Stream Festive Favourites with Into Film+

As the end of another calendar year approaches, we know educators, teachers and students alike have all been working hard, and so, with the season upon us, it's the perfect time to sit back and enjoy a well-earned treat in the classroom - a feel-good festive film with Into Film+!

Into Film+ is the free* streaming service for schools, hosting over 800 titles, across all genres, and including everything from feature films, short films, documentaries, and even TV episodes. Many titles are supplemented by film discussion guides, learning resources, and other exclusive content, helping to support educators to feel confident in bringing film into the classroom throughout the year.

Plus, if you're a state school in England that's funded by the Department for Education, you'll have access to Into Film+ Premium, which offers an even greater selection of films.

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Read on for a curated list of some of the best festive and feel-good films to stream straight into your classroom during this festive season.

Our selection below is stacked with some of the best festive and feel-good films for both primary and secondary audiences. Journey back in time with It's a Wonderful Life or enjoy a modern Christmas favourite with That Christmas, visit Whoville with The Grinch (2018), or stick with a timeless classic like Home Alone.

Or maybe you have a different definition of what makes a festive classic and would prefer to treat your students to Gremlins or Anna and the Apocalypse. Whatever your take on the festive season, there's a film for everyone with Into Film+!

And while they may not be explicitly festive, we also have some of the best feel-good films from recent years, including Netflix sensation KPop Demon Hunters and musical extravaganza of The Greatest Showman. And as always, we have included some brilliant animated shorts and incredible archive films from the BFI which we hope you will also enjoy.

And if that's not enough, then our Christmas, Humbug! playlist of scenes and short highlights from various festive films playfully explores the nuances of Christmas through humour, pathos, song, and resolution, highlighting a range of different Christmas traditions.

And it wouldn't be this time of year without the Into Film Festive Quiz, which returns for 2025 with a brand new set of exciting questions to engage young people. Put your learners' festive film knowledge to the test and create a competitive buzz in the classroom!

Plus, once you've found your perfect films to watch, you could win a £250 John Lewis voucher for your classroom! Simply post a picture of your class enjoying one of the films in this collection, post it on social media and tag us in the post with the hashtag #IntoFilmClub! Whether you're streaming a great film, or taking part in our festive quiz, we want to see your festive fun via Facebook, Instagram, X, or Threads. 

• Terms and conditions apply

Please note: Film is a powerful tool for learning, helping to develop critical thinking, empathy, and an understanding of different perspectives. Our films have been selected with consideration to age-appropriateness, safeguarding, the curriculum and statutory and non-statutory guidance to schools. Some of our films and resources include sensitive content which is highlighted in the guidance that Into Film provides with each film. Educators should carefully watch or read all elements of any content and must ensure they are following their own school's policies and guidelines prior to using films and resources in the classroom or in after-school clubs. The final decision to use any film or resource sits with teachers, who should decide what is appropriate for their students using their professional judgement and their knowledge of their students, their school context and their community. Teachers must follow their school's safeguarding protocol if a student is distressed or makes a disclosure as a result of the use of any film or other content.

Get into the festive spirit with Into Film+

Jump to...

• Festive classics
• Feel-good favourites
• Something different
• Short films
• Into Film+ Premium films
• BFI Archive shorts

Festive classics

Elf (PG)

This hilarious modern classic has captured the imaginations of children and adults alike, with perhaps no festive film released this century matching it for heart or popularity.

Home Alone (PG)

A John Hughes classic that's as funny and charming today as it ever was, with Macauley Culkin giving one of the most iconic child performances of all time as the innovative 10 year old who goes up against two bumbling crooks.

The Grinch (2018) (U)

Benedict Cumberbatch lends his distinctive vocals to this computer animated version of Dr. Seuss' imaginative story that sees a mean-hearted green creature discovering the true meaning of Christmas.

It's a Wonderful Life (U)

One of the most beloved films of all-time, It's a Wonderful Life continues to tug at the heartstrings and affect audiences more than six decades after it was first released. A classic in the true sense of the word.

Klaus (PG)

A gorgeously animated alternate origin story for Christmas, which teaches that one act of kindness leads to another, as a hopeless postal worker recruits a reclusive toymaker to boost his deliveries.

The Muppet Christmas Carol (U)

An all-singing, all-dancing take on Charles Dickens' classic tale, which features esteemed actor Michael Caine as the only human actor among a cast of hilarious and chaotic muppets.

That Christmas (PG)

Adapted from children's books by beloved screenwriter Richard Curtis, and produced by British studio Locksmith Animation, That Christmas sees three interwoven stories make up a festive animated treat about community spirit.

