Top 10 anime you can watch with your family this Christmas season

As a huge anime fan, I’m so excited to share my top 10 recommendations for series and movies the whole family can enjoy this Christmas and during the holidays! I’ve put together a list of shows that are perfect for cozy nights in and creating some awesome memories.

Okay, picture this: it’s the holidays, and I’m at a family get-together. Everyone’s relaxing after dinner, still got food on their plates, and then someone turns to me and says, “Hey, why don’t you put on one of those anime shows you’re always talking about?” It’s a bit nerve-wracking, honestly!

You’re suddenly worried. A quick look at your watch history reveals a lot of over-the-top action, content geared towards fans, and stories that quickly become intense. Now is definitely not the time to try and explain complicated backstories, confusing scenes, or why a show only becomes enjoyable much later on.

Anime offers much more than just fast-paced action and dark storylines. Many shows are genuinely touching, hilarious, and emotionally engaging, making them suitable for viewers of all ages. To help you find something great to watch this Christmas, we’ve put together a list of our top 10 family-friendly anime picks.

Disclaimer: This list is based on the writer’s personal opinions and viewing experiences.

Top 10 family-friendly anime shows to watch this Christmas season

10. Little Witch Academia

Seasons/Episodes: 2 Seasons | 25 Episodes
Where to watch: Netflix

Looking for a fun, family-friendly show to watch, maybe while babysitting? Try Little Witch Academia! It’s similar in feel to Harry Potter, but as an anime. The story follows Akko, a regular girl who enrolls in a magic school and works hard to achieve her dreams. Even though it’s anime, it has the bright, cheerful vibe of a classic Saturday morning cartoon, and it’s visually engaging for kids. With its positive message and lovable characters, it’s a great feel-good series to enjoy together, especially around the holidays.

9. Astro Boy

Film: 2009 Movie | Series: 50 Episodes (2003 version)
Where to watch: Movie – Netflix | Series – Apply TV

Astro Boy is a great anime choice for family viewing – it’s a well-known classic! The story centers around a robot boy built as a replacement for a scientist’s deceased son, and it thoughtfully examines what it means to be human, the importance of ethics, and the potential downsides of becoming too dependent on technology. It’s surprisingly relevant today, considering how much we rely on things like AI and automation. The show is simple enough for kids to enjoy, but also has complex ideas that adults can appreciate. You can find a movie from 2009, or the 2003 series on Apple TV.

8. Campfire Cooking in Another World With My Absurd Skill

Season/Episodes: 2 Seasons | 24 Episodes in total
Where to watch: Netflix

If your mom or aunts enjoy cooking shows, they’ll likely love Campfire Cooking in Another World With My Absurd Skill. It’s a really cozy and heartwarming anime about a guy named Mokouda who gets transported to a new world with a unique ability: he can order any ingredient he needs from an ‘Online Supermarket’ with free, same-day delivery! Each episode follows Mokouda as he explores this new world and cooks amazing food.

The show’s cooking portions clearly demonstrate how to make each recipe using ingredients you can find in stores today, except for one fantastical element – the meat from mythical creatures. But don’t worry, you can easily swap that out for regular meat! The show even uses real brand names for things like MSG, sauces, and spices. If you’re watching with a cooking enthusiast, have them grab a pen and paper – they’ll want to take notes!

7. Sakamoto Days

Season/Episodes: 1 Season (split into two parts) | 22 Episodes in total
Where to watch: Netflix

Okay, so I just finished watching Sakamoto Days, and it’s awesome! It’s about this super skilled, retired hitman who’s trying to live a normal life running a convenience store. But get this – someone put a bounty on his head, so he’s still getting attacked by other assassins! The action is really over-the-top and funny, not super gory or anything. It’s not just fighting though; it’s got a lot of heart, showing his everyday life, the importance of loyalty, and tons of humor. Honestly, it’s a really fun watch, and I think even families could enjoy it – it’s energetic but still has a good message.

6. Wolf Children

Where to watch: Apple TV

I absolutely love Wolf Children! It’s such a beautiful story about a mom raising two kids who can turn into wolves, and it really gets you thinking about what it means to grow up and find your place in the world. It’s not always easy for them, being different, but their mom is incredibly supportive. What I really appreciate is how gentle and emotional the movie is – it’s perfect for watching with the whole family. It hits you in different ways depending on how old you are, but it always reminds me of all the sacrifices parents make. Plus, it’s a really heartwarming story about accepting yourself for who you are.

