Yahoo Finance 42 Animated Christmas Movies for a Perfect Christmas Countdown
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42 Animated Christmas Movies for a Perfect Christmas Countdown
Christmas is a holiday that comes with nostalgia baked into it. There are annual traditions, the timeless stories told year after year and plenty of stored memories about the holiday to re-live, feeling those warm feelings over again. That's probably why, when it comes time to sit down and watch a Christmas movie, we often reach for Christmas movies for kids — the ones that we remember watching when we were small.
And when it comes to family-friendly Christmas movies, they're often cartoons. When you want to experience those feelings again, either with your own families or on your own, these are the best animated Christmas movies to watch in 2022, listed in order of release from newest to oldest. Some of them are the stop-motion animated classics from Rankin and Bass, who reinterpreted everything from Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer to Santa Claus Is Coming to Town. Some of them are much newer, with animated Christmas movies on Netflix or on Disney+ that you can stream whenever you're in the mood. Most of them are funny Christmas comedies, but there are also of plenty of heartwarming moments. Gather the family around, pick one from the list and get ready to make new memories.
imdb - 2/43
Coming Soon — Scrooge: A Christmas Carol
Another year, another adaptation of A Christmas Carol. Netflix's big holiday movie of 2022 is a musical adaptation of Dickens's classic. Songs come courtesy of Leslie Bricusse, the songwriter behind "Candy Man" and "Pure Imagination" from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, among other hits.
Netfflix - 3/43
Robin Robin (2021)
This half-hour special is full of Hygge, especially when you look at the flocked, felted feel of the stop-motion animals. It's about a bird who was raised by mice and wishes to become a mouse. It even got an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Short.
Netfllix - 4/43
Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas (2021)
Shaun the Sheep fans can't get enough of these barnyard animals and all their gentle adventures. In this 30-minute special, Shaun goes on a hunt for a bigger stocking, but ends up with a huge adventure — especially when little Timmy sheep gets mistaken for a pet.
Netflix - 5/43
LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special (2020)
LEGO has its own, special brand of humor, and that's clearly on display in this Star Wars-themed holiday special. It follows Rey, Finn and Poe as they try to organize a Life Day situation. Rey gets distracted by adventure, but Finn and Poe are just in it for the delicious tip-yip.
Disney - 6/43
A Trash Truck Christmas (2020)
This one's for all the kids obsessed with trucks, cars and other vehicles. In this Christmas short, Santa Claus makes a crash landing in the junkyard on Christmas Eve, and it's up to Trash Truck to save the holidays.
Netflix - 7/43
Klaus (2019)
This Christmas movie is so charming, it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. (It lost to Toy Story 4.) It's about a reclusive toy maker who strikes up a friendship with a new postal worker.
RELATED: A Definitive List of the Best Christmas Movies of All Time
Netflix - 8/43
Spirit Riding Free: Spirit of Christmas (2019)
A surprise snowstorm means Lucky and friends might not be able to make it home for Christmas — but it's the season of miracles, after all. Will Lucky live up to her name?
Netflix - 9/43
How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming (2019)
Here in the world of Vikings, Christmas is rebranded as "Snoggletog" but the lessons learned are just as heartwarming. If that's enough dragony holiday goodness for them, there's also Rescue Riders: Huttsgalor Holiday on Netflix.
DreamWorks - 10/43
Dr. Seuss' The Grinch (2018)
For a feature-length take on Dr. Seuss' Grinch story, this movie comes from the same studio that brought us the Minions, and it stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the voice of the Mean One who has all the tender sweetness of a seasick crocodile.
Universal - 11/43
Angela's Christmas (2018)
That Angela is the one from Angela's Ashes, and the 30-minute special is based on the children's story from celebrated author Frank McCourt. With those ingredients, you know you're in for a gripping story. Netflix followed up with a sequel, Angela's Christmas 2, in 2020.
Netflix - 14/43
Trolls Holiday (2017)
Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake and Zooey Deschanel star as the three main trolls in this holiday comedy perfect for kids. When Anna’s character Poppy finds out that the Bergens don’t have holidays to celebrate after they got rid of Trollstice, she and the rest of the trolls set out to help them. But what do the Bergens want?
Dreamworks - 16/43
The Star (2017)
For something with a more spiritual bent, this movies features a donkey named Bo, a sheep named Ruth and a dove named Dave, all of whom yearn for something more in their lives. But the adventure that brings them together also puts them on a path to intersect with the first nativity.
Sony Pictures - 17/43
DreamWorks' Home for the Holidays (2017)
Oh wants to share the magic of Christmas with the Boovs, but despite his best intentions, things don't quite go as planned. If the kids are taken with Oh and the Boovs, show them the Home movie and Home series on Netflix.
Netflix - 18/43
Duck the Halls (2016)
While Mickey's Christmas Carol is a classic, if you're looking for something that'll make you laugh, this 22-minute animated special is better. In it, Donald decides to stay put for the holidays in the hope of experiencing a true Christmas — only to be blindsided by the cold.
