It’s Sofa Snuggles Season

It’s that time of year again! Time to get all snuggly on the sofa on a Sunday evening after a good weekend’s Christmassing. But oh what to watch?

First on the list: NOT Toy Story. My kids actually hate it. Perhaps the animation is a bit dated. Maybe the scary broken toys bit put them off.  It could be that they just need… time.

But basically there are films I always thought my kids would love and they don’t – whilst on the other hand they adore some real stinkers.  I’ve had to get creative with our home viewing choices, I’ve had to do some investigation. 

And now I am sharing my research as my gift to you.   Sort of like an online Santa.

I plan to edit and update this list as The Arbers work through our Christmas film bounty so if you get stuck with viewing choices please feel free to check back from time to time.

Available in UK on Netflix

Klaus 

A whopping 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. My nearly 8 year old boy finds it a little twee these days but it was a firm fave in our house back in the day – plus I still have a soft spot for it.  It’s not an annual watch but I’m hoping to tempt 4 year old Etta with it this Christmas. 

The Christmas Chronicles

This film totally mesmerises both my kids every year.  There’s a sequel to keep them entertained for even longer.  The story ticks many boxes in terms of kid drama – there’s a dead dad, sibling squabbles and weird elves.  Plus there can be no doubt that Kurt Russell was born to play Santa. 

Song of the Sea

This has just become available on Netflix and I’m going to give it a go – it’s got rave reviews, and Irish characters which is all the incentive I need.  The hand drawn animation makes it look gentle but it’s rated PG so I’ll be on the lookout for mild peril.

Family Switch

A body swap comedy that my kids found and love.  Let’s not pretend this is a classic film… it’s fairly watchable and I have been known to get sucked in too.  It’s fun, easy, kind of awful and very pleasant at the same time.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

It’s not Christmassy but I just really like the randomness of this film.  The animation is quirky and so is the humour – we found it a great film for everyone to enjoy.

The Grinch

Great colours, great music.  The critics gave it a bit of an ill deserved ‘meh’ – well I think it’s fantastic and so do my children, and that’s why they watch it all year round (which is admittedly a little disturbing in June).

Leo

Adam Sandler!  Reptiles!  I’ve not yet watched this but it’s got 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and the trailer is highly entertaining so it’s on the list.

Beware of:
Chicken Run: Dawn of The Nugget

This film traumatised my children.  They still eat nuggets though.

Other successful mentionables: Puss In Boots: The Last Wish, the Harry Potter series, Robin Robin.

Available in UK on Disney

Home Alone

Okaaaay I know it’s obvious but perhaps one of you has forgotten.  Everyone loves it so it has to be on every Christmas film list.  They just don’t make ‘em like that any more.

Elf

My favourite Christmas film of all time.  This fact alone is enough to put the kids off every year, but the little animation at the start soon grabs their attention and then we are IN.  A perfect blend of humour, slapstick, corniness and magic.

Tangled

The often overlooked sibling to Frozen – actually rumoured to be the most expensive animated film of all time.  I’m a big fan – the songs aren’t as catchy as Elsa and Anna’s big numbers BUT the story is exciting and fun and it’s pitched perfectly as a classic fairy tale romp.

Die Hard

Just joking.  It is on Disney though.

Other successful mentionables: Brave, Beauty and The Beast, Aladdin.

Available in UK on BBC iPlayer

CBeebies pantomimes

If you haven’t already checked these out, they’re a great way to keep the kids quiet while you get some wrapping done.  They’re stage musical adaptations of famous stories and fairy tales, all acted out by the CBeebies team.  Mine love The Snow Queen and Robin Hood in particular.

Tabby McTat 

From the same team that brought you The Snail and The Whale and Stick Man (another great Christmas classic) is Julia Donaldson’s Tabby McTat, which is my daughter’s absolute favourite of the series, and sure to warm cockles everywhere.

Other successful mentionables: The Jungle Book, Paddington.

Available to stream in UK on Amazon

School of Rock

A rent or buy, but I would definitely buy. Kids love watching other kids. Kids especially love watching other kids humiliate adults. There’s a lot of that in this film. Hence why, although it can be a bit talky for very littles, there’s enough going on for children to absolutely love this movie. It’s lucky really, cos I love it too.

The Super Mario Bros Movie

This is a rent or buy but we bought it and it goes down a treat every time we pop it on. Everyone digs a bit of Mario, right?

The Wild Robot

Sorry, this one is also a rent or buy… it’s available to rent for £16 or buy for £19.99 so it really isn’t cheap.  However, it’s a guaranteed winner.  My son Rory is already a big fan of the books and this is a great adaptation.  It’s the most stunning film with many layers and successfully gripped two 40+ year olds, one 7 year old and one 4 year old – all of whom still talk about this movie from time to time.