11 of the best family movie DVDs and Blu-rays for Christmas 2021
Grab your family, your cosy pyjamas and a super-size box of chocolates and head for the sofa for a movie marathon this Christmas
We’ve selected 11 of the latest family-friendly DVD and Blu-ray releases as well as some of the all-time Christmas classic movies that are just as good as when you watched them first time round.
These are perfect for stocking fillers and great for kids to enjoy throughout the Christmas holidays. Pass the popcorn!
Here’s our pick of the best family movies for Christmas 2019...
1. Toy Story 4, £10 /£15 Blu-ray – best for Toy Story fans
Release date: Out now
Age rating: U
Running time: 100 minutes
The Toy Story films have enchanted generations of kids ever since the first adventure back in 1995, and this one won’t disappoint. In the newly released final instalment, Buzz, Woody, Jessie and some new faces head off for a family road trip with little Bonnie, reuniting with some old friends along the way.
We love some of the new characters in Toy Story 4, especially little Forky and stuntman Duke Caboom. It's one for all the family to enjoy!
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Available from: Tesco, Asda and Amazon
2. Elf, £2.99 – best for a Christmas classic
Release date: 2003
Age rating: PG
Running time: 97 minutes
There are plenty of laughs for grown-ups and kids alike with this classic Christmas film. When Buddy, who has been raised as an elf in the North Pole, realises he is in fact human, he travels to New York to find his real dad.
It’s impossible not to fall for this lovable elf, played by Will Ferrell. If you’re feeling a bit bah humbug about Christmas, this feel-good movie is the tonic you need.
Available from: Amazon and Argos
3. The Lion King, £9.99 / £14.99 Blu-ray – best for older children
Release date: Out now
Age rating: PG
Running time: 113 minutes
In the Pride Lands of Africa, a young lion, Simba, is set to inherit the throne from his father, Mufasa. But Simba’s uncle, Scar, has fierce royal ambitions and hatches a deadly plan to take the crown for himself.
Now the seventh highest-grossing film of all time, The Lion King has powerful themes of family bonds and responsibility. As well as the highly realistic animation, we loved seeing classic songs from the 1994 version, like 'Hakuna Matata' and 'Circle of Life', make a return.
However it's worth keeping in mind that young children may find some scenes upsetting.
Available from: Tesco, HMV and Amazon
4. Frozen, £6.99 / £9.99 Blu-ray – best for a family theme
Release date: 2013
Age rating: PG
Running time: 109 minutes
The sequel to this blockbuster will hit cinemas at the end of November, but the magic of the Oscar-winning original – and its unforgettable theme song – remains.
When Elsa becomes queen, she argues with her sister Anna and accidentally casts an icy spell on the kingdom and plunges it into eternal winter. Elsa then runs away, but Anna teams up with a mountaineer, Kristoff, Sven the reindeer and Olaf the snowman to find Elsa and break the spell.
This is a great present for a new generation of Frozen fans who are just being introduced to the film. Brace yourself for endless renditions of Let It Go!
Available from: Tesco, Asda and Argos
5. Horrible Histories the Movie: Rotten Romans, £9.99 / £14.99 Blu-ray – best for Horrible Histories fans of all ages
Release date: Out now
Age rating: PG
Running time: 92 minutes
The much-loved TV series has made its film debut with this hilarious adventure following Roman teen Atti, who has been forced to join the army after falling foul of Emperor Nero.
Sent to cold, wet Britannia, he encounters feisty Celt Orla as the Romans go to war against Boudicca.
Expect plenty of laughs with a smidge of learning for good measure.
Available from: HMV, Amazon and Asda
6. How to Train Your Dragon Homecoming, £7.99 – best for fans of How to Train Your Dragon
Release date: 9th December 2019
Age rating: PG
Running time: 22 minutes
Fans of the much-loved How to Train Your Dragon films will get an early Christmas treat with this festive-themed short film.
It’s nearly Snoggletog – the best time of the year, and Hiccup continues the holiday traditions he once shared with Toothless the dragon.
When Hiccup realises that the Vikings of New Berk have forgotten the unique bond between dragons and humans, he and his friends realise they must do something. But across the sea, the dragons have a plan of their own.
Available from: HMV, Amazon and Zavvi
7. Lego Movie 2, £4.99 / £6.99 Blu-ray – best for Lego fans
Release: Out now
Age rating: U
Running time: 107 minutes
Lego Movie 2 picks up where the first film left off, with the unwelcome arrival of the Duplo aliens, who are destroying the town of Bricksburg. But things get even worse when new doll General Mayhem kidnaps some of the residents and lead character Emmet comes to their rescue.
This sequel is just as good as the first film, with plenty of gags and amazing graphics that are sure to impress little Lego fans.
Available from: Asda, Tesco and Argos
8. Dumbo £7 / £10 Blu-ray – best for grown-ups and kids
Release: Out now
Age rating: PG
Running time: 112 minutes
Born with super-large ears, Dumbo, a baby elephant, is the laughing stock of his struggling circus. But when they discover that he can fly, Dumbo becomes the star of the Big Top!
Made by Tim Burton, this legendary live-action remake of the original Disney film will charm a whole new generation of fans.
Available from: Argos, Asda and Tesco
9. The Secret Life of Pets 2, £10 / £15 Blu-ray – best for animal fans
Release: Out now
Age rating: U
Running time: 86 minutes
Get ready for more escapades with Max the terrier, whose world is turned upside down when his family welcomes a new baby.
We love the new character Rooster, a farm laugh, who is sure to give kids lots of laughs.
And with themes about overcoming fear and the importance of family, this is as sweet as the original.
Available from: Argos, Asda and Tesco
10. Abominable, £10 / £14.99 Blu-ray – best for silly jokes
Release date: 17th December 2019
Age rating: U
Running time: 97 minutes
In this snowy adventure, a teenage girl who is grieving for her father discovers a baby Yeti or “abominable snow monster” on her apartment roof.
Far from scary, this fluffy, friendly beast just wants to return to his family who live on top of Mount Everest. The girl and her two friends join him on the journey, but there’s a collector in hot pursuit, who will do anything to capture the Yeti alive.
A heartwarming film with plenty of silly jokes to tickle the little ones.
Available from: HMV, Zoom and Amazon
11. The Snowman, £4.15 – best for a mini movie
Release date: 1982
Age rating: PG
Running time: 27 minutes
It’s nearly 40 years since this charming animated film was first released, but it’s lost none of its magic.
It’s hard to beat this story of a snowman who comes to life for a night to play with the little boy who made him and to take him on a magical flight to meet Father Christmas.
And at just short of half an hour long, it’s perfect for those with short attention spans.
Available from: Amazon and Asda
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