15 Best Animated Christmas Movies That You Should Watching Update 03/2024

Best Animated Christmas Movies

We all have our favorite holiday classics, but these 15 animated films are a must-see over the holidays.

It’s hard to beat curling up on the couch with a cup of hot cocoa and a DVD of your favorite Christmas movie during the craziness of the season.

With so many animated options, it can be difficult for some people to make a decision.

There are plenty of animated films and specials to choose from, from Rudolph to Charlie Brown. As a result, how do we decide which shows to binge-watch? If you’re looking for a good animated movie to watch this Christmas season, we’ve compiled a list of 15.

There will always be fun and satisfaction to be had in watching Christmas cartoons throughout the season of mistletoe. The only issue is that it’s difficult to narrow the field down from all of the excellent options. There are countless holiday movies and specials to pick from, including classics like Rudolph and Santa Claus as well as more recent hits like The Grinch and Polar Express. IMDb, on the other hand, is still here to assist us sort through the dross and find the best and brightest. Whether it’s old standbys or fresh takes on old favorites, variety is key in today’s world.

1. Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year (6.8)

Winnie the Pooh A Very Merry Pooh Year

Even if the Christmas story of Winnie the Pooh doesn’t make the cut, it would be a lie to argue that spending the holidays with the Hundred Acre Folk isn’t exhilarating. If you’ve seenWinnie the Pooh and Christmas Too, you’ll recognize a lot of the additional stuff in this special, but it’s still a lot of fun for everyone.

Is there anyone who can say that old willy-nilly bear doesn’t make them laugh? It’s a tradition for many Disney fans to watch him put on a Santa outfit and attach a sleigh to Piglet as he attempts to fulfill his friend’s Christmas dreams. So why not indulge in a little nostalgia?

2. Arthur Christmas (7.1)

A bizarre blend of science fiction and the conventional night before Christmas narrative is found in Arthur Christmas. When it comes to Christmas, there’s more than one St. Nicholas, but rather than just one, there’s a whole family. A SWAT team is now required for the delivery of presents, which was formerly a magical process. Until one youngster is mistakenly left out of the equation.

With the help of Grandsanta and a wacky elf, Santa’s young successor is able to keep Christmas alive and restore the trust in Santa to a small girl who had lost faith in him. That would be a fantastic show to watch.

3. Frosty the Snowman (7.3)

Frosty the Snowman

Frosty has a broomstick in his hand, a corncob pipe, a button nose, and coal eyes. He begins our list with a smile on his face. We can always count on this enormous lug to appear on our TVs during the winter months.

Rankin/Bass There are a lot of Christmas specials on our list, but we must say that our favorite is Frosty the Snowman. In the spirit of the holiday season, his smile and manner are so festive and cheerful that he could even challenge Santa Claus.

4. Father Christmas (7.5)

As this Santa is possibly one of the more human Santas in an animated setting, he is both gentle and sharp-witted. Before returning to work before Christmas, Raymond Briggs’ animated picture depicts Santa Claus having a vacation and flying around the world in his camper.

Watching Santa travel the world and indulge in his favorite pastimes, such as gambling and dancing with showgirls in Las Vegas, is hilarious. The man has mastered the art of keeping his spirits up all year long.

5. Tokyo Godfathers (7.8)

If you’re looking for a truly heartfelt animation experience this holiday season, go no further than this stunning work of Japanese art. All three of these characters have to go across the city of Tokyo in the middle of the night on Christmas Eve to find the child’s parents and bring him or her home.

Iconic works such as A Christmas Carol, It’s a Wonderful Life, and even the Nativity have been likened to this film’s emotive storytelling. It’s one of those animated Christmas tales that can only be fully appreciated by watching it for yourself.

 6. A Christmas Carol (7.6)

A Christmas Carol

If you can only watch one animated rendition of Charles Dickens’s great work this Christmas, make sure it’s the 1971 version by Chuck Jones, the legendary animator. We could go on and on about all the reasons why this version is the best, but we’ll just tell you the most important ones.

Don’t be fooled by the small length; this is one of the most accurate and comprehensive renditions of the source material we’ve ever seen. It excellently encapsulates the novel’s light and sad aspects, and was undoubtedly deserving of the Oscar it earned..

7. The Year Without a Santa Claus (7.8)

One of Rankin/Bass’ best Christmas shows is on the list for your viewing pleasure. The Year Without a Santa Claus is a must-see for anybody who like comedy, heart, and great tunes. Despite the dismal title, it will raise your spirits.

