Christmas is just around the corner! What better way to bring joy and entertainment to the house than curling up on the couch and putting on some good animated Christmas movie?
But this is not just any Christmas animation list!
As we have repeated oh-so-many times previously in our other blogs, animation is all about the details. The art of creating truly beautiful and captivating animated movies lies in the smallest things from color pallets and line shapes to the way light bounces off objects.
We try to bring light to these small details in our list of best Christmas animations so you may appreciate them even more!
So, join us on a journey into the world of animation, where you’ll discover the magic behind the scenes of your favorite animated films. This is a list of 13 hand-picked animated Christmas films. Some for kids and some for adults. So grab your popcorn and gather your loved ones – you’re in for a ride!
1 – Rise of the Guardians (2012) 
Have you met Jack Frost, the charismatic and lively spirit of winter? Join him as he teams with the Guardians to protect the innocence and wonder of childhood. We’re talking about mythical characters and adorable sidekicks here. These “Guardians” are:
- Santa Claus, the jolly gift-giver;
- The Easter Bunny, master of egg-ish surprises;
- The Tooth Fairy, keeper of precious memories;
- Sandman, the weaver of dreams;
- Jack Frost, the mischievous winter spirit.
Blending action-packed adventures with adorable characters and themes of friendship, courage, and the power of belief makes it a true Christmas cocktail.
Animation Style & Techniques
“Rise of the Guardians” is as visually stunning as it is plot-wise. Animation styles and techniques ebb and flow with different characters and their moods. Here are some descriptions of notable scenes of this animated Christmas movie.
North’s Workshop: The bustling headquarters of Santa Claus with its intricate machinery is rendered using a combination of 3D animation and procedural techniques.
The Tooth Fairy’s Palace: The floating realm of swirling clouds and whimsical architecture comes to life in 3D animation with post-processing effects.
Sandy’s Dream World: The swirling sands of Sandy, the master of dreams and nightmares, are animated with a mix of hand-drawn and 3D animation elements.
Who Should Watch This Animation?
Rise of the Guardians can be called a family movie by some stretch of the imagination. It is a great animated Christmas movie that older kids, teenagers, and adults will enjoy more.
2 – Tokyo Godfathers (2003)
Picture the city of Tokyo bustling with sounds, neon lights, and towering skyscrapers. That’s where the story of three homeless people meeting an abandoned newborn baby happens.
Gin, an alcoholic ex-journalist; Hana, a transvestite nightclub worker; and Miyuki, a runaway teenager, take it upon themselves to find the baby’s parents. That’s how this exotic trio starts on a journey through the underbelly of Tokyo’s festive celebrations.
Animation Style & Techniques
Tokyo Godfathers (2003) has a beautifully smooth and fluid animation that seems to be in motion with the characters’ stories.
A Watercolor Masterpiece: Tokyo Godfathers’ animation style is as unique as its characters. Director Satoshi Kon employed a watercolor-like technique, using soft washes of color and delicate brushstrokes to create a dreamlike atmosphere.
A Tribute to Tokyo: This animated Christmas movie is not just a beautiful animation, but a love letter to the city of Tokyo too. Animators meticulously recreate the city’s landmarks and street scenes to paint the backdrop of the three protagonists’ stories.
Who Should Watch This Animation?
Tokyo Godfathers (2003) is definitely not a children’s movie, so it is not suited for your family’s Christmas gathering. However, teens and adults will surely enjoy watching this amazing story unfold in anime style.
3 – The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas! (2012)
It’s time for everyone’s favorite naughty hat-wearing feline – The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas! A direct-to-video animated Christmas movie perfect for the holiday season. Based on the popular children’s book by Dr. Seuss, this film brings the beloved characters to life with colorful animation and a catchy soundtrack.
Join Sally and Nick, two curious siblings, as their Christmas Eve takes an unexpected turn when the Cat in the Hat bursts through their door, hat in hand and radiating evil!
Animation Style & Techniques
The whole animation of “The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas!” is rendered with bright colors and in goofy settings.
Classis Seuss Style: This animated Christmas movie captures the essence of Dr. Seuss’s whimsical and imaginative world. The characters, from the mischievous Cat to the wide-eyed Sally and Nick, are depicted in bold lines and bright colors, bringing the pages of the book to life with energy and charm.
Innovative 3D: The film adds a touch of 3D magic to the classic 2D animation, with subtle depth of field and tilting camera angles that enhance the visuals and make the characters feel more real.
Exaggeration: The Cat in the Hat and the Whos are brought to life through their exaggerated features and expressive movements. The Cat’s oversized head and mischievous grin convey his playful nature, while the Whos’ large eyes and rosy cheeks reflect their innocence and optimism.
Who Should Watch This Animation?
