Movies like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
The best movies like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) are The Snowman (1982), Olaf's Frozen Adventure (2017) and The Polar Express (2004). If Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer hooked you with its animation and family, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedThe Snowman (1982)7.6/10 from 375 votes
- Newest31 Minutes: One Hot Christmas (2025)Released 2025
The 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 adventure & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisOlaf's Frozen Adventure (2017)
Olaf is on a mission to harness the best holiday traditions for Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Polar Express (2004)
When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThat Christmas (2024)
It's an unforgettable Christmas for the townsfolk of Wellington-on-Sea when the worst snowstorm in history alters everyone's plans — including Santa's.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTom and Jerry: Snowman's Land (2022)
It’s time to chase that holiday spirit with Tom and Jerry! With magic in the air, Jerry and his nephew, Tuffy, make a snow mouse that miraculously comes to life! To keep their new friend, Larry the snow mouse from melting, Tuffy and Jerry must race him to the fabled Snowman’s Village. In hot pursuit, Tom and devious Dr. Doublevay have their own plans for Larry’s magic.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Boss Baby: Christmas Bonus (2022)
Christmas Eve takes a twisty turn when the Boss Baby accidentally swaps places with one of Santa's elves and gets stranded at the North Pole.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)
Feeling forgotten by the children of the world, old St. Nick decides to skip his gift-giving journey and take a vacation. Mrs. Claus and two spunky little elves, Jingle and Jangle, set out to see to where all the season's cheer has disappeared. Aided by a magical snowfall, they reawaken the spirit of Christmas in children's hearts and put Santa back in action.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July (1979)
Winterbolt is trying to make the North Pole his evil wonderland, and it is up to Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and others to stop him.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Snowman and the Snowdog (2012)
Charming animated sequel to Raymond Briggs's classic The Snowman. When a young boy and his mother move house, he builds a Snowman and a Snowdog who magically come to life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRobin Robin (2021)
A bird raised by mice begins to question where she belongs and sets off on a daring journey of self-discovery.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies 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 animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRudolph's Shiny New Year (1976)
Rudolph must find Happy, the baby new year, before the midnight of New Year's Eve.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMickey's Twice Upon a Christmas (2004)
Santa Claus, Mickey Mouse and all his Disney pals star in an original movie about the importance of opening your heart to the true spirit of Christmas. Stubborn old Donald tries in vain to resist the joys of the season, and Mickey and Pluto learn a great lesson about the power of friendship.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Smurfs: A Christmas Carol (2011)
When Grouchy Smurf behaves badly to everyone and refuses to celebrate Christmas, the Smurfs of Christmas Past, Present and Future teach him to appreciate Christmas.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAnnabelle's Wish (1997)
Annabelle - a calf who has a special wish for Christmas - wants to be a reindeer and help Santa Claus drive his sleigh as he delivers his presents! Annabelle's friends tell her not to get her hopes up, but to everyone's surprise, Santa does indeed meet up with Annabelle, and the calf gets to help Santa make the holiday special for one young boy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisStick Man (2015)
Stick Man lives in the family tree with his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three, and he's heading on an epic adventure across the seasons. Will he get back to his family in time for Christmas?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisArthur Christmas (2011)
For hundreds of years, the Claus family has delegated the title "Santa" to a chosen few of its members, which can be passed down upon retirement. Each Christmas, Santa and his vast army of highly trained elves produce gifts and distribute them around the world in a one-night high-tech operation. However, when one of 600 million children to receive a gift from Santa on Christmas Eve is missed, it is deemed ‘acceptable’ to all but one—Arthur Claus, the current Santa’s misfit son deemed ineligible for the title, who executes an unauthorised rookie mission to get the last present halfway around the globe before dawn on Christmas morning.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisOlive, the Other Reindeer (1999)
After mis-hearing a radio broadcast about Santa canceling his Christmas trip due to an injured reindeer, Olive the dog decides to travel to the North Pole and volunteer to be a replacement. Unfortunately, Olive must deal with an evil postman who's tired of handling all the extra Christmas mail. Will Martini the penguin be able to help Olive realize her dream?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMickey's Once Upon a Christmas (1999)
Mickey, Minnie, and their famous friends Goofy, Donald, Daisy and Pluto gather together to reminisce about the love, magic and surprises in three wonder-filled stories of Christmas past.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisShaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas (2021)
Shaun's seasonal excitement turns to dismay when a farmhouse raid to get bigger stockings for the flock inadvertently leads to Timmy going missing. Can Shaun get Timmy back before he becomes someone else’s present?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Exploits of Moominpappa – Adventures of a Young Moomin (2022)
A beautiful summer day in Moomin Valley. Suddenly, a wasp stings Moomintroll, who falls ill and has to stay in bed. To cheer him up, Moominpappa recounts his youthful adventures; his misunderstood childhood, escape from an orphanage and his historic meeting with the inventor Hodgkins.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
The Action Pack Saves Christmas (2022)
The Action Pack teams up with Santa Claus to save the day when greedy Teddy Von Taker plots to steal all of the Christmas cheer from Hope Springs.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
The Grinch decides to rob Whoville of Christmas - but a dash of kindness from little Cindy Lou Who and her family may be enough to melt his heart...
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Santa Clause 2 (2002)
Better watch out! The big guy in red is coming to town once again. This time, Scott Calvin -- also known as Santa Claus -- finds out there's an obscure clause in his contract requiring him to take on a wife. He has to leave the North Pole to fulfill his obligations, or else he'll be forced to give up his Yuletide gig.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday (2023)
To keep their annual Holiday Heist-tacular afloat, Mr. Wolf and his crew of animal outlaws will have to restore the whole city's Christmas spirit — fast!
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like this31 Minutes: One Hot Christmas (2025)
Puppeton, the town of 31 Minutes, faces such an infernally hot Christmas that Santa Claus cancels his visit! Bodoque the rabbit heroically volunteers to rescue the presents from the North Pole, while his friends improvise a disastrous Christmas show. But what they don't expect is Bodoque giving in to some irresistible temptations along the way.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family & adventure
Magic Camp (2020)
Andy, at the urging of his former mentor and Magic Camp owner Roy Preston, returns to the camp of his youth hoping to reignite his career. Instead, he finds inspiration in his ragtag bunch of rookie magicians.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Ugly Duckling (1968)
A stop-motion puppet animation adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson's tale The Ugly Duckling.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & fantasy
The Phantom of the Opera (2021)
Stop motion adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Thomas & Friends: A Very Thomas Christmas (2012)
All aboard for a special holiday delivery filled with friendship, teamwork and fun! Rheneas picks the perfect Christmas tree when he finally stops to smell the evergreen. Charlie knows how fun snow can be and discovers that teamwork-in-the-snow is the most fun of all. Edward gets Salty just what he asked for - the perfect story to re-tell -- and Emily learns the best way to be Really Useful. Unwrap the holiday adventures with Thomas and his friends and best wishes for a very Thomas Christmas! Features the episodes: The Christmas Tree Express, Ho Ho Snowman, Salty's Surprise and Emily's Winter Party Special.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?
The closest matches to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer are The Snowman (1982), Olaf's Frozen Adventure (2017) and The Polar Express (2004). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?
Start with The Snowman (1982), the closest match to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
What is the highest-rated movie like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?
The Snowman (1982), rated 7.6/10 by 375 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?
31 Minutes: One Hot Christmas (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?
Yes: The Snowman (1982), Olaf's Frozen Adventure (2017) and The Polar Express (2004).
How are movies similar to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.