Movies like Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas (2014)
The best movies like Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas (2014) are Rudolph's Shiny New Year (1976), The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974) and Olaf's Frozen Adventure (2017). If Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas 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 Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)8.5/10 from 28,853 votes
- NewestPrep & Landing: The Snowball Protocol (2025)Released 2025
Rudolph'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 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 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 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 thisShrek the Halls (2007)
The Christmas tree isn't the only thing green in this new holiday classic. Shrek is back and trying to get into the spirit of the season. After promising Fiona and the kids a Christmas they'll remember, he is forced to take a crash course in the holiday. But just when he thinks he has everything for their quiet family Christmas just right, there is a knock at the door.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
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: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMickey Saves Christmas (2022)
Mickey, Minnie and their pals attempt to celebrate the perfect Christmas at their snowy cabin. However, when Pluto causes Santa to lose all the presents on his sleigh, the friends travel to the North Pole on a quest to save Christmas.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies 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: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
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 & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMickey and Minnie Wish Upon a Christmas (2021)
After a series of mishaps, Mickey, Minnie and the gang are separated all over the world and must try to get back to Hot Dog Hills by Christmas Eve. A mysterious and jolly stranger shows up to tell them about The Wishing Star, which could be the secret to bringing everybody home in time to celebrate together.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTrolls Holiday in Harmony (2021)
Queen Poppy plans the first annual Trolls Kingdom Secret Holiday Gift Swap, but things don't go quite as expected.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisIt's a SpongeBob Christmas! (2012)
At Christmastime in Bikini Bottom, everyone's excited except Plankton, who always gets a lump of coal from Santa. But he vows this year he'll finally get his wish – the Krabby Patty formula! And it won't be by being good. He's gonna make everyone in Bikini Bottom bad!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisIt's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown (1992)
As the holiday season rolls around and all the Peanuts gang are getting ready for it. Whether it be Charlie Brown struggling to raise money for his girlfriend or Sally and Peppermint Patty struggling to rehearse and memorize their one word lines for the Christmas pageant, these kids try to keep with the Christmas spirit while Snoopy has his mischief to do.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPrep & Landing: The Snowball Protocol (2025)
Christmas elves Lanny and Wayne panic when their holiday missions go awry, leaving Wayne thinking he's in BIG trouble with Santa and accidentally revealing other merry mishaps.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe 12 Days of Christmas Eve (2022)
When Brian Conway, a successful businessman whose family relationships have suffered, gets in a car accident on Christmas Eve, Santa gives him twelve chances to redo the day and repair the relationships in his life, including with his daughter Michelle.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & fantasy
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 animation & fantasy
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 animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Sam the snowman tells us the story of a young red-nosed reindeer who, after being ousted from the reindeer games because of his glowing nose, teams up with Hermey, an elf who wants to be a dentist, and Yukon Cornelius, the prospector. They run into the Abominable Snowman and find a whole island of misfit toys. Rudolph vows to see if he can get Santa to help the toys, and he goes back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. But Santa's sleigh is fogged in. But when Santa looks over Rudolph, he gets a very bright idea...
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDashing Through the Snow (2023)
Eddie Garrick is a good-hearted man who has lost his belief in the wonder of Christmas. While spending time with his nine-year-old daughter Charlotte on Christmas Eve, he befriends a mysterious man in a red suit named Nick.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & 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 & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSaurus City (2025)
In a fantastical world where dinosaurs roam alongside humans, a grizzled retired knight is pulled back into action to help a young woman in distress, only to uncover a threat to the entire kingdom. Hunted by the vengeful Shrouded Knight and his monstrous creations, the aging warrior must risk everything to deliver the one thing that can save them all—a baby.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & fantasy
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
When eccentric candy man Willy Wonka promises a lifetime supply of sweets and a tour of his chocolate factory to five lucky kids, penniless Charlie Bucket seeks the golden ticket that will make him a winner.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMotor Tour (1982)
Animated hijinks of a man whose car just will not start, no matter what he does.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
The Lord of the Rings (1978)
Young Hobbit Frodo Baggins is thrown into an amazing adventure when he's tasked with destroying the One Ring, created by the dark lord Sauron. Frodo must travel in a small fellowship of nine warriors and accomplices. But it won't be an easy journey for the Fellowship of the Ring, on the ultimate quest to rid Middle-earth of evil.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMenorah in the Middle (2022)
Sarah is headed back to her hometown for Hanukkah with news of her engagement. Upon returning she finds out that her father had a heart attack and things have gotten out of hand.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
Willy McBean & His Magic Machine (1965)
Little Willy McBean joins up with a Mexican monkey named Pablo to travel back in time and stop the evil Prof. von Rotten from changing history.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
All I Didn't Want for Christmas (2022)
Emily Harris is not doing great. In a desperate attempt to improve her life and make this Christmas not totally suck, Emily writes a letter to Santa. Fortunately, and unfortunately, her wine-soaked wishes start coming true.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Groundhog Day (1993)
A cynical TV weatherman, along with his idealistic producer and his sardonic cameraman, is sent to report on Groundhog Day in the small town of Punxsutawney, where he finds himself repeating the same day over and over.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Young hobbit Frodo Baggins, after inheriting a mysterious ring from his uncle Bilbo, must leave his home in order to keep it from falling into the hands of its evil creator. Along the way, a fellowship is formed to protect the ringbearer and make sure that the ring arrives at its final destination: Mt. Doom, the only place where it can be destroyed.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Frodo Baggins and the other members of the Fellowship continue on their sacred quest to destroy the One Ring--but on separate paths. Their destinies lie at two towers - Orthanc Tower in Isengard, where the corrupt wizard Saruman awaits, and Sauron's fortress at Barad-dur, deep within the dark lands of Mordor.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
Absolute CinemaMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas?
The closest matches to Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas are Rudolph's Shiny New Year (1976), The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974) and Olaf's Frozen Adventure (2017). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas?
Start with Rudolph's Shiny New Year (1976), the closest match to Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas.
What is the highest-rated movie like Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas?
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), rated 8.5/10 by 28,853 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas?
Prep & Landing: The Snowball Protocol (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas?
Yes: Rudolph's Shiny New Year (1976), The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974) and Olaf's Frozen Adventure (2017).
How are movies similar to Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.