Movies like The Christmas Spirit (1956)
The best movies like The Christmas Spirit (1956) are Where the Red Fern Grows (2003), Where the Red Fern Grows (1974) and Flicka (2006). If The Christmas Spirit hooked you with its family and drama, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedMickey's Christmas Carol (1983)7.7/10 from 1,023 votes
- NewestKerstappels (2022)Released 2022
Where the Red Fern Grows (2003)
Set in the Ozark Mountains during the Great Depression, Billy Coleman works hard and saves his earnings for 2 years to achieve his dream of buying two coonhound pups. He develops a new trust in God as he faces overwhelming challenges in adventure and tragedy roaming the river bottoms of Cherokee country with "Old Dan" and "Little Ann."
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWhere the Red Fern Grows (1974)
Billy Coleman works hard and saves his earnings for two years to achieve his dream of buying two red-bone coonhound pups. He develops a new trust in life as he faces overwhelming challenges in adventure and tragedy roaming the river bottoms of Cherokee country with his dogs, Old Dan and Little Ann.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFlicka (2006)
Katy McLaughlin desires to work on her family's mountainside horse ranch, although her father insists she finish boarding school. Katy finds a mustang in the hills near her ranch. The headstrong 16 year old then sets her mind to tame a mustang and prove to her father she can run the ranch. But when tragedy happens, it will take all the love and strength the family can muster to restore hope.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAngels in the Snow (2015)
The affluent, yet troubled Montgomery family hits the road for a special Christmas in the mountains.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisI Believe (2019)
A 9 year old boy experiences God's power in a supernatural way.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisA Heartland Christmas (2010)
Christmas comes to Heartland, along with an anonymous call about starving horses stranded by an avalanche in the Rocky Mountains, which send Amy and Ty to their rescue.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Christmas Dragon (2014)
After receiving a magic crystal from a dying elf and a message to save the North and the fading spirit of Christmas, Ayden, an orphaned girl, sets out along with her friends to fulfil his last wish.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSpirit Riding Free: Spirit of Christmas (2019)
Lucky and her friends venture into town on Christmas Eve in an attempt to fulfill their holiday plans. But when distractions lead to delays, they must figure out how to get home in time for Christmas in the middle of a serious snowstorm!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSanta Buddies (2009)
When Puppy Paws, the fun-loving son of Santa Paws, gets bored, he finds Budderball on Santa's naughty list and figures he's just the dog to show him how to be an ordinary pup. When the magical Christmas Icicle starts to melt however, and the world begins to forget the true meaning of the season, it's up to Puppy Paws and his newfound Buddies to journey back to the North Pole and save Christmas.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
SnoozefestMovies like thisCurious George: A Very Monkey Christmas (2009)
George and The Man In The Yellow Hat are having a merry time counting down to Christmas. But neither can decide what to give each other. Will they find the answers before Christmas morning?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSanta Paws 2: The Santa Pups (2012)
When Mrs. Claus travels to Pineville, the merriest place on the planet, a quartet of magical puppies stow away on her sled, granting joyful wishes to the town's boys and girls. However, something goes terribly wrong - the Christmas spirit begins to disappear. Now, the Santa Pups and Mrs. Claus must race to save Christmas magic from running out for all.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Search for Santa Paws (2010)
When Santa and his new best friend, Paws, discover that the boys and girls of the world have lost the spirit of the season, they take a trip to New York City. But after Santa loses his memory, it's up to Paws, a faithful orphan named Quinn, her new friend Will, and a wonderful group of magical talking dogs to save St. Nick and show the world what Christmas is really all about.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie (1998)
Young Rudolph suffers a childhood accident that sees his nose turn from the publicly accepted norm of black to a glowing red colour. His parents worry about him getting teased, and indeed he does in the end. When he is beaten in the reindeer games by his rival for a doe he fancies, Rudolph runs away and moves into a cave with Slyly the Fox. However can he overcome his fear and reach his true potential?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMickey's Christmas Carol (1983)
Ebenezer Scrooge is far too greedy to understand that Christmas is a time for kindness and generosity. But with the guidance of some new found friends, Scrooge learns to embrace the spirit of the season. A retelling of the classic Dickens tale with Disney's classic characters.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisEmbattled (2020)
The eldest son of a ruthlessly tough MMA champion must fight his way out of the abusive cycle his father has continued.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHappily Ever After (1989)
In the aftermath of her more famous adventure, Snow White must team up with the dwarves' seven female cousins to battle the late Evil Queen's warlock brother and rescue the captured Prince.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
SnoozefestMovies like thisA Trash Truck Christmas (2020)