The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas! is a delightful treat for the whole family. Kids will be captivated by the Cat’s playful antics and colorful world, while adults will appreciate the nods to Dr. Seuss’s original book and the heartwarming message about the true spirit of Christmas.
4 – Shrek the Halls (2007)
This is an amazing Christmas Special featuring the all-time-favorite character of (mostly) adults and teens, Shrek. As the festive season approaches, Shrek’s peaceful swamp is invaded by an overabundance of Christmas cheer. And he is NOT happy about that because, well, he is Shrek.
Try as he might, the festive season doesn’t go as planned in Shrek’s household. This is a comedy, animated Christmas movie for the whole family.
Animation Style & Techniques
Secondary Animation: Pay attention to subtler movements that add nuance and lifelikeness to characters. Shrek’s eyebrows scrunch, his nostrils flare, and his ears twitch, conveying his thoughts and feelings without dialogue.
Who Should Watch This Animation?
As we said above, Shrek the Halls is a fun comedy for the whole family. Fans of the Shrek franchise will especially appreciate this Christmas animated movie.
5 – Polar Express (2004)
On a snowy Christmas Eve, a young boy, longing for belief in Santa Claus, boards a mysterious train that appears in his backyard. Meet a group of eccentric passengers on a thrilling ride to the North Pole to see the true magic of Christmas.
Animation Style & Techniques
Seamless Blend of Animation and Performance Capture: The film is the first feature-length animation to employ motion capture. The results may not look impressive now, but they looked really unique back when the movie was released!
Seamless Integration of Digital and Traditional Elements: The backgrounds show digitally rendered landscapes with beautiful hand-drawn textures and details.
Who Should Watch This Animation?
Anyone who enjoys a heart-warming Christmas tale should watch “The North Pole” animated Christmas movie. Children will enjoy the story’s magic in motion and adults can appreciate the nostalgia of the film.
6 – Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas (2021)
Join the funny and adorable escapades of Shaun the Sheep in this animated Christmas special. Shaun’s excitement for the holidays turns to dismay when a botched attempt to get roomier stockings for the flock leads to Timmy (the little one) going missing.
This animated Christmas short movie depicts Shaun’s adventures after he takes to the snow-covered countryside to find Timmy. The characters still have their familiar quirks and signature senses of humor, for any Shaun the Sheep fans wondering.
Animation Style & Techniques
“Shaun the Sheep: Flight Before Christmas” creates a cute mix of stop-motion animation with traditional 2D elements.
Stop-Motion Mastery: The film’s stop-motion animation looks amazing, capturing the subtle movements and expressions of the sheep characters with remarkable detail.
Snowy Textures and Effects: The film employs realistic snow particle effects, bringing the winter setting to life and creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
Who Should Watch This Animation?
“Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas” is a Christmas treat for everyone. Its plot, animation, and characters will have young and adult audiences glued to the couch!
7 – Eight Crazy Nights (2002)
Davey Stone, a former basketball star who is now a down-and-out alcoholic, has a chance to redeem himself when he is tasked with coaching his son’s basketball team. However, Davey’s past mistakes and his own self-destructive tendencies threaten to derail his efforts.
Animation Style & Techniques
There aren’t many special animation techniques in Eight Crazy Nights worth mentioning. However, the animation captures the film’s comedic tone and detailed cityscapes in a unique Adam Sandler way!
Who Should Watch This Animation?
Eight Crazy Nights is a hilarious and heartwarming film that is suitable for audiences of all ages. Adults and little ones will enjoy this animated Christmas movie’s humor and story on a cozy Christmas evening.
8 – How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
In the town of Whoville, the grumpy Grinch despises the festive spirit of Christmas. Determined to ruin everyone’s holiday cheer, the Grinch hatches a plan to steal all the presents, food, and decorations from the Whos to ruin their moods too!
Animation Style & Techniques
The animators, under the direction of legendary Chuck Jones, drew inspiration from Dr. Seuss’s original illustrations to capture the essence of his whimsical, exaggerated style.
Detailed Sets: The attention to detail in the set design is remarkable, from the intricate carvings on the Grinch’s cave to the details of the Whos’ houses. You know crazy details have gone into this classic’s animation once you watch it yourself!
Dr. Seuss’s World: Everything from the quaint Whoville houses to colorful Christmas decorations is drawn and rendered in the iconic Dr. Seuss style.
Who Should Watch This Animation?
How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a timeless classic for everyone.
The Grinch’s mischievous antics and heartwarming message make it an enjoyable film for children and adults.
9 – The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Jack Skellington, the popular and loved king of the Halloween world, becomes obsessed with Christmas after accidentally stumbling upon Santa Claus’s workshop. He then makes it his mission to become Father Christmas and to bring joy and wonder and colorful gifts to children’s lives!
But as you might imagine, not all goes as planned.
Note: This is an adorable dark fantasy that everyone continues to appreciate. Add Tim Burton’s signature dark humor to the mix and we have ourselves a MUST-WATCH CHRISTMAS ANIMATION.
