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

Imagine this: you’re at a family gathering this holiday season. Everyone is settled in front of the TV, plates still half-full from dinner. Someone suddenly hands you the remote and says, “Why don’t you show us one of those anime shows you watch?” 

You panic. Most of your watch history is filled with power fantasies, heavy fan service, or stories that get a little too brutal, a little too fast. This is not the moment to explain complex lore, questionable scenes, or why it “gets good after 12 episodes.”

Of course, anime is more than just exaggerated action scenes and edgy themes. There are plenty of heartfelt, funny, and emotionally rich shows that are perfect for all ages. To save you time from scrolling through your MyAnimeList, here is our top 10 list of anime shows you can watch with your family this Christmas season.

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

If you are babysitting your nephews and want to watch something wholesome and familiar, watch Little Witch Academia. You can say it has a bit of Harry Potter feel to it, just in anime form. It follows Akko, a girl with no magical background, as she enrolls in a magic academy and chases her dreams through sheer determination. Despite being an anime, it really feels like a Saturday-morning cartoon with plenty of eye candy to keep young viewers hooked. Overall, its optimism and charm make it a perfect feel-good anime series to enjoy watching with the whole family during Christmas.

Arguably, Astro Boy is the safest anime you can watch with your family. It’s a classic that almost everyone is familiar with. It’s a story about a robot boy created to replace a grieving scientist’s son. It explores themes of humanity, ethics, and overreliance on technology. Come to think of it, it’s starting to sound like modern day with all the reliance on generative AI for automation and such. That said, the show is approachable for kids while offering deeper philosophical questions for adults. There’s a recent movie from 2009, or you can watch the 2003 version on Apple TV.

If your mom and aunts love cooking, they will probably have a field day with  Campfire Cooking in Another World With My Absurd Skill. This is one of the most relaxing and wholesome isekai anime out there. The show follows Mokouda, who got sent to another world with an absurd skill (I said the thing). He can use the “Online Supermarket” skill that lets him purchase any modern ingredient. And the best part, it’s free same-day shipping. Every episode features him exploring the new world he lives in, cooking delicious meals along the way. 

The cooking segments actually explain how to prepare each dish using modern ingredients, with the only exception being the mythical creature meat he uses. Of course, this can easily be substituted with real-world meats. Ingredients such as MSG, sauces, and spices are all named after real-world products. If you’re watching this with someone who loves cooking, make sure to give them a pen and paper to write stuff down.

Sakamoto Days is about a retired legendary hitman who now runs a family-owned convenience store. However, living in peace was not an option, as othe has a bounty on his head. This means that other active assassins are out to get him. Most of the violence is stylized and comedic rather than graphic. On top of the action scenes, the anime sprinkles in a bit of domestic life, loyalty, and humor. It’s a great pick for families who want something energetic without losing its heart.

Wolf Children is a personal favorite of mine. It’s a beautifully told story about motherhood, growing up, and finding where you belong. The movie follows a young woman raising two children who can transform into wolves. Due to the nature of her children, they struggle to live a normal life. Despite that, it never discouraged her. The film is gentle, emotional, and completely appropriate for family viewing. The themes resonate differently depending on your age. It’s a touching reminder of how much sacrifice parents make for their family. On top of that, it’s also a lesson on learning to accept who you are. 

Another emotional anime you can watch with your family this Christmas season is Grave of the Fireflies. It tells a story of two orphaned siblings trying to survive day by day during World War II. It discusses very heavy topics. It’s best suited for older children and adults. This is because it opens conversations about family, sacrifice, and the cost of war. Watching it together with your family can be a powerful shared experience that reminds viewers of the value of family and compassion. If you have a relative who is a war veteran, this film may resonate with them on a deeper level.

Out of all the anime recommendations on the list, Tokyo Godfathers is the only one that is set during Christmas. The movie follows three homeless people who found an abandoned baby on Christmas Eve. They then go on an adventure, searching for the child’s parents. 

It does address mature topics. However, it delivers it so well through humor and a bit of compassion. It doesn’t use shock value to surprise its viewers. Its Christmas setting and emotional payoff make it a surprisingly uplifting film to watch together.

Where to watch: Netflix

Studio Ghibli films like My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, and Howl’s Moving Castle are timeless classics that appeal to all ages. The story follows two sisters who are still adjusting to their new home. They soon discover these cute forest spirits that they befriend. It’s just a feel-good anime overall. The lack of conflict, soft pacing, and whimsical imagery make it perfect for young viewers. Honestly, you could swap in almost any Ghibli movie here. All of them consistently deliver warmth, wonder, and heartfelt storytelling, ideal for family gatherings.

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

Where to watch: Series - Netflix | Movie - Netflix

This one is another one of my personal favourites. Violet Evergarden is a visually stunning anime that focuses on emotions, healing, and human connection. The story follows Violet, a woman who grew up only knowing how to kill and follow orders. With the war finally over, she now has a new job, writing letters for other people. It’s not just about writing letters; she now needs to learn to understand the feelings of others and pour them through the letter she is writing. As someone who grew up to be a killing machine, she struggles.

While it does touch on heavy themes like loss and trauma, it does so with grace and sensitivity. This makes it suitable for older kids and adults watching together. The series encourages empathy, communication, and love, messages that resonate deeply during the holidays.

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

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

Spy x Family is one of the easiest anime to recommend for watching with your family this Christmas. This is thanks to its perfect balance of comedy, heart, and light action. The story follows a not-so-normal family. The father, Loyd Forger, is a spy who made a fake family for a mission. However, he unwillingly adopts a child, Anya, with telepathic powers. To top it off, he also married a covert assassin, Yor, who is feared throughout the underground world. 

The real charm lies in how they slowly become a genuine family. Loyd studies hard to understand what it means to be a father. Anya, knowing both of her parent's secret identities, secretly tries to help his adoptive father complete his mission, while proclaiming his love for peanuts. Meanwhile, Yor struggles to understand what it means to be a wife.

The humor is wholesome and situational, with very little that feels inappropriate for younger viewers. At its core, Spy x Family is about what it really means to be a family. You can watch the Spy x Family: Code White movie, as it is set in the winter season. It is basically a Christmas anime movie. Otherwise, there are around 50 episodes in the anime series, as Season 3 is ongoing at the time of writing.

Seasons/Episodes: 2 Seasons | 34 Episodes in total

Where to watch: Apply TV

No family-friendly anime list would be complete without acknowledging the internet’s favorite joke entry: Cory in the House. While it’s obviously not an anime in the traditional sense, the long-running meme has turned this Disney Channel sitcom into a legendary “anime” recommendation. 

Jokes aside, Cory in the House is genuinely safe for family viewing, packed with light humor, goofy situations, and zero awkward moments. If you want a laugh both on and off the screen, and to flex your internet culture knowledge, this “anime” might just be the safest pick of all.