From the classic seen over and over again “Maman j'ai missed l'avion” to the latest Netflix release “That Christmas”, “Télérama” has selected for you 20 films that evoke Christmas, winter and end-of-year celebrations. . Available on platforms.
By Marion Sergent with the Cinema department
Published on December 22, 2024 at 8:00 p.m.
Lhe end-of-year holidays are a great opportunity to share a lovely Christmas film with the children. Proust's Madeleines or new releases, the Netflix, Disney +, MyCanal… platforms offer a wide choice of tales, animated films, or great classics to enjoy without moderation before or after the capon. Our selection is guaranteed to be 100% family fun and adapted according to ages.
From 3 years old
“Long live the winter wind!” (Prime Video)
We enter winter gently with these five short films, of a very homogeneous level, which come from the four corners of Europe. Developed with various techniques (2D digital, stop motion, wool animation), they give pride of place to poetry.
Read our review
“Long live the winter wind!”
“Operation Santa” (Prime Video)
William is used to getting everything he wants. Including Santa Claus himself when he asks for it as a gift. The abundant graphic universe of this short film, with its snowy landscapes, like little cut-out paper theaters, is an ideal setting for the little boy's adventures.
Read our review
“Operation Santa Claus”
From 4 years old
“Ruby fallen from the nest” (Netflix)
Raised by a family of mice, a young bird thinks she is a rodent… With this mischievous and musical medium-length film, Aardman studios create a beautiful Christmas fable about self-acceptance.
Read our review
“Ruby fallen from the nest”
“Lady and the Tramp” (Disney+)
An adorable little pedigree cocker spaniel, from a good home, spoiled and pampered, meets a rogue rogue from the bad neighborhoods. A classic of the genre, romantic and full of humor. For the whole family obviously.
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“Lady and the Tramp”
“The Snow Queen” (Disney+)
A hit since its release in 2013, this beautiful coming-of-age story has become a Disney classic. The Snow Queen, it's the story of Elsa, a princess who turns everything she touches into ice, and of Anna, her sister who is as daring as she is optimistic. Accompanied in their adventures by delightful secondary characters like Olaf the extroverted snowman, the heroines have captured the hearts of many children (and adults).
Read our review
“The Snow Queen”
From 5 years old
“Mary Poppins” (Disney+)
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! And to perfect the pronunciation of this magic word, what could be better than (re) discovering this sweet musical comedy with Julie Andrews, a true timeless ode to happiness. And if you never want to leave this super nanny, the charm still works with its suite Mary Poppins Returns.
Read our review
“Mary Poppins”
Read our review
“Mary Poppins Returns”
“Paddington” (MyCanal)
Gently eccentric characters, London settings so charmingduffle coat and orange marmalade: nothing is missing from the faithful adaptation of the adventures of Paddington Bear, superstar of children's literature across the Channel. In the family Christmas film genre, this elegant and well-paced blockbuster turns out to be very pleasant. And its sequel, Paddington 2, even a bit better!
Read our review
“Paddington”
Read our review
“Paddington 2”
“Ratatouille” (Disney+)
Rémy, a young gourmet rat, has only one dream: to be the new great Parisian chef. Because at Christmas, we like to eat well, why not enjoy this particularly tasty animated film, awarded the Oscar for best animated film.
Read our review
“Ratatouille”
From 6 years old
“Mom, I missed the plane” (Disney+, TF1+)
In 1990, Macaulay Culkin (abandoned by omission at Christmas) and his domestic traps hit the cinema, taking with him a whole generation of dirty kids who dreamed of putting down bad guys, not so bad. A family comedy par excellence, which even if it has aged a little, remains a very entertaining film to share.
Read our review
“Mom, I missed the plane”
“That Christmas” (Netflix)
The story of these British villagers, suddenly trapped in their pretty town by the raging elements, turns out to be surprisingly endearing and funny. At the helm of the screenplay, Richard Curtis, master of English romantic comedies. The result: a tender and spicy animated film with a classic plot spiced up with a good dose of lively ideas.