Animation Style & Techniques
“The Nightmare Before Christmas” is a stop-motion animation masterpiece by the legendary Tim Burton and Henry Selick. This Christmas film’s animation beautifully captures the spirit of Halloween and Christmas.
Stop Motion Charm: Jack’s lanky movements, Sally’s expressive eyes, and the townspeople’s spooky charm are all animated using Stop Motion.
Lighting: Lighting effects change with the animation’s themes and sceneries. There is the dark, spooky Halloween Town and then there is the warm, inviting lighting of Christmas Town.
Who Should Watch This Animation?
Everyone from young to old can enjoy watching “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Play it on a snowy day with your family or at your friends’ Christmas gathering and enjoy the beautiful animation of this classic masterpiece.
10 – Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983)
A miserly and grumpy Scrooge McDuck is haunted by the ghosts of the past, present, and future of Christmas! These “ghosts” show Scrooge the consequences of his self-centered ways and the true meaning of the Christmas spirit.
Animation Style & Techniques
Mickey’s Christmas Carol is a traditionally 2D animated film with vibrant colors and lovely characters. This animated Christmas film has character designs that scream “Disney” from miles away, a sign that masterful animators have been at work.
Hand-Drawn Details: Let’s just take a moment to appreciate the details of the animation from the cobblestone streets to the intricate carvings on buildings.
Disney Charm: Even when it comes to animating Dickens’s darker themes, Disney does it with a bright charm. The Victorian setting of Dickens’s story is brought to life with the same charming magic. Just look at how those grand Victorian mansions look both realistic and silly!
Who Should Watch This Animation?
Everyone can enjoy watching “Mickey’s Christmas Carol.” While this animated Christmas movie stays faithful to Dickens’s story, it portrays an adorable tale with lovable characters and scenes that’ll bring smiles to everyone’s faces.
11 – Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas (1999)
Mickey and his buddies go on different equally heart-warming adventures while trying to celebrate Christmas! Here we have:
Donald’s Stuck Christmas: Donald’s ambitious plan to prepare the perfect Christmas feast turns into a chaotic comedy of errors. And we love to watch him suffer, don’t we?
Mickey and Minnie’s Gift of the Magi: Mickey and Minnie’s love for each other faces a surprising test when they exchange gifts that reflect their deepest desires.
Pluto’s Christmas Tree: Pluto is determined to safeguard his beloved Christmas tree with all he’s got, putting his protective instincts to work.
Animation Style & Techniques
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas incorporates a combination of traditional and computer-generated animation. Characters retain their signature Disney charm while the animation seamlessly transitions between traditional hand-drawn sequences and digitally rendered backgrounds.
Winter Wonderland Aesthetic: It’s the holiday season in Mickey’s world and it shows! Snow-covered landscapes, cozy fireplaces, and extravagant Christmas decorations come together to create a festive aesthetic.
Who Should Watch This Animation?
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas (1999) is the perfect Christmas animated movie to watch with family, friends, and all loved ones.
12 – Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Rudolph is a young reindeer born with a unique red nose. It is so red, in fact, that it radiates a red light that makes all other reindeer make fun of him. It’s easy to see why Rudolph might feel isolated and unwanted.
That’s until a fierce snowstorm threatens to disrupt Christmas Eve and Rudolph’s glowing nose becomes a savior!
Animation Style & Techniques
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was originally a TV special produced using stop-motion animation.
Stop-Motion Intricacy: The stop-motion animation allows miniature models to move frame by frame. This means characters get to have incredibly detailed movements and facial expressions that make them even more lovable.
Who Should Watch This Animation?
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a cute and timeless tale of self-acceptance and love. If you and your family enjoy classic Christmas tales and stop-motion animation, then this animated Christmas movie will fit into your Christmas traditions!
13 – The Grinch (2018)
You already know The Grinch, a grumpy and reclusive creature who despises the cheerful holiday spirit that engulfs Whoville. And that’s why we love him (don’t ever change, Grinch)!
He plans to ruin Christmas for everyone so he comes up with the genius idea to steal everyone’s presents and Christmas decorations.
Animation Style & Techniques
Dimensionality and Realism: The characters are rendered with a sense of dimensionality and realism. The Grinch’s hunched posture and Cindy Lou Who’s petite frame add to their distinct personalities and appeal.
Grinch’s Lair & Whoville: Pay attention to the opposite environments of Whoville and the Grinch’s secluded cave. Whoville’s vibrant colors, lively streets, and beautiful decorations contrast with the Grinch’s gloomy cave and rustic surroundings.
Who Should Watch This Animation?
The Grinch is a Christmas animation for audiences of all ages. This mischievous antihero is not likely to lose his charm any time soon, so watch it this year with your loved ones and have a merry Christmas!
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