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. You can watch with an AppleTV+ subscription or wait until December 22nd, when you can watch for FREE until Christmas. 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. PG.
Dec. 2-8, 2022 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.
Dec 9-14, 2022: Christmas at the Riverview – 2022
Riverview Theater, 3800 42nd Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Admission is only $4 or $3 and a non-perishable food donation. Buy your tickets online at the door with cash. Learn More.
Dec 10, 2022: Alamo Draft House – Movie Party
9060 Hudson Road, Woodbury, MN 55125
Alamo draft house is offering several Christmas movies party-style this Holiday season. Animmersive and interactive viewing experience with props and themed drinks. Children ages 6+ may attend with an adult. Learn More and Find Tickets.
A Muppet 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. G.
A Nightmare Before Christmas
This 1993 Halloween/Christmas movie by Tim Burton is also now a part of a Disney+ subscription. PG.
The Bishop’s Wife
An angel falls from the sky to give a young bishop what he needs (his family) as opposed to what he is praying for (funds to build a new cathedral). Rated G.
Dec. 8, 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.
Extra: If you prefer the 1996 version, The Preacher’s Wife, starring Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston, it is streaming Free on Tubi this year. (PG)
The Christmas Chronicles
This relatively new family holiday film (2018) starring Kurt Russell is not currently offered locally, but is part of your Netflix subscription in 2022. We will update if it comes through town. PG.
Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch
The 2018 animated movie version of the Dr. Seuss favorite. PG.
Dec. 2-9, 2022: 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. Although it is streaming as part of a Disney+ subscription, we also get a chance to see it locally this year. PG-13.
Dec. 12, 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.
Elf
Buddy the Elf (Will Ferrell) finds his way to New York City from the North Pole in this classic comedy holiday movie. PG.
Nov 19, Dec 11 & 19, 2022: Alamo Draft House – Movie Party
9060 Hudson Road, Woodbury, MN 55125
Alamo draft house is offering several Christmas movies party-style this Holiday season. Animmersive and interactive viewing experience with props and themed drinks. Children ages 6+ may attend with an adult. Learn More and Find Tickets.
Dec. 2-11, 2022: 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
Dec 9-14, 2022: Christmas at the Riverview – 2022
Riverview Theater, 3800 42nd Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Admission is only $4 or $3 and a non-perishable food donation. Buy your tickets online at the door with cash. Learn More.
Dec. 3, 2022: Free Screening at Union Depot
Union Depot, 214 4th Street, East, Saint Paul, MN 55101
Prior to the screening, watch a Misteltones Concert, Tree Lighting 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.
Dec. 17-18, 2022: Elf in Concert with the Minnesota Orchestra
Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403
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.
Frozen / Frozen II
A few years ago, Anna and Elsa were on almost every park screen and public movie night. I don’t see any upcoming screenings, but you can watch both – plus their Christmas special on Disney+ and we’ll add any movie nights announced. PG.
Bonus Frozen Fun: Take your Pre-Ks to Eden Prairie Center on December14th for EPC Kids Frozen Experience.
Gremlins
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. PG.
Dec 7, 2022: Alamo Draft House – Movie Party
9060 Hudson Road, Woodbury, MN 55125
Alamo draft house is offering several Christmas movies party-style this Holiday season. Animmersive and interactive viewing experience with props and themed drinks. Children ages 6+ may attend with an adult. Learn More and Find Tickets
Happy Feet Two
December 18, 2022: Chaska Holiday Movie Night
Chaska Event Center, 3210 Chaska Blvd, Chaska, MN 55318
Enjoy a family holiday movie night featuring Happy Feet Two with free popcorn and water. Bring your own chairs and blankets. 4:00pm. FREE.
Holiday Inn
Along with White Christmas, this is an Irving Berlin Holiday Classic starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. The Heights theater plays it on New Year’s Day, but it will likely sell out fast.
January 1, 2023: 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. This year, the movie is part of your Disney+ subscription. PG.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
The 2000 live action movie version of the Dr. Seuss favorite. PG.
Dec. 9-15, 2022: 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
Dec. 13-16, 2022: 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
See It Live: Children’s Theatre Company is bringing back How the Grinch Stole Christmas, November 8th through January 8th.
It’s A Wonderful Life
Celebrate the 75th Anniversary of this iconic Christmas movie and re-live the story of George Bailey (James Stewart) one more time. PG.
Dec. 18, 2022: 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
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
I’m not sure you can count something released in 2020 as a “classic” yet, but it is a family-friendly musical and available as part of your Netflix subscription. PG.
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. I don’t see it at any local theaters and it is currently only available to rent; it does not appear to be a part of any subscription service. However, Warner Classics shares the song portion of the movie on YouTube.
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.
Dec. 22, 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.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Reunite with Clark Griswold and family for their big family Christmas disaster. PG-13.
Nov 30, 2022: Alamo Draft House – Movie Party
9060 Hudson Road, Woodbury, MN 55125
Alamo draft house is offering several Christmas movies party-style this Holiday season. Animmersive and interactive viewing experience with props and themed drinks. Children ages 6+ may attend with an adult. Learn More and Find Tickets.
Dec 9-13, 2022: Christmas at the Riverview – 2022
Riverview Theater, 3800 42nd Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Admission is only $4 or $3 and a non-perishable food donation. Buy your tickets online at the door with cash. Learn More.
Dec. 9-15, 2022: 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
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. G.
Nov 26, 2022: Alamo Draft House – Movie Party
9060 Hudson Road, Woodbury, MN 55125
Alamo draft house is offering several Christmas movies party-style this Holiday season. Animmersive and interactive viewing experience with props and themed drinks. Children ages 6+ may attend with an adult. Learn More and Find Tickets
Dec. 9-15, 2022: 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
Ronia: The Robber’s Daughter
The Minneapolis/St. Paul Film Society traditionally screens this Swedish film on Christmas at St. Anthony Main Theater. Note that this is in Swedish with English subtitles! 2022 Dates and timesTBA.
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!
See it Live: Stages Theater performs Rudolph on stage from November 18-December 27, 2022
The Santa Clause Series
This 1994 movie starring Tim Allen is on Disney+ this year with #4 (The Santa Clauses) premiering on November 16th as a series. Disney will release the first two episodes on November 16th and then they usually roll out a new episode every week until all 6 episodes are streaming. We will definitely share here if we see any local screenings pop up. PG.
Sound of Music
Although not specifically about Christmas, The Sound of Music is often listed among the best Christmas movies of all time.
Dec. 3-4, 2022: Sing-a-long-a
Riverview Theatre, 3800 42nd Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55406
1:15 matinees on both Saturday and Sunday and a 5:30pm screening on Saturday. Buy Tickets Here.
More Riverview Christmas Movies coming December 9th!
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.
Dec. 2-6, 2022: Heights Theater
3951 NE Central Ave, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
Get your tickets fast! This show is already half sold-out as of November 2nd. The screening includes a 20-minute live pre-show concert featuring the theater’s Mighty Wurlitzer. Learn More and Find Tickets.
Dec 9-14, 2022: Christmas at the Riverview – 2022
Riverview Theater, 3800 42nd Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Admission is only $4 or $3 and a non-perishable food donation. Buy your tickets online at the door with cash. Learn More.
Dec. 9-15, 2022: 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.
Christmas Day – Dec. 25, 2022: 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. 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 35th Anniversary this year and will be in theaters in early November.