The title says it all…and the length of this article shows what a true Christmas-loving nut I really am. All movies/specials are listed chronologically.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
A timeless classic film, this often spoofed tale tells of angel Clarence who, while trying to earn his wings, shows a frustrated businessman (played by James Stewart) what life would had been like if he had never been born. Heartwarming to the very end, kids everywhere now know that every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings. I used to find it long and boring as a kid, but now as an adult, it’s one I want to watch every year.
The ending gives me the warm fuzzies every time.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
A sweet old man who claims to be Santa Claus is institutionalized as insane and a young lawyer decides to argue in court that he is, in fact, the real thing. One I’m ashamed I’m not more familiar with (as I know it’s been a Christmas classic since the 40’s), I clearly need to head out and pick up a copy.
Pluto’s Christmas Tree (1952)
Pluto comes bounding outside to help Mickey get a Christmas tree, and Chip and Dale (residents of the tree Mickey and Pluto chop down) taunt Pluto during the whole tree decorating process. Of all Disney shorts of this nature, this one is definitely my favorite.
Awww 
White Christmas (1954)
A 2-person male song-and-dance act team up with a 2-person female song-and-dance act in this tale of romantic mix-ups that showcases the 1950’s talents of Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen. An adaptation of this movie came to Broadway as a musical during the 2009 season (and got terrible reviews, and did not return again this holiday season), but this classic movie version is far superior.
Dr. Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1960)
Every child knows that every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot, but the Grinch, who lived just north of Whoville – did not. Next to the Cat in the Hat, the Grinch is arguably one of Dr. Seuss’s most recognized and loved characters of all time. This special always makes me want to learn how to play “noisy games like zoozit and kazay;” because really, they just sound like a ton of fun. There is a live action version of this animated classic that debuted in 2000 starring Jim Carey as the Grinch, and while I don’t find it anywhere near as good as the original, it can be worth watching if you’re a Jim Carey fan (or a fan of a 45-minute classic special being expanded into a full length movie in ways it probably shouldn’t).
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Rankin-Bass has produced many of these “claymation” Christmas specials and the herky-jerky movements of their characters have come to be known and loved by many. Rudolph is by far the most popular of the Rankin-Bas
Hermie + Rudolph = biffs
s holiday productions, telling the story of the misfit reindeer and adorable oddball elf Hermie who discover togetherthe Island of Misfit Toys, a place full of other creatures that don’t quite know where they fit in. Yukon Cornelius and the Abominable Snowman are just two of the hilarious and charming friends Rudolph and Hermie meet along the way. I think it’s absolutely adorable that Hermie wants to be a dentist instead of an elf, and his “Why Am I Such a Misfit?” song is one that’s sure to stay in my head for a good portion of December.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
By far my favorite of the Peanuts holiday specials, this one showcases the ever- melancholy Charlie Brown learning how to find the true meaning of Christmas. Linus, Snoopy, Lucy and a charmingly scrawny Christmas tree make this a Christmas classic to remember. Every year I marvel at 3 things: (1) When Charile Brown finds Snoopy atop his doghouse reading the newspaper and snacking on a stack of bones that reaches all the way to the doghouse roof, why does the piles of bones never decrease despite just how much Snoopy is eating? (2) Who taught those kids to dance, because I want to meet that dance teacher! When the “extras” rock out to Schroeder’s music, I think it’s one of the most adorable Peanuts moments ever – and it doesn’t even star any of the main Peanuts charcters! and (3) I wish decorating/transforming a tiny stick of a Christmas tree could be as easy as waving your arms around wildly while holding decorations.
My favorite little dancers
Frosty the Snowman (1969)
Everyone’s favorite holiday snowman Frosty teams up with schoolgirl Karen to avoid the evil magician Professor Hinkle who is determined to steal back his magic top hat that made Frosty come to life in the first place (“I want that hat and I want it now!”). Journey with Frosty, Karen and Professor Hinkle’s mischievous rabbit Hocus Pocus up to the North Pole. My favorite part is when the policeman is so startled by a talking snowman that he swallows his whistle and can continue to communicate by somehow blowing the whistle in his throat; how he doesn’t choke and die is possibly the REAL Christmas miracle of this special.
