Christmas Movie Night Invitations: Ideas, Wording and a Night-Of Plan

A Christmas movie night invitation should name the movie (or how you'll pick it), the start time of the film, not just the arrival time, and what to bring: pajamas, a blanket, a snack. Say who it's for, kids or grown-ups, and when it ends. Ideas, wording, a timeline and house rules follow.

Featured TwistInvite DesignsChristmas InvitationsBrowse TwistInvite Christmas video invitation designs in the app, add the movie, start time and RSVP date, and share the link.

Use the wording as the message you send with your invitation link, or as the script for your 15-second video message. If you'd rather start from a finished design, browse our Christmas party invitations.

What to Put on a Movie Night Invitation

• The movie, or the shortlist guests vote on.
• Two times: when to arrive and when the movie starts.
• End time, especially with kids or a double feature.
• Dress code: pajamas, sweaters, slippers.
• What to bring: a blanket, a pillow, a snack for the table.
• Food: dinner, a popcorn bar or just snacks.
• RSVP date, so you know how many seats and cushions you need.

Six Christmas Movie Night Ideas

1. Family movie night

Best for: kids ages 4 to 10 and their parents. One movie, starting by 6 p.m., with a cocoa bar and an end time before bedtime. Picks: The Polar Express (2004), Arthur Christmas (2011), Klaus (2019). Check the rating yourself for younger children.

2. Classics double feature

Best for: friends or family who love the old films. Two movies with an intermission for dinner. Picks: It's a Wonderful Life (1946) and Miracle on 34th Street (1947).

3. Holiday rom-com night

Best for: a group of friends. Wine, a cheese board and commentary encouraged. Picks: The Holiday (2006), Love Actually (2003).

4. Comedy night

Best for: mixed groups and teens. Picks: Elf (2003), Home Alone (1990), A Christmas Story (1983).

5. Pajama movie sleepover

Best for: kids ages 7 to 12. Sleeping bags in front of the screen, one movie, lights out after. Our Christmas pajama party invitations guide covers the sleepover details parents ask about.

6. December movie club

Best for: neighbors or friends who want a tradition. One movie every Friday in December (in 2026: the 4th, 11th and 18th), with a different host each week. Send one invitation per night so replies stay clear.

Quick Picks: Movies by Crowd

Family Movie Night Wording

Full version
Christmas movie night
Saturday, December 12 · Cocoa at 5:30, movie at 6 · [address]
We're watching The Polar Express. Come in pajamas and bring a blanket.
Done by 8 for bedtime. Please RSVP by December 8.

Short version
Kids' Christmas movie night Sat Dec 12, movie at 6, out by 8. Pajamas required, cocoa provided. Can you come?

All aboard for movie night!
Pajamas, popcorn and a train to the North Pole on our living room screen, Friday, December 18, at 6 p.m.

For a full kids' party with games and crafts, see kids' Christmas party invitations.

Friends' Movie Night Wording

Cozy

Blankets, cocoa and It's a Wonderful Life.
Classic Christmas movie night, Saturday, December 19
Dinner at 6:30, movie at 7:30 · [address]
Bring your coziest socks.

Double feature at ours: The Holiday, then Love Actually.
Friday, December 11, from 7 p.m. Wine, snacks and running commentary encouraged.

Funny

Keep the change, ya filthy animal.
We're watching Home Alone and eating our weight in cheese pizza.
Saturday, December 19, 8 p.m.

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is watching Elf together.
Friday, December 18, 7:30 p.m. Syrup on spaghetti optional.

Let-Guests-Vote Wording

Christmas movie night, you pick the movie.
Reply with your vote: Elf, Klaus or The Muppet Christmas Carol.
Saturday, December 12, 6:30 p.m. Winner announced at the door.

Bring your favorite Christmas movie. We'll draw one from a hat at 7.

December Movie Club Wording

Christmas Movie Club, December 2026
Every Friday at 7 p.m.
Dec 4: Klaus at the [family name]s'
Dec 11: Elf at ours
Dec 18: It's a Wonderful Life at [friend]'s
Come to one or all three. Each host will send an invite.

Backyard or Driveway Screening Wording

Movie under the stars.
Backyard screening of The Polar Express, Saturday, December 19, at 6:30 p.m.
Bring a camp chair and a warm blanket. Cocoa and popcorn provided. Rain moves it inside.

Night-of Timeline

Host Checklist

• Test the screen, sound and remote the day before, and have the movie ready to play.
• Seating for everyone: couches, floor cushions, beanbags, extra blankets.
• Snack station away from the screen so nobody walks in front of it.
• Cocoa bar: mugs, marshmallows, candy canes, whipped cream.
• Subtitles on if the room will be noisy.
• Dim lights or string lights, not total darkness, for kids.

House Rules to Mention

• "Phones down once the movie starts."
• "No spoilers, even for Home Alone."
• "Talking allowed during the classics, quiet during the kids' movie."
• "Intermission halfway for refills."
• "Pajamas are the dress code."

Say It in Your 15-Second Video Message

• "Movie night on the twelfth! Cocoa at five-thirty, movie at six. Wear your pajamas."
• "We're watching Elf. Bring a blanket and your best Buddy impression."
• "Vote when you reply: Elf, Klaus or the Muppets."

Text-Message Versions

• "Christmas movie night Sat 6 p.m. Pajamas and blankets. Details in the link."
• "Double feature Friday: The Holiday, then Love Actually. In?"
• "Movie starts at 7:30 sharp. Come at 7 for food."
• "Kids' movie night is done by 8, so bedtime's safe."
• "Which one: Elf, Klaus or the Muppets? Reply with your vote."

When to Send Movie Night Invitations

A movie night is low-key, so two weeks ahead is enough for friends, and three weeks for families during the busy weeks before school breaks. For a December movie club, send the full schedule at the end of November and an invitation for each night a week before.

Planning something spookier? Our Halloween movie night invitations use the same format.

How to Send It as a Video Invitation

1. Pick a Christmas template in the TwistInvite app, add your event details, and add your own photos, video or audio if you like, such as a still from last year's movie night.
2. Hold to record a 15-second voice message announcing the movie or the vote.
3. Share the link by text or in a group chat, with your wording as the message.
4. Track replies in the app. Guests open the invitation in their browser and answer Going, Can't make it or Maybe without downloading anything or creating an account.

The free plan includes 3 events a month, enough for a three-Friday movie club. Premium starts at $2.99 a week. Get the TwistInvite app.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a Christmas movie night invitation include?

The movie or how guests will pick it, the arrival time and the time the movie starts, an end time, what to wear or bring, what food there will be and an RSVP date.

What are good Christmas movies for a family movie night?

Popular family picks include The Polar Express (2004), Arthur Christmas (2011), Klaus (2019) and The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992). Check the age rating yourself before choosing for young children.

How long should a Christmas movie night last?

For kids, plan about two and a half hours including arrival and snacks, ending before bedtime. A grown-up double feature with dinner can run four to five hours.

How do I let guests vote on the movie?

Put a shortlist of two or three titles in the invitation message and ask guests to reply with their vote. Announce the winner a day before or at the door.

When should I send Christmas movie night invitations?

About two weeks ahead for friends and three weeks for families during the busy weeks before school breaks. For a weekly movie club, share the schedule at the end of November.

Do guests need an app to RSVP?

No. The host creates the invitation in the TwistInvite app. Guests open the link in a browser and reply Going, Can't make it or Maybe without downloading anything or creating an account.