Movies like The Happy Elf (2005)
The best movies like The Happy Elf (2005) are Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas (2009), Albert (2016) and Elf Pets: Santa's St. Bernards Save Christmas (2018). If The Happy Elf hooked you with its animation and comedy, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedA Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)7.7/10 from 824 votes
- NewestElf Pets: Santa's St. Bernards Save Christmas (2018)Released 2018
Curious 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: Fans watch both · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAlbert (2016)
Albert is the story of a tiny Douglas fir tree named Albert who has big dreams of becoming Empire City's most famous Christmas tree. When the search for this year's tree is announced, Albert believes he has found his calling and hits the road with his two best friends, Maisie the persistently positive plam tree, and Gene the abrasive and blisteringly honest weed, to fulfill his destiny. With a few prickly situations along the way, and Cactus Pete out to stop him, Albert learns the true meaning of Christmas.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & family
Elf Pets: Santa's St. Bernards Save Christmas (2018)
What happens when an entire town forgets the true spirit of the Christmas season? It’s up to Santa and a delightful cast of North Pole characters to help them remember! In this festive Elf Pets® animated special, Santa discovers there is not enough Christmas spirit for him to make Christmas magical. Thankfully, The Elf on the Shelf® Scout Elves, Santa’s special Elf Pets® St. Bernard pups and a big-hearted family join forces to help others remember the true meaning of Christmas and ensure another successful holiday season for Santa!
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & family
Tom and Jerry Santa's Little Helpers (2014)
An all-new holiday special, Santa’s Little Helpers has Jerry and Tuffy living the good life in Santa’s workshop until the unfortunate day in which Tom is rescued by the Clause family. With Tom in the house, merry mayhem ensues at the North Pole, but when the dust settles, the destructive duo needs to work together to save Christmas and learn the true meaning of friendship.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & comedy
Arthur's Perfect Christmas (2000)
Arthur, D.W., and their family and friends prepare to make the best Christmas ever in Elwood City - but obstacles get in their way.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & family
A Very Pink Christmas (2011)
Pink Panther and Big Nose establish rival Christmas tree businesses in their attempts to earn the purchase price for a mutually coveted luxury car. In the process, they inadvertently discover the true Christmas spirit of giving.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & comedy
Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse (2001)
When a huge snowstorm leaves everyone stranded, Mickey and all of his guests at the House of Mouse, including Pooh, Belle, Snow White, Cinderella, Ariel and many more of his old and new friends, break out the cookies and hot chocolate to help Donald mend his tattered Christmas spirit.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMy Friends Tigger & Pooh: Super Sleuth Christmas Movie (2007)
Pooh and his friends work together to rescue Santa's lost reindeer-trainee, Holly.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & family
Prep & Landing: Tiny's Big Adventure (2011)
Tiny's Big Adventure is a two-minute computer animated short that debuted on Disney.com. The short features Magee's assistant, Tiny, trying to make a pot of coffee and in the process, accidentally ruins the elves' break room.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & family
The Naughty List (2013)
After two young elves give Santa and the North Pole food poisoning they must redeem their Naughty List status by finding a way to save Christmas.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both family & animation
Christmas Eve on Sesame Street (1978)
Everyone on Sesame Street is preparing for Christmas: Bert and Ernie exchange gifts in a "The Gift of the Magi" fashion, Cookie Monster wants to get his most desired treat this year, and Big Bird worries when Oscar tells him that if Santa Claus can't fit down the chimney on Christmas Eve, nobody would get presents. Luckily for him, Grover and Kermit the Frog (along with some interviewed kids) decide to help with his investigation, but when Big Bird decides to take matters into his own hands, all of Sesame Street is thrown into a mad dash to find him.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both comedy & family
Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice (2011)
Lanny and Wayne are at it again! With the Big 2-5 fast approaching, Wayne and Lanny must race to recover classified North Pole technology which has fallen into the hands of a computer-hacking Naughty Kid! Desperate to prevent Christmas from descending into chaos, Wayne seeks out the foremost Naughty Kid expert to aid in the mission: a bombastic member of the Coal Bucket Brigade who also happens to be his estranged brother, Noel.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Nutcracker Prince (1990)
After young Clara receives a wooden nutcracker as a Christmas gift, she dreams about a fantastical battle between her Nutcracker Prince and the evil Mouse King. At stake is the Nutcracker's freedom - and Clara's future happiness.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHow the Toys Saved Christmas (1996)
When Santa's helper La Befana falls ill and must take off a Christmas Eve, she recruits Scarafoni to help deliver all the toys. No one but the toys knows is that Scarafoni plans to auction off the toys to the highest bidder, which means the toys won't make it to the children who have been good all year and deserve them. The toys decide to deliver themselves, and the story follows them as they struggle to avoid the heartless Scarafoni and to find their true homes.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both family & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisIf You Give a Mouse a Christmas Cookie (2016)
If it's holiday time in Mouse's house then, that means Christmas cookies (including a special one for Santa, of course), caroling...and one nearly-destroyed holiday pageant. Can Mouse and his animal friends save the show, without getting utterly distracted along the way? It's a wild ride as Mouse and his friends embody the friendship and caring at the heart of the holiday season.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation
An Elf's Story (2011)
The inspirational tale of Chippey, the young scout elf who is assigned by Santa to restore Taylor McTuttle's belief in Christmas magic. When the boy breaks the number one Elf on the Shelf rule, Chippey loses his Christmas magic; the entire McTuttle family loses is scout elf, and both Taylor and Chippey lose their self-respect. Through the power of love and forgiveness, both of them learn the most important lesson of all: that true belief cannot be taught.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both family & animation
The Legend of Frosty the Snowman (2005)
Frosty the Snowman goes where he is needed most, and the town of Evergreen sure needed a visit. Mr Tinkerton, the mayor, runs a tight ship, and there's no room for talk of magic or any other such nonsense. But, when Frosty the Snowman blows through town, he shows the town's children that magic is real. Tinkerton's sons, Charlie and Tommy, along with their friends Sarah and Walter, want to spread the word about Frosty's fun-loving, magical antics but meet resistance from Evergreen Elementary's dastardly principal Hank Pankley. In the end, good wins out, and all the citizens of Evergreen happily learn that magic is real and fun is for everyone!