5. Grave of the Fireflies

Where to watch: Netflix

For a moving family movie this Christmas, consider Grave of the Fireflies. It’s a touching story about two siblings struggling to survive as orphans during World War II. Be aware that it deals with difficult and serious themes, making it more appropriate for older children and adults. It can spark important discussions about family, the sacrifices people make, and the realities of war. Watching it together can be a meaningful experience, reminding everyone about the importance of family and kindness. It may be especially impactful for family members who have served in the military.

4. Tokyo Godfathers

Where to watch: Apple TV

Unlike the other anime on this list, Tokyo Godfathers takes place during Christmas. The story centers around three people experiencing homelessness who discover an abandoned baby on Christmas Eve, and their journey to find the child’s family.

The film tackles serious themes, but does so with a clever use of humor and genuine heart. It avoids relying on shock to grab attention. Despite dealing with mature subjects, the Christmas setting and heartwarming conclusion make it a surprisingly feel-good movie for families to enjoy together.

3. My Neighbor Totoro (Literally any Studio Ghibli movie)

Where to watch: Netflix

Films from Studio Ghibli, such as My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, and Howl’s Moving Castle, are beloved by people of all ages. Many of these stories, like My Neighbor Totoro, center around children adapting to a new life, often discovering magical creatures and forming heartwarming friendships. These films are generally uplifting and gentle, with a calm pace and beautiful animation that makes them especially good for younger audiences. In fact, most Ghibli movies share these qualities – they consistently offer a sense of warmth, magic, and genuine emotion, making them perfect for enjoying with the whole family.

2. Violet Evergarden

Season/Episodes: 1 Season | 13 Episodes in total | 1 Movie

Where to watch: Series – Netflix | Movie – Netflix

Violet Evergarden is a beautifully animated anime that explores themes of emotion, recovery, and what it means to connect with others. The story centers on Violet, a young woman who was raised solely as a soldier. After the war ends, she begins a new career as a letter writer. However, it’s more than just putting words on paper—Violet must learn to understand and convey the feelings of those who request her services. Having spent her life as a weapon, this proves to be a difficult challenge.

Despite dealing with difficult topics like loss and past trauma, the series handles them with care and understanding. This makes it a good choice for older children and adults to enjoy together, especially around the holidays. It promotes important values like kindness, open communication, and love, which feel particularly meaningful at this time of year.

1. Spy x Family (Anime series and movie)

Seasons/Episodes: 3 Seasons | around 50 Episodes (Season 3 is ongoing) | 1 Movie

Where to Watch: Anime Series – Netflix | Movie – Netflix

Looking for a fun anime to watch with the family this Christmas? Spy x Family is a great choice! It’s a heartwarming and funny show with just the right amount of action. The story centers around a unique family: the father, Loyd, is a spy who creates a fake family to help with his mission. He unexpectedly adopts Anya, a child who can read minds, and marries Yor, a skilled assassin secretly known throughout the criminal underworld.

The heart of the story is how this unlikely group gradually becomes a real family. Loyd is determined to learn how to be a good father, and Anya, aware of both her parents’ hidden lives, quietly assists her adoptive father with his goals – all while maintaining her enthusiastic love for peanuts. At the same time, Yor is figuring out what it means to be a wife.

Honestly, Spy x Family is just a really feel-good show – the humor is super clean and comes from the situations the characters get into, so it’s something even my little sibling could enjoy. But beyond the laughs, it’s a surprisingly touching story about what family actually means. If you’re looking for a cozy winter watch, check out the ‘Code White’ movie – it’s basically a Christmas anime! Otherwise, there are about 50 episodes of the main series out now, and Season 3 is still being released, so there’s plenty to watch!

Special Mention: Cory in the House (Yes, that one)

Seasons/Episodes: 2 Seasons | 34 Episodes in total

Where to watch: Apply TV

Okay, so any list of anime good for the whole family has to mention “Cory in the House.” It’s a running joke online, but honestly, it’s become this legendary recommendation as an “anime” – even though it’s really a Disney Channel show! It’s just one of those things that’s become a meme and stuck around, and as a fan, I have to admit it’s kind of funny.

Putting the silliness aside, Cory in the House is a genuinely good choice for family entertainment. It’s full of harmless humor, funny situations, and doesn’t have any embarrassing parts. If you’re looking for something to make everyone laugh and enjoy, and you’re familiar with internet trends, this show is a really safe bet.

2025-12-24 20:13