Best Family Christmas Movies Made Since 2000

We love the nostalgia that comes along with watching our old favorite Christmas Specials, like 'Charlie Brown's Christmas," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "It's a Wonderful Life," and the wonderful old, classical version of "Miracle on 34^th Street."

But time, technology, and creative minds have given us a whole new generation of Christmas movies that easily supplant the classics with which we grew up.

The following ten movies have become iconic Christmas movies since the turn of the century (2000) and will last for years to come, long after we have become but ghosts of Christmas past.

Best Family Christmas Movies - Disney's "A Christmas Carol" (2010)
Disney's 'A Christmas Carol' is undoubtedly the most delightful re-telling of Dickens classic Christmas story. The movie features Jim Carey as Scrooge's voice over and he delivers an enchanting characterization. Released in the theaters in 2D and 3D, the movie is filled not only with wondrous caricatures but fantastic special effects. If you are looking for a movie to get your family in the holiday spirit this one will do the trick (Walmart, $13.00).

Best Family Christmas Movies - Disney's "The Search for Santa Paws" (2011)
Another deliciously warm Disney Christmas movie is the new release on Blu-ray and DVD of "The Search for Santa Paws." In a world that is increasingly losing Christmas cheer Santa and his best friend Paws, an adorable puppy, set out to fill children's hearts with the joy of the holiday season. Unfortunately, Santa gets lost along the way and its up to Paws and a few of his friends to find Santa and return him to the North Pole in time for Christmas (Target, $19.99).

Best Family Christmas Movies - "The Santa Claus 2" (2002)
We wouldn't enjoy "The Santa Claus 2" as one of the best, family Christmas movies of the decade had it not been for the original "The Santa Claus." Be that as it may, the original was so endearing and enchanting as to have produced "The Santa Claus 2," in which Santa must find a wife, and "The Santa Claus 3: The Escape Claus," in which Santa battles a nefarious Christmas villain, Jack Frost (Amazon, $13.99).

Best Family Christmas Movies - "The Polar Express" (2004)
All aboard the magical train headed to the North Pole. Even a little boy with doubts about the authenticity of Santa can join the ride, enjoy the fun, find Santa and arrive home again safely. Your family can board "The Polar Express" and enjoy the magic, too (Walmart, $8.96).

Best Family Christmas Movies - "Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving" (2009)
Enjoy the story of Christmas traditions and memories as portrayed through the adorable Veggie Tales gang. The story of St. Nicholas is presented in a delightful and humorous movie starring your favorite cast of animated veggies (Amazon.com, $9.49).

Best Family Christmas Movies - "Fred Claus" (2007)
Santa Claus has pity on his younger brother, Fred Claus and allows him a little too much free reign in the North Pole's workshops. It's all in good fun, and Fred's heart is soon found to be not so much unlike Santa's when Christmas deadlines are on the line. This is a fun filled Christmas movie that you can watch again and again with your family (Walmart, $10.00).

Best Family Christmas Movies - "The Year without Santa Claus" (2006)
"The Year without Santa Claus" is a heart touching remake of an old Christmas classic. Santa decides he has had enough of the wishes, naughty and nice list, and the whole Christmas shebang. He simply decides he will take a year off, but this will not be the year that Santa Claus misses Christmas if one young man can help make a difference (Amazon.com, $6.49).

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