CinéSchool’s Recommendations of French Holiday Films for Young Cinephiles

As the holidays approach, the search for heartwarming French films to delight young audiences and teens begins anew. In a landscape teeming with streaming options in the US, finding the perfect cinematic choices can be an overwhelming task. To simplify your selection process, Nathalie Charles, Program Manager of CinéSchool, has curated a handpicked list of French films. Whether you’re seeking pure entertainment, educational value, or family-friendly options, this list has got you covered. So, what cinematic treasures await this winter break?

Week-End Family: Christmas Special
TV Series, 2022, 46 min., France, PG, recommended for ages 10+

For Fred, Christmas is about enjoying good food, presents, and family. But for Emma, Christmas is about taking care of people in need. She misses her parents and their traditions, so Fred suggests she goes to Canada. Emma asks Fred to join her, but the mothers of his daughters refuse to let them go on such short notice. Fred says he will go with Emma no matter what, so Vic, Romy, and Clara plot to stop them from leaving! And it’s a good thing they do, as surprise guests will be arriving!  

Available on Disney+
Tip: Be sure to click on “Audio & Subtitles” and select audio in French.

Father Frismas (Le Père Frimas)
By Iouri Tcherenkov, 2013, 25 min., France, recommended for ages 4+

At the top of a mountain up high lives Father Frismas. For time immemorial, Father Frismas has always made sure that every corner of the valley receives the perfect amount of snow in winter. But this year, it seems pretty hard to find the right balance.

Available on Fandango

A Reindeer’s Journey (Aïlo: Une odyssée en Laponie)
By Guillaume Maidatchevsky, 2018, 1h26, Finland-France, PG, documentary, recommended for ages 6+

Throughout his journey, the frail and vulnerable newborn reindeer must overcome the ordeals that stand in the way of his first year of life and his first long trek as the herd migrates. Ailo’s awakening to this wild world is a real adventure, deep in the heart of the stunning landscapes of northern Finland, in Lapland. Ailo’s Journey is an uplifting story from a bleak wilderness warmed by a mother’s endless love as she watches over Ailo in his incredible adventures with other creatures of the Arctic.

Available on Tubi | Fandango | AmazonPrime | AppleTV | Roku Channel | Peacock | Fubo

Santa’s Christmas Snooze (Le père Noël et le magicien)
By Henri Heidsieck, 1995, 25 min., France, recommended for ages 7+

In a village of animals, chaos ensues: a magician bear, who is jealous of Santa Claus, has just put him to sleep with a magic powder….

Available on Tubi | AmazonPrime | AppleTV | YouTube | GooglePlay | Fandango

Minuscule – The Yule Log (Buche de Noël)
By Hélène Giraud and Thomas Szabo, 2012, 5 min., France, TV-G, recommended for all ages

Minuscule revolves around the day-to-day existence of insects, who are presented in absurd situations, with a fair amount of philosophical contemplation thrown in.

Available on Editions Montparnasse website.

If you like Minuscule – The Yule Log (Buche de Noël), you may also enjoy:

A Candlelight Christmas (Noël aux chandelles), 2 min., available on Youtube.

A Town Called Panic: A Christmas Panic! (Panique au village : La bûche de Noël)
By Stéphane Aubier and Vincent Patar, 2013, 26 min., Belgium-France, recommended for ages 10+

The end-of-year celebrations are coming. Christmas: the tree, the dinner, the presents. Indian and Cowboy are expecting their presents eagerly. Overexcited by the impending celebrations, they fight and destroy the Yule Log on which Horse was putting the final touches. Horse is livid and refused any gifts from Santa Claus. How will they win back the favor of Horse and The Old Bearded Man? How will they retrieve their gifts ? For Indian and Cowboy, this is just the beginning of a very long Christmas Eve.

Available on Tubi | Fandango

Charlie’s Christmas (L’Enfant au grelot)
By Jacques-Rémy Girerd, 1998, 26 min., France, recommended for ages 3+

After a snowstorm, an abandoned baby is found by a mailman in the middle of the forest. Clutched in his hand is a curious bell. The child, Charlie, grows up in an orphanage. He often confides in his favorite bell and tries to unravel the mystery of his origins.