When Santa crash-lands in the junkyard on Christmas Eve, Hank, Trash Truck and their animal friends all have a hand in rescuing the holiday for everyone.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisIce Age: A Mammoth Christmas (2011)
When Sid accidentally destroys Manny's heirloom Christmas rock and ends up on Santa's naughty list, he leads a hilarious quest to the North Pole to make things right and ends up making things much worse. Now it's up to Manny and his prehistoric posse to band together and save Christmas for the entire world!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPrep & Landing (2009)
Wayne gets a new rookie partner, Lanny, after his previous partner got the promotion he wanted. Lanny has to remind Wayne of the Spirit of Christmas and the importance of being an elf in Santa's Prep and Landing elite unit.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Snowman (1982)
A young boy makes a snowman one Christmas Eve, which comes to life at midnight and takes him on a magical adventure to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKerstappels (2022)
Among the 'Oogappels' families, things get pretty stressful this Christmas and it is a feast of recognition. Erik and Chris actually want to skip the holidays for a year. Fabie faces a major disappointment and Carola and Marcel are rocked by a shocking event during Christmas dinner. Tim and Dina's mood also leaves something to be desired, after a Christmas party at Tim's work gets out of hand. The grandparents know exactly what is going on and, as always, make razor-sharp comments: the more we do our best to push away anything complicated or negative, the greater the chances of violent explosions.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family & drama
A Boyfriend for Christmas (2004)
Holly Grant has learned a long time ago not to rely on Santa Claus leaving Mr. Right in her Christmas stocking. But Holly is in for a surprise when a handsome man arrives on her doorstep with a twinkle in his eye and Yuletide tree in tow.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama & family
SnoozefestMovies like thisChristmas at Cadillac Jack's (2007)
While stranded at a diner on Christmas Eve, Rose finds personal redemption in protecting a young baby from an abusive father on her way to reconciling with the child she had to give up for adoption in her youth.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama & family
Niko and the Way to the Stars (2008)
A young reindeer named Niko dreams about flying like his father, whom he has never met. Despite constant teasing from others, he sneaks out of his home valley to take flying lessons from Julius, a flying squirrel.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family & drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisNestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey (1977)
Nestor the donkey is a bit of an oddity--his long ears are enough for six donkeys and stretch all the way to the ground. One night, when Nestor is locked out in the cold, he begins to wander the desert.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisVeggieTales: The Best Christmas Gift (2019)
Bob and Larry are preparing for their first Christmas show in Mr. Nezzer's theater and the show seems to be headed for disaster. Bob begins to wonder how to celebrate Christmas when everything is going wrong. It's when the Veggies go back to the very first Christmas, where times were tough and things didn't seem to be working out, that they all learn the promise of Christmas - God is with us. It's a timeless story of hope that every family will enjoy!
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family
Lucky Fares (2014)
One of the Three Kings and Santa Claus spend Christmas in jail, talking about what their future will be like in a world like this.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Triple Trouble (2014)
A team of three pets, a playful ferret, a sweet canary bird and a know-it-all stick insect, head out to ask Saint Nicolas presents for their animal friends and themselves. The journey is filled with adventures and their friendship is severely tested.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family
Mandie and the Forgotten Christmas (2011)
When Mandie Shaw is thrust into Miss Heathwood’s School for Girls, she struggles to grasp the school’s new rules and the finer points of high society. As Mandie tries to stay out of hot water with Miss Heathwood and discover what the headmistress seems to have against Christmas, she stumbles upon a mystery in the school’s forbidden attic. Will Mandie ignore the warning to flee or try to get to the bottom of the strange noises beyond the boarded-up doors? Uncovering the truth may lead to telling a lie, but it might also unlock the memories of a long-forgotten Christmas.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Desemberdiewe (2022)
A mischievous 11-year-old Jó urgently wants to rectify her past year of being naughty and is gathering a diverse gang to steal Christmas gifts from the rich and give them to the local orphanage.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Christmas Spirit?
The closest matches to The Christmas Spirit are Where the Red Fern Grows (2003), Where the Red Fern Grows (1974) and Flicka (2006). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Christmas Spirit?
Start with Where the Red Fern Grows (2003), the closest match to The Christmas Spirit.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Christmas Spirit?
Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983), rated 7.7/10 by 1,023 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Christmas Spirit?
Kerstappels (2022) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like The Christmas Spirit?
Yes: Where the Red Fern Grows (2003), Where the Red Fern Grows (1974) and Flicka (2006).
How are movies similar to The Christmas Spirit chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Christmas Spirit, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.