When it’s too cold to spend the entire day outdoors, and the kids are ready to take a break from making sweet winter crafts, the next best thing is to cozy up on the couch and stream a movie with all the winter vibes—indoors.
Whether you need a movie for family movie night, something to keep the kids entertained on a snow day, or just simply want to bask in all the winter feels, I’ve picked the best movies to watch with the family this season. From short animated films perfect for the littlest ones in the fam to movies for teens, save this list for when the couch is calling your name. Right now, Frozen and the Ice Age films are playing on repeat in my household, but this list also includes some family winter movies we grew up watching. It might just be the perfect time to introduce some of these nostalgic films to the kids, especially those movies with Winter Olympics vibes, as the games are almost here.
So, pop the popcorn, start the fire, and cozy up on the couch with the family. Keep scrolling for 32 films to watch with your kids this winter season—that aren’t Christmas movies.
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Winter Movies for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Once Upon a Snowman
Rated: TV-PG | Run Time: 13m
Where to Watch: Disney+
Need something not too short and not too long, but will have you and the kids entertained? Watch the Disney short of the beloved snowman, Olaf, in Once Upon a Snowman. In this animated short film, find out how Olaf magically came to life to become the snowman we’ve all come to love. Other Frozen shorts to add to your To-Be-Watched list include Olaf’s Frozen Adventure, Frozen Fever, Myth: A Frozen Tale, and the hilarious rendition of Disney classics told by Olaf himself in Olaf Presents.
The Snowy Day
Rated: TV-Y | Run Time: 39m
Where to Watch: AppleTV+ and Amazon Prime Video
Based on the children’s book, The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, this sweet animated film is right under 39 minutes long—perfect for little ones who can’t sit still for over an hour. Little Peter is on his way to help his grandmother make a Christmas Eve dinner, but seeing the blanket of white snow is an invitation to play. And when his grandmother sparks neighborhood fun by starting a snowball fight, it becomes a wintery day to remember.
Frozen
Rated: PG | Run Time: 1h 42m
Where to Watch: Disney+
After setting the kingdom of Arendelle into an eternal winter, Queen Elsa flees her home, and it’s up to her sister, Princess Anna, to bring her back. Her journey can’t be completed without the best sidekicks, of course. Join Anna, Kristoff, Sven, and her magical snowman, Olaf, in this sing-along movie that’s repeat-worthy all winter long.
Frozen 2
Rated: PG | Run Time: 1h 48m
Where to Watch: Disney+
In this Frozen sequel, Queen Elsa is called into the unknown of the enchanted forests. But why is it luring her in, and what does it want her to find out? In Frozen 2, the gang is back together again on a quest to find the unknown truth behind Elsa’s magic.
Anastasia
Rated: G | Run Time: 1h 35m
Where to Watch: Disney+
When rumors spread among St. Petersburg that long-lost Princess Anastasia may still be alive, two con men set out to find an orphan who would pass off as her in exchange for a monetary reward. When the two men stumble upon a young girl named Anya, they don’t expect the familial ties Anya has to Anastasia.
Balto
Rated: G | Run Time: 1h 17m
Where to Watch: AppleTV+ and Amazon Prime Video
If you didn’t know this already, Balto is based on a true story of a dog who journeyed across Alaska to deliver life-saving medicine to the city of Nome. Balto’s epic quest is met with a grizzly bear, frozen lakes, and a deceitful dog named Steele. If the kiddos fall in love with Balto, a Balto-movie marathon may be in your midst with Balto II and Balto III.
Beauty and the Beast
Rated: G | Run Time: 1h 32m
Where to Watch: Disney+
While this movie isn’t fully set in the wintertime, Belle’s cozy library vibes and the Beast’s dark, snowy castle are enough to call it a winter movie classic. When Belle’s father is captured by the Beast and locked up in the tower of a magical and cursed castle, Belle pleads with the Beast to take her father’s place. Unknowingly, Belle is the key to breaking the curse that was set upon the Beast’s home—but only if her love and bond with him is genuine. If you can’t get enough of Beauty and the Beast, then introduce the family to the live-action film on Disney+.
Abominable
Rated: PG | Run Time: 1h 37m
Where to Watch: Peacock and AppleTV+
Finding a Yeti on a city rooftop was not on Yi’s bingo card, but it’s the type of adventure she and her friends, Peng and Jin, need in their lives. The three set off to help the Yeti find his home, all while evil scientists are on the hunt to capture him.
Brother Bear
Rated: G | Run Time: 1h 32m
Where to Watch: Disney+
Walking in someone else’s shoes brings a new perspective, but for Kenai, turning into an actual bear wasn’t the POV he was expecting to learn a valuable lesson of love and empathy. Filled with comedy, talking animals, and a new appreciation for all who walk across the earth, Disney’s Brother Bear is a heartwarming story to watch this winter. Don’t forget to watch Brother Bear 2, available on Disney+.
