- It’s Christmas morning – but what to watch?
- 2024 was a stellar year for animated features
- Here are some of the best family-friendly films to check out
It’s Christmas Day – time for some animated Christmas movies.
While we try to avoid a food coma, chat usually turns to what to watch while we’re busy opening presents. Thankfully, this discussion shouldn’t take too long this year as 2024 saw a huge array of animated features grace screens big and small.
Read more: New 2024 Christmas movies to watch on Christmas Day
2024 was a bumper year for animated movies, with The Wild Robot becoming the most awarded-nominated animated film of all time following its four Golden Globe nods.
However, it’s also been a great year for festive-themed animated movies, leaving us spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding what to watch on the cosiest day of the year.
So, without further ado, here’s a handful of 2024’s best animated Christmas movies to enjoy today.
New family friendly animated Christmas movies
Wallace and Gromit in Vengeance Most Fowl
Okay, so it’s not technically a Christmas movie but there’s just something inherently festive about this plasticine duo.
Perhaps it’s because Aardman’s wonderful creations have a habit of appearing on British telly in late December? Maybe, there’s just something wholesome, relatable and festive about two friends who love nothing more than eating loads of cheese?
Either way, it isn’t Christmas without a visit from Wallace and Gromit – and this year they have a brand new adventure for us.
Read more: Does The Polar Express still creep people out?
A sequel to 1993’s award-winning animation The Wrong Trousers, Vengeance Most Fowl sees intrepid inventor Wallace whip up his best invention yet – a surveillance gnome named Nor-bot.
However, when a penguin-shaped foe from Wallace and Gromit’s past re-emerges, trouble quickly rears its ugly head. Find this one streaming on Netflix over the festive period.
That Christmas
That Christmas is a joyfully animated feature based on a series of kids’ books by British filmmaker Richard Curtis.
Much like his festive feature film Love, Actually, this too takes a saccharine look at a group of people celebrating seasonal festivities in a twee seaside town in the United Kingdom.
While young Sam Beccles and his story form much of the movie’s main narrative (and will have the weepy among you reaching for the tissues), the film also makes time for a Santa side story.
Together, each storyline is ultimately connected – Love, Actually style – inviting viewers to discover how Sam and Santa’s stories eventually overlap. You’ll find it streaming on Netflix.
An Almost Christmas Story
There’s stockings full of starry names and plenty of heart featured in this touching animated Christmas movie.
An Almost Christmas Story follows a young owl who gets lost from his family tree and accidentally transported to Manhattan at the height of Christmas.
While trying to find his way home, he makes a series of friends – from a gruff group of street pigeons and a happy-go-lucky dog, to forging an unexpected bond with a little lost girl named Luna.
Despite only lasting just under half an hour, An Almost Christmas Story’s warm and paperly animation style effortlessly draws you in. Once onboard, its guest voice stars like comedians John C. Reilly, Jim Gaffigan and Natasha Lyonne keep you glued until the credits roll.
Directed by The Green Knight’s David Lowery, you’ll find this gem on Disney+ this Christmas.