Frosty’s Winter Wonderland (1970)
In this Frosty-centered special that is nowhere near as popular or well known as the 1969 Frosty the Snowman, Frosty is lonely being the only snowman – so the kids team up to build Frosty a wife named Crystal. The kids
Frosty and his wife, Crystal
convince Parson Brown to marry them, but Jack Frost sets out (for reasons I either don’t remember or are possibly ill-explained) to ruin Frosty’s marriage. I just recently found this special on a DVD with Twas the Night Before Christmas (1974) on an Amazon Cyber Monday deal, and am eager to watch both again; having them only be available on VHS was really unacceptable!
Santa Clause is Comin’ to Town (1970)
A lesser-known Rankin-Bass production, this one tells the origins of the beloved Santa Clause. A mailman answers common questions about Santa Clause, beginning with Kris Kringle’s humble beginnings as a small baby left on the doorstep of the Kringle family who grew up to fulfill his dream of delivering toys to other children. Not one I’m as familiar with as others, but I do know that you can listen for the voice talents of Fred Astaire and Mickey Rooney.
The Year Without a Santa Clause (1974)
Another Rankin-Bass production that has gained a name for itself in recent years thanks to its repeat showings on ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas every year. Mrs. Claus tells of the time Santa had a bad cold and decided to take a vacation from Christmas. Jingle Bells and Jangle Bells, along with Vixen, head out to find children to convince Santa that the Christmas spirit is still important to everybody else, despite his head cold. However Heat Miser and Snow Miser (aka the Miser Brothers) provide obstacles for these 2 elves and their reindeer on their mission. Heat Miser and Snow Miser’s theme songs beat out “Why Am I Such a Misfit?” for the 2 Christmas songs from holiday specials that stay stuck in my head well into January.
Snow Miser and Heat Miser
T’was the Night Before Christmas (1974)
This lesser-known animated feature tells the story of a town learning that it has been crossed off of Santa’s delivery schedule due to an insulting letter (which, as it turns out, was sent by a town mouse!). The townsfolk must find a way to band together to change Santa’s mind before it is too late and Christmas is ruined. “Even a Miracle Needs a Hand” is a pretty catchy song from this special that I always find myself remembering the words to once it starts up.
Emmett Otter’s Jugband Christmas (1977)
Narrated by Kermit the Frog himself, this Christmas tale tells of poor (and adorable) otters Emmett and his Ma who work to raise enough money to buy the other a Christmas present. You can see the wires that work the puppets (so you know this special is old!) but I think this makes it all the more charming. Plus, I think the members of the Riverbottom Nightmare Band are hilariously random and badass; never again do you see Muppets quite like this.
C'mon, how cool is the Riverbottom Nightmare Band?
Christmas Eve on Sesame Street (1978)
Big Bird worries when Oscar the Grouch says that if Santa Clause can’t fit down the chimney that no one will get presents. Leave it to Oscar to try to ruin a warm and fuzzy holiday! I remember a Feliz Navidad ice skating segment of this that I always thought was cool, and Cookie Monster eats a typewriter while trying to type a letter to Santa; Cookie Monster is never not awesome. I’m pretty sure that since this one, there have been other Sesame Street movies pertaining to Christmas (like an Elmo’s Christmas Countdown in 2007 and A Sesame Street Christmas Carol in 2006) that might also be worth checking out.
Bugs Bunny’s Looney Christmas Tales (1979)
This compilation of a few Looney Tunes episodes centers on an episode of a Christmas Carol, with Yosemite Sam playing the part of Scrooge. You can YouTube segments of all the cartoons included (what did the world do before YouTube?). For another version of a Looney Tunes Christmas Carol, check out Bah Humduck (2006) that stars Daffy Duck as Scrooge, Tweety and Granny as the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Yosemite Sam as the Ghost of Christmas Present and Taz as the Ghost of Christmas Future.
Ziggy!
Ziggy’s Gift (1982)
This Emmy-winning special is based on Tom Wilson’s comic strip “Ziggy” and known by nearly no one I’ve ever mentioned it to. When he becomes a street side charity Santa for, Ziggy doesn’t realize the donations are really going straight into a crime bosses’ bank account; but this clueless little do-gooder winds up setting things straight anyway. Ziggy himself doesn’t speak, but other characters do, and I think it’s a unique dynamic to have the main character not say a single word the entire time. A must-watch for me every year.
