) →Free on BBC iPlayer
Eric and Ernie's farewell to the BBC, with Elton John along for the ride.
66 minutes. Dated attitudes in places.

The Morecambe and Wise Show: Christmas Show 1971 →Free on BBC iPlayer
Eric, Ernie and a very patient pianist: the Christmas show everyone quotes.
66 minutes. Dated attitudes in places.

Outnumbered: Christmas Special 2009 →Free on BBC iPlayer
Burglars, a missing hamster and a mechanical hand: Boxing Day at the Brockmans.
39 minutes. No BBC guidance warning. Gentle family chaos with the odd joke that sails over young heads.

The Simpsons: Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire (1989) →Free on Channel 4
Homer's Christmas bonus vanishes, but Santa's Little Helper arrives.
22 minutes. Mild cartoon peril and a gambling storyline; fine for the whole sofa.

The Simpsons: Marge Be Not Proud (1995) →Free on Channel 4
Bart finds out that the worst punishment at Christmas is a silent mum.
22 minutes. Shoplifting storyline handled gently; fine for the family.

The Simpsons: Miracle on Evergreen Terrace (1997) →Free on Channel 4
Bart's fib goes up in smoke faster than the tree does.
22 minutes. Mild cartoon peril and a fib that snowballs; fine for the whole sofa.

The Vicar of Dibley: The Christmas Lunch Incident (1996) →Subscription on ITVX Premium
One vicar, too many Christmas dinners, and far too polite to say no.
43 minutes. Mild innuendo.

How we picked

Every special here is one we flag as good for kids in our library, and anything scary or sad is noted. Running times are for the programme itself, without adverts. Where to watch is checked by hand and rechecked every week through December, so if something has moved, tell us and we will fix it.