Classic Christmas Cartoons

Along with normal Christmas movies, Sarah and I have a few classic Christmas cartoons that we also like to watch. These are all movies that both Sarah and I grew up watching and have since carried into our family. I initially wasn't going to write a post on these but Sarah has been asking for it a lot lately and I just so happened to have an open day for this post. With that being said, here are my thoughts and ranking on the 7 classic Christmas cartoons that we watch every year.

7. A Year Without a Santa Claus

A Year Without a Santa Claus is the one movie on this list that I don't really care for. There are elements of it that are fun. The Mizer Brothers and their songs are very entertaining. Mrs. Claus also gets to be more center stage which is cool. But on the whole, I just could never get on board with the story. Santa deciding to cancel Christmas because he's bummed out is just odd and the whole detour to Southtown is completely unnecessary. They could have not gone to Southtown and the outcome would have been exactly the same. Overall, while Sarah really likes this one, I could just never get on board with it.

6. Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Santa Claus is Coming to Town is Sarah's favorite Christmas cartoon. I think it is perfectly ok. I don't dislike it but it isn't my favorite either. The songs are all pretty catchy and most of the characters are fun. I also think it is fun how they throw in lines from the original song into different conversations. The movie is essentially an origin story of Santa and does a pretty good job with it. The only thing keeping this down is that a few of the songs are just a bit forgettable. Other than that, it is a fun little Christmas cartoon.

5. Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer

Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer is another of the stop motion animation cartoons. This is one is probably the best of the 3 longer movies like cartoons. This one has the best songs in it and characters that are more fun and memorable. This one is also just a bit more iconic than the other two lower on this list. The story here is pretty solid with a good message about being yourself and not needing to fit in. There isn't anything really wrong with this cartoon, I just don't like this style of cartoon as much as the traditional animated ones.

4. Frosty the Snowman

Frosty the Snowman is a fun little 25-minute cartoon. The characters are all fun. Frosty is just so genuine and great. Hocus Pocus gives fun comic relief and Professor Hinkle is a solid villain. The cartoon also manages to throw some emotional moments in as well. Overall, this is a very sweet cartoon and a great classic.

3. Mickey's Christmas Carol

Mickey's Christmas Carol is a very fun adaptation of the classic tale. In this version we get to see classic Disney characters in the main roles with Mickey as Bob Cratchit, Goofy as Marley, Donald as Scrooge's nephew, Jiminy Cricket as the ghost of Christmas Past and so many more. Having the characters play these parts just a whole new level of fun to the story. Just like any other version of A Christmas Carol, this cartoon manages to hit the emotions at the perfect time. In the end, this just a just a very fun cartoon.

2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas

How the Grinch Stole Christmas is almost tied with number one on this list. This has always been one of my favorite stories. The Grinch is one of my favorite holiday characters. The story itself is perfectly paced. It does a great job of matching the tone and flow of the book. It also introduces the world to the classic song You're a Mean One Mister Grinch which is one of my favorite songs. This cartoon also delivers a great message about what Christmas is really about.

I. A Charlie Brown Christmas

There was never any question that A Charlie Brown Christmas was going to come in at the top. I love The Peanuts stories and all of the characters that go along with it. The story is really solid with an important message about the real meaning of Christmas. We get to see Charlie Brown go through an existential crisis about Christmas until he learns the true meaning at the end. This movie also has a great soundtrack with Vince Gualidri bringing so many great jazzy piano songs. This movie is also the funniest out of all of these cartoons. Overall, this is just a great story that makes me feel good every time I watch it.