Top 10 Best Christmas Specials of All Time

I have no shame in admitting that around the holidays I end up watching basically every holiday special ever made. It was always a tradition growing up to catch the classic Rankin/Bass and other Christmas specials. This is even made easier with channels having the 25 days of Christmas. With all of that said, not all Christmas specials are made equally. There are many that cater to the least common denominator and think because they are a Christmas specials they will be watched. This list is not looking at those. This list is looking at from my opinion the best Christmas specials. The ones that after several viewings are still amazing. Now note I am talking about animation here so no live action programs. Also, I’m only including one Rankin/Bass special as they could probably cover half of the list. Also when I say ‘Christmas Specials’ I’m including Christmas-themed episodes of series not just one-off specials. Without further delay I bring you my Top 10 Best Christmas Specials of All Time. Spoilers ahead and remember this is my opinion only.

Honorable Mentions

Emmet Otter’s Jug-band Christmas This was a debate for a while on whether this was technically live action. Thankfully, it ended up in the honor mention category after my show viewings were finally complete so I didn’t have to make that call. This is intriguing one because it’s literally the inverse of The Gift of the Magi. Emmett and his mom are dirt poor. They have to sell each others’ most prized possession in order to attempt to win 50 dollars from a talent contest. Each was trying to purchase the other a Christmas gift. Sadly, they did not win. In a minor twist of fate by combining their talents together they are offered a higher paying job singing for a restaurant. What makes this one great was that it emphasized how important family truly is, especially around the holidays. When they lost the contest, they didn’t pout or complain. Each of them was just happy that the other cared so much about them to risk everything to get them a quality Christmas gift. It may not be the most heartwarming of the Christmas specials, but you are left with hope for the future at the end of it.

It’s a Wonderful Tiny Toons Christmas Special (Tiny Toon Adventures)- This one goes literally back to my childhood. This episode was probably my first actual taste of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’. Obviously, I watched this well before I ever saw It’s a Wonderful Life. The story has Buster Bunny in the role of George Bailey. It’s more of a straight to the point adaptation of It’s a Wonderful Life which I did like. Also Tiny Toons had its regular balance of comedic references throughout. The biggest deterrent from making the actual top 10 list is that the rationale behind Buster’s change in personality is pretty lazy. I mean he decides he doesn’t want to be in Tiny Toons because his Christmas special was having several failures. It didn’t fit his personality as well. Honestly, from my personal opinion, Plucky probably would’ve fit better into George Bailey spot than Buster based upon their personalities. The only thing is that, that would mean one of your non-main two characters would be the lead in your Christmas special which would be very abnormal. Again I still love this special because it is a great adaptation of one of the best Christmas stories of all time.

10. A Pinky and the Brain Christmas (Pinky and the Brain)

I’m going to be honest, this was a very late addition to this list. I mean zero hour I already had the rest of this list chosen by that point. A Pinky and the Brain Christmas for the most part runs as a typical Pinky and the Brain episode. Brain has a plan to hypnotize the entire world with these dolls that he made and have the elves make them and Santa deliver them. The entire subplot to the story is Pinky wanting to get his letter to Santa. In the last few moments of the show you find out that Pinky’s wish was to have everything that he would otherwise receive go to the Brain. In his letter he basically says that the Brain only wants what is best for the world and he should have it. The Brain is so moved by the gesture that he couldn’t bring himself to take over the world. He just wishes everyone a Merry Christmas. What makes this special so great is that literally you see the depth of the friendship between Pinky and the Brain. I mean literally the Brain has the world in his hands and gives it up. The scene with Brain reading Pinky’s letter is almost too perfect. I was literally holding back tears. Only one other special featured such a reaction from me. The only thing that held this special back from being higher on the list was that up until that point it is very much a prototypical episode of the series. Now note I love the Pinky and the Brain typical episodes. However, in order to be towards the top of  the best Christmas specials list you need more than just one classic scene.

