It’s that happy time of year again. The temperatures are dropping, the leaves are turning gorgeous colors, and the holiday season is on the horizon. Right about now is the perfect time to snuggle up with your pup and watch a feel-good movie to get into the holiday spirit. Fortunately, there are plenty of holiday movies for dogs. So, why not grab a cup of hot cocoa and a handful of dog treats, sit back, and dive into one of these holiday moves that both you and your pup can enjoy?
15 Great Holiday Movies To Watch With Your Dog
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Holiday movies help make the season merry and bright, offering feel-good vibes and lots of warm fuzzies. Add a dog to the mix, and I, for one, am hooked. Our fur babies are family, so of course, they get to get in on the good cheer and fun. Watching holiday movies with them, whether a beloved classic or a silly movie just for fun, is a great way to include our four-legged family in the holiday activity.
I’ve compiled a list of some of the top holiday movies to watch with your dog or cat, which I’ve shared below (in no particular order). I spoke with pet owners, movie lovers, and Canine Journal team members to find out the holiday movies they love to watch with their pets. If you don’t see your favorite, share it with us in the comments. Let’s get that buttery popcorn popping and get the movie action going.
1. How The Grinch Stole Christmas
This one is a classic filmed in 1966. While there have been a few adaptations over the years, the original film is one of the most beloved holiday movies of all time. Based on the children’s story originally published in 1957 by Dr. Suess, this tale never gets old. In all the different versions, the cranky Grinch is a lovable, green Christmas villain, but all dog lovers know Max, his trusty pooch, is the true hero of the story.
2. The Dog Who Saved Christmas
This 2009 made-for-television movie has become a holiday favorite. The family film tells the tale of Labrador Retriever Zeus, a retired police dog who has lost his bark. Zeus is adopted by a new family just before the holidays. He ends up being in the right place at the right time to prove he is still a hero at heart and, of course, saves Christmas.
3. A Dog Named Christmas
Hallmark movies are extremely popular during the holidays, and this 2009 Hallmark Hall of Fame movie is a big hit with animal lovers of all ages. It tells the story of a young man named Todd, who has developmental disabilities and a special bond with animals in need. Todd wants to foster a dog for the holidays, falling in love with a dog he has named “Christmas.” He faces some challenges along the way in this touching story of family love.
4. A Charlie Brown Christmas
Another classic, this 1965 film, brings the whole Peanuts crew together to celebrate Christmas. Everyone’s favorite Beagle, Snoopy, shows his holiday cheer by entering his doghouse in a decorating contest. Snoopy also helps his friends learn a valuable lesson and remember what Christmas is all about.
5. I Want A Dog For Christmas, Charlie Brown
This 2003 Peanuts film teaches a great lesson about being ready for a dog. As usual, Charlie Brown and his trusted hound, Snoopy, are on hand to help. This cute film shares the holiday spirit and teaches a few valuable lessons about responsibility.
6. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
“Oh, he’s just yakkin’ on a bone.” It wouldn’t be Christmas without National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. This wacky film from 1989 is one for the ages. While not directly about a dog, it has one of the most unforgettable dog characters of all time, a Rottweiler named Snots.
7. Olive, The Other Reindeer
This animated Christmas classic from 1999 is a cute short film about an adorable Jack Russell Terrier named Olive. Olive sets off on an exciting adventure to help save Christmas. It’s charming, sweet, and full of silly fun. Perfect for an afternoon puppy cuddle break.
8. A Golden Christmas
A Golden Christmas is a 2009 television movie about finding love and second chances. It tells the story of two childhood friends reconnecting and eventually falling in love. Throw in some cute Golden Retrievers who help these two lost souls find each other, and this one is sure to be a family favorite.
9. Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure
The unforgettable and lovable Saint Bernard Beethoven must race to save Christmas when a Christmas elf accidentally crashes Santa’s sleigh in his town. Burglars steal the magic toy bag, and Beethoven comes to the rescue to keep Christmas merry for everyone. This 2011 film is a heartwarming holiday flick that reminds us just how special dogs are.
10. The Nightmare Before Christmas
This 1993 American gothic stop-motion film is a favorite for holiday fans worldwide. It tells the story of the pumpkin king of Halloween town, Jack Skellington, who discovers an amazing place, Christmas town. As Jack attempts to bring Christmas to Halloween Town, chaos ensues. It takes the help of Jack’s friends and his loyal ghost dog Zero to save him and Christmas from the disaster. Of course, Zero is the true hero of the story.