Feel-good favourites

The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales... (U)

Adapted from co-director Benjamin Renner's comic books, this trio of hand-drawn animated short stories are sweet, playful and laugh-out-loud funny, while also challenging preconceptions about identity in a way that's suitable for the youngest audiences.

Deian A Loli (Unclassified)

For the Welsh-language speakers, we have two episodes of Deian A Loli, a children's series about mischievous twins who have magical powers.

The Greatest Showman (PG)

Based on a true story, this is an extravagant musical about the putting together of a circus that became a worldwide sensation and helped create the modern culture of show business. The Greatest Showman is a lavish and original musical, full of spectacle and infectious enthusiasm for being true to yourself and embracing who you are.

James and the Giant Peach (U)

The strange world of Roald Dahl's book is perfectly rendered here using the painstaking craft of stop-motion animation, as young James, stuck with his evil aunts, creates a magical, enormous peach, and with the help of the charming insects inside, attempts an escape.

KPop Demon Hunters (PG)

This global phenomenon blends Western and Asian styles of animation to tell the vibrant, song-packed story of a Korean pop group who moonlight as demon hunters. Both the regular and singalong versions of this film are available with Into Film+.

Little Shop of Horrors (PG)

With amazing puppetry, dark humour and catchy songs, this B-movie remake parodies 1950s science fiction and remains a musical theatre favourite, as a florist who's in love with his assistant also happens to have a 50-foot, man-eating and singing plant growing in his basement.

Little Women (U) 

Playing lightly with the structure of the novel and comprised of flashbacks and flash-forwards to their later lives, in which they are young adults with careers and husbands of their own, Greta Gerwig's warm and heartfelt adaptation of Little Women is an ode to writing your own story.

Mary Poppins (PG)

When Jane and Michael Banks wish for a new nanny, they aren't expecting anyone quite like Mary Poppins in this timeless classic filled with magic, music and a lot of heart.

Murder on the Orient Express (12)

Sir Kenneth Branagh directs and stars as the renowned literary detective amidst an all-star cast in this classic retelling of Agatha Christie's masterpiece, in which a murder takes place on the illustrious Orient Express, with all twelve passengers a suspect.

Over the Moon (U)

After her mother passes away, a young Chinese girl builds a rocket ship, hoping to meet a mythical moon goddess in this colourful, musical animation which explores themes of grief, culture, and family.

Singin' in the Rain (U)

Widely considered the best musical ever made, this tribute to classic Hollywood is set in the 1920s, and follows an actress who can't sing struggling to adjust as the industry pivots away from silent film to those with sound.

Smallfoot (U)

This is charming animated comedy offers a fun twist on the Bigfoot legend, with positive messaging around celebrating difference, finding common ground and overcoming your fears, as well as discovering the world is rather more complex than you thought it was.

Stan and Ollie (PG)

Arguably the world's most famous screen pairing at the height of their success, this poignant and affectionate biopic of iconic comedy duo Laurel and Hardy follows the two screen icons as they embark on their comeback tour around Britain in 1953.

Wallace & Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death (PG)

This classic 30 minute short from Aardman sees the chaotic inventor and his mute but capable dog trying to solve a mystery, as it seems someone is bumping off all of the town's bakers. Cue many bread-based puns and lots of mechanical mayhem.

Wonka (PG)

The eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka looks to make a name for himself in the competitive world of confectionary in this musical origin story about one of children's literature's most beloved and beguiling characters, featuring themes such as family and friendship.

Unconventional festive films

Anna and the Apocalypse (15)

This is a fun, musical-filled horror about the highs and lows of school life, with plenty of inventive song-and-dance numbers.

Gremlins (12)

This hilarious black comedy has fun special effects and is a brilliant spoof of B-movie monster horrors, as a teenager receives a cute and cuddly little creature for Christmas, only to find that it doesn't stay cute and cuddly all the time...

The Nightmare Before Christmas (PG)

In this brilliantly dark and amusing stop-motion animation from Tim Burton, Jack Skellington is the King of Halloween Town, until he finds himself pondering a different way of doing things when he mistakenly discovers Christmas Town and plots to take over the holiday.

Short films

The Snowman and the Snowdog (U)

Made to celebrate the 30th anniversary of beloved classic The Snowman, this short uses the same charming, hand-drawn animation style to tell a sweet, wintry story about a boy mourning the death of his pet pooch, who decides to rebuild him out of snow.

Robin Robin (U)

This is a funny and heartfelt short animation, accompanied by catchy musical songs, that discusses themes of family, belonging and growing up, as a sweet little robin, raised by a family of mice, is surprised to find out about her true nature.

