Where To Watch The Best Family Friendly Christmas Movies In 2023

Family watching a Christmas movie in the theater

Need some cozy family fun between now and Christmas Eve? We are collecting up places to see classic Christmas movies in the Twin Cities this holiday season. We know this is not an exhaustive list of family Christmas movies and we know more screenings will be announced. Check back throughout the season to find more and leave us a comment if we missed one of your favorites.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

We’ll update if we find a local screening, but currently Apple TV has the rights to A Charlie Brown Christmas this year. Learn more here. NR.

A Christmas Story

In this holiday classic, a young boy plots to get Santa Claus to bring him a Red Rider BB Gun for Christmas. Rated PG.

December 10 & 13, 2023: Marcus Theatres

Elk River Cinema, 570 Freeport, Elk River, MN 55330
Oakdale Cinema, 5677 Hadley Avenue North, Oakdale, MN 55128
Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the classic Christmas tale. Learn more and find tickets.

Starting December 9, 2023: Christmas at the Riverview – 2023

Riverview Theater, 3800 42nd Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Stay tuned for this year’s prices and holiday titles. We are told A Christmas Story is one of the titles. In the past, tickets have been $5-$7/pp with a discount if donating a non-perishable food item. Buy your tickets online or at the door with cash. Learn more.

A Nightmare Before Christmas

This 1993 Halloween/Christmas movie by Tim Burton is also now a part of a Disney+ subscription. Rated PG.

Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch

The 2018 animated movie version of the Dr. Seuss favorite. Rated PG.

November 26-December 7, 2023: Marcus Theatres

Elk River Cinema, 570 Freeport, Elk River, MN 55330
Oakdale Cinema, 5677 Hadley Avenue North, Oakdale, MN 55128
Rosemount Cinema, 15280 Carrousel Way, Rosemount, MN 55068
Southbridge Crossing Cinema, 8380 Hansen Avenue, Shakopee, MN 55379
Learn more and find tickets.

(Keep scrolling for the live action version, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”. These movies are in alphabetical order)

Edward Scissorhands

Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder star in this cult Christmas film resulting in quirky holiday magic. Last year it was streaming as part of a Disney+ subscription but it is not scheduled for 2023.

Elf

Buddy the Elf (Will Ferrell) finds his way to New York City from the North Pole in this classic comedy holiday movie. Rated PG.

November 18 & 29 and December 5, 17 & 23, 2023: Alamo Draft House – Movie Party

9060 Hudson Road, Woodbury, MN 55125
Alamo draft house is offering several Christmas movies party-style this holiday season. An immersive and interactive viewing experience with props and themed drinks. Children ages 6+ may attend with an adult. Tickets go fast! Learn more and find tickets.

December 1-7, 2023: Marcus Theatres

Elk River Cinema, 570 Freeport, Elk River, MN 55330
Oakdale Cinema, 5677 Hadley Avenue North, Oakdale, MN 55128
Rosemount Cinema, 15280 Carrousel Way, Rosemount, MN 55068
Southbridge Crossing Cinema, 8380 Hansen Avenue, Shakopee, MN 55379
Learn more and find tickets

Christmas at the Riverview

Riverview Theater, 3800 42nd Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55406
The past several years, Elf has been screened as part of the Christmas at the Riverview series. We have been assured it will be screened again this year and the lineup will be announced soon. Learn more.

December 2, 2023: Elf at Union Depot

Union Depot, 214 4th Street, East, Saint Paul, MN 55101
Prior to the screening, watch live music, the spectacular holiday tree lighting ceremony and fireworks. FREE and open to the public (but parking can sometimes be hard to find, so plan to arrive early.) Movie 7:30pm; Festivities 3pm. Learn more here.

Frozen / Frozen II

December 15-17, 2023: Frozen in Concert with the Minnesota Orchestra

Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403
It’s not a Christmas movie per se, but there’s bunches of snow and ice featured and the screening might make a special holiday gift for the Frozen fan in your life. Part of the Minnesota Orchestra’s Movies & Music series, watch the film with the score played by the live orchestra. Tickets start at $50 and these events tend to sell out fast.

