Whether you’re browsing for a cozy family night in, some screen time to help finish your Christmas prep, or for a long travel day to visit extended family over the Holidays – you’re in the right place for Christ-Centered Christmas Movies & Short-Films to keep your family focused on the true meaning of Christmas.

Some of my favorite childhood memories include watching Christmas movies together as a family. These recommendations were compiled through our Instagram polls and include where you can stream, how long the movie runs, a brief description, and our age-range recommendation for each.

The Three Wise Men streamed exclusively on Prime Video with a run time of 27 minutes. The three wise men’s journey is told through rhymed narration by the legendary Andy Griffith. This heartwarming animated special is a charming re-imagination of the classic Christmas story following the wise men on a wondrous quest to meet the newborn king.

This short-film is engaging and entertaining and definitely a personal family favorite for all ages.

The Star can be streamed on Prime Video, Apple TV+, Vudu, & Freevee with a run time of 1h 25min. This film follows a small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day, he finds the courage to break free, embarking on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, a lovable sheep who has lost her flock, and Dave, a dove who has lofty aspirations. Along with three camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become accidental heroes in the greatest story ever told — the first Christmas.

This comical, hopeful, and spirited reimagining of Christ’s birth is engaging and entertaining for the whole family.

The Nativity Story can be streamed on The Roku Channel, Vudu, Prime Video or Apple TV+ with a run time of 1h 40min. Betrothed to much-older Joseph (Oscar Isaac), Mary (Keisha Castle-Hughes) must remain a maiden for one year, but she subsequently receives a visit from the angel Gabriel, who tells her of her destiny. When Joseph and now-heavily pregnant Mary journey to Bethlehem for the Roman census, they face a threat from King Herod, whose obsession with an ancient prophecy endangers soon-to-be-born Jesus.

This film falls in the Romance & Drama category and I’d recommend for older children due to its slower pace making it less engaging for preschool age children.

A Charlie Brown Christmas exclusively streamed on Apple TV+ with a run time of 30 min. Released in 1965 as an animated television special. It is the first TV special based on the comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz.

This film focuses on the alienation of Charlie Brown as he searches for the true meaning of Christmas concluding with a heart-warming recitation of Luke 2 by the character, Linus. With some of the best Christmas music ever composed this short-film is engaging for the whole family. (Note: there is some harsh language towards Charlie Brown with words like: block-head, idiot, stupid, useless, helpless, good-for-nothing. Parent discretion advised)

The Shepherd presented by The Chosen can be streamed for free through the Angel Vid Studios website or app and projected on your TV with a run time of 21 min. This bonus episode of The Chosen is a take on the birth of Jesus Christ through the eyes of some local shepherds: simple working men. But these simple men, particularly a devout young cripple, had a world-shaking visit–which began to change this world forever.

With historically and biblically accurate references this episode is best for middle school age and older with a very enriching fictionalized back-ground story of one of the Shepherds.

The Messengers presented by The Chosen can be streamed for free through the Angel Vid Studios website or app and projected on your TV with a run time of 39 min. Sharing the story of the birth of Jesus as told through the eyes of Mary and Joseph.

I’d recommend this episode for middle school age and older.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe can be streamed on Hulu, Disney+, Prime Video, AppleTV+, and YouTube TV with a run time of 2h 30min. The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe is an allegorical story with the Christ-figure depicted as Aslan the Lion who lays down his life to save a child’s.

Although not exclusively “Nativity-focused” it does have beautiful symbolism to Christs life, death, resurrection, & second coming with wintery scenes that pair well with the holiday season. Needless to say, this movie would also be recommended on The Resurrected Home’s Easter Movies list as well. (Note: with Academy award-winning stage makeup and prosthetics the evil creatures who serve the White Witch make this movie more suitable for older children. Parent discretion advised)

The Best Christmas Gift presented by VeggieTales can be streamed on Prime Video with a run time of 58 min. The Veggies go back to the very first Christmas and learn the promise of Christmas. Fun for the whole family!

The Toy That Saved Christmas presented by VeggieTales streamed on Prime Video and Yippee TV with a run time of 34 min. A brave little Buzz-Saw Louie doll takes matters into his own hands when Wally P. Nezzer convinces residents of Dinkletown that Christmas is all about presents. Recommended for all ages.

The Legend of the Candy Cane streamed exclusively on Prime Video with a run time of 41min. One dark November night a stranger rides into a small prairie town. A young girl named Lucy befriends the newcomer and discovers fulfillment of her secret Christmas Wish. Recommended for all ages.

Merry Christmas!