9. X-mas Story (Futurama)

This is a different kind of Christmas special. X-mas Story’s basic plot is that it is Fry’s first Christmas since coming to the 31st century. He realizes that everyone he ever knew and loved died a thousand years ago. He starts to mope around not realizing that Leela has never had anyone that cared about her. When he figures out his mistake, he runs out to buy her a Christmas gift. What he doesn’t know is that a Santa robot goes out every year to kill the naughty people. Inevitably almost everyone is naughty. Thus, Christmas now known as X-mas is a holiday of tragedy and fear. Fry buys Leela a parrot which quickly gets away from him. He tries to chase it down, and finally meets Leela again and tries to apologize. During his attempted apology Santa shows up and tries to kill them. During all of these events Bender goes around lying, cheating, and doing otherwise Benderish things. When Fry and Leela bump into Bender, Bender tries to blame Tiny Tim for all of his misdeeds. Santa finding this incredibly naughty immediately adds Bender to his list. This gives the gang just enough of a head start to make it back to Planet Express. Santa catches up with them. Santa gives Zoidberg a gift for being good. Zoidberg then accidentally cuts a line of lights which electrocutes Santa. Santa is then pushed into the fireplace where the blast barrier is put up. Rudolph is thrown in with him and blasting Santa off. Bender then serves the now roasted parrot for X-mas dinner. What makes this special great is, its overall effect on the series as well as being a unique story. The concept of Santa punishing the naughty people is great. This is also one of the first times you get a good feeling about where Fry and Leela’s relationship was going. Fry feels so bad about how he treated Leela that he runs out and spends all of his money on a present for her and she in turn knowingly goes out on the most dangerous night of the year to save him. That’s some deep untapped love there. It also presents some ideas that are built upon later like Fry actually does miss parts of the 20th century. Another idea built upon later is Leela and her loneliness and desire to know who she is. This works as a Christmas special because it reminds us of the importance of being with the ones we love on Christmas.

8. The Santa Experience (Rugrats)

Okay, this is probably more of a nostalgia pick, but my list, my rules. The Santa Experience starts with Angelica meeting a mall Santa. She quickly lists off her Christmas wish list. When the Santa claims that she’s being greedy she pulls down his beard to reveal that he’s a fake Santa. As an apology, the mall owner gives Angelica a large box of toys that doesn’t have anything she actually wants. She thought it would be a good trick to have Phil give up his Reptar doll for a box of crayons for a present for Lil and then she has Lil give up her coloring book for a Reptar space helmet for Phil. Grandpa Lou relays the story that bad children will receive coal which makes Angelica nervous. She spends much of the rest of the episode trying to make it up to Phil and Lil. Meanwhile, Chuckie is convinced that Santa is a bad person and Tommy tries to convince him otherwise. Additionally, Chas and Drew try to come up with plans to make Chuckie enjoy the holidays and reaffirm Angelica’s faith in Santa Claus respectively. Each comes up with an idea to have Santa come down the chimney. Chas suggests he do it but Drew says it’s best left to a professional. Didi sets the families up in a cabin for their Christmas. Angelica fails in her attempts to make it up to Phil and Lil. She calls up Santa Claus who says she’s on the bad list. She is then extremely distraught. In the evening, Chas comes down the chimney and scares Chuckie. Chuckie finally recognizes Chas and embraces him. Santa shows up from the front door. He eases Chuckie’s worries and tells Angelica that sometimes trying to the right thing is almost as important as doing the right thing in the first place. The adults decide to go ahead and open the presents. Phil and Lil receive their gifts from one another. They each realize that their gifts are useless but are happy that each was willing to give up their favorite toys for each other. Angelica then gives each them their old toys back. They then embrace Angelica. Drew receives a call from his actor, who says that he has to reschedule. Drew is furious. He and Chas then question who the Santa that showed up was. Angelica then finds coal in her toy’s attached garage. This is another great adaptation of The Gift of the Magi. Phil and Lil’s love for one another is just amazing. The gave away their most prized possessions to get a gift for one another. Another notable thing from this episode is Angelica’s change in personality. Now note it was forced from her fear of not getting presents but still. Additionally, it showed the level of love between the parents and their children because Chas was willing to do anything to make Chuckie’s Christmas better than his from when he was a kid. This is a very touching story all the way around. I loved this special growing up and now it’s actually even better than I remember it. Also notable from Rugrats in the non-Christmas realm is A Rugrats Chanukah is also quite good. Actually, all of the Rugrats holiday specials are amazing.