Gremlins

December 11, 2023: Alamo Draft House – Movie Party

9060 Hudson Road, Woodbury, MN 55125
Alamo draft house is offering several Christmas movies party-style this holiday season. An immersive and interactive viewing experience with props and themed drinks. Heads up, this Christmas horror-comedy is both scarier and funnier than I remembered from watching it as a child in the 80s. Gizmo is still cute, but sensitive kids may want to skip this one. Rated PG. Learn more and find tickets.

December 18, 2023: The Heights

3951 Central Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
Part of the Coal or Candy? A 2023 Christmas! series at the classic movie theater. Again, maybe bring your tweens and teens and school them in the movies you were brought up on. Learn more and find tickets.

Holiday Inn

Along with White Christmas, this is an Irving Berlin Holiday Classic starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. The Heights theater traditionally plays it on New Year’s Day, but it will likely sell out fast.

January 1, 2024: Heights Theater

3951 NE Central Ave, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
One showing at 1pm. This annual event tends to sell out fast. Learn more and find tickets.

Home Alone

In 1990, Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) was left Home Alone to take on bumbling bad guys and the world has never been the same since. Again this year, the movie is included as part of a Disney+ subscription. Or, you’ve got the chance to enjoy it with a full orchestra for a unique experience. Rated PG.

November 25 & 26, 2023: Home Alone in Concert with the Minnesota Orchestra

Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Learn more and find tickets.

December 17, 2023: Parkway Theater

4814 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417
One showing at 11am, doors open an hour prior. Learn more and find tickets – just $5-$7/pp in advance, $8-$10/door.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas

The 2000 live action movie version of the Dr. Seuss favorite. Rated PG.

December 3 & 6, 2023: Marcus Theatres

Elk River Cinema, 570 Freeport, Elk River, MN 55330
Oakdale Cinema, 5677 Hadley Avenue North, Oakdale, MN 55128
Learn more and find tickets

December 3-4 & 5, 2023: Emagine

Emagine Eagan, 2055 Cliff Rd, Eagan, MN 55122
Lakeville, 20653 Keokuk Ave, Lakeville, MN 55044
Emagine Rogers, 13692 Rogers Drive, Rogers, MN 55374
Emagine White Bear, 1180 County Road J, White Bear Township,
MN 55127
Emagine Willow Creek, 9900 Shelard Parkway, Plymouth, MN 55441
Note that only the White Bear theater is screening this show on December 4. Learn more and find tickets

SEE IT LIVE: Children’s Theatre Company is bringing back How the Grinch Stole Christmas, November 10th, 2023, through January 7th, 2024.

It’s A Wonderful Life

Celebrate more than 75 years of this iconic Christmas movie and re-live the story of George Bailey (James Stewart) once again. Rated PG.

December 1-7, 2023: Marcus Theaters

Locations in Oakdale, Rosemount and Shakopee.
Learn more and find tickets.

December 7, 2023: The Heights

Learn more and find tickets.

December 17, 20 & 24, 2023: Emagine Theaters

Emagine Eagan, 2055 Cliff Rd, Eagan, MN 55122
Lakeville, 20653 Keokuk Ave, Lakeville, MN 55044
Emagine Rogers, 13692 Rogers Drive, Rogers, MN 55374
Emagine White Bear, 1180 County Road J, White Bear Township,
MN 55127
Emagine Willow Creek, 9900 Shelard Parkway, Plymouth, MN 55441
Learn more and find tickets.

Meet Me in St. Louis

This move is really only considered a Christmas classic because it is the film in which Judy Garland Sang, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. For a preview, Warner Classics shares the song portion of the movie on YouTube.

December 15-21, 2023: Marcus Theatres

Shown at the Rosemount & Shakopee locations.
Learn more and find tickets.

December 17: Emagine Theaters – Eagan

Emagine Eagan, 2055 Cliff Rd, Eagan, MN 55122
Note – one day and one local location only! Learn more and find tickets.

Miracle on 34th Street

There are two versions of this film – the 1947 version (NR) and the 1994 version (PG). Both are good in their own way, but I prefer the older version, which is the one showing at Heights Theater this year. It is also available as part of your Amazon Prime subscription. It looks like you’ll have to rent the 1994 version this year.