11. Santa Stole Our Dog: A Merry Doggone Christmas!
This family film from 2017 is sure to be one of your pup’s favorites. It tells the story of a family whose new dog, Rusty, accidentally hitches a ride to the North Pole with Santa. As the family searches for their dog, the elves at the North Pole work overtime to keep Christmas on track and get Rusty back to his home.
12. Santa Buddies: The Legend Of Santa Paws
Another installment in the family favorite Air Bud and Air Buddies film series, Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws, is a 2009 film that features plenty of adorable pups and a lot of Christmas magic. Puppy Paws, the son of Santa Paws (Santa’s loyal pup), puts Christmas in jeopardy when he wishes the holiday would disappear. His wish causes the magic Christmas icicle to crack, thrusting the North Pole into darkness and threatening the future of Christmas itself. Puppy Paws goes on a quest and meets the Buddies, a group of Golden Retriever puppies who believe Santa Paws is their father in disguise. Puppy Paws and the Buddies must realize the true spirit of Christmas to save the day and make sure the magic of Christmas continues.
13. The Search For Santa Paws
This 2010 Christmas fantasy film is also a part of the Air Bud and Air Buddies film franchise. It tells the story of a stuffed pup magically brought to life by an elf to cheer up Santa after his friend dies. Santa names the adorable pooch Puppy Paws, and they become an inseparable pair. As Santa and his pup take a trip to visit his friend’s store, where they are quickly pulled into a crisis. Santa loses his magic and his memory. Puppy Paws must save Santa and the friends he has made along the way.
14. Lady & The Tramp
Lady & The Tramp is a classic American animated film made in 1955. However, there is a 2019 live-action remake that is just as good. The story starts on Christmas, with an adorable Cocker spaniel puppy being given as a Christmas gift from a loving husband to his wife. The film follows the story of Lady, the adorable puppy, and Tramp, a stray terrier mix. The two pups meet, fall in love, and save the day. The film starts and ends under the Christmas tree and leaves you with warm fuzzies all over.
15. A Christmas Tail
There are actually two movies about this title, and they are both full of holiday cheer. The first film came out in 2000 under the original title A Dog’s Tale and tells the story of a boy who makes a Christmas wish for a dog. However, his wish isn’t granted all the way; instead of getting a dog, he wakes up to discover he himself has grown a tail, a furry coat, and dog paws.
The 2014 film of the same name tells the story of two single parents and a dog named Lardo. Jack, a single father, is desperate to get his daughter’s pup, Lardo, back. Maggie, a single mom, falls in love with Lardo at the pound. The connection between them grows, and eventually, this film turns into a Christmas love story, with a happy ending for everyone, but most importantly, Lardo.
Don’t Forget These Holiday Favorites!
I’ve barely scratched the surface of all the fantastic holiday movies you can cuddle up to with your fur babies. Here are a few more that make the list of many people’s favorite holiday films.
Though none of the Harry Potter movies are specifically about Christmas, these movies often are favorites around the holidays. Seeing Hogwarts’ Great Hall decorated for the Yule ball is amazing, and there are some dogs featured in this beloved film series. For example, we see Fluffy in The Sorcerer’s Stone and Hagrid’s pet pup, Fang. We also can’t forget Crup, the wizard-bred dog.
Another classic film with a dog who plays a pivotal role in the holiday is the animated film Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer. The short film made for television came out in 2000. It tells the story of a young boy who is trying to find his grandmother and prove Santa is the real thing. Doofus, the dog, finds a big clue, helps bring Grandma home, and keeps the Christmas spirit alive.
The Year Without Santa Claus is another classic stop-motion film. Made in 1974, it tells the story of a discouraged Santa Claus who needs some help remembering the magic of Christmas. Though there is no dog in the movie, one of Santa’s reindeer, Vixen, is disguised as a dog and mistaken for one by the local dog catcher. Santa’s elves and Mrs. Claus must rescue Vixen and help Santa get back into the holiday spirit.
Did I mention your favorite holiday movie to watch with your pup? If I missed yours, please share it with us in the comments so we can add it to our holiday must-watch movie list.
Dog-Friendly Holiday Treats
The holidays are full of get-togethers, family, friends, and so much food. It’s very tempting to share holiday meals and treats with your dog, but do so with caution. Not all human foods are safe for dogs, and some, like chocolate, onions, and garlic, can be dangerous. Learn more about dog-safe pumpkin-based treats, grain-free homemade dog treats, frozen treats, and adorable holiday cookies to make for your pup.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Danielle is a dog owner with over thirty years of canine experience. She is a huge holiday movie fan and has regular movie nights with her two rescue dogs, Falkor and Daisy. Danielle works as a researcher and writer for Canine Journal, sharing the best and most helpful information with dog owners to better their pup’s lives.