Partridge in a Bear Tree (Unclassified)

This English language short comes from a Welsh production company called Cloth Cat Animation, and is a beautifully animated film with a beautiful musical score by award winning Composer Kirsten Evans. The perfect short film for a cosy winter's day.

2025: The Long Hot Winter (Unclassified)

This satirical mockumentary that conducts interviews with Londoners during the winter heatwave of 2025 is full of funny moments, but dispersed throughout are reminders that this is a reality that could very well be on the horizon. 2025: The Long Hot Winter tackles a vital subject in an entertaining fashion and is a perfect accompaniment to lessons about climate change and environmentalism.

Into Film+ Premium films

A further selection of festive favourites and feel-good films for those who are part of a state school in England that's funded by the Department for Education.

101 Dalmations (U)

Classic Disney cartoon about a family of dalmatians whose lives are threatened by the scary fashion designer, Cruella De Vil.

Arthur Christmas (U)

How does Santa deliver so many presents in a single night? The answer's revealed in this computer-animated fantasy from Aardman that gives an imaginative and hugely amusing twist to the magic of Christmas.

Christopher Robin (PG)

Based on the characters created by author A.A. Milne, this is a warm, funny and charming story about growing up, family and the joy of childhood, as a grown up Christopher Robin, after being visited by his old friend Winnie the Pooh, ends up on a nostalgic adventure in the Hundred Acre Wood.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe (PG)

This classic family adventure tale of four World War Two refugees finding a gateway to a fantasy world in the back of their old wardrobe brings the magic, myths and sheer excitement of CS Lewis' story to life.

Edward Scissorhands (PG)

An unfinished humanoid created by an old inventor attempts to fit in within his new suburban surroundings in Tim Burton's classic fable about empathy, compassion, and outsiders.

Frozen (PG)

Inspired by the 19th century fairy tale The Snow Queen by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, Frozen is a musical adventure that puts an inventive twist on the fairy tale tradition while carrying the original tale's message of the power of love over evil.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (PG)

Harry Potter attends Hogwarts school for the first time as rumours surface proclaiming the return of the darkest wizard of them all, Lord Voldemort.

Ice Age (U)

A grumpy mammoth, a sarcastic sabre-toothed tiger and a talkative sloth team up to return a baby back to its father during an ice age on Earth in this well-loved animation that's full of slapstick comedy, while also teaching lessons about friendship and ethics.

The Man Who Invented Christmas (PG)

This warm family drama recounts the story of how Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol, establishing many of the holiday traditions we know today in the process. Entertaining and educational, the film opens up the creative process, highlights issues around social inequality, and captures something of the life of one of our greatest authors.

Night at the Museum (PG)

A night watchman at a huge natural history museum discovers that the exhibits spring to life when it gets dark in this adventurous look at the importance of museums and history, as well as the bonds we share with our family.

See How They Run (12)

In the West End of the 1950s, a murder is committed on the set of a hit play, prompting the arrival of a weary detective and a rookie police officer. With the glamourous world of British theatre providing a sordid backdrop full of charismatic and eccentric characters, this comedic murder mystery is an entertaining portal into a bygone era with an emphasis on the history of the London theatre scene.

BFI Archive Shorts

Christmas is Coming!

This selection of special archive shorts celebrates the joys of Christmas. From early cut-out animation to the first filmed version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, these shorts are a perfect way to start the festive season in the classroom. The films are also a great introduction to early filmmaking, with silent shorts and some of the first cinematic storytelling techniques included here.

How Do I Get Started?

To access Into Film+, all you'll need is an Into Film Account - it's completely free, and only takes a moment to set up. Into Film+ is free to use for all UK state schools that hold a valid Public Video Screening (PVS) Licence from Filmbankmedia.

Filmbankmedia PVS Licences are paid for on behalf of schools by all local authorities in England and by some local authorities in both Wales and Scotland. Into Film NI cover the license cost for some schools in Northern Ireland. For further information on licensing in your locality please see our FAQs.

If you're a state school in England that's funded by the Department for Education, you will automatically have access to Into Film+ Premium, which offers an extended catalogue of 500+ titles. Find out more about Into Film+ Premium in our FAQs.

If you don't have a PVS Licence, or aren't already covered, then a licence can easily be obtained from Filmbankmedia.

* Screenings for an entertainment or extra-curricular purpose require a PVS (Public Video Screening) Licence from Filmbankmedia. State-funded schools in England are covered by the PVS Licence.

The core Into Film programme is free for UK state schools, colleges and other youth settings, thanks to support from the BFI, awarding National Lottery good cause funding, and through other key funders including Cinema First and Northern Ireland Screen.