A Christmas Story (1983)
Shown in a 24-hour marathon every Christmas Day, journey with Ralphie as he tries to convince his parents, teachers and Santa himself that a Red Ryder BB gun would be the perfect holiday gift. I can never decide if the leg lamp or Ralphie’s pink bunny footie pajamas are my favorite part of this holiday special; you could triple dog dare me, and I probably still wouldn’t be able to choose.
A Chipmunk Christmas (1981)
Alvin, Simon and Theodore are preparing for their holiday concert at Carnegie Hall, and Alvin learns the true meaning of giving at Christmastime when he gives his precious golden echo harmonica to a sick boy, Tommy, to cheer up his Christmas. If you buy the DVD with this special, included are also two other Chipmunks specials from the Chipmunks cartoon TV series; one where Alvin learns (Christmas Carol style) about the true meaning of being selfless at Christmas and another where Dave wonders (It’s a Wonderful Life style) if the Chipmunks would have been better off with out him. Don’t worry, that catchy Chipmunks Christmas song you can hear on the radio this time of year is obviously showcased.
Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983)
Scrooge McDuck is, obviously, Ebenezer Scrooge in this version, with Mickey as Bob Crachitt, Minnie as Mrs. Crachitt, Goofy as the Ghost of Jacob Marley and Jiminey Cricket as the Ghost of Christmas Past. I think this is probably the first version of A Christmas Carol I ever saw as a kid; and since it’s Disney, it obviously ranks highly with me.
The Christmas Toy (1986)
Long before Toy Story came on the scene, in this Jim Henson feature you can experience toys that come to life when their children aren’t around and watch as they struggle to accept the new Christmas presents that arrive on the scene this Christmas. Rugby the Tiger and Mew the cat toy are two of the cutest and most underrated Muppets in all of the Muppet family; it’s only fair that they balance out Meteora, the most terrifying toy I’ve ever seen (and I’m not even sure she was meant to be terrifying).
Meteora; look at her. Fear her.
A Muppet Family Christmas (1987)
This one ties for my favorite Christmas movie/special of all time (along with Muppet Christmas Carol). Join Kermit, Fozzie, the classic Muppets gang as they crash Fozzie’s mom’s house and ruin her plans to head to the beach for the holidays. Soon the Sesame Street gang shows up, Kermit and Robin discover the Fraggles, and once Miss Piggy makes it through the snowstorm, the whole Muppet gang is together for a nice, cozy Christmas. Jim Henson himself makes a cameo at the very end of this special, which is twice as heartwarming now that Henson is no longer alive. Just as a warning: be sure to watch out for the icy patch!
All Muppets together in harmony in Muppet Family Christmas
A Garfield Christmas Special (1987)
Just when I think I can’t love Garfield any more after his Halloween and Thanksgiving specials, I remember his Christmas special. Oh man, talk about quality. Everyone’s favorite fat cat heads out to John’s family farmhouse for the holidays, and amazing family moments ensue. From John’s dad reading Binky the Clown Saves Christmas to John and his brother Doc Boy, to Odie constructing an adorable backscratcher out of miscellaneous items in the garage, this special is both humorous and touching all at once. My favorite character is definitely John’s crazy Grandma; she knows how to get down with her bad self at the piano playing Christmas carols!
Scrooged (1988)
A bitter TV executive (played by Bill Murray) has an upcoming segment on his TV station that is scheduled to be an adaptation of the classic Christmas Carol. Due to his unpleasant childhood, he is cynical towards the entire Christmas season and isn’t fond of this plan for his station, until he’s taught a lesson by three ghosts like the real Christmas Carol story. Not a Christmas movie I am overly familiar with by any means, but I’ve been told that if you’re a Bill Murray fan that you need to see it. I don’t know much about Bill Murray (except that my dad met him on a golf course not long after he was charged with driving a golf cart drunk in 2007 and got his autograph on a scorecard) or his movies, but any version of a Christmas Carol is usually OK in my book.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
Probably the most loved of the National Lampoon comedies, Christmas Vacation puts you at the center of the Griswold family Christmas. Clark’s (played by comedic genius Chevy Chase) continual bad luck makes preparing for the holiday a bit of a challenge, but he manages to keep his spirits high with the thought of his Christmas bonus; until he learns that his company is going to have to cut back on the Christmas bonuses this year. Absolutely nothing can top the Griswold’s 20,000 light display and Christmas tree that is too big to fit in the living room; every year, no matter how much I decorate, I can never hope to achieve that level of festiveness.