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & family
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
When Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees amongst everyone during the Christmas season, Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant. Charlie Brown accepts, but it is a frustrating struggle. When an attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir Christmas tree fails, he needs Linus' help to learn the meaning of Christmas.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies 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: Fans watch both · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCharlie Brown's Christmas Tales (2002)
Tis the season for the cheer and charm of the Peanuts kids - and this delight special offers five segments full of unforgettable moments. Snoopy works as a bell-ringer to raise money and tries making peace with the ferocious cat next door. Linus strives to strike the right tone in his letter to Santa - and his friendship with an indecisive girl at school. Sally's idea about gift giving and the identity of Santa may be unusual - but her strange notion about how to obtain a Christmas tree surprisingly does the job. Lucy tries awfully hard to be nice...and still coax everyone around her to buy her presents. Charlie Brown and Sally wait up for Santa (a surprisingly short man), who spreads Christmas gift cheer further than they had thought. Make merry!
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBratz Babyz Save Christmas (2008)
The Babyz learn to turn disappointment into the wildest, craziest Xmas ever when their parents get snowed in on vacation and can’t make it home for Xmas Eve. The Babyz decide to go to the North Pole and help Santa deliver his presents. Little do they know, the guy they think is “Santa” is really a crook who plans to steal a donation for orphans.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both family & animation
The Tangerine Bear: Home in Time for Christmas! (2000)
When Tangie, a teddy bear goes into the Smile-erator on his head, his smile is put on upside down, causing him to end up on the bargain bin on Christmas Eve with other misfit toys, then onto Winkle's Emporium, a discount store. There, Tangie does his level best over the coming year to become a part of some family. He spends his time in Winkle's front window with Jack, a Jack-in-the-box with claustrophobia and Bird, a cuckoo clock bird with agorophobia.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & family
The Christmas Toy (1986)
It's Christmas Eve and the playroom is alive with excitement for the new toys that will arrive the next day. Balthazar, the old and wise bear, explains to the other toys that they must welcome the newcomers even though each of them may be replaced as one of the children's new favorite toys.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both family & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBabar and Father Christmas (1986)
After writing to Santa, Arthur, Pom, Flora and Alexander carefully monitor the mailbox, but in vain. Finding their excellent idea of wanting to bring Santa home, Babar sets out on a long journey to find him and convince him to include elephant country on his gift giving tour.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & family
Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas (2014)
Santa narrates the story of Buddy's travels to New York City to meet the father he never knew he had. Along the way his unrelenting cheer transforms the lives of everyone he meets and opens his father's eyes to the magic of Christmas.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & family
Sesame Street: Elmo Saves Christmas (1996)
Can there be such a thing as too much Christmas? Find out... when a magical Christmas wish is granted and Elmo gets to see what the world would be like if every day were Christmas! You'll enjoy lots of songs and holiday cheer with Elmo and his new friend Lightning, the reindeer, and discover for yourself why Christmas is best kept to one day a year!
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both family & comedy
Ice 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: Fans watch both · 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: Fans watch both · both family & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies 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: Fans watch both · both animation & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJohn Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together (1979)
In this beloved holiday classic, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and all the Muppets join the singer for a heart-warming Christmas celebration, with traditional carols as well as lesser-known holiday songs.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both family & comedy
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Happy Elf?
The closest matches to The Happy Elf are Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas (2009), Albert (2016) and Elf Pets: Santa's St. Bernards Save Christmas (2018). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Happy Elf?
People who watched The Happy Elf most often go on to Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas (2009), Albert (2016) and Elf Pets: Santa's St. Bernards Save Christmas (2018).
What is the highest-rated movie like The Happy Elf?
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965), rated 7.7/10 by 824 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Happy Elf?
Elf Pets: Santa's St. Bernards Save Christmas (2018) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like The Happy Elf?
Yes: Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas (2009), Albert (2016) and Elf Pets: Santa's St. Bernards Save Christmas (2018).
How are movies similar to The Happy Elf chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Happy Elf, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.