Whether you’re five or 50, animated Christmas movies never stop feeling like a cinematic cup of hot cocoa. It’s hard to forget those days: lights twinkling, presents waiting under the tree, and a time before you learned that [redacted] wasn’t real. Maybe it was "The Grinch" or Mickey donning a Santa hat, but these movies shaped countless childhoods across generations.
The thing is, animated movies don’t have an age limit. Sometimes the nostalgia hits so hard it’s almost physical; other times, you stumble upon a new animated Christmas favorite well into adulthood.
Either way, the holidays just wouldn’t feel complete without revisiting these animated Christmas movies. Anyone got an extra candy cane?
'The Grinch'
![The Grinch | Official Trailer #3 [HD] | Illumination - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/_UOh0UX3alI/maxresdefault.jpg)
You simply can’t do the holidays without a little Grinch. And for anyone counting down the days until “Wicked: For Good” hits streaming, there’s something comforting about revisiting another misunderstood green outcast. If you’re only familiar with the live-action version, it’s easy to forget that the Grinch is pure Dr. Seuss, but the 2018 animated film leans fully into his’ signature visual style, much like the beloved 1960s short.
Bullied for his green skin as a child, the Grinch grows up loathing Christmas and retreats to a cave with his loyal dog, Max. His plan? Steal Christmas, obviously. But during his reverse-Santa scheme, a sweet young Cindy-Lou Who helps his heart grow three sizes. Is it predictable? Yes. Is it still effective? Absolutely.
Watch on Peacock
'The Nightmare Before Christmas'
Halloween or Christmas … why not both? “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is the perfect solution for anyone who freezes when asked to name their favorite holiday. For all former (or current) Edgy Teens, Jack Skellington remains a reminder that you’re never too cool for Christmas — even if your stocking is stuffed with fingerless gloves and studded bracelets.
Jack may be the Pumpkin King, but he leaves the eerie comforts of Halloween Town to investigate what this Christmas thing is all about. The residents of Christmas Town aren’t exactly thrilled with his interpretation of gifts (snakes, shrunken heads, rubber bats), but hey ... he’s trying. And sure, he does help kidnap Santa, but “Kidnap the Sandy Claws” is one of the most iconic musical numbers in movie-musical history, so we’re willing to overlook that minor detail.
Watch on Disney Plus
'Mickey’s Christmas Carol'
With a name like Scrooge McDuck, an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” feels inevitable. The story has been around since 1843, and and in 1983, Mickey and friends got their own spin on the tale in this short film.
Centered on Scrooge McDuck (naturally), the bitter old quack is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future, learning — once again — that being a miser isn’t the move. Like all classic Disney animation, the film has a timeless quality that doesn’t feel dated even 40 years later. Honestly, I still prefer this 2-D animation style to most modern updates. Though it runs just under 30 minutes, “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” carries some hefty emotional weight and has been beloved for decades thanks to reruns on TV.
Watch on Disney Plus
'The Polar Express'
Every kid who once loved writing letters to Santa eventually reaches the age where the logic starts to crack: a bearded man breaking into homes to reverse-rob sleeping families? Sure. While the magic fades for most of us by the time we hit double digits, “The Polar Express” offers another option — a magical train that whisks you away in the middle of the night for a slightly unhinged journey fueled by belief. Destination: Santa. Or else.
Yes, “The Polar Express” can be unsettling, but that’s part of why it remains compelling long after your post-Santa years. Between the hot chocolate dance, uncanny animation and original songs, it plays like a full-blown fever dream — one that somehow works just as well for adults as it did for millennial kids.
Watch on Hulu
'Rise of the Guardians'
While “Rise of the Guardians” isn’t strictly a Christmas movie, some of the best Christmas movies aren’t. Like “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” the 2012 film spans multiple holidays — Christmas, Halloween, even Tooth Fairy lore. The magical Guardians, who preside over these traditions, must protect children’s beliefs from Pitch Black (aka the ultimate buzzkill).
Because it unfolds during the winter season, “Rise of the Guardians” has more than earned its place at the Christmas movie table. It also has an edge that makes it just as appealing to teens and adults as it is to kids. Case in point: the unavoidable wave of Jack Frost thirst during Tumblr’s peak years.
Watch on Peacock
'Klaus'
So how did Santa become a jolly guy who encourages good behavior through strategic bribery? The 2019 animated film “Klaus” offers a refreshingly heartfelt origin story. Enter Klaus — and no, not the bloodthirsty vampire from “The Originals.” This Klaus is a reclusive toymaker living in Smeerensburg, a town locked in a feud worthy of Shakespeare.
To claim his inheritance, Jesper — the Royal Postmaster General’s spoiled son — must deliver 6,000 letters in a year. His partnership with Klaus starts out selfish, but their small acts of kindness slowly reshape both the town and Jesper himself, thawing hearts on all sides. Visually, “Klaus” resembles a richly illustrated storybook, with a hand-crafted animation style that stands apart from recent animated releases.
Watch on Netflix
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