When it comes to finding French films or TV shows for kids to watch, the number of programs available on streaming platforms in the US can be overwhelming. That's why, each month, CinéSchool program manager and all-around film expert Nathalie Charles puts together a list of the top French content for kids and teens that is available online. While some films or series are pure entertainment, others are designed to share useful educational concepts, and more still are great for the whole family to enjoy! So, what's on this month?
To celebrate the holidays, IFcinéma à la carte is offering a selection of French short and feature films to watch for free from December 1 to 31!
En sortant de l’école : Claude Roy – 6 shorts from the serie: Le bestiaire incertain, L'oiseau futé, Etourdis étourneaux, L'enfant qui a la tête en l'air, L'escargot Capitaine au long cours, and La clé des champs (recommended for ages 6+)
Good Luck Algeria by Farid Bentoumi (recommended for ages 14+)
Les Invisibles by Louis Julien Petit (recommended for ages 16+)
A Town Called Panic: The Christmas Log (Panique au village : La bûche de Noël)
By Stéphane Aubier and Vincent Patar, 2013, 26 min., Belgium-France, recommended for ages 10+
The end-of-year celebrations are coming. Christmas: the tree, the dinner, the presents. Indian and Cowboy are expecting their presents eagerly. Overexcited by the organization of the celebration, they fight and destroy the Yule Log on which Horse was putting the last touch. Horse is livid and cancels the gifts from Santa Claus. How will they win back the favors of Horse and The Old Bearded Man? How will they retrieve their gifts ? For Indian and Cowboy, this is just the beginning of a long, very long Christmas Eve.
Available on Amazon Prime | Vudu | GooglePlay | Microsoft | YouTube | AppleTV
Christmas & Co (Santa & Cie)
By Alain Chabat, 2017, 1h39, France-Belgium, PG, recommended for ages 12+
Santa's 92,000 elves all fall ill and collapse... simultaneously, on Christmas Eve! Who will make the toys for all the kids all around the world? He has no choice! Santa and his reindeer must go to Earth in search of a cure. But once he gets there, Mr. Claus will need some help to save the magic of Christmas...
Available on Vudu | Amazon Video | YouTube | GooglePlay | AppleTV
Noël Noël
By Nicola Lemay, 2003, 22 min., Canada, recommended for ages 6+
Noel Noël, a misguided billionaire, is in love with Beatrice, a bespectacled fairy. But thanks to little Zoey, her dog Snooze, and a blue-eyed reindeer, his eyes are finally opened. Enlivened by a humorous and rhymed narration spoken by Leslie Nielsen, Noel Noël is an animated fantasy about Christmas reminding us that happiness comes when the heart is allowed to speak.
Available on ONF website (French version) | Amazon Video (English version)
Santa's Apprentice (L'apprenti Père Noël)
By Luc Vinciguerra, 2010, 1h11, Australia-France-Ireland, PG, recommended for ages 6+
Santa doesn't want to retire, but rules are rules and he must train someone to replace him. The lucky winner, to be chosen from among millions of children, must be named Nicholas, be an orphan, and have a pure heart.
Available on Kanopy | Amazon Prime | YouTube | GooglePlay | AppleTV | Vudu | Microsoft | Redbox
If you like this film, you should like also the sequel: The Magic Snowflake (L'Apprenti Père Noël et le flocon magique)
By Luc Vinciguerra, 2013, 1h25, France, recommended for ages 6+
Available on Amazon Prime | YouTube | GooglePlay | AppleTV | Redbox | Vudu | Microsoft
Santa Claus (Le Père Noël)
By Alexandre Coffre, 2014, 1h20, France-Belgium, recommended for ages 14+
Santa doesn't want to retire, but rules are rules and he must train someone to replace him. The lucky winner, to be chosen from among millions of children, must be named Nicholas, be an orphan, and have a pure heart.
Available on Vudu | Amazon Prime | YouTube | GooglePlay | AppleTV | Microsoft
The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales (Le grand méchant renard et autres contes...)
By Benjamin Renner & Patrick Imbert, 2017, 1h19, France-Belgium, PG / Recommended for ages 5+
The countryside isn't always as calm and peaceful as it's made out to be, and the animals on this farm are particularly agitated: a fox who mothers a family of chicks, a rabbit who plays the stork, and a duck who wants to be Santa Claus.
Available on AppleTV | Microsoft | Vudu | GooglePlay | YouTube | Amazon Prime
A Christmas Special - Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir (Pire Noël - Miraculous : Les aventures de Ladybug et de Chat Noir)
Animated TV Series, 2016, 21 min., recommended for ages 7+
Parisian teen Marinette transforms herself into superhero Ladybug to find her lonely secret crush Adrien when he runs away from home at Christmas.
Available on Netflix (#tip: be sure to click on "Audio & Subtitles" and select audio in French!)
