The holiday season is many things. A time for reflection, unity, and joy. The season is also fertile ground for the merge between reality and fantasy. Incorporating customs from various cultures, the holidays unite communities by way of retelling religious accounts and folktales. From some of thebest movies about Santa Clausand other patrons of the snowy season, many films have successfully left audiences bathed in the warmth of true love.
Animationhas long been held as an expansive frontier for creatives to explore stories that, at their core, are mundane. Carrying universal themes of camaraderie, compassion, and care, theseChristmasfilms have wonderfully explored the complex feelings that come with the holiday, and have done so while going under the radar.
10’The Snowman' (1982)
The Snowmanserves as an animated Christmas and a poem. Based on Raymond Briggs' 1978 story of the same name, the dialogue-less film follows the titular snowman trudging through the snow-coated city of Brighton. Introduced to the city by way of a young boy named James, audiences witness his creation of the snowman, as well as the snowman coming to life in the middle of the night. Throughout the film, the two drift from the quaint home and cross the skies, on route to the North Pole.
A Majestic Tale of Imagination
The Snowman
What it lacks in dialogue and length,The Snowmanmakes up for in impact. From the serene symphonic poem that accompanies the characters to the beautiful depictions of wintertime friendship, the film remains a touching piece about the magic of life. While James and the snowman exchange zero words, the adventure they embark on is remarkable and unforgettable, especially for anyone feeling sentimental during the season.
9’Tokyo Godfathers' (2003)
Tokyo Godfatherschronicles the experience of a diverse group of people after they discover an abandoned newborn. The trio, who are unhoused and neglected by greater society, embark on a holiday adventure to reunite the child with their parents. Through their dealings with the Yakuza, running into a Latino hitman, and the group’s personal demons coming to haunt them,Tokyo Godfathersdefinitely stands as one of the more engaging holiday films.
An Action-Packed Exploration of Community
The film might seem like a jarring choice to consider a Christmas film. Nevertheless, the holiday aura that follows the characters throughout the film is not a blip in the radar, nor does it take a backseat to the action. Instead, the presence of a chosen family and their collective decision to congeal rather than fend for themselves during times of distress makes their encounter a particularly memorable Christmas miracle.
8’The Snowy Day' (2016)
The Snowy Dayis a recent adaptation of the beloved Ezra Jack Keats novel of the same name. Following a young boy named Peter, the film is an innocuous celebration of snowfall. Wearing his iconic red jumpsuit, Peter explores the city, leaving his mark as he comes across older school kids, a hill perfect for snowman building, and a long trek home before freezing cold nights.
A Stunning and Swift Glance at Genuine Glee
Including contributions from Laurence Fishburne, Regina King, and Angela Bassett, the 2016 creation debuted on Prime Video. Lauded by critics for its sincerity and faithfulness to the source material,The Snowy Dayis a tranquil exploration of winter joy, offering viewers a look into a close-knit, diverse neighborhood that may mirror that of the viewer’s reality, or imagination of a more compassionate Christmas season in the future.
7’A Christmas Carol' (2009)
A Christmas Carolfollows the notorious Ebenezer Scrooge (Jim Carey) and the enlightening Christmas he experiences. Initially greedy and misanthropic to a fault, ScroOge spends Christmas Eve sulking in misery. However, he is visited by three apparitions at one in the morning, the latter hoping to dive into his past, present, and future in hopes of reviving his holiday spirit, and potentially offering him a more optimistic look at life.
A Touching Look at Loneliness During the Holidays
Disney’s A Christmas Carol
Not only does the film benefit from a gratifying use of motion capture, but performances by Carey, Gary Oldman, and Colin Firth, to name a few, really drive the message ofA Christmas Carolhome.Despite its underwhelming performance at the box office, critics have labeled the film well-crafted and engaging from various angles. The heart of the story speaks to the loneliness and regret that some may have during the holidays and, through a trip down memory lane, Scrooge morphs into an emblematic figure of the possibilities one can achieve with a sliver of hope.
6’Tom and Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale' (2007)
The infamous cat and mouse duo have entertained entire generations for decades. Be it their hilarious rivalry or the sweet moments where they band together against a common foe, 30 minutes with these two will surely lift spirits. This balance is further explored inTom & Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale,where a seemingly innocent night spent watching the aforementioned play quickly transforms into a magical, midnight extravaganza. With Tom portraying one of the Mouse King’s henchmen and Jerry taking on the role of the Nutcracker, the hijinks the two get involved in result in an amusing holiday special.
When Two Iconic Tales Converge
Tom and Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale
The mischief that the pair get into is nothing short of expected. With that being said, its adaptation of the familiar holiday story brings a fantastical spin to Tom & Jerry’s predictable yet entertaining quarrels. For anyone in search of familiar faces to help lighten up their mood,Tom & Jerry: A Nutcracker Taleoffers audiences an easily identifiable story with many schemes and plots to appreciate.
