20 Best Animated Christmas Movies According To IMDb

20 Best Animated Christmas Movies, According To IMDb

We’ve all got our favorite classic Christmas films, but these 15 animated flicks are absolute must-watch programming during the holiday season.

You Are Reading :[thien_display_title]

There are few better ways to relax during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season than to crash on the couch by the light of the Christmas tree and tune into a favorite Christmas flick. And while live action movies will always be popular, animation is often more appropriate for the whole family, and often just a little sweeter!

From Rudolph to Charlie Brown, there are more than enough animated movies and specials to go around. However, for those holiday movie fans who are unsure of which to watch next, IMDb’s best list might point the way…

Updated on December 16th, 2021 by Zach Gass: Christmas cartoons will always be a joy and delight to watch during the season of mistletoe and holly. The only problem is that there are just so many good titles to choose from. From the adventures of Rudolph and Santa to the more contemporary favorites like the Grinch and Polar Express, there are mountains of movies and specials that claim to be “the best”. But luckily, IMDb still exists to help comb through the fluff and sift out the best animated Christmas movies out there. From old classics to new favorites, variety is still the spice of life.

20 How The Toys Saved Christmas (6.6)

When thinking of classic animated Christmas films, most might not think of an English-dubbed Italian film with Mary Tyler Moore as a Christmas Witch. How The Toys Saved Christmas is truly a hidden gem if ever there was one, and shouldn’t be lost to obscurity.

Inspired by the myth of La Befana, a group of toys in her shop decide to deliver themselves when she falls ill on Christmas Eve. It’s soon easier-said-than-done when the evil Mr. Grimm tries to sabotage their plans and ruin Christmas for their rightful owners. If viewers are looking for a different flavor of Christmas story with magical toys and a stand-out art style, they need look no further than this bit of whimsy.

19 The Polar Express (6.6)

While it might be semi-understandable why this film earns the rating it does, viewers can’t help but hop on board the Polar Express year after year. While this train ride might take a trip through the uncanny valley once or twice, there’s still an unshakable and unmistakable cloud of Christmas magic that surrounds the adventure to the North Pole.

Chris Van Allsburg’s classic story evolves from a children’s book to a grand and glorious quest that can even be interpreted as a metaphor for a crisis of faith. It might have creepy puppets and bizarre animation choices, but there’s still a lot to love about this Christmas classic – and plenty of hidden details in The Polar Express, too.

18 Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year (6.8)

Winnie the Pooh’s Christmas tale might not score very high on the list, but to say that spending the holidays with the Hundred Acre crew isn’t intoxicating would be completely untrue. Although the special is a rehash of Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too with some additional material tacked on, there is still a lot for viewers both young and old to enjoy.

In all honesty, no one can truly dislike that willy-nilly silly old bear – whether in the Winnie the Pooh books, or the movies. Watching him stuff himself in a Santa suit and hook Piglet up to a ramshackle sleigh as he tries to make his friend’s Christmas wishes come true is a tradition for most Disney fans.

17 Disney’s A Christmas Carol (6.8)

With all the gruesome, grim, and ghastly imagery this adaptation has to offer, it’s easy to forget that 2009’s version of A Christmas Carol is actually a Disney movie. Brought to life by motion-capture animation and filled with phenomenal performances by Jim Carrey, Colin Firth, Carey Elwes, and more, this version deserves a little more than a 6.8.

It might be an acquired taste for some, but it’s one of the most accurate versions of the story put to film. Recognizing its ghostly origins, it’s a fun, frightening, and festive film that deserves to be watched along with other versions of the Dickens classic.

16 Arthur Christmas (7.1)

Arthur Christmas is a very interesting animated take on the Santa Claus story, opting for a strange blend of sci-fi with the traditional night-before-Christmas narrative. Instead of one jolly old St. Nicholas, there’s an entire clan of Clauses who cater to the globe’s Christmassy needs. The delivery of presents has been changed from a magical process to one that requires a practical SWAT team. This is all well and good until one child accidentally gets left out.