7. Mickey’s Christmas Carol (Disney)

This is a very noteworthy adaptation of A Christmas Carol. It places Uncle Scrooge in the place of his namesake character Ebenezer Scrooge. Mickey as Bob Cratchit and the rest of the Disney characters filling out the rest of the characters from the story. If you don’t know the basic plot of A Christmas Carol it is as follows. Scrooge is a bitter old miser. This is never more present than at Christmas time. The ghost of his former partner Jacob Marley who warns Scrooge that if he doesn’t change his wicked ways he will end up condemned in the afterlife. Marley tells Scrooge that he will be visited by 3 spirits on this night. The first spirit is the Ghost of Christmas Past which shows Scrooge his life working an accountant by the name of Fezziwig and his courtship of Belle (Isabelle in Mickey’s Christmas Carol). Belle leaves him on Christmas a number of years prior due to him caring more about money than her. Next, comes the Ghost of Christmas Present which shows Scrooge the present festivities. Specifically, he shows Cratchit’s living situation and his deathly ill son, Tiny Tim. Finally, Scrooge is taken by the Ghost of Christmas Future. The Ghost of Christmas Future shows Scrooge that Tiny Tim has passed and then Scrooge’s own grave that no one came to visit. Scrooge wakes up a changed man, giving money to the poor, asking to visit his nephew, and giving Bob a raise and a turkey dinner. Mickey’s a Christmas Carol is notable because it is a very close to the source material. Uncle Scrooge obviously fits into the role of Scrooge almost perfectly. Mickey as Bob Cratchit is actually very well cast as well. His personality just seemed to fit Bob very well. The story has a message that is always true. That message being to not be greedy and love our fellow man. A Christmas Carol is arguably my favorite Christmas story of all time and this is one of the best adaptations of it. Another notable Christmas special from Disney is Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas.

6. Christmas Flintstone (The Flintstones)

This is a very underrated Christmas special. This is mostly because it is one of several Flintstones’ Christmas specials so it partially gets lost in the fray. This special has Fred take a second job at the mall trying to get some extra money for Christmas. Turns out Fred is only good at one thing at the mall and that’s being Santa Claus. Fred is so notable as Santa that he not only makes local news, he draws the attention of the real Santa Claus. The real Santa is sick and cannot make his run this year and requests Fred do it for him. Fred happily does so finishing just in time for Christmas. Fred then realizes that he forgot his own presents in the sleigh but thankfully Santa has his back, and comes down the chimney, cold and all. This is a notable special because you get to see a completely different side to Fred. There was no get rich quick schemes or anything. It was Fred showing he most human side. This is also notable from the standpoint that really 90% of the episode is Fred by himself. It was also interesting to see the somewhat cheesy but still very well written songs that Fred sings to the children. This is one of the few episodes that everything went in Fred’s favor. This is one of those purely good-hearted specials that everyone needs every now and again. As a note, do not confuse this with the similar plot and name special, A Flintstone Christmas. That said no Flintstones Christmas special was bad, but Christmas Flintstone is definitely the best.

5. Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire (The Simpsons)

Is this the single most important episode of a show in modern television history? Debatable. However, no matter your opinion of that, it’s still an amazing Christmas special. Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire starts with Homer and Marge attending the kid’s Christmas pageant at the school. After the pageant you have Marge writing the annual Simpsons Christmas letter with the kid’s working on their Christmas lists. Lisa asks for a pony and Bart asks for a tattoo. Homer says that if Bart wants a tattoo he can pay for it himself which Bart sees as an opportunity. Homer and Marge then adamantly say no to the tattoo. Next, Homer sets up a rather pathetic lights display and is outdone by Flanders. Marge then takes the kids Christmas shopping, showing Homer the presents fund jar which is quite full. Bart then goes to a tattoo parlor and sees a ‘Mother’ tattoo which he figures Marge should inevitably like. He has the tattoo guy give him his tattoo. Marge pulls Bart out of the chair when the tattoo was almost complete and rushes him to have it removed. Marge uses all of the jar funds to pay for the removal. Meanwhile, Homer finds out that he will not receive a Christmas bonus this year. Marge then tells Homer about using the money for the removal who then freaks out. Homer fakes relief when Marge says that they will just have to push his Christmas bonus further this year, choosing to hide the truth from her. Later, Marge can tell something isn’t right with Homer. He feigns it off and offers to buy the Christmas gifts this year. He goes to the value store and starts buying cheap gifts. Finally, he ends up at Moe’s distraught when Barney offers him a solution, to become a mall Santa. I know sounds familiar. Homer goes through Santa training and gets a job as a mall Santa. Bart finds him out. Homer reveals that he took the mall Santa job for him and the rest of the family. When his week of work is done, Homer is given a measly check of $13. Which Barney suggests to take to the dog track. Homer is initially hesitate but Bart convinces him that this could be their Christmas miracle. Homer puts all of his money on a dog by the name of Santa’s Little Helper. Santa’s Little Helper loses horribly and gets chased away by his owner for his failure. Santa’s Little Helper jumps into the unwilling arms of Homer, who decides that they will keep him. Homer comes home to face his family, who, surprisingly, show great excitement with the addition of Santa’s Little Helper. This episode has a little bit of everything. From the physical comedy that The Simpsons is known for to the deeper message of doing everything for one’s family. Literally Homer sacrifices any dignity that he had to try to provide for his family. Bart showing a little bit of respect for his old man when he finds out about his sacrifice is also notable. It even has the minor touching moment when Homer welcomes Santa’s Little Helper to the family. This was the beginning of a show still on the air 27 years later and honestly it’s still one of the best.

 4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas

How the Grinch Stole Christmas is just one of those staples of Christmas that you have to watch every year. If you’ve lived under a rock for the last 50 years or so the plot goes as follows. The Whos of Whoville love Christmas it is their favorite holiday. The Grinch who lives just north of Whoville hates everything about Christmas. Specifically, he hates the noise and the rejoicing of the Whos on Christmas Day. The Grinch decides that he must stop Christmas from coming. He decides that the best way to do that is to dress like Santa and steal all of the Whos’ presents, feast, decorations, basically everything Christmas related. The Grinch goes down to Whoville and does so. He and his dog Max take his sled of the Christmas stuff to the top of Mount Crumpet. The Grinch then listens for the Whos to start crying boo-hoo. To his surprise, the Whos sing joyously anyway. The Grinch then realizes that he hadn’t stopped Christmas he had only taken the material stuff not the meaning behind it. He has a change of heart after this. He then saves the presents and goes down Mount Crumpet. The Grinch then returns everything he stole and is welcomed by the Whos and cuts the roast beast. What the main message of this is that too often people only see Christmas as being about the material stuff. The truth is that Christmas is about love and being with the people you love. This special also once again proves that anyone can have a change of heart. It also has a minor message of forgiveness as the Whos never held a grudge against the Grinch and even welcomed him with open arms. This special has an extremely powerful message. In addition, this special also has my favorite song in any Christmas special in “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”.

3. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Rankin/Bass)

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is typically the first Christmas special I watch every year. I know it’s counterintuitive to have the first one I watch in the 3 slot but that doesn’t mean much really. This along with the other Rankin/Bass specials have just been staples in my household since before I can remember and Christmas season doesn’t seem to start without them. Rudolph for those that don’t know is the story of Rudolph a reindeer born with a glowing red nose. When all the other reindeer saw his nose they wouldn’t let him play their reindeer games. The only one to not shun him was a young doe by the name of Clarice. However, when her father sees him with her he takes her away from him. Rudolph then runs to woods where he meets an elf by the name of Hermey. Hermey unlike most elves doesn’t like making toys. He instead wants to be a dentist. The two of them bond because of their uniqueness. They decide to leave together. The two of them run into the Abominable Snow Monster (Bumble) that hates Christmas and eats reindeer. They manage to elude him and later they run across a prospector by the name of Yukon Cornelius. The three of them elude the Bumble again by riding on an ice break across the sea. They end up on the Island of Misfit Toys, a haven for abandoned toys. The leader of the Island of Misfit Toys tells them that they must leave in the morning but requests they tell Santa to not forget about them this Christmas. Rudolph then leaves by himself for fear of putting the others in danger with his nose. Rudolph after growing up for a while decides it is time to go home. He goes home to find that his parents and Clarice had long been looking for him. He then discovers they had been captured by the Bumble. With help from Hermey and Yukon, Rudolph knocks the Bumble out. Hermey then takes its teeth. Without its teeth, the Bumble becomes nearly powerless. Yukon then pushes the Bumble over a cliff. When they return Rudolph and Hermey are no longer ridiculed and Hermey is offered the position of dentist. Yukon returns with the reformed Bumble who wants the job of putting the star on Christmas trees. Santa then decides that the winter storm is too thick to take off in. Santa then realizes that Rudolph would be perfect to lead his team during the storm. Rudolph then takes the front of the team they pick up the Island of Misfit Toys toys and a Merry Christmas to all. This special emphasizes not ridiculing someone just because they are different. Everyone is unique in their own way. We all bring our own skills to the table. This is another story will a great deep message held within. Ironically enough, it is not a meaning of Christmas message either which is abnormal for a Christmas special. This special also emphasizes optimism as the Misfit Toys even knowing the how dire their situation is, are optimistic that when Christmas day comes everything will work out. It also has another minor message on growing up and facing your problems. This special is just great. As note the other Rankin/Bass specials are great as well they are all not to be missed.

2. Arnold’s Christmas (Hey Arnold)

How do you place higher than such classic Christmas specials like the Grinch and Rudolph? Pretty simple, have the best written story of any Christmas special. Arnold’s Christmas is an absolute emotional roller coaster. It starts with PS 118 being released for Christmas break. All the talk being about the Christmas gifts they will be getting specifically official Nancy Spumoni snow boots, which are the season’s top sellers. You see Helga say how much she wants a pair. She also sees Arnold and soliloquies about getting him a perfect gift. Next, the boarding house selects their annual secret Santa. Arnold draws Mr. Hyunh. Arnold knows that Mr. Hyunh always seems depressed around Christmas. Gerald suggests Arnold talks to Mr. Hyunh to try to figure out what to get him. Mr. Hyunh then relays why he is always sad around Christmas. Over 20 years prior Mr. Hyunh was living in another country (not outright said which one, but implied to be Vietnam) with his daughter. It is a happy but unsettling life. There is a war going on in the north that was coming further south everyday. The war finally made it to their home front. Mr. Hyunh and his daughter are in a group of people trying to flee the country to the US. When he makes it to the helicopter the soldiers say they only have space for one more. Mr. Hyunh gives his daughter to the soldier who says that she will be in the city that Hey Arnold is based. Mr. Hyunh eventually escapes from his country and makes it to the US, however he had been unsuccessful in finding her. Arnold decides the best gift he could give would be Mr. Hyunh’s daughter back in his life. Arnold along with Gerald go to the Office of Federal Information and ask the one working individual to help them. He refuses at first but Arnold and Gerald offer to do his Christmas shopping for him in exchange for him finding Mr. Hyunh’s daughter. The only caveat is that they had to get everything on his list. They find almost everything on the list except Nancy Spumoni snow boots. While looking for the last item they run into Helga still looking for the perfect gift for Arnold. Helga finds the list of the items that Arnold needs to get. When Arnold and Gerald get back to the Office of Federal Information the guy is unwilling to help them out without the snow boots. Helga overhears the reason why he was searching for the snow boots. Helga heads home and in an ironic twist of fate gets the Nancy Spumoni snow boots that she wanted so badly. After a minor moral dilemma, Helga gives up her snow boots to the Office of Federal Information guy. Cut to the boarding house gift exchange where Arnold has nothing for Mr. Hyunh. Mr. Hyunh is understanding but still depressed. Shortly after, Phil answers the door where Mr. Hyunh’s daughter finally reunites with her father. It is such a deep and emotional moment. I previously mentioned that one other moment from a special almost brought me to tears and this was it. Then you see outside a happy Helga wishing Arnold a Merry Christmas. You have a very touching story. There’s also the true meaning of Christmas and sacrificing one’s self for others. Even some anti-commercialization. This is by far the most underrated Christmas special of all time. If you want a true understand of what Christmas is supposed to be about watch this special.

