Top 10 Animated Movies That Are Perfect for the Holidays

Here’s the very first Christmas-themed movie you should watch after Halloween. It acts as a nice bridge between one holiday to the next (barring Thanksgiving in the middle there, but we digress). The debate has been around since its release: Is it more of a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie? We like the answer that it’s both, but it’s hard to deny how much time Jack spends focusing on the latter holiday. With all that said, if you’re a fan of the macabre and you don’t mind that bleeding over into the red and green festivities, this is the watch for you.

With so many holiday movies focusing on Christmas, it’s imperative that we see other traditions honored. “An American Tail” celebrates Hanukkah and follows a Russian-Jewish family of mice as they try to make their way to the United States for a better life. It’s a little weightier than some of the other entries on our list but it’s beautifully animated and aims to tell a story reminiscent of that of many immigrants. If the vibes feel familiar at all, that would be because it was directed by Don Bluth, the same man responsible for fan favorite “Anastasia”. While this movie isn’t really about Hanukkah, the holidays can be a time where we reflect on our heritage and ancestry, and this movie certainly explores those themes.

While the focus of Christmas tends to be on Santa Claus, let’s be honest for a second, most of the action actually takes place with the elves. “Prep & Landing” gives them an even more hands-on role – as if they weren’t already overworked enough! We follow them out of the workshop as they help prep houses for the big guy’s arrival. This is “Mission: Impossible” for Santa’s helpers, so if you were ever looking to combine the two rather distinct genres, you’ll love this one. It does only have a runtime of 22 minutes, which makes for a breezy watch that keeps the magic of the holiday alive despite the calculatedness of the elves’ mission.

Though not specifically a holiday movie per se, “Rise of the Guardians” showcases a few different traditions. We get the Tooth Fairy, Sandman, the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus and Jack Frost as quite the ensemble of characters. With Jack Frost bringing us snow days and Nicholas St. North leading the team, we get some nice winter imagery. It’s a totally underrated movie regardless of when you choose to watch, and the true heart and soul of the movie aligns nicely with what so many love about December celebrations.

And so, the comfort picks begin! There’s something so soothing about the “Peanuts” franchise. Whether it’s because of the pleasant music, the characters’ adorable designs, or Snoopy being the cutest cartoon beagle known to man, the nostalgia hits. For those of us who get the holiday blues, there’s also a lot of comfort in Charlie Brown openly talking about feeling glum during a time where everyone tells you you should be happy. Incidentally, this is the movie that first introduced Charlie Brown’s sad, barren Christmas tree to the world and it’s been a pop culture staple ever since. Charlie brings it home after feeling that it needs a home and that’s just so precious.

There are a few different films that feature the Sensational Six around Christmas time. “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas” is a popular one. But, with 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and raving reviews all around, many feel the “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” short is THE seasonal must-see. It’s exactly what it sounds like: the typical “A Christmas Carol” story with Mickey and co. as the cast. If you’re a “DuckTales” fan, you’ll get a kick out of seeing who else but Scrooge McDuck in the role of Ebenezer. This is another movie (or bunch of movies if you plan to watch them all) that brings nostalgia by the heaps.

British humor is elite humor – we said what we said, take it up with the Royal Family if you don’t like it. With a brilliant voice cast and a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, this one is up there as far as animated Christmas gems go. While you would think elves who carry out their mission in a spy-like manner would be hard to come by, “Prep & Landing” is not the only film to do it. In addition to an elf battalion, we’re treated to some wonderful family dynamics and a message that emphasizes the importance of standing by what you believe is right.

This film is a breath of fresh air. While most animated holiday adventures emphasize punchline after punchline and in-your-face action, “Klaus” slows things down. We follow Jesper, a postman’s son sent to Norway to learn some discipline. In the small town, he meets a man called Klaus who handmakes small toys and develops a habit of sending them out to children who write to him. If you ever wanted a Santa origin story, this would be the movie to see. Not only is it visually stunning with beautiful backdrops and a keen focus on lighting, it’s also just a really heartwarming story.

Our hearts grow three sizes every time we watch this one! It’s a classic like “Frosty the Snowman” or “A Christmas Carol” and just can’t be left out. Dr. Seuss’ rhymes are always a delight to hear and the 1966 version really feels like an animated storybook come to life. If you’re looking for something a bit more current, Universal Pictures put out “The Grinch” in 2018, which takes everything we love about the original and gives it a modern spin. Plus, with Benedict Cumberbatch at the helm, an otherwise intolerable character becomes somehow likable.

There are a lot of magical moments that make this movie so great. There’s also something sort of Hogwarts-y about a train coming to pick up and drop off kids in the middle of the night, no matter where they live. While the Hogwarts Express doesn’t do this, exactly, the utter magic surrounding the Polar Express is palpable. The conductor validating the golden tickets, the warm feel of the interior of the train, and the kids eventually making it to the North Pole are all moments we look forward to seeing. The scene where the train gets derailed is also some incredible animation for its time and an excellent example of how to build tension. In the end, though, nothing really compares to that sweet moment with the bell.

Which movie do you always watch around the holidays? Let us know in the comments.