101 Dalmatians
Rated: G | Run Time: 1h 44m
Where to Watch: Disney+
Cruella De Vil’s fur obsession is taken too far with her mission to snatch up every Dalmatian in London. And when Dalmatians, Pongo and Perdita’s puppies, go missing, all the other dogs in London work together to get them back from the evil Cruella De Vil. Watch the 1996 version of 101 Dalmations, starring Glenn Close, too.
Ice Age
Rated: G | Run Time: 1h 44m
Where to Watch: Disney+
Ice Age is a family favorite in my household. It’s hard to imagine that a woolly mammoth, sloth, and a saber-toothed tiger would coexist in the same space, let alone with a 1-year-old boy, but this hilarious animated film makes it seem quite possible. Through a thrilling journey, Sid, a sloth, and Manny, a woolly mammoth, work together to bring a young boy back to his father. Continue the Ice Age wintery adventures by watching all the Ice Age movies and series on Disney+.
Happy Feet
Rated: PG | Run Time: 1h 43m
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
For the Emperor Penguins of Antarctica, singing is the only law of attraction in finding the perfect partner. However, when a young penguin named Mumble learns that his voice isn’t so angelic, it’s his dancing, happy feet that attract everyone around him. Continue dancing and singing along with Happy Feet Two.
Winter Movies for Kids
Cool Runnings
Rated: PG | Run Time: 1h 38m
Where to Watch: Disney+
Cool Runnings is the story of four men from Jamaica who defy the odds by competing in the Winter Olympics as bobsled racers. Starring John Candy, Leon Robinson, Rawle D. Lewis, Doug E. Doug, and Malik Yoba, this film, based on a true story, brings both inspiration and comedy to this winter ‘90s family favorite. Plus, this year, Jamaica is back with bobsled teams for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in both men’s and women’s events, making this family winter movie extra-timely.
Miracle
Rated: PG | Run Time: 2h 17m
Where to Watch: Disney+
If you’re looking for another inspirational movie to watch with the kids, watch Miracle, a movie based on a true story in which a man named Herb Brooks coaches the 1980 US ice hockey team. The young men need guidance on and off the ice, and Brooks’s leadership teaches the team that anything is possible.
Iron Will
Rated: PG | Run Time: 1h 49m
Where to Watch: Disney+
In order to help his family’s financial debt after the loss of his father, Will Stoneman decides to sign up for an intense and demanding sled dog race that takes him and a pack of dogs from Winnipeg, Canada all the way to St. Paul, Minnesota. Will’s determination and courage come with the help of his canine companions. Watch this wintery movie, and find out if Will and his team have what it takes to win the race.
Alaska
Rated: PG | Run Time: 1h 49m
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
When a pilot goes missing after his plane crashes in Alaska, his two kids set out to find him. Get the Alaskan views and a heroic story in the ‘90s movie, Alaska, starring the young Thora Birch and Vincent Kartheiser.
March of the Penguins
Rated: G | Run Time: 80m
Where to Watch: Google Play
Narrated by Morgan Freeman, join a group of Antarctic penguins on their trek to find a mate. This film’s beautiful cinematography is breathtaking, plus, who doesn’t want to watch a documentary of cute penguins and listen to the one and only Morgan Freeman?
Mr. Popper’s Penguins
Rated: PG | Run Time: 1h 34m
Where to Watch: Hulu
Successful in his career—but not so much in his home life—Mr. Popper never expected that inheriting six penguins would be the thing that turns his life around. With the ongoing theme of movies involving penguins here, I’m starting to be convinced that penguins are the key to happiness during this time of year.
Eight Below
Rated: PG | Run Time: 2h 1m
Where to Watch: Disney+
In this suspenseful movie, Jerry, played by the late Paul Walker, is determined to find his sled dogs that were stranded in Antarctica. When Jerry has trouble finding someone to take him back through the treacherous terrain and weather, he finds the perfect team to help him save his dogs.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Rated: PG | Run Time: 2h 29m
Where to Watch: Disney+
C.S. Lewis’s classic novel comes to life in this book-to-movie adaptation of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Siblings Lucy, Edmund, Susan, and Peter discover a magical world hidden in a wardrobe. Unbeknownst to them, they’re the ones who can save Narnia from the evil White Witch’s eternal winter.
White Fang
Rated: PG | Run Time: 1h 49m
Where to Watch: Disney+
Join Jack in the Alaskan frontier as he ventures to find gold in Yukon Valley after the death of his father. Jack meets a wolf-dog, White Fang, who becomes his friend. Watch White Fang 2, which was released in 1994.
