Growing up in New England, we love our seasons! Ironically, the cold winter tends to brings with it an extra feeling of warmth, hope and happiness as families come together. There is just something magical in the air during the winter, especially when Christmas time gets closer. One of my favorite parts of the year is always the Christmas specials on television. Almost every television show has made a Christmas episode, but nothing beats the following classics for me! If you haven’t seen these, you must watch these top 5 Christmas animated classics! And, since it is Christmas, I added a bonus show too! Most of these shows are available to watch via streaming services, so do check them out to add some Christmas magic to your day! Be sure to comment and let us know what your favorite specials are!
#5 Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (1970)
One of the cutest stories that airs during this time is “Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town”. While most classics focus on Santa Claus already being in existence, this stop-motion classic relays the tale of how Santa Claus became who he is. It begins from when he was born and chronicles his journey to become Santa. The realism of the animation was created due to a style of Japanese stop-motion called “Animagic.” In Animagic, all the characters are made out of wood and plastic. Then they are filmed with stop-motion photography. My favorite of the animated characters was the iconic Burgermeister Meisterburger! The show featured legends Fred Astaire as Special Delivery “S.D.” Kluger, Mickey Rooney as Kris Kringle/Santa Claus, Keenan Wynn as Winter Warlock, Robie Lester as Miss Jessica/Mrs. Claus, and Paul Frees as the Burgermeister Meisterburger (amongst many other characters!) Do check out this tale to get to know Santa’s story!
#4 The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)
Going almost hand-in-hand with #5, is the classic “The Year Without A Santa Claus.” Though I love “Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town”, “The Year Without a Santa Claus” edges it out due to the classic characters the Heat Miser and Cold Miser. Mickey Rooney reprises his role as the voice of Santa. In this classic, Santa Claus wakes up with a cold! Poor Santa thinks he should give up his annual trip to give gifts after his elf doctor says that no one cares about Christmas any more. However, Mrs. Claus, who still believes people care has two elves Jingle and Jangle go in search of proof that the Christmas spirit has not disappeared! Along the way they encounter the curious characters Snow Miser and Heat Miser whose theme songs will stay in your head for days! The vocal cast for this animation has legends like Shirley Booth as Mrs. Claus, Mickey Rooney as Santa Claus, Dick Shawn as Snow Miser, and George S. Irving as Heat Miser. Be sure to watch how Santa’s own spirit is restored in this classic story!
#3 Prep and Landing: Naughty vs. Nice (2011)
The only modern animation that I thought was deserving of this list is Disney’s Prep & Landing: Naughty vs Nice. Now, many of you may be wondering why I did not put the original Prep & Landing instead of this sequel. Although I enjoyed Prep and Landing and it set up Wayne’s character and personality for the audience, it wasn’t as engaging as the sequel. Plus, the sequel added more memorable characters – like Thrasher the Reindeer and Wayne’s younger brother Noel! The sibling rivalry and the way they restore their bond at the end are all worth watching! Thrasher the Reindeer also breaks the cuteness mold that we are used to seeing reindeers portrayed as, and instead is more snarky! This animation is a great one for the family to watch if they need a laugh!
#2 How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
Since the 1966 animated adaptation of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” Christmas book by Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel, there have been plenty of remakes – live and animated both! However, the 1966 version remains my favorite! The voice cast was perfect as was the animated renditions of the Grinch, his dog Max, Cindy Loo, and all the Whos. This version of the Grinch really brought all the characters to life and truly defined how we would always see them. Boris Karloff as the narrator was absolutely perfect and delivered his lines so powerfully that the viewer is instantly drawn into the show! My favorite character was always Max the dog who is the one creature who loves the Grinch from start to finish! Check out this Christmas classic as well as all the other versions that followed!
#1 Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
My absolute favorite Christmas classic is “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer.” The special first aired in 1964 and has since been a staple on television every year since. The special was based on the famous Johnny Marks song “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” from 1949. This song was actually based on a poem from 1939 that was actually written by his brother-in-law Robert L. May. The stop-motion was done in Animagic style again in Japan! Voice cast included Burl Ives as Sam the Snowman, Larry Mann as Yukon Cornelius, and Billie Mae Richards as Rudolph. Rudolph is one of the cutest characters who overcomes bullying to find his own voice. Along the way, he makes new friends like Hermey the elf, Yukon Cornelius, and also helps out all the misfit toys! The story teaches kids about not bullying others, to accept everyone for who they are (even misfits have a place in the world!), and to trust in one’s own potential! As a child, I really used to hate when Rudolph was bullied, but was so happy when Santa finally asks Rudolph to rescue his Christmas! Do watch this classic show and I hope you fall in love with this tale as much as I did as a child!
Bonus: Robbie The Reindeer: Hooves of Fire (1999)
Robbie the Reindeer is a stop-motion animated special that came in recent times. It was originally aired in England for BBC in aid of Comic Relief, and then redubbed with an American cast for the audience here. For some reason, it has not garnered the popularity it deserves, but it is one of my absolute favorites! The classic tells the story of Robbie, who is the son of Rudolph. The tale begins with Robbie arriving at Santa’s Reindeer Lodge with the hopes of becoming a navigator for Santa like his father. While Rudolph’s nose glowed, Robbie’s is a GPS that can pinpoint anything you ask him to find. Immediately a rivalry is set up between Blitzen and Robbie as they prepare for the Reindeer Games (a competition Santa now uses to select reindeers for his Sleigh Team). Blitzen had hated Rudolph and was always jealous of him. So, of course, he does not take well to Rudolph’s son and manages to convince him to leave. His journey forms the bulk of the show, with plenty of humorous moments! Donner, who will become Robbie’s love interest, supports him in his journey. The whole setting for this story is more modern with Santa being a cooler version too! My favorite character, however, is Old Jingle, a weird Yoda-esque character who trains Robbie for his return to Coldchester and for the Reindeer Games! In the US version, Robbie is voiced by Ben Stiller, Donner by Britney Spears, Leah Remini as Vixen, Jerry Stiller as Old Jingle, Brad Garret as Prancer, and Hugh Grant as Blitzen. Grant steals the show with his vocal delivery and makes Blitzen into such a devious character! It’s hard to catch this show on air, but thankfully I found this version on YouTube! Enjoy!
Wishing you and your families a very Happy Holidays from Awaaz Arts!