Santa Claus has taken a vacation, and it’s up to Ms. Claus and a pair of elves to fill in for him in the spirit of Christmas. Snow Miser and Heat Miser’s best stop-motion musical sequence makes this film an immediate classic.

8. The Small One (7.8)

If you haven’t seen this neglected treasure from Disney and Don Bluth, you’re missing out. If you’re in the need for some holiday cheer, you’ll want to check out this animated version of the biblical account of the Good Samaritan.

While selling his beloved donkey, a young boy and his pet must travel to Nazareth’s market to locate Small One a new home. They get into some fights, but the lovely finish makes it all worth it in the end.

9. The Nightmare Before Christmas (8.0)

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Is there any way we can put together an animated Christmas movie list without include Disney’s most beloved cult classic? You’re in for a wild ride when two competing holidays clash. Something like this stop-motion masterpiece could only be created by a madman like Tim Burton, which is a good thing.

Christmas isn’t complete without seeing Jack Skellington ride in a coffin-sleigh across the night sky with his own unique brand of festive glee. However, despite the fact that it may not be the most popular feature, it’s still a good alternative animated Christmas story

10. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (8.1)

With this stop-motion special, we’ve entered a whole new realm. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen are all familiar names. Every year, we remember Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and his dazzling (and occasionally beeping) nose.

The special has received a lot of attention and is one of our most popular selections. Many people have grown to know and love characters like Rudolph, Hermie, Sam the Snowman, and Yukon Cornelius. It’s possible that when you think of a typical Christmas special, this one comes to mind.

 11. Mickey’s Christmas Carol (8.1)

Mickey's Christmas Carol

Everyone’s first introduction to Charles Dickens’ story is likely to come from this one. Having Mickey Mouse, Scrooge McDuck, and the rest of their pals in the lead roles, we think it’s a terrific adaption. In addition to being kid-friendly, it’s also entertaining and slightly eerie. In our opinion, it’s one of the best Christmas specials ever made.

For Walt Disney Animation, this short film was a return to form, bringing in some big-name actors and bringing Mickey Mouse back to the big screen in the process. This is an excellent pick for fans of Disney, Dickens, or anyone looking for a fun Christmas cartoon.

12. The Snowman (8.2)

Even though it has no spoken dialogue, this underappreciated gem reveals how much an animated film can accomplish without it. The Snowman, a brilliant short film by Raymond Briggs, is ideal for people who have already seen Frosty the Snowman over and over again. It’s a kaleidoscope of color, warmth, and charm.

The story revolves around a young child who creates a snowman that suddenly comes to life on a cold winter’s day. They have a few laughs at home before flying off to a spectacular snowman party with Santa Claus as a special guest. This great fantasy is without a doubt one of our top picks, and we heartily suggest it.

13. Klaus (8.2)

Klaus

As a retelling of Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town, Klausmight be called a semi-realism.

It is, after all, a narrative about a loving toymaker who delivers gifts to the melancholy children of a frigid northern community. If nothing else, it is one of the more original approaches to the Santa Claus mythos in recent memory.

It’s also worth noting that Klaus is one of the strongest and most stoic Santas ever made. He looks more like a character from a D&D campaign than a Christmas character. You can’t doubt his sincerity after hearing his trademark chuckle, though.

14. A Charlie Brown Christmas (8.3)

Many of us have seen this Christmas heavyweight at some point or another. Since its premiere in 1965, it has been broadcast nearly every year and has been embedded in our holiday lore. Because it’s so popular, it’s no surprise that it’s been ridiculed, applauded, and retold year after year.

Christmas wouldn’t be complete without Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts crew. It’s one of the few popular Christmas specials that explicitly addresses the significance of the season. With a jazzy music, you’ve got a winning combination.

15. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (8.3)

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

This special airs every year at this time of year. How can you go wrong with Dr. Seuss and the Grinch? Charmingly animated with style and flair. This time-honored Christmas favorite never goes out of style. We squeal with ecstasy as it unfolds before our eyes. IMDb has it at the top of our list.

This is a treasure, regardless of the rhyme schemes.

It’s a joy to see How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Viewers can enjoy the spirit of the season. If you decide to see this movie, you’ll be as content as Whoville. The story of the Grinch will help keep things cheery and festive.