Sure, you can watch anything you want during the colder months, but isn’t it nice to cuddle up and watch winter movies when the temperatures dip (especially when you’re with kids, who — need it be said? — love staying thematic?).
Whether you’re looking for the perfect family movie for your standing weekly flick night or want to get cozy and watch a film with the kids you sit for after school, we have you covered.
Check out our list of 17 of the best winter movies for kids that are available on a variety of streaming platforms. Popcorn not included.
Winter movies for younger kids
Little kids (think 4-5 years old through 7) will get an especially big kick out of the following movies, but they’re suited for all.
1. ‘Frozen’
No winter movies roundup is complete without what could be the most iconic kids winter film of all time. Cozy up and watch Elsa, Anna, Olaf and the gang restore balance and peace to Arendelle.
Director: Jennifer Lee, Chris Buck
Release date: November 27, 2013
Runtime: 1 hour, 42 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “Frozen” on Disney Plus
2. ‘Snowtime!’
A group of kids vow to have the biggest snowball fight on their snow day.
Director: Jean-François Pouliot
Release date: February 19, 2016
Runtime: 1 hour, 22 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “Snowtime!” on Amazon Prime
3. ‘Happy Feet’
A penguin named Mumble is away from home for the first time, and fortunately, he connects with a cool group of dancing penguins.
Director: George Miller
Release date: November 17, 2006
Runtime: 1 hour, 43 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “Happy Feet” on Amazon Prime
4. ‘Frozen II’
Potentially better than the first, “Frozen II” helps uncover mysteries of the past in gorgeous new settings.
Director: Jennifer Lee, Chris Buck
Release date: November 22, 2019
Runtime: 1 hour, 48 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “Frozen II” on Disney Plus
5. ‘Mr. Popper’s Penguins’
A wealthy and important workaholic inherits six penguins that change his life forever.
Director: Mark Waters
Release date: June 17, 2011
Runtime: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” on Amazon Prime
6. ‘The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild’
The most recent installment of the lovable “Ice Age” movies, starring a one-eyed, adventure-loving weasel named Buck Wild.
Director: John C. Donkin
Release date: January 28, 2022
Runtime: 1 hour, 23 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild” on Disney Plus
7. ‘True Winter Wishes’
True and the gang need to stop the world from freezing over.
Director: Todd Kauffman
Release date: November 26, 2019
Runtime: 45 minutes
Rating: G
Watch: “True Winter Wishes” on Netflix
8. ‘Smallfoot’
A Yeti (voiced by Channing Tatum) finds a human, instead of the other way around.
Director: Karey Kirkpatrick
Release date: September 28, 2018
Runtime: 1 hour, 38 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “Smallfoot” on Apple TV
9. ‘Olaf’s Frozen Adventure’
A short movie where Olaf and Sven partner up to save the holidays for Anna and Elsa.
Director: Stevie Wermers, Kevin Deters
Release date: November 22, 2017
Runtime: 27 minutes
Rating: G
Watch: “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure” on Disney Plus
10. ‘TinkerBell and the Secret of the Wings’
TinkerBell gets a little too curious while bringing furry friends to the Winter Wood to hibernate for the winter.
Director: Peggy Holmes
Release date: August 31, 2012
Runtime: 1 hour, 19 minutes
Rating: G
Watch: “TinkerBell and the Secret of the Wings” on Disney Plus
Winter movies best for bigger kids
Older kiddos will likely find the following winter movies engaging.
11. ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’
Based on the classic C.S. Lewis book, the majority of this installment in “The Chronicles of Narnia” series is set in a fantastical winter wonderland.
Director: Andrew Adamson
Release date: December 9, 2005
Runtime: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” on Google Play
12. ‘Cloud 9’
Dove Cameron stars as a top-notch snowboarder whose ego needs checking.
Director: Paul Hoen
Release date: January 17, 2014
Runtime: 1 hour, 25 minutes
Rating: G
Watch: “Cloud 9” on Amazon Prime
13. ‘White Fang’
While there are a few semi-scary parts, kids will delight in the animated version of Jack London’s novel.
Director: Randal Kleiser
Release date: January 18, 1991
Runtime: 1 hour, 47 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “White Fang” on Netflix
14. ‘Antarctica: A Year on Ice’
A documentary revealing what it’s like to live in one of the most isolated places on earth.
Director: Anthony Powell
Release date: September 5, 2013
Runtime: 1 hour, 32 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “Antarctica: A Year on Ice” on Prime Video
15. ‘Abominable’
Mischievous friends discover a Yeti on the roof and embark on a journey to bring him home. (A few scary parts.)
Director: Jill Culton
Release date: September 27, 2019
Runtime: 1 hour, 37 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “Abominable” on Apple TV
16. ‘Little Women’
A Greta Gerwig adaptation of the Louisa May Alcott classic, featuring a number of cozy, wintry scenes set in gorgeous New England.
Director: Greta Gerwig
Release date: December 25, 2019
Runtime: 2 hours, 14 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “Little Women” on Amazon Prime
17. ‘March of the Penguins’
A documentary about the often perilous journey penguins go on to mate.
Director: Luc Jacquet
Release date: June 24, 2005
Runtime: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Rating: G
Watch: “March of the Penguins” on Amazon Prime
