Christmas is when we all get to spend more time with the family. While that can mean cuddling up on the sofa in front of the fire or sitting around a table eating great food, it can also mean long journeys in the car for shopping trips or visiting relatives.

The good news is that it’s never been easier to keep your kids entertained as you travel. All you need these days is a tablet and a few films downloaded. No more i-spy! Here are some Christmas films you can use to keep your little passengers entertained on those long festive road trips. And we’ve included the running time so you can choose the option that fits your journey time.

The Muppet Christmas Carol

Running time: 82 minutes

You can’t have Christmas without a version of Charles Dickens’s iconic story about Ebeneezer Scrooge learning to be a good person thanks to the intervention of three ghosts. There are lots of different versions to choose from, but the best one for kids has to be The Muppet Christmas Carol.

Starring all your favourite muppets, Michael Caine takes on the role of Scrooge and plays it completely straight. You could take his performance and put it in a non-muppet version and it would still be great. But that would mean no Kermit, Gonzo or Rizzo, so we say stick with our puppet friends for this one!

How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Running time: 105 minutes

An iconic story in the US, The Grinch tells the tale of a mean-spirited green fellow who decides to steal all the Christmas presents from the noisy nearby town. Of course, he is convinced of the error of his ways by the kindness of a little girl and his heart grows two sizes.

There is a recent animated version with Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead, but we think Jim Carrey’s version is the superior choice. A funny film that your little ones might not be aware of.

Arthur Christmas

Running time: 97 minutes

Aardman Animations are the team behind the Wallace & Gromit and Shaun The Sheep films and series, so they know their storytelling stuff. But they also released a Christmas film that tends to go under the radar.

Arthur Christmas tells the story of Santa Claus’s son, who learns that his father has forgotten to deliver a present and so sets out on an adventure to make the delivery himself. It’s a really fun film with great action and a surprisingly emotional story. Worth a watch yourself and not just for the kids!

Home Alone

Running time: 103 minutes

An absolute Christmas classic, Home Alone is one of the funniest films ever made, so will have your children giggling along. Lets just hope they don’t get any ideas from some of the traps in the film!

The story of Kevin McCallister, an iconic Macauley Culkin, who accidentally gets left behind when his family fly to Paris for a Christmas holiday. When burglars plot to steal from his home, Kevin puts into action a plan to stop them.

Frozen

Running time: 102 minutes

Technically not exclusively a Christmas film, Frozen still fits the bill thanks to its wintry setting and the way kids go absolutely crazy for it.

The story of two sisters, Anna and her ice magic-wielding sister Elsa, it’s a heart-warming tale of sisterhood with possibly the catchiest song ever written. You will be singing along, especially after the 3rd or 30th rewatch!