Home Alone (1990) and Home Alone 2 (1992)
AAAHHH!
Anyone who was a kid in the 90’s is familiar with Kevin’s plight of being left alone by accident various times from his family’s Christmas vacation. In the first one, Kevin (played by Macaulay Culkin; what the heck happened to him, by the way?) is accidentally left home at Christmastime when his family goes to France for the holidays and must outwit two robbers (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern). In the sequel, Kevin mistakenly winds up in New York City at Christmastime (away from the rest of his family due to a mix up at the airport) and finds he has to outsmart the same two robbers again. I always loved the 2nd one even more than the 1st one since I love NYC at Christmas time and a lot of the places Kevin winds up (like Rockefeller Center and FAO Schwartz) are places I like to visit at Christmas.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
This one ties for my favorite Christmas movie/special of all time (along with Muppet Family Christmas). This telling of the classic Christmas carol puts Jim Henson’s beloved characters at the center of this story, with narration by Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat, and Kermit the Frog starring as Bob Cratchitt alongside Michael Cane’s Ebenezer Scrooge. Endearingly witty in only the way the Muppets can be, I can basically recite every line and song to this one. I love Sam Eagle’s brief moments as Scrooge’s old headmaster, every line Rizzo has still makes he crack up…and I think this Muppet version of the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come is freakier than any other I’ve seen in any other version of A Christmas Carol. I’ve been known to watch it in the summer months just because I feel like it.
!!!!!!! <3
A Flintstones Christmas Carol (1994)
Fred Flintstone is starring as Ebenezer Scrooge in a theater adaptation of the Christmas Carol classic, but is mirroring a bit too closely the personality traits of Scrooge in his every day life. I wish I remembered more about this one; time for me to start tracking it down in a DVD bargain bin, I think. For more Flintstones holiday fun, check out The Flintstones Christmas in Bedrock (1996) where a caveless (ha…cute) kid comes to live with the Flintstones on Christmas and ends up getting himself and Fred stuck in jail right before Fred is scheduled to appear as Santa Clause in the Bedrock Christmas parade.
The Santa Clause” (1994), The Santa Clause 2 (2002) and The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006)
When Scott Calvin (played by Tim Allen) accidentally kills Santa Clause on Christmas Eve, he must take his place – and all the responsibilities that come with it. In the first one, he is less than willing to take on this task, but he (of course) eventually comes around. In the second, he learns that he must take a wife (because the world needs a Mrs. Clause), and in the third he battles Jack Frost (played by Martin Short) to regain control of Christmas. The first one is obviously the best, the second one is pretty good too, but by the third one they’re really stretching….and Martin Short gets annoying. It’s worth watching the whole trilogy though, to watch this whole story play all the way out.
Jingle All the Way (1996)
Oh man, an Arnold movie. Not only an Arnold movie, but an Arnold Christmas movie. Taking Arnold out of his typical badass action movie role Kindergarten Cop style, this Christmas movie showcases Arnold trying to make it up to his disappointed son that he’s been a distant and uninvolved father by tracking down the year’s hottest Christmas gift – Turbo Man. A must see for any Arnold fan.
Chucklewood Critters!
Chucklewood Forest Critters: Twas the Day Before Christmas (1996)
Oh yes, I’m back to advocating the critters no one but me has ever heard of. In this adventure, Buttons (bear cub) and Rusty (fox cub) search for festive Christmas ornaments throughout Chucklewood Forest . They wind up discovering a “monster,” but soon find out this monster’s true identity and celebrate Christmas together as one big happy forest of friendly critters. YouTube this one and watch it in 3 segments.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1997)
Some argue this is only a Halloween special, but I’m an advocate of it being watched both in October and December (or, really, at any time of year, simply because I just like it that much). Pumpkin King Jack Skellington searches for life outside of Halloweentown–and determines that Christmastown is just the place to give him the new perspective he needs. “What’s This?” is truly a Christmas song in it’s own right, and I feel should be played on the radio right alongside traditional songs like “Jingle Bells.”
Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997)
Iffy on exactly when this takes place, but it seems to be during the middle of Belle’s time as a prisoner in the Beast’s castle. Against the Beast’s wishes, Belle brings Christmas spirit to the castle. A pipe organ Forte (who doesn’t have any role in the main Beauty and the Beast cast of characters) fears that Belle’s Christmas cheer will end the curse and life will return to normal at the castle; and he’s probably the only enchanted item who does not want this. He wants to stay an inanimate object, as he apparently feels more useful to the Beast as an organ than as a human (yeah…slightly confusing), so he sets out to destroy Belle’s efforts and get rid of her. Not one that’s easily obtained nowadays, it’s often easiest to watch it in segments on YouTube.
It’s A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (2002)
Resembling “It’s A Wonderful Life,” a downtrodden Kermit the Frog is sent an angel (played by David Arquette) from God (played by Whoopi Goldberg) to show him what life for the rest of his Muppet pals would be like if he were never born. Endearing in ways that only the Muppets can be, look for a particularly funny cameo by the cast of Scrubs.
Elf (2003)
Will Ferrell stars as Buddy, a normal-sized man raised in Santa’s elf community who is sent away from the North Pole 
to the United States in search of his true identity. Will Ferrell can be hit or miss with me, but I adore his portrayal of Buddy the Elf in this movie (however, if you can’t stand Will Ferrell on any level, I suggest skipping this one). “First we’ll make snow angels for a two hours, then we’ll go ice skating, then we’ll eat a whole roll of Tollhouse Cookiedough as fast as we can, and then we’ll snuggle!” Sounds like a perfect plan to me, Buddy.
The Polar Express (2004)
Tom Hanks took on the voices and animated faces of multiple characters to tell the story of a doubting boy on Christmas Eve who boards the magical train that’s headed to the North Pole. Based on the popular book by Chris Van Allsburg, I really like this movie version a lot – even though I think the Hero Girl is creepishly animated and that the Know-It-All-Kid has a mind-numbingly obnoxious voice that makes me want to kick something or someone every time he has a spoken line.
A Scooby Doo Christmas (2004)
Oh man. In doing my research for this article, I came across this Christmas special that I was unaware of; and it looks like it has the potential to be amazingly terrible (a quality I happen to love). On the way to Daphne’s relatives’ for the holidays, Scooby and the rest of the gang detours through the town of Winter Hollow, where the vengeful Headless Snowman has destroyed the town’s Christmas spirit. “Vengeful Headless Snowman” may just be something I have to check out…
Shrek the Halls (2007)
I actually didn’t even know this existed, and now I kind of want to watch it. My Googling of it says it takes place between Shrek the Third and Shrek Ever After, when Fiona and Shrek’s children are babies. Shrek sets out with his copy of “Christmas for Village Idiots” to make this Christmas the best ever for his family; but some squabbling with Donkey and Puss in Boots puts a snag in his perfect plans. I’m a fan of the Shrek movies (I actually like the way they subtlety poke fun at Disney movies, even though I will advocate the awesomeness of Disney movies until the day I die), so this half hour special is probably worth checking out.
Fred Clause (2007)
Vince Vaughn stars as Fred, Santa’s bitter and spiteful older brother, who is agrees to go to the North Pole and help out his little brother (Paul Giamatti) with the Christmas rush. Even though the elves kind of creep me out, I like Vince Vaughn’s style of comedy, so this movie was alright with me (but Elf with Will Ferrell is far funnier, in my opinion).
A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa (2008)
In the newest of the Muppet Christmas specials, Gonzo accidentally sidetracks three letters to Santa – so he talks Kermit and their pals into delivering them personally to the North Pole. Look for cameos by Nathan Lane, Jane Krakowski, Whoopi Goldberg, Michael Bloomburg and Uma Thurman. Probably my least favorite out of all the Muppets Christmas movies/specials; but hey, you still can’t go wrong with the Muppets.
Oh hey Nathan Lane
A Christmas Carol (2009)
The classic tale told starring Jim Carey, who pulls a Tom Hanks in the Polar Express and lends his voice to a huge majority of the characters from Scrooge at all ages to all 3 of the Ghosts. Not one I’ve gotten around to seeing yet (and I must admit, I think the animated Scrooge that’s made to look a little bit like Jim Carey comes across slightly creepy), but the reviews have been very favorable. Anyone seen it and care to weigh in an opinion?
Speaking of weighing in opinions…what Christmas favorite of yours would you like to add to my list?
