25+ of the Best Nativity Movies and Films for Christmas

A great way to get into the Christmas spirit this holiday season is watching Christmas movies with the whole family. We have come up with a list of the best nativity movies and films that are perfect for the whole family this Christmas season. 

25+ of the Best Nativity Movies and Films for Christmas 

Watching Christmas movies with your family is such a wonderful tradition that can get passed down from generation to generation. Choosing movies to watch can be hard when there are so many to choose from.

We have put together a list of over 25 movies to choose from. They are wholesome and perfect for the whole family to watch during the busy holiday season. You may even want to pick a special one out to watch together on Christmas Eve.

Many of these movies and tv shows are available to watch or rent on Amazon Prime Video. We have provided links to each film for your convenience.

Scroll down to the bottom of this post for an instant download movie response pack that your children can fill out about the movies they watch!

Nativity Movies

Christmas is full of busyness, gifts and decorations. In all of the hustle and bustle it is important to take some time to reflect on why we are celebrating this time of year.

We hope that you enjoy these great movies about the Nativity story. They will delight the entire family and can serve as a great reminder of the gift of God’s son to us. 

1. The Nativity Story (2006) – This is a wonderful and moving movie about Mary and her journey of faith and the birth of Christ. You will really feel like you are there and part of the journey as you watch it. 

2. True Story of the Nativity (2007) – This historical documentary shows the story and birth of Jesus Christ, through contemporary scientific discoveries and startling new evidence during the travel to Bethlehem.

3. The Nativity: The Life of Jesus Christ  (2016) – This movie is a nativity story that follows a biblical account of the life of Jesus Christ from his birth and childhood.

4. The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965) – You will be inspired by the greatest story ever told. This great movie is full of famous actors like: John Wayne, Charlton Heston, Sydney Portier and more. It is an epic film that is over 3 hours long!

5. Chasing the Star (2017) – A serious movie that follows three Magi priests from different regions of the world that travel through the desert to prepare for the arrival of the King, the son if God.

6. Joseph and Mary (2016) -Kevin Sorbo plays Joseph in this sweet retelling of the story of the journey with Mary to Bethlehem as they prepare for the birth of Jesus.

Animated Nativity Movies 

These animated nativity movies are perfect to watch with younger children during the Christmas season. Kids love animals and silliness, and these movies are such a great way to help them see how wonderful the nativity story is from a fun and different perspective.

7. Veggie Tales: The Little Drummer Boy (2011) – If your children love Veggie Tales like mine did, they will love this fun retelling of the little drummer boy. 

8. The Three Wise Men (2020) – This short story about the three wise men is narrated by Andy Griffith and is such a sweet retelling of the story. It is full of beautiful music and animation with such sweet narration.

9. The Star (2017) – This movie was so popular when it first came out in theaters and is one we rewatch every year. It is a sweet retelling of the nativity story that shows the perspective of the animals that are preparing for the birth of Jesus.

10. The Lion of Judah (2011) – Judah is a courageous lamb with a lions heart. This fun animated film follows Judah and his stablemates as they learn about the true meaning of Christmas.

11. Veggie Tales: The Best Christmas Gift (2019) – Young children and Veggie Tale’s fans will love this sweet and silly movie about the best Christmas gift ever given.

12. Nestor, the Christmas Donkey (1977) – Find out how a brave donkey with long ears helped to make the first Christmas happen. Another cute stop motion animated movie about the Christmas story.

13. The Little Drummer Boy (1968) – This old movie has the same stop motion animation of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. It is the story of a lonely orphan boy who travels through the desert and finds himself witnessing the birth of Jesus.

14. The Story of Christmas (1994) – This animated film is a delightful retelling of the story of Christmas and the birth of Christ in a manger. It has an old animation style and is very simple and sweet.

The True Meaning of Christmas Films

These movies aren’t all about the Nativity, but they are great films to watch the family during the holiday season. They are all heartwarming and some of the best Christmas movies that take you back to what the true meaning of Christmas is really about. 

15. Nativity! (2009) – A fun and heartwarming comedy about a teacher who has to put together a production of the Nativity. Things get hilarious when a holiday producer is supposed to arrive to see the show. 

16. The Least of These – A Christmas Story – A sweet movie about a single mom, her young daughter and a Salvation Army Santa. A tale of hope, forgiveness, and the true meaning of Christmas.

17. The Heart of Christmas (2011) – It is the most wonderful time of the year when you can watch a Christmas movie with Candace Cameron Bure in it! This is a  heartwarming and wholesome movie about the importance of Christmas.

18. The Ultimate Gift (2007) – Based on a book, The Ultimate Gift follows a rich man on a road to self discovery as he meets a dying girl and discovers what is really the most important in life.

19. The Perfect Gift (2009) – A spoiled schoolgirl, an overworked business mother and a young minister learn about the true meaning of Christmas from a stranger in this sweet film about the perfect gift. 

20. The Christmas Candle (2013) – A Max Lucado film about a candlemaker in the 1800’s, who must fight to preserve the legacy and legend of the Christmas Candle. 

21. A Christian Carol (2016) – This Christian film is a unique retelling of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol from a strong Christian perspective.

22. It’s a Wonderful Life (1947) – A great film about second chances, which has become a Christmas classic. An angel comes to town to help a desperate businessman to show him what his life would be like if he never existed.

Family Christmas Shows

There are lots of holiday movies that are fun to watch the whole family. There are also many wonderful Christmas shows that have come on tv over the years that also become family traditions.

23. Angela’s Christmas (2018) – Based on the book Angela and the Baby Jesus, this Christmas show follows a child from poor Ireland. She steals baby Jesus from a nativity set because she wants him to be safe and warm during Christmas. My girls absolutely giggled in delight over this sweet story.

24. Disney’s The Small One (1978) – This is such a heartwarming tale of a donkey that has a greater purpose and becomes part of journey to Bethlehem. If you have never seen this, add this one to your list. You will not be disappointed the animation and music is so lovely.

25. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) – Everyone has fond memories of the first time they saw this Christmas special on tv. A Charlie Brown Christmas is a classic favorite tv show. Many parents pass down to watch with their kids and grandkids during Christmas time.

26. The First Silent Night (2014) – A documentary style show from PBS that follows actor Simon Callow as he uncovers the origins of the history behind the famous hymn Silent Night. If you love the history behind music and hymns, you will enjoy this short show.

27. Veggie Tales: The Star of Christmas (2002) – This adorable show takes place in 1880’s London. Bob and Larry play songwriters who are putting together a Christmas musical. They run into a group of children who are putting together their own Nativity pageant where they learn about the true meaning of Christmas.

Free Movie Response Pack

Turn your next movie night into an educational one by using our free movie response template pack. These printables will help your children think about what they just watched and create their own personal opinions of the show or movie they will be reviewing.

During or after the movie, your children can write their own movie review and choose how many stars they want the movie to receive. Younger children can draw their favorite characters or scene from the movie. 

This pack includes printables for notating information in detail of the movie, characters, setting and a personal review of the movie. Is there a book written that inspired the movie? They can use the book and movie comparison sheet to compare the similarities and differences.