Polar Bear
Rated: PG | Run Time: 1h 25m
Where to Watch: Disney+
Narrated by Catherine Keener, follow a Polar Bear mother and her cub in Polar Bear. This sweet documentary, directed by Alastair Fothergill and Jeff Wilson, is a film for those who love or want to learn about Polar Bears.
The Mighty Ducks
Rated: PG | Run Time: 1h 44m
Where to Watch: Disney+
Gordon Bombay, a successful lawyer, takes on a team of young hockey players as part of his community service. As someone whose career depends on winning, a lesson he learns from a group of kids is that it may not be everything there is to life. A millennial favorite—a love that’s totally worthy of carrying on to the current generation (and beyond)—this one is for the entire family to watch together. Don’t forget to stream the rest of The Mighty Ducks movies on Disney+: D2: The Mighty Ducks and D3: The Mighty Ducks.
Johnny Tsunami
Rated: TV-G | Run Time: 1h 32m
Where to Watch: Disney+
Ever since I watched Johnny Tsunami as a kid, snowboarding in Vermont has been on my bucket list. Moving to a ski resort in Vermont looks a little different for Johnny Kapahala, who calls Hawaii his home. As an ultimate surfer, he decides to take on snowboarding. Johnny finds buddies who can crash the ice waves with him, but a few of his prep school classmates aren’t so keen that he’s showing them up in the mountains.
Snow Day
Rated: PG | Run Time: 1h 29m
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
We know kids love a snow day, and in this movie, making sure the snow day doesn’t end becomes a series of events when a group of kids try to make it last as long as possible.
Ice Princess
Rated: G | Run Time: 1h 39m
Where to Watch: Disney+
Vicariously live your ice skating dreams by watching Ice Princess—an editor (and family) favorite. High school brainiac, Casey Carlyle, played by the late Michelle Trachtenberg, decides she has what it takes to become a champion figure skater by using her knowledge of physics.
Go Figure
Rated: TV-G | Run Time: 1h 29m
Where to Watch: Disney+
Katelin Kingsford finally gets to live out her figure skating dream. However, her only way into the private academy is through gaining a scholarship through the hockey team’s program. Does Katelin have what it takes on the ice as a hockey player?
Penguins
Rated: G | Run Time: 1h 16m
Where to Watch: Disney+
If you can’t get enough of learning about penguins, add this film to your list. This story follows an Adélie penguin named Steve and millions of other penguins as they find a home and a suitable mate. From encountering killer whales and leopard seals, penguins must also learn to survive.
Winter Movies for Tweens and Teens
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Rated: PG | Run Time: 1h 39m
Where to Watch: HBO Max and Amazon Prime Video
With all the snowfall, wintery scenes, and cozy sweaters, the Harry Potter series totally fits the winter movies category (and arguably a Christmas film, too). Based on J.K. Rowling’s popular book series, orphan Harry Potter finds out he’s a wizard and starts school at Hogwarts to learn magic. But his name has a lengthy story behind it, and he starts to uncover the hidden secrets that are embedded in his history—and his parents. Watch the rest of the Harry Potter movies this winter (and maybe start reading the book versions with the kiddos, too).
The Cutting Edge
Rated: PG | Run Time: 1h 41m
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
An all-time editor favorite, it may be the perfect time to introduce this movie to your tween or teen this winter. An ex-hockey player and figure skater become unlikely partners competing in the Olympics. Note for parents: this one does have a few sexually suggestive moments.
Uncle Buck
Rated: PG | Run Time: 1h 39m
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
Uncle Buck is the last resort babysitter, but when his brother and his sister-in-law can’t make it back home, Buck is forced to step in as his nephew’s and nieces’ caretaker until they can get back home. Filled with shenanigans and the hardships of navigating parental responsibilities, this is a heartwarming film starring John Candy and Macaulay Culkin (a year before Home Alone) that will have everyone laughing. Note for parents: this one does have a few sexually suggestive moments, as well.
Sleepless in Seattle
Rated: PG | Run Time: 1h 40m
Where to Watch: AppleTV+ and Amazon Prime Video
If your teen loves romance, Sleepless in Seattle is the ultimate cozy winter—or Valentine’s Day—movie to watch together. In this Nora Ephron film, a widowed father tugs America’s heartstrings after his son calls into a radio station trying to find him a relationship. Annie Reed is determined to meet Sam, but are they truly destined for each other?
Patty Schepel, Editorial Assistant
As the editorial assistant, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, inputting freelance articles, and more. With Patty’s passion for writing, experience as a mother of two, and expertise as a pediatric nurse, she brings a thoughtful and informative perspective to The Everymom.