Available on Vimeo on Demand (in French, no subtitles)

Christmas & Co (Santa & Cie)
By Alain Chabat, 2017, 1h39, France-Belgium, PG, recommended for ages 12+

Santa’s 92,000 elves all fall ill and collapse… at the same time…on Christmas Eve! Who will make the toys for all the kids around the world? He has no choice but to travel to Earth with his trusted reindeer in search of a cure. But once he gets there, Mr. Claus will need some help to save the magic of Christmas…

Available on Fandango | AmazonPrime | YouTube | GooglePlay | AppleTV | Hoopla |

The Short Story of a Fox and a Mouse (Le Renard et la Souris)
By Camille Chaix, Kevin Roger, Hugo Jean, Marie Pillier, Juliette Jourdan, 2015, 6 min., France, recommended for ages 7+

A lonesome fox hunts a mouse and their relationship will evolve as two owls interfere with the hunt.

Available on ESMA’s Youtube Channel.

Petit Père Noël
Miniseries, 2020, Canada, recommended for ages 3+

Little Father Christmas is preparing to celebrate the festive season with his friends at the North Pole. With help from Plumeau the Penguin, they have plenty to do if they want all the preparations to be finished in time.

Available on TV5MondePlus.

Joyeux Noël (Merry Christmas)
By Christian Carrion, 2005, 1h11, France-Germany-UK-Belgium, PG-13, recommended for ages 15+

Joyeux Noël (Merry Christmas) tells the real life story of the spontaneous Christmas Eve truce declared by Scottish, French, and German troops in the trenches of World War I. Enemies leave their weapons behind for one night as they band together in brotherhood and forget the brutalities of war. Diane Krüger (Troy), Daniel Brühl (Good Bye, Lenin!), and Benno Fürmann (The Princess and the Warrior) head a first-rate international cast in a truly powerful, must-see film.

Available on AmazonPrime | YouTube | GooglePlay | AppleTV | Fandango | Microsoft | ParamountPlus

Santa’s Apprentice (L’Apprenti Père Noël)
By Luc Vinciguerra, 2010, 1h11, Australia-France-Ireland, PG, recommended for ages 6+

Santa doesn’t want to retire, but rules are rules and he must train someone to replace him. The lucky winner, to be chosen from among millions of children, must be named Nicholas, be an orphan, and have a pure heart.

Available on Starz | Freevee | YouTube | GooglePlay | AppleTV | Microsoft | Fandango

The Magic Snowflake (L’Apprenti Père Noël et le flocon magique)
By Luc Vinciguerra, 2013, 1h25, France, recommended for ages 6+

If you liked Santa’s Apprentice, you will love the sequel The Magic Snowflake. Young Nicolas agrees to do Santa’s work for one year. But the stress of the job threatens the boy’s sense of joy–and Christmas itself.

Available on AmazonPrime | YouTube | GooglePlay | AppleTV | Fandango | Hoopla | Roku Channel | Philo | Sling | PlexTV

Santa Claus (Le Père Noël)
By Alexandre Coffre, 2014, 1h20, France-Belgium, recommended for ages 15+

One night, a burglar in a Santa Claus costume is surprised by Antoine, a young boy who believes he is the real Santa Claus. Antoine then follows him, and they embark on an unexpected adventure that will change their lives.

Available on AmazonPrime | YouTube | GooglePlay | AppleTV | Fandango

The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales (Le grand méchant renard et autres contes…)
By Benjamin Renner & Patrick Imbert, 2017, 1h19, France-Belgium, PG, Recommended for ages 4+

The countryside isn’t always as calm and peaceful as it’s made out to be, and the animals on this farm are particularly agitated: a fox who mothers a family of chicks, a rabbit who plays the stork, and a duck who wants to be Santa Claus.

Available on AppleTV | Microsoft | GooglePlay | YouTube | AmazonPrime | Fandango | Hoopla

A Christmas Special – Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir (Pire Noël – Miraculous : Les aventures de Ladybug et de Chat Noir)
Animated TV Series, 2016, 21 min., recommended for ages 7+

Parisian teen Marinette transforms herself into superhero Ladybug to find her lonely secret crush Adrien when he runs away from home on Christmas.

Available on Netflix 
Tip: Be sure to click on “Audio & Subtitles” and select audio in French.

Opération Père Noël
By Marc Robinet, 2021, 26 min., France, recommended for ages 6+

William, a spoiled child living in a big mansion, is used to getting everything he wants from his parents. So this year, he’s asking for a present… Santa Claus himself! To satisfy his wish, his father hires a renowned beast hunter. But will William’s wish put an end to the magic of Christmas, as his young neighbor Alice fears? The two children join forces for an adventure that will become the best Christmas present in the world!

Available on Vimeo on Demand (in French, no subtitles)