Best Animated Holiday Films

When the snow starts to pile up and the Christmas commercials start to play on the TV, you know that the Christmas season is upon us once again. As an essential part of the Christmas season, be sure to watch any one of these great animated films that occupy a central place in the holiday films canon.

"Mickey's Christmas Carol"
This animated classic from Disney is one of the finest versions of Charles' Dickens's classic that has ever been made. Using various characters from the vast array that Disney has made, it features Scrooge McDuck (appropriately) as the miserable miser Ebenezer Scrooge, Mickey Mouse as Bob Cratchett, and Donald (voiced by Ogden Nash, in his last performance as the character) as Scrooge's nephew Fred. Although it is only a short film, this marvelous cartoon manages to capture the spirit of this holiday classic.

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas"
Every child should watch this animated film during the holiday season, if for no other reason than to hear the powerful voice of Boris Karloff as he adopts the very personality of the Grinch himself. The story is one that could only have been written by the inimitable Dr. Seuss, and it is truly moving to see the erstwhile villain transform into a hero through the power of song and the triumph of the Christmas spirit.

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"
If you have not watched this delightful holiday film, then you have not truly experienced Christmas. Produced by the famous studio of Rankin Bass and featuring the marvelously jolly singing voice of Burl Ives, this holiday romp expands the story of Rudolph immortalized in the song into a touching, poignant story. The songs are truly some of the most memorable that have ever been made in a Christmas movie, and many of them can be on the radio to this day. If you haven't watched it, you have to do so immediately.

"A Charlie Brown Christmas"
This little gem of an animated film has a little bit of everything for everyone. From humor to moments of the purest beauty, you would have to have a heart made of stone not to be touched and filled with the Holiday spirit upon watching this film. Although it was made in the mid-1960s, it continues to remain a perennial favorite, and it will not take much effort to find it on any one of numerous channels.

"A Garfield Christmas"
Although this animated Christmas film does not get played as much as the others in this list, it is nevertheless one of the best that you will ever watch. Featuring everyone's fat feline, this film follows Garfield's adventures as he discovers that Christmas is more about the love than it is about the gifts that you may give or receive. If you haven't watched this film, then be sure to order it from Netflix as soon as you can.

If you want to watch some films that will put you in the holiday spirit, then be sure to watch any of these fantastic animated films.

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