It’s soon up to Santa’s young successor to deliver one last present before sunrise, and with some help from a kooky Grandsanta and a quirky elf, he’s able to keep Christmas alive and restore the belief in Santa to one little girl.

15 Frosty the Snowman (7.3)

With a corncob pipe and a button nose and two eyes made out of coal, Frosty brings Christmas cheer with a broomstick in his hand and a jolly, happy soul. Easily one of the most beloved beings of the winter season, this big lug can grace our screens anytime.

Rankin/Bass Christmas specials are some of the most popular and iconic, and Frosty is one of the biggest fan-favorites. He’s like a walking party no one wants to leave, and his smile and demeanor are so festive and joyous he’d give Santa Claus a little competition.

14 Rise Of The Guardians (7.3)

Come for the swashbuckling Santa Claus, but stay to hear Hugh Jackman voice the Easter Bunny. As ridiculous as that description might sound, it’s only one of the reasons to give Rise of the Guardians a chance this holiday season. While not 100% a Christmas feature, there’s something to be said for its brand of magic.

If viewers are into superhero movies like The Avengers or The Incredibles, they’ll more than likely be drawn to this tale of holiday figures protecting the children of the world. It’s definitely an adventure worth watching at least once.

13 Father Christmas (7.5)

Father Christmas is equal parts mellow and sharp-witted, as this Santa is perhaps one of the more human versions of the character in an animated setting. The animated film by Raymond Briggs shows Santa Claus taking a holiday before getting back to work before the Christmas season, trading in his sleigh for a camper, and flying around the globe.

Watching Santa explore different countries and leisures is surreally comical to watch, especially when he takes a trip to Las Vegas and can be seen gambling and dancing with showgirls. The guy truly knows how to stay jolly all year round.

12 Tokyo Godfathers (7.8)

This beautiful and moving anime masterpiece might not be the most family-friendly movie, but it’s certainly one of the most emotional animated experiences one can possibly find during the holiday season. When a drag queen, an alcoholic vagrant, and a runaway teen discover a baby in a garbage bin, they must traverse Tokyo to return the child to its parents all on a wintery Christmas Eve.

The film has a tremendous deal of emotional storytelling and has often been compared to works like A Christmas Carol, It’s a Wonderful Life, and even the Nativity. It’s one animated Christmas epic that simply just needs to be experienced to be understood.

11 A Christmas Carol (7.6)

There are dozens of adaptations of Charles Dickens’s classic work, but if fans only see one animated version this Christmas, they should be sure it’s the 1971 version by legendary animator Chuck Jones. We could make a laundry list of reasons this version is one of the most definitive in existence, but we’ll just give you the basics.

Don’t let the short length get in the way, this is perhaps one of the most accurate and thorough representations of the source material ever seen. It perfectly balances out the light and the dark elements felt in the novel and was definitely worthy of the Oscar it won.

10 Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town (7.7)

From the stop-motion giants of Rankin/Bass, this is perhaps one of the most beloved takes on the origin story of Santa Claus himself. Loaded with charm, whimsy, and a certain lovable toymaker, there’s no questioning that it can stand beside the likes of such classics as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or Frosty the Snowman.

In this wintry tale, Fred Astaire sings and tells the story of how Kris Kringle helped cheer up the children of Sombertown and the wicked Burgermeister Meisterberger. From toys to elves to Christmas magic, the special has everything one could ask for in a Santa Claus backstory.

9 The Year Without a Santa Claus (7.8)

There are a lot of Rankin/Bass Christmas specials for you to binge, but this one is easily top-tier material. With its humor, heart, and catchy tunes, The Year Without a Santa Claus should definitely be heavily considered for your viewing pleasure. It will definitely lift your spirits, despite the gloomy title.

When a depressed Santa Claus decides to take a holiday, it’s up to Mrs. Claus and a pair of elves to try and find Christmas spirit and goodwill. Throw in the greatest stop-motion musical number from Snow Miser and Heat Miser and it creates an instant classic.