5’Father Christmas' (1991)
Father Christmasis the equally enjoyable sequel to the aforementioned short filmThe Snowman. Reintroducing audiences to the typically jolly red man, the film takes a more contemporary approach to following his life. After delivering presents to folks around the world, he returns to his quaint British apartment. Feeling in the mood for a vacation, he converts his famous sleigh into a camper van and takes his pet reindeer on a trip to the French countryside, kick-starting a charming worldwide tour.
A Spectacular, Short Holiday Adventure
The film continues to build on the serenity seen inThe Snowman. Featuring pleasant cameos from characters in previous Raymond Briggs' stories and new exciting terrain for the characters to explore, the film makes excellent use of its 26 minutes. Watching Santa’s journey from one Christmas Eve to another,Father Christmasis a splendid short film to set the mood for the holidays.
4’Arthur Christmas' (2011)
Arthur Christmasfollows a world where the role of “Santa Claus” is passed down from generation to generation. This generation of Clauses, led by Malcom (Jim Broadbent) divvies up the responsibilities of gift-giving between his children and wife. Initially tasked with answering letters from children, Malcolm’s youngest son Arthur (James McAvoy) steps into the mantle of gift-delivering after a mishap causes one of the children to be overlooked. Hoping to deliver said gift in time, Arthur embarks on an international adventure.
Ambition and Amusement Wrapped in Animation
Arthur Christmas
The Aardman Animations film would earn rave reviews for its refreshing approach to Christmas. As family is a major theme of the holiday, the decision to make Santa a hereditary practice only highlights the power of tradition, more specifically, its capabilities to do the unthinkable for the sake of everyone’s genuine happiness. Sprinkled with humor and heart,Arthur Christmasis the perfect family film to indulge in.
3’Robin Robin' (2021)
Robin Robinis a lovely fish-out-of-water film that focuses on the titular bird and her adventures with a family of mice that take her in. Constantly attempting to prove herself to her family, Robin (Bronte Carmichael) attempts to swipe a shining star from a nearby human’s home for the holidays. However, the presence of a dastardly cat (Gillian Anderson) alongside pressures from her family to fit in causes quite the commotion.
A Witty, Heartwarming Celebration of Self
Robin Robin
Robin Robinis a recent addition to the long-held appreciation and exploration of family dynamics. While it may have gone unnoticed among the public, the film was nominated in animation categories at the Academy Awards, The British Academy Children’s Award, and the NAACP Image Awards. Taking the chance to watch the sentimental film, its acclaim speaks for itself. From the impressive animation and the sentimental story at the center of the film,Robin Robinis a modern masterpiece.
2’Annabelle’s Wish' (1997)
Annabelle’s Wishis a touching tale of a young calf’s (Kath Soucie) dream to fly with Santa as one of his reindeer. Living on a rural Tennessee farm, Annabelle and her four-legged peers are gifted a temporary chance to speak by the one and only Santa Claus. Quickly befriending Billy (Hari Oziol), the farmer’s son, the two attempt to protect their friendship and each other’s interests, both of which are under threat from Billy’s rude aunt Agnes (Cloris Leachman) and their foul-spirited neighbor Gus (Jim Varney).
The Power of Friendship and Faith, Explored
Annabelle’s Wish
Imagining a transformative, magical event in hopes of living a perceived dream come true is as universal of an experience as one can get. The 1997 film is an exemplary display of empathy and reciprocity. Annabelle and Billy’s friendship is emblematic of the film’s tone and message; sentimental and heartwarming. Watching both characters blossom into something better than their dreams suggested will surely inspire hope and compassion in viewers, especially with Santa’s intervention in the film.
15 New Holiday Specials to Enjoy This Season on Streaming
The holidays, and by extension, holiday films and specials, remind audiences of the transformative power of kindness, humility, and genuine love.
1’The Small One' (1978)
The Small One(released asA Christmas Miraclein the UK) follows the journey of a young boy and his admittedly scrawny donkey. Set in the Galilean countryside, the young protagonist (Sean Marshall) typically enjoys a lovely day with the titular donkey. However, when his father (Olan Soule) reveals that they must sell the donkey to make ends meet, the boy is devastated. Hoping to find a kind master for the donkey, the pair travel to merchants where varying opinions are shared, one of which shines brighter than the others.
A Moving Journey Towards Destiny
The Small One
Initially believed to be just another sentimental tale of a child and his pet,The Small Oneshapes up to be a rather moving Christmas piece. Alluding to biblical accounts and spreading messages of kindness, faith, and affection, the film makes great use of the glimmering perspectives baked into most Disney films. A wholesome story for the family,The Small Oneis anything but a damper.
