May 21

My Favorite Animated Christmas Movies

by Debora Dyess
Now that my grandchildren are old enough to watch TV, I’m getting a refresher course in animated Christmas movies. These films created great memories for me when I was little, and I hope they create the same magic for my grandkids. With a bag of popcorn, a mug of hot chocolate and your favorite little ones cuddled in your lap, there’s no better way to spend a cold December evening.

Mickey’s Christmas Carol – (1983) – Mickey Mouse and Christmas are both almost universally loved by children, and this movie brings the two favorites together. There is probably no one better suited to play the role of Ebenezer Scrooge than Scrooge McDuck – at least in the animated version. Then add in Mickey Mouse as the faithful and loyal Bob Cratchit and the rest of the Disney gang to round out the cast and you have a Christmas winner. This animated Christmas movie also has a super soundtrack. With Goofy, Jiminy Cricket and the Giant as the Ghosts, this animated version of Dicken’s classic tale isn’t too scary for the little ones and enjoyable for all ages.

A Charlie Brown Christmas – (1965) – This has to be one of the all-time best animated Christmas movies. Full of traditional Peanuts music and animation, this movie is still a charmer. Charles Schultz deftly scripts Charlie Brown’s search for the true meaning of Christmas without being too heavy-handed by giving Linus a center-stage recitation of the nativity story and having Charlie Brown save a scraggly tree. “Charlie’s search for the truth is the same search we all go through,” a preacher told me once. “The transformation of the tree is what happens in our lives with God’s love.”

How the Grinch Stole Christmas – (1966) While the Whos in Whoville prepare for a big Christmas celebration, the Grinch does not like Christmas one little bit. The trouble that ensues makes for one of the most beloved animated Christmas adventures ever created. In an effort to stop the special day, Grinch schemes and dreams and devises a wickedly elaborate plan … and some pretty good songs and chuckles, to boot. Even though I’ve seen this movie dozens of times, I still wait in anticipation for the Grinch to realize the true meaning of Christmas as he sits on the top of Mt. Crumpit listening to the Whos singing on Christmas morning. This animated tale of redemption and joy, all bundled up in Dr. Seuss’ weird words and crazy pictures, will always be a winner.

T’was the Night Before Christmas – (1974) – When I was little, I sometimes wondered if Santa might forget Christmas or our house… or me! I’d close my eyes for nights before Christmas, silently praying, “God, please let him know I believe in him.”

The characters in this movie want Santa to know they still believe in him, too. Put off by a letter from Albert Mouse, Santa Claus decides to skip this little town inhabited by talking mice. Everyone has to work together to convince Old St. Nick that they really do believe and really want him to bring gifts to their town. As if the plot weren’t clever enough to make it worth watching, the film also has a terrific soundtrack, including great songs like “Even a Miracle Needs a Hand.” And, of course, it has a happy ending, making this a wonderful seasonal movie.

In my opinion, these are some of the best animated Christmas movies ever created, and they’re as much a part of Christmas as a brightly decorated tree, Santa Claus or a nativity scene. And, while new animated Christmas movies may appear every year, none will take the place in my heart of these beloved favorites.

Adapted with permission from: Printable Santa Letters.com