CertUnclassified
Age groupAll ages
Duration13 mins
Christmas is Coming! Archive Shorts(2021)
A selection of archive shorts celebrating the joys of Christmas.
This collection of short silent films offers a fascinating look back at Christmases past, with an early cut-out animation with flying cherubs decorating a tree, a sneaky peek into Santa’s factory of hand-made toys, a Victorian rendition of A Christmas Carol, and archival newsreels of joyful snow fights and soldiers making the most of Yule-tide festivities.
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Cert
Age group5–11
Duration90 mins
The Grinch(2018)
Animated comedy in which the village of Whoville look set to have their Christmas ruined for them by the grumpy Grinch.
A hugely enjoyable CGI animated adaptation of the Dr. Seuss classic that sees the loveable green, furry villain attempt to steal Christmas from the citizens of Whoville. This funny and touching tale looks back at the grumpy Grinch's and the changes that occurs in his life when his plans lead his to the young Cindy-Lou and her family.
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Cert
Age group5–11
Duration83 mins
The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales...(2017)
A trio of animated short stories involving a bunch of witty farmyard animals.
Here’s a Christmas treat for French-language learners. Based on a series of comic book, these sweet, playful and laugh-out-loud hand-drawn animated stories sees a group of farmyard animals performing three short theatre shows. One called ‘Saving Christmas’, sees the creatures grouping together to find a new Santa Claus!
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Cert
Age group5–11
Duration26 mins
The Snowman and the Snowdog(2012)
A magical, festive sequel to the much-loved Snowman film, in which a boy builds him a canine companion.
This serene animation pays tribute to the beloved Christmas tale originally based on a book by Raymond Briggs. The sequel follows the friendship between another young boy and the magical snowman, who now has an adorable sidekick. With a new beautiful score and renewed adventures through the moonlit sky, this film is a regeneration of a timeless British tradition.
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Cert
Age group5–11
Duration31 mins
Robin Robin(2021)
A sweet little robin, raised by a family of mice, is surprised to find out about her true nature.
Another short animation depicts Christmas as seen through the eyes of the animal kingdom. Enchanted by the decorated trees and delicious feasts that humans prepare every December, a group of mice and birds try and get in on the festivities, learning important lessons about family and acceptance along the way.
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Cert
Age group5–11
Duration96 mins
The Polar Express(2004)
Fantastical animation about a boy who is starting to doubt Santa's existence, and is picked up by a train heading north to see the big man himself.
There’s a gently suspenseful feeling to this highly accessible film, capturing a whole host of familiar yet sometimes difficult to express feelings about the approach of Christmas: anticipation, jittery excitement, but also apprehension, and loneliness. This enchanting animation embraces these emotions, drawing audiences young and old in with richly detailed visuals.
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Cert
Age group5–14
Duration85 mins
The Muppet Christmas Carol(1993)
Kermit, Gonzo and the rest of the Muppet gang appear in this fun musical take on the classic Charles Dickens story.
The famous Scrooge tale gets a Muppets twist! A mean wealthy old man is visited by three Christmas spirits, taking him on a journey across his entire life, allowing him to look to the past and future and what he must change to amend his wrongs and live a happier life.
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Cert
Age group7–11
Duration97 mins
Klaus(2019)
Christmassy animation about a hopeless postal worker who recruits a reclusive toymaker to boost his deliveries, spreading cheer among the townsfolk.
Another tale about reassessing one’s motivations and values, this animation also offers a timely message about living peacefully together and accepting others. In a never-seen-before origin story of the bearded gift-giving man, Mr. Klaus is a lonely toymaker who starts receiving letters from children after a misguided postman hatches a plan.
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Cert
Age group7–14
Duration97 mins
Elf(2003)
Hilarious but cuddly Will Ferrell comedy about a human raised among Santa's elves who goes in search of his biological father.
This fantastical story, like many other Christmas films, is set in New York. After realising he is adopted and not an elf but a human, Buddy embarks on a search for his real parents, taking him on a series of hilarious scenarios in the big city. This heart-warming story is all about accepting others’ differences and believing in yourself.
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Cert
Age group7–14
Duration74 mins
The Nightmare Before Christmas(1993)
Brilliantly dark and amusing stop-motion animation - Jack Skellington attempts to change his sinister ways and celebrate Christmas on a huge scale.
If Christmas and Halloween came together it will probably look like this eccentric and spooky depiction of Christmas eve. When a skeleton gets bored of his job scaring humans, he stumbles upon the Christmas holidays and becomes determined to get involved in the fun – even if that means kidnapping Santa!
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Cert
Age group7–14
Duration103 mins
Home Alone(1990)
Child star Macaulay Culkin plays a kid whose parents accidentally leave him at home when they go on holiday and who then must foil would-be burglars.
A family favourite, this slap-stick comedy is about one of the scariest, yet most exciting things that could ever happen to a kid. Eight-year-old Kevin is accidentally left behind when his family leave for Europe for the holidays and he must fend for himself with some of the most creative traps you’ll ever see in a film.
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Cert
Age group7–16
Duration91 mins
A Christmas Carol(2009)
Animated version of the classic Christmas tale in which a miserly old man is visited by three ghosts at Christmas, with life changing results.
From the makers of ‘The Polar Express’ comes another festive animation that uses motion capture techniques to create hyper-realistic and atmospheric visual effects. This rendition of Charles Dickens’ novella leans into the spookiness of the central ghost story and contains some scary moments, offering an engrossing alternative to festive frivolity.
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Cert
Age group5–11
Duration95 mins
Arthur Christmas(2011)
Computer-animated fantasy that gives an imaginative and hugely amusing twist to the magic of Christmas.
The British animation studio Aardman (Chicken Run, Wallace & Gromit) presents an exciting new take on Santa’s yearly ‘mission impossible’, with the whole family getting stuck into the operation, including his sprightly sons Steve and Arthur and the elderly Grandsanta, so that no child is left behind – even if Arthur has to go on a rogue mission to make sure of it!
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Cert
Age group7–11
Duration104 mins
The Man Who Invented Christmas(2017)
The story of Charles Dickens writing and self-publishing 'A Christmas Carol', establishing many of the holiday traditions we know today.
This party-fictionalised biography of the great Victorian author imagines what could have inspired his literary work, offering opportunities for learners to spot references and observe the creative process of making up a story. It also examines how the book forever imprinted on society a moral lesson around Christmas time independently from religious celebration.
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Cert
Age group7–14
Duration105 mins
The Santa Clause(1994)
Family comedy about a father who inadvertently kills Santa Claus, resulting in him having to take on the role himself.
This film explores the popular Christmas theme of redemption: through his initially unwilling transformation into Santa Claus, an overworked businessman has the chance to understand where his values truly lie. It is also a lesson in embracing the challenges that life throws at us with a positive attitude – even when they involve getting stuck up a chimney!
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