1. A Charlie Brown Christmas

A Charlie Brown Christmas is my pick for the best Christmas special of all time. The story of A Charlie Brown Christmas is pretty basic. Charlie Brown is feeling depressed because he can’t understand the over-commercialization of Christmas. Linus dismisses this as Charlie Brown being Charlie Brown. Charlie then goes to Lucy’s psychiatric booth for her advice. She recommends Charlie takeover as director of their school’s Christmas play. On the way to the rehearsal, Charlie finds Snoopy decorating his doghouse for a contest. Charlie is disgusted with his dog selling out. He then runs into Sally who needs help writing a letter to Santa Claus. She requests money in the form of tens or twenties. This further disgusts Charlie. Charlie finally makes it to the rehearsal, but no one wants to listen to him. He also wants to keep it a more traditional story and less commercial. Charlie then decides that they need a Christmas tree. Lucy sends Charlie and Linus to pick up an aluminum tree. Charlie picks the only real tree on the lot a pathetic baby tree. When Charlie brings the tree to the auditorium everyone laughs at his pathetic tree. Charlie then questions if anyone knows what Christmas is all about. Linus then quotes scripture about the birth of Christ  and tells Charlie Brown that’s what Christmas is all about. Charlie then decides that he won’t let commercialism ruin his Christmas. Charlie grabs his tree and decides to decorate it himself. He then heads home. He sees that Snoopy’s doghouse has won the contest. Charlie then takes a single ornament from the house and thinks he kills the tree. Everyone shows up to cheer Charlie up and decorate the tree. This is one of the most ironic Christmas specials ever. The entire special is against commercialism, but it was originally heavily sponsored by Coca-Cola. This included several signs and acknowledgments towards Coca-Cola. Thankfully, during my lifetime they got rid of these ads. Not that I have anything against Coca-Cola or ads for that matter just leave them in the commercials. I’ve always loved that Charlie Brown is being a more realistic character as he is doing what most of us have done at some point in our lives and questioned the over-commercialization of Christmas. I have always felt a strong connection to Charlie Brown as a character because I can understand where he is coming from. The biggest thing that set A Charlie Brown Christmas above all others was rather simple. Until I starting doing research for this list, I had not seen the Grinch in two years. I watched Arnold’s Christmas last year but not in the eight years prior to that. And I also missed Rudolph a couple of years in college. I, however, have never missed A Charlie Brown Christmas in my life. Yes, I realize that’s kind of a lame tiebreaker but when the distinct between #1 to #4 is so narrow it has to be at least acknowledged. As a note any of the top 4 could’ve easily #1. Each of them is amazing in their own way. I suggest if you not seen an episode on this list, but particularly in the top 4, to go ahead and just watch it. You will not be disappointed by any of them.

This is the Cartoon Pundit wishing everyone a Happy Holidays.