Disney - 19/43
The Snowy Day (2016)
This Amazon original is based on the must-have book by Ezra Jack Keats. It's a sweet story about a boy named Peter who goes on a snowy walk to his grandma's house on Christmas Eve.
Amazon - 20/43
If You Give a Mouse a Christmas Cookie (2016)
This Amazon original is a holiday spin-off of Laura Numeroff's classic children's book. Mouse and his animal friends attempt to save a holiday pageant gone wrong, all while learning the meaning of friendship.
Amazon - 21/43
The Snowman (2012)
This half-hour special is based on the quaint drawings in Raymond Briggs's beloved book The Snowman. It also has the same quiet charm as in the book.
Lupus Films - 22/43
Scooby Doo! Haunted Holidays (2012)
When an evil snowman attempts to shut down the toy store for Christmas, the Scooby gang investigates. Is something supernatural really going on? If so, these meddling kids will find out.
Hearst Owned - 24/43
Prep & Landing (2011)
This Disney short follows a squadron of elves as it keeps the North Pole secure. They act as Santa's advance team, getting all the houses ready for the Big Man's arrival. If this one's a hit, there are two sequels: Operation: Secret Santa, and Naughty vs. Nice.
Disney - 25/43
Santa's Apprentice (2010)
In this film, originally from France, it's time for Santa to retire — but he doesn't want to. Still, the rules say he has to train an apprentice. If your kids love it, there's also a sequel called The Magic Snowflake.
Gaumont - 26/43
A Christmas Carol (2009)
This movie is another one of the many adaptations of the classic Charles Dickens book, telling the story of Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas that haunt him. Another film to use motion-capture technology, Jim Carrey takes on multiple roles at the same time.
Disney - 27/43
Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas (2009)
Based on the characters in Margret Rey and H. A. Rey's children's book, this movie is about Curious George and The Man in the Yellow Hat celebrating Christmas together. But what do you get a monkey who has everything?
NBCUniversal - 28/43
The Polar Express (2004)
Using motion-capture technology, Tom Hanks stars in this touching film based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg. The movie follows a young boy who, doubting Santa's existence, goes on a magical train ride to find out more about the North Pole.
Warner Bros. - 30/43
Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas (1999)
This three-part movie features Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald Duck and even more of your favorite old-school Disney characters. If that's not enough, there's also a follow-up anthology Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas.
Disney - 31/43
Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997)
In this direct-to-video sequel to the classic Disney princess movie, Belle is busy decorating the castle and getting ready for Christmas, but Beast and Forte seem to be lacking holiday spirit and don’t want to celebrate with her. Can she bring them around?
Disney - 32/43
Annabelle's Wish (1997)
So many animals want to become one of Santa's reindeer. In this case, Anmabelle, a calf, who has a dream of flying on Christmas Eve. Does her Christmas wish come true?
Hallmark Home Entertainment - 33/43
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Halloween meets Christmas in this stop-motion animated musical from the gothic mind of Tim Burton. If you're one of those people who can't celebrate Christmas soon enough, you can get away with re-watching this one starting in October.
RELATED: 12 Christmas Horror Movies That Are Both Equally Scary and Festive
Disney - 34/43
Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983)
Mickey Mouse takes on the role of Bob Cratchit, with Scrooge McDuck in the part of Ebenezer Scrooge, in this twist on A Christmas Carol. The whole thing is just 26 minutes, so perfect for throwing on when you have a few minutes for some holiday cheer.
Disney - 35/43
The Small One (1978)
This forgotten, Don Bluth-directed Disney special follows a boy who is task with selling his family's donkey, The Small One. He goes to the market and finds a potential buyer named Joseph, who might want to use the donkey to take his wife, Mary, to Bethlehem. (See where this is going?)
Disney - 36/43
'Twas the Night Before Christmas (1974)
Based on the opening lines of the famed Christmas poem A Visit from St. Nicholas, this animated film follows what happens when Santa Claus decides to skip over a town because of a rude letter. Actor Joel Grey gives a spirited vocal performance.
Lorimar Television - 38/43
Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (1970)
Famous dancer Fred Astaire narrates a short film that explains the backstory of Santa Claus and other Christmas traditions. By the end, you'll know why Santa has a big, bushy beard and why he lives at the North Pole — and why you'd better not pout at Christmastime.
Classic Media - 41/43
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
While the Benedict Cumberbatch version of the Grinch gives you a feature-length look into Whoville, the half-hour special is still the most iconic version of the Mean One. It's stood the test of time because it features the creative designs of animator Chuck Jones, along with narration by horror legend Boris Karloff.
MGM Television - 42/43
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Not everyone is in a holly, jolly mood come Christmastime. If the holidays make you feel a little melancholy, you're in good company with Charlie Brown, who goes on a deep journey to discover the true meaning of Christmas. The soundtrack, by composer Vince Guaraldi, is also a must-listen come this time of year.
RELATED: How to Watch and Stream 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' This Holiday Season
CBS - 43/43
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
There's a reason this stop-motion animated special is a Christmas classic: It imparts a heartwarming lesson about embracing your imperfections. It's also narrated by Christmas mainstay Burl Ives, who never fails to put viewers in the Christmas spirit.
NBCUniversal