8 The Small One (7.8)

This underrated, under-watched, and underappreciated gem from Disney and Don Bluth definitely needs to be watched this year. It’s a biblical tale with beautiful animation, a story that pulls on the heartstrings, and it ends on a strong and touching moral that will definitely appeal.

When a boy is forced to sell his beloved old donkey, the pair of them must journey to the marketplace in Nazareth to find Small One a new home. Though they do get into some scraps along the way, the ending of this sweet short film is all the more worth it.

7 The Nightmare Before Christmas (8.0)

When two opposing holidays collide, everyone is in for a ride. This can also be considered a Halloween movie, of course, and many see it as the perfect bridge between Halloween and Christmas, rather than a strict Christmas movie. However, there’s enough holiday cheer here to make it count!

For many Disney fans, Christmas isn’t complete until Jack Skellington climbs aboard a coffin sleigh and rides through an eerie moonlit sky with his own twisted brand of holiday cheer. Though it might not be everyone’s favorite feature, it’s certainly an alternative animated Christmas tale.

6 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (8.1)

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen. Every year fans recall the most famous reindeer of all, and his glowing (and beeping) nose as well.

The special is easily one of the most-watched movies at this time of year. Rudolph, Hermie, Sam the Snowman, and Yukon Cornelius have become household names that everyone can recognize. This is, for so many, the iconic version of the tale, and a movie to pass on to the next generation.

5 Mickey’s Christmas Carol (8.1)

For many chilren, this is the first introduction to the Charles Dickens story. With Mickey Mouse, Scrooge McDuck, and all their friends in the title roles, it is a pretty solid adaptation. It’s charming, kid-friendly, and even a little bit dark. It’s definitely a classic animated Christmas special.

This short served as a return to form for Walt Disney Animation, bringing in some would-be heavy hitters in the cast and bringing Mickey Mouse back to the big screen. For anyone who enjoys Disney, Dickens, or just needs a great Christmas cartoon, this is a great choice.

4 The Snowman (8.2)

This underrated classic shows just how much an animated film can do without a single word of dialogue. Raymond Briggs’s The Snowman is a genius short film perfect for those who have already had Frosty the Snowman on repeat. It’s colorful, warm, and above all, magical.

The plot is fairly simple, a boy builds a snowman who comes to life one winter day. The Snowman and his human creator have a few laughs around the house before flying off to an incredible snowman party with a guest appearance by Santa Claus.

3 Klaus (8.2)

Klaus could essentially be considered a semi-realistic retelling of Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town. After all, it does involve a postman telling the story of a kindly toymaker who gives gifts to the unhappy children of a gloomy village in a snowy northern country. Similarities aside, it does offer one of the most unique takes on the Santa Claus mythos .

Klaus himself is also something worth mentioning, being one of the more strong and stoic Santas ever created. He looks more like something out of a Dungeons and Dragons campaign than a Christmas character. But once the old guy lets out his famous laugh, there’s no questioning his authenticity.

2 A Charlie Brown Christmas (8.3)

A Charlie Brown Christmas has been aired almost every year since its debut in 1965 and has since become ingrained in North American holiday culture. It’s been parodied, celebrated, and replayed year after year and it is easy to understand why.

Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang are as essential to the holidays as Rudolph or Ebeneezer Scrooge. Plus, this is one of the few popular Christmas specials that directly addresses the meaning of the holiday. Pair that with a smooth jazzy soundtrack and you’ve got a hit.

1 How the Grinch Stole Christmas (8.3)

With Dr. Seuss and the Grinch, charm and style and delightful animation, this Christmas classic is a timeless sensation. With joy and delight, it is watched with glee. It’s the top of the list from IMDb.

Rhyme-schemes aside, this one is a treasure. How the Grinch Stole Christmas is an absolute pleasure. It has since been re-created more than once, including the more recent animated version (2008, with a 6.4 on IMDb), but this remains the original, and for many, the absolute best.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/best-animated-christmas-movies-imdb/

Reviews -