December 21, 2022: Heights Theater

3951 NE Central Ave, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
One showing at 7:30pm. All seats are $12.00. Learn more and find tickets.

Muppets Christmas Carol

Now that the Muppets are part of the Disney family cast of characters, you can watch this 1992 Scrooge film with a Disney+ subscription again in 2023. Rated G.

December 23, 2023: Parkway Theater

4814 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417
One showing at 1pm, doors open an hour prior. Learn more and find tickets – just $5-$7/pp in advance, $8-$10/door.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Reunite with Clark Griswold and family for their big family Christmas disaster. Rated PG-13.

November 25 & December 18, 2023: Alamo Draft House – Movie Party

9060 Hudson Road, Woodbury, MN 55125
Another of the classic Christmas movies screened party-style this holiday season. Learn more and find tickets.

December 8-14, 2023: Marcus Theatres

Screened at location in Oakdale, Rosemount & Shakopee
Learn more and find tickets

December 10 & 13, 2023: Emagine

Screened at locations in Eagan, Plymouth, Rogers & White Bear Lake
Learn more and find tickets.

Christmas at the Riverview

Riverview Theater, 3800 42nd Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Stay tuned to see if this Christmas classic is screened at the Riverview in 2023 (it has been in years past).

How To Turn Movie Night Into Cozy Acts Of Kindness with DoingGoodTogether.org
Add an act of giving to your family movie night with these ideas from Doing Good Together.

Neptune’s Daughter

Like Meet Me in St. Louis, Neptune’s Daughter only makes this list because it was where we were introduced to the song, Baby It’s Cold Outside. However, if you are a fan of holiday romantic comedies, this one is a classic. You will have to rent it if you want to watch it, but you can find the song portion on YouTube if you do a search. NR

The Polar Express

Climb aboard for this magical adventure to the North Pole. Rated G.

November 19 & 22, 2023: Emagine

Screened at locations in Eagan, Plymouth, Rogers & White Bear Lake
Learn more and find tickets.

December 2, 2023: Alamo Draft House – Movie Party

9060 Hudson Road, Woodbury, MN 55125
A holiday party with a holiday classic perfect for younger movie-goers. Learn more and find tickets

December 8-14, 2023: Marcus Theatres

Screened at locations in Oakdale, Rosemount & Shakopee.
Learn more and find tickets

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

A group of oddballs set out to save Christmas led by a young reindeer with a red nose and a elf who would rather be a dentist than a toymaker. We’ll share as soon as we know who will be playing this annual claymation classic and any local venues will be screening the show!

The Santa Clause Series

This 1994 movie starring Tim Allen is on Disney+ again this year along with the rest of the holiday series.  We will definitely share here if we see any local screenings pop up. Rated PG.

White Christmas

Irving Berlin brings together Hollywood greats Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye, Dean Jagger and Mary Wickes for this song-and-dance spectacular event. NR.

November 26, 2023: Emagine

Screening at location in Eagan, Plymouth, Rogers & White Bear Lake
One day only! Learn more and find tickets.

December 1-6, 2023: Heights Theater

3951 NE Central Ave, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
Get your tickets fast
! This show typically sells out very quickly. The screening includes a 20-minute live pre-show concert featuring the theater’s Mighty Wurlitzer. Learn more and find tickets.

Christmas at the Riverview – 2023

Riverview Theater, 3800 42nd Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55406
This holiday classic has made the cut for Christmas at the Riverview holiday movies? Stay tuned to find out more details soon.

December 8-14, 2023: Marcus Theatres

Screened at locations in Oakdale, Rosemount & Shakopee
Learn more and find tickets.


What are your favorite Christmas movies? Whether or not you consider Die Hard (Bruce Willis as John McClane) a Christmas movie or Billy Bob Thornton’s Bad Santa a classic, neither really qualify as Family Christmas movies for the purposes of this article since they are both rated R, but you know your family best. Planes, Trains & Automobiles is also Rated R.  It is celebrating its 36th Anniversary this year and will be in select theaters in early November.

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