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The great thing about the best Christmas movies is how endlessly re-watchable they are. The same holiday movies for kids that you watched during your childhood — or your parents watched when they were kids — still head to TVs every year, so you can enjoy them again and again with your family. And children today have it even easier: When I was a kid, if you weren’t in front of your TV at the right time and missed an airing of the Grinch, you had to wait another year before it rolled around again. Now, with the proliferation of streaming services, many of these classics are at your beck and call, waiting for you to watch them whenever you happen to be ready.
Since there’s so much magic associated with Christmas, it’s no surprise that a lot of these movies are cartoons — it’s just an easy way to capture the enchantment of the holiday without relying too heavily on expensive special effects. This goes double for stop-motion animated movies, which are a holiday tradition going back to the Rankin and Bass specials from the ’60s. These animated Christmas movies are perfect for a family movie night, capture the spirit of the season and are worthy of being re-watched year after year.
Robin Robin (2021)
This holiday special, about a bird who was raised by mice and wishes to become a real mouse, has a cozy, felted feel to its stop-motion animation. Featuring a voice cast that includes Bronte Carmichael, Richard E. Grant, Gillian Anderson, it comes to Netflix on November 24.
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Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas (2021)
Shaun the Sheep fans get an extra-special holiday treat this year, in the form of a 30-minute holiday special. In it, Shaun goes on a hunt for a bigger stocking, but ends up with a huge adventure. It debuts on Netflix on December 3.
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Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018)
For a feature-length take on the Grinch story, this movie comes from the same studio that brought us the Minions, and it stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the voice of the green meanie.
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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 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.
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Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer (2018)
We all know about Rudolph, but what about Elliot? Truth be told, he’s not a reindeer, he’s a miniature horse. But still, he wants to compete to earn a spot on the team that pulls Santa’s sleigh.
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Olaf’s Frozen Adventure (2017)
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?
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All I Want for Christmas Is You (2017)
Who knew Mariah Carey’s famed Christmas song had its own animated movie? It’s centered on a young girl — also named Mariah — who wishes for a puppy for Christmas every year.
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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.
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The Snowy Day (2016)
This Amazon original is based on the must-have book by Ezra Jack Keats. It’s about a boy named Peter who goes on a snowy walk to his grandma’s house on Christmas Eve.
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If You Give a Mouse a Christmas Cookie (2016)
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.
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Arthur Christmas (2011)
This fun Christmas movie goes behind the scenes of Santa’s super high-tech establishment in the North Pole. When he accidentally forgets to give a young girl her gift on Christmas, he sends his hapless son Arthur out to deliver it instead.
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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.
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A Christmas Carol (2009)
This movie is one of the many adaptations of the classic Charles Dickens book, so it tells 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.
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Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas (2009)
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.
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Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year (2002)
This adorable movie features two different specials combined: Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too and Happy Pooh Year. Together, they tell a story that will last through the end of December.
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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.
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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?
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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?
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How the Toys Saved Christmas (1996)
Originally an Italian film, this movie tells the story of the mean old Mr. Grimm, who decides he wants to sell the Christmas toys instead of deliver them. When the toys get wind of their plan, they decide to deliver themselves.
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The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
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.
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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?)
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‘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.
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The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)
The ’70s and ’60s were prolific times for Rankin/Bass Productions, a studio that cranked out tons of beloved stop-motion animation films. This one is famous for its duo of unforgettable villains, Heat Miser and Snow Miser.
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Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (1970)
And, if you haven’t had your fill of Rankin/Bass stop-motion, here’s another of their specials, also based on — what else? — a classic Christmas song. Famous dancer Fred Astaire narrates a short film that explains the backstory of Santa Claus and other Christmas traditions.
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Frosty the Snowman (1969)
We all know the classic story of Frosty the Snowman, where Frosty comes to life thanks to a magical hat. The film, narrated by Jimmy Durante, is based on the Christmas song that every kid knows the words to by heart. This is another Rankin/Bass production, but a rare one that’s 2D animation rather than stop motion.
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The Little Drummer Boy (1968)
Another Rankin/Bass special based on the song of the same name, this short, stop-motion film tells the story of an orphan drummer boy filled with complicated emotions after experiencing death at a young age.
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How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
Based on the book by Dr. Seuss, this short film is about the grumpy Grinch (his heart is two sizes too small!) who tries to ruin Christmas for the people of Whoville. The half-hour special features the creative designs of animator Chuck Jones, along with narration by horror legend Boris Karloff.
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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. The special will air on PBS and PBS Kids this year, or you can stream it on Apple TV+.
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Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
There’s a reason this Rankin/Bass stop-motion 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. Sadly, this is not available to stream, but in 2021 you can watch it on CBS on November 22 and December 11 (double-check your local listings and set the DVR!), or you can buy the DVD.
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Marisa LaScala
Parenting & Relationships Editor
Marisa LaScala covers all things parenting, from the postpartum period through empty nests, for GoodHousekeeping.com; she previously wrote about motherhood for Parents and Working Mother.
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