‘Tis the season to be jolly and joyous. Fa-la-la. What’s better than sticking on a Christmas film to accompany snowman permutation tasks and festive poetry at the end of term. Here are a few of our favourite classroom friendly (U-rated!) Christmas movies.
Festive favourite: The Muppets Christmas Carol
Best character: Rizzo the Rat
Memorable quote: “There are two things in this life I hate: heights, and jumping from them.”
Review: The Muppet Christmas Carol is an adaptation of the Charles Dickens’ classic tale by the Muppet characters and Michael Caine. The film contains many catchy songs and is hilariously funny, made all the funnier with the narration by Gonzo and Rizzo. It is perfect for both children and adults, and is a festive classic that captures the magic of Christmas.
Festive favourite: Arthur Christmas
Best character: GrandSanta
Memorable quote: “There’s always time for a bow!”
Review: Arthur Christmas is a favourite of ours. The cast is great, including performances by Bill Nighy and Jim Broadbent as two generations of Santa (and plenty of famous additional voices that will have you heading to IMDB to see who they are). The story follows Arthur, the youngest son of the current Santa, as he takes on a globe-trotting mission to ensure that no child is forgotten on Christmas morning. There are plenty of laughs throughout this heart-warming classic, from GrandSanta’s stories to moments of perfectly timed slapstick set pieces.
Festive favourite: The Santa Clause
Best character: Santa Claus (Obvs)
Memorable quote: “Have you ever seen a million dollars? Just because you haven’t seen it, doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist.”
Review: The film is about Scott Calvin (Tim Allen), a divorced toymaker who accidentally causes Santa Claus’s death on Christmas Eve. Scott and his son, Charlie, are then swept into a magical world where Scott has to take on Santa’s role. As Scott transforms into Santa over the course of a year, he struggles with the changes while discovering how much he enjoys spreading Christmas cheer, a transformation that speaks to anyone who’s embraced the magic of Christmas.
It’s a great fun family movie, with lots of ups and downs, but overall, a truly heartwarming sentiment. I fully recommend it!
Festive favourite: The Snowman
Best character: My favourite character is the Snowman because he’s kind, magical, and takes the boy on an amazing adventure that feels like a dream!
Memorable quote: While The Snowman is a silent film with no spoken dialogue, the most iconic part is the musical, “Walking in the Air” where the boy and the Snowman fly through the sky together.
Review: The Snowman is a magical and heartwarming story perfect for kids! This beautiful, animated film has no talking, so everyone can enjoy it, even if they can’t hear. It tells the tale of a boy who builds a snowman that comes to life, and together they go on a magical adventure, even flying through the sky! The ending might make you feel a little sad, but it’s a reminder to cherish special moments. It’s a lovely film that’s fun and unforgettable!
Festive favourite: The Snowman and the Snowdog
Best character: Snowdog
Memorable quote: There is no dialogue
Review: The Snowman and the Snowdog is a sequel to The Snowman and is set in the same house years later. The boy living in the house recreates the snowman and also adds a snowdog for company. All 3 then fly off to see Santa, who gives the boy a magical dog collar. It’s a simple story but is visually stunning and great for all ages.
Let us know your favourites and recommendations on our social media and we may share them. We hope that you all have a wonderful break!
