Additional Awesome Animated Christmas Specials

 In 2017, I made this video about some of my personal favorite cartoon Christmas specials. But truth be told, that list was highly weak and lacked some of my other favorites.

The wait is over. It has come time to shine a light on other amazing Christmas specials.


OLIVE THE OTHER REINDEER


Olive the Other Reindeer is an amusing little thing. It's based on a children's book, and so the special emulates the feel of a pop-up picture book. The result is very surreal and kinda awkward to watch today, but it was surely cutting edge for its time. Matt Groening was the director of this special (in fact, this is his only work aimed at kids), resulting in the special being incredibly hilarious and intelligent. Kids and adult alike will have a smile on their face almost the whole time.

FROSTY THE SNOWMAN


Frosty the Snowman is one of Rankin/Bass' few works that aren't stop motion, but that's okay. Frosty is charming and adorable through and through. The character designs have that particular cozy style common in 60s cartoons (like Jay Ward, Hanna-Barbera etc), and the great animation can be attributed to Mushi Productions in Japan. Frosty best anime. Jimmy Durante's narration and singing are just the cherry on top, though if you're an H-B nut like me, you'll never unhear Doggie Daddy (his voice was an impression of Durante's).

THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS


Let's be real here. The special is best remembered for the Miser Brothers, but the other aspects make this special stand out. For example, the prolonged focus on Mrs. Claus, who is quite the capable hero. The special also examines believing in Santa and what is considered 'childish'. And of course, the music. Besides the Snow/Heat Miser song, I also love that little girl's melancholy cover of "Blue Christmas".

THE POWERPUFF GIRLS: TWAS THE FIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS


When I hear 'an asskicking christmas', this special is one of two that come to mind. This special was a diamond in the rough that was Seasons 5 and 6. Craig McCracken and Lauren Faust being involved helps out here. There's no unnecessary gross-out or prolonged awkward silence, just plenty of kickassery, high quality animation, and Princess Morbucks getting what she deserves. The Narrator is fun as always, with his Seussian narration.

REGULAR SHOW: THE WHITE ELEPHANT GIFT EXCHANGE


Adding on to the above, the other special that comes to mind when I hear 'an asskicking christmas' is Regular Show's "The Christmas Special". Unfortunately, I'm not gonna talk about it here, because I want to highlight another one of my favorites, The White Elephant Gift Exchange. Unlike the others listed here, and most Christmas specials in general, this is meant to be more funny than heartwarming, and it succeeds at that task. It hilariously subverts your expectations. Muscle Man gifts a flat-screen TV to the others to make up for years of horrible gifts (such as underwear gloves), and gives a tearjerking speech along with it. However, the box actually contained rotten old food, so the others go through with their plan to humiliate Muscle Man anyways. And it's glorious. Burl Ives' "A Holly Jolly Christmas" never fit so well.

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS!


The 1966 special, directed by Chuck Jones and narrated by Boris Karloff, is the definitive Grinch adaptation. It's the reason why the Grinch is always colored green. It's the reason why 'Welcome Christmas' and 'You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch' are iconic. Hearing anyone else narrate it besides Karloff just feels wrong. Due to my past experiences and the current state of the world, I tend to be cynical, but this very special, especially The Grinch's redemption, leaves a smile on my face every time and restores my faith in humanity.

RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER
 

One of my favorites ever since kindergarten, I even hang a Rudolph ornament on my tree every year. I always tended to like stories with found family, about the misfits, about wanting to change. I wondered what that was building up to? Anyways, this is another lovingly crafted stop motion special with an ultimately positive message despite almost everyone being an asshole to Rudolph. You are perfect just how you are, and don't listen to what mean people say.


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