It’s that time of the year again, where it’s socially acceptable to finally rewatch your favourite animated holiday films and maybe even stumble upon a few new ones to add to the list. There’s a certain magic in letting an animated story take over the screen then, evoking the feeling of childhood without any effort.
Whether they’re heart-warming tales or adventurous escapades, these 8 animated Christmas features give viewers warm and fuzzy feelings. The stories in these films are touching reminders of what the Christmas season is all about in fun, family-friendly stories that viewers can share.
Tokyo Godfathers (2003)
“Tokyo Godfathers” by director Satoshi Kon delivers the story of a trio of homeless people who discover an abandoned baby on Christmas Eve in Tokyo. Their adventures in trying to reunite the baby with her parents are both heartbreaking and uplifting, giving us the perfect Christmas story with an anime twist.
Watch here.
Arthur Christmas (2011)
“Arthur Christmas” explores the idea of Santa Claus using super-duper high-tech devices to keep his operation of delivering so many Christmas gifts in one night moving and gives us a glimpse into the family life of one of the most famous men in the world. This delightful animated adventure offers a lot of charm and wintery visuals.
Watch here.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
Director Chuck Jones’ original work, “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” showcases the Grinch’s evil plan to ruin Christmas for the Whos of Whoville. He dresses up as Santa Claus and steals all their gifts and decorations but is shocked to see how the village reacts in the morning. At just 25 minutes, the film manages to tell a moving story about the true meaning of Christmas.
Watch here.
Klaus (2019)
This oddball origin story of Santa Klaus, “Klaus”, is the first animated feature from Netflix. It features a spoiled young man whose father sends him to a remote, snow-covered village to work as the local postman. He finds the position repugnant initially, but eventually discovers a way to bring money and mail into the practically abandoned post office after meeting a talented woodsman.
Watch here.
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
A beloved Christmas staple that highlights the importance of acceptance, “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” is about a reindeer who stands out from his pack because of his red nose and how he overcomes the odds, learning about self-confidence along the way. The film culminates with his nose being the very thing that saves Christmas for children everywhere.
Watch here.
The Polar Express (2004)
Based on a classic children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, “The Polar Express” follows a boy named Billy who struggles with believing whether or not Santa Claus is real, until he’s picked up by a mystical train that takes him to the North Pole. Yet, many strange and mysterious things happen along the way that make him wonder if magic and Santa really do exist.
Watch here.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
With memorable songs and endearingly spooky character designs, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” features a skeleton named Jack Skellington’s quest to understand Christmas as a whole. He stumbles into Christmas Town, and is taken with the idea of Christmas that he tries to get his resident bats, ghouls, and goblins to help him celebrate his own version.
Watch here.
That Christmas (2024)
“That Christmas” masterfully captures the essence of an English Christmas. Based on Richard Curtis’ trilogy of children’s books, the film explores tales of love, family, and redemption in a small, snow-covered village. It follows various residents whose lives intertwine amid the chaos, highlighting the importance of holiday traditions and human connections.
Watch here.