Read our review
“That Christmas”
From 7 years old
“The Christmas Chronicles” (Netflix)
A brother and sister must help Santa Claus, Kurt Russel, against the odds, save the most important evening of the year when the sleigh they have slipped into accidentally overturns. A film suitable for all audiences which does not forget the pop references.
Read our review
“The Christmas Chronicles”
“Klaus” (Netflix)
Did you know? In the past, Santa Claus was just a taciturn old lumberjack, hidden deep in his forest, far to the north of the world. Full of cheeky humor, angular silhouettes and polar lights, Netflix's first animated feature film is an origins story like no other.
Read our review
“Klaus”
“Santa & Cie” (Netflix)
Santa Claus sees his 92,000 elves, responsible for wrapping our presents, drop like flies and leaves in a flying sleigh to seek help in Paris… Alain Chabat, a teasing Santa Claus, has fun taking up the American tradition of comedies Christmas with a touch of humor all its own. And his hood is well stocked.
Read our review
“Santa & Cie”
“Muppet Christmas” (Disney+)
The employees of the horrible Scrooge are anxious: will he grant them the traditional Christmas leave? Inspired by the famous Dickens tale, this animated film gives pride of place to the puppets of the Muppet show, while allowing itself to be won over by the magic.
Read our review
“Muppet Christmas”
“Wonka” (MyCanal)
The tormented youth of the cocoa maestro, Willy Wonka, the famous hero of Roald Dahl's book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. A spectacular musical and gourmet comedy, with an irresistible Timothée Chalamet in the title role. The perfect Christmas entertainment.
Read our review
“Wonka”
From 8 years old
“Family Switch” (Netflix)
Barely disguised ersatz (with a few garlands) of Freaky Friday, 2003 film where a mother and her daughter magically swap bodies, this family comedy appeals because it has heart and great actors. Come on, a little marshmallow, it's Christmas!
Read our review
“Family Switch”
“The Wizard of Oz” (MyCanal)
Following a hurricane, young Dorothy (Judy Garland) and her dog Toto are transported to the land of Oz (in Technicolor); they will meet extraordinary people before returning to their native Kansas (in black and white). A classic of Hollywood classics, with stunning art direction and a cast of unforgettable characters. The film escapes mawkishness thanks to the splendid songs of Harold Arlen and EY Harburg.
Discover the rating and review
“A Most Violent Year” by JC Chandor: our review
“The Nightmare Before Christmas” (Disney+)
A melancholy skeleton kidnaps Santa Claus to take his place… Iconoclastic, macabre and marvelous mingle, and fantasy triumphs. It is the beauty and goodness of monsters that the film defends, taking the side of Halloween against that of the naive Christmas. All Tim Burton is there. Stunning !
Read our review
“The Nightmare Before Christmas”
From 9 years old
“A Boy Called Christmas” (Prime Video, Paramount+)
In Finland, in the 18the century, a boy sets off for the Great North, following in the footsteps of his father, who himself set out in search of the legendary land of the Elves. A solid cast and many adventures for successful entertainment.
Read our review
“A Boy Named Christmas”
From 10 years old
“Scrooge’s Christmas Carol” (Disney+)
Swirling, aesthetically successful, dark as a waking nightmare and very faithful to Dickens, this trip of an old miser with the ghosts of his past, present and future Christmases, is a very good surprise.
Read our review
“Scrooge’s Christmas Carol”
BONUS : “Life is beautiful” (Arte.tv)
On Christmas Eve, a man wants to commit suicide. An angel is sent to Earth to save him. This warm fable mixing social and marvelous realism, shunned upon its release, has since found its audience to the point of becoming cult.
Read our review
“Life is beautiful”
Also read:
On Netflix, eight (very) good films to celebrate the magic of Christmas
Also read:
Christmas vacation: ten films to watch as a family on television during the first week
And for even more ideas for series available on Netflix, Arte.tv, MyCanal… find all our thematic selections and lists on our platform guide.
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