This list not only celebrates the most wonderful time of the year but also a medium of film with a storied and treasured history. These movies cater to a wide variety of holiday season enthusiasts, ranging from fun for the whole family to ones more suited for mature audiences. Without further ado, here are 10 animated Christmas movies that are sure to put you in a festive mood.
10. Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer (2000)
If you do happen to tune into this one, try not to think too hard about it. I mean, why would you? It’s Christmas after all! Based on the 1979 song by the husband-and-wife double act Elmo Shropshire and Patsy Trigg, the sheer absurdity of the story makes it worth the watch.
9. The Polar Express (2004)
Robert Zemeckis’ The Polar Express forgoes the standard animation styles of the era and instead chooses to evoke the feeling of live theater by employing the use of motion capture. It’s a creative risk that pays off. The presentation may deviate from the norm, but the standard messages of hope, joy, and love are ever-present.
8. A Christmas Carol (2009)
With two entries on this list, I’m willing to unofficially crown director Robert Zemeckis the king of Christmas. Once again, Zemeckis opts for motion capture in his adaptation of the Charles Dickens novella. The film borders on the darker side as it tackles themes of greed, altruism, and poverty.
7. An Almost Christmas Story (2024)
Another story about an unlikely friendship because let’s be honest, we’ll never get tired of those. An Almost Christmas Story is a quaint short film that features voice acting that can melt the iciest of hearts. One of the standout aspects of the movie is the immersive soundscape that’s supported by Daniel Hart’s lovely score.
6. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
As the name suggests, this classic is about the world’s most famous reindeer. However, the fun doesn’t stop there. The film is chock-full of a lovable assortment of characters brought to life by the trademarked stop-motion animation process known as “Animagic.”
5. Klaus (2019)
Klaus’ approach to old Saint Nick’s origin story is a rather imaginative one that’s brought to life through traditional animation techniques. The hand-drawn frames imbue the film with an additional layer of warmth and magic on top of an already charming narrative.
4. Tokyo Godfathers (2003)
This holiday adventure centers the often overlooked members of society. Beneath the raunchy humor is a poignant meditation on poverty, found family, and the spirit of Christmas that mature audiences will find riveting.
3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas(1966)
Based on the book by Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a whimsical story about the deep-rooted desire to belong and the healing power a dependable community possesses. Boris Karloff’s narration is akin to a big mug of hot cocoa and a warm blanket.
2. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
In this quintessential Christmas classic, our beloved Charlie Brown tackles commercialism in an attempt to derive the true reason for the season. No need to pull out a dictionary; A Charlie Brown Christmas is the very definition of heartfelt.
1. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
One of the most unique offerings on this list, The Nightmare Before Christmas functions as both a Halloween and a Christmas movie. This was a labor of love and it shows. It’s a beautiful union of the macabre and the merry presented through over 100,000 frames of incredibly detailed stop-motion animation.
No other filmmaking technique encapsulates the magic of the holiday season better than animation. Whether it’s the traditional hand-drawn route or boundary-pushing 3D motion capture, this medium remains a reliable source of creativity and comfort.