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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Where can you stream the best Christmas cartoons? These 15 picks range from nostalgic TV specials to feature-length animation, but streaming rights change by country and season. The availability notes below are limited to U.S. evidence available as of October 8, 2026; check each service’s title page before watching, and confirm whether access is included, ad-supported, rented, or purchased.
How to choose a Christmas cartoon
“Best” is a matter of mood, age, and format, not a universal ranking. This selection balances familiar holiday specials, distinctive animation, comedy, musicals, and feature-length stories. Some are short television programs; others are films. One pick, The Muppet Christmas Carol, is a Muppet film rather than a cartoon in the strict sense.
![The Complete Rankin/Bass Christmas Collection [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/518TRdfCVmL._SL160_.jpg)
Streaming evidence is uneven: the sources available for this guide confirm a current U.S. listing for A Charlie Brown Christmas and an official Disney+ page for Mickey’s Christmas Carol, but do not establish current subscription or rental access for every title. A service page or seasonal roundup is not proof that a title is included with a subscription today.
15 Christmas cartoons and animated holiday favorites
1. A Charlie Brown Christmas
This quiet Peanuts special follows Charlie Brown as he directs the group’s holiday play. It is a compact choice for a nostalgic, gentle watch. JustWatch’s U.S. listing reported Apple TV and Apple TV Amazon Channel as viewing options when accessed; those storefront listings do not by themselves establish Apple TV+ subscription inclusion. The Associated Press reported in October 2025 that Apple TV+ extended its exclusive Peanuts streaming arrangement through 2030. AP also reported a limited free viewing window in December 2025; that past promotion is not evidence of a 2026 free window. Check the U.S. JustWatch listing and Apple’s official title page.
#1 Best Overall
![The Original Christmas Specials Collection - Deluxe Edition [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51bdUG7vedL._SL160_.jpg)
- The Original Christmas Specials Collection (Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus Is Comin' To
2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
Chuck Jones’s animated Dr. Seuss adaptation is a short, comic classic built around the Grinch’s scheme to stop Christmas in Whoville. It is a good pick for viewers who want a traditional hand-drawn special rather than a full-length film. A Prime Video holiday guide has included a Grinch adaptation among its seasonal suggestions, but that guide does not confirm this 1966 special’s current availability or subscription status.
3. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
This Rankin/Bass special uses stop-motion puppetry for its snowy world and familiar story of an outcast reindeer finding a place on Santa’s team. Choose it for a vintage look and a story aimed at family holiday viewing. Amazon’s holiday guide has listed Rudolph among its animated options; the seasonal guide is not a guarantee that it is currently included with Prime Video.
4. Frosty the Snowman
In this brisk, traditional animated special, a magical hat brings a snowman to life. Its straightforward, playful premise suits a short holiday viewing slot. Amazon’s holiday guide has featured the title, but check the current listing for the available route and whether a separate payment is required.
5. Mickey’s Christmas Carol
Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters appear in this animated adaptation of Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. It offers a familiar story in a shorter, family-oriented format. Disney has an official Disney+ title page; check the page in your region for current access and subscription terms.
6. The Year Without a Santa Claus
This Rankin/Bass stop-motion special centers on Santa’s doubts about making his annual trip. It is a strong choice if you want another handcrafted holiday world, with a comic tone distinct from the more solemn Christmas stories. The sources available here do not establish its current streaming service or viewing cost, so search the title directly in your local services.
7. The Snowman
This largely wordless animated holiday film tells its story through images and music, making it a gentler, more contemplative choice than the joke-driven specials. Its quiet visual storytelling can work especially well for viewers who want a short seasonal watch without much dialogue. Current U.S. streaming access is not established by the sources available here.
Rank #3
- Factory sealed DVD
8. The Nightmare Before Christmas
Stop-motion fantasy meets Christmas in Tim Burton’s macabre musical about Jack Skellington and his attempt to take over the holiday. It is the pick for viewers who prefer spooky imagery, songs, and a deliberately offbeat tone. Disney has previously promoted the film in a holiday collection, but that past promotion does not verify current Disney+ availability. Check Disney+ for the current regional listing.
9. Klaus
This feature-length animated origin story pairs a postman with a reclusive toymaker, building a warmer, more contemporary Santa legend. Its expressive 2D-inspired visual style gives it a different feel from the older specials. JustWatch’s U.S. Christmas guide includes Klaus among animated holiday favorites, but that editorial mention is not current availability confirmation.
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10. Arthur Christmas
This family adventure imagines Santa’s operation as a high-tech delivery system and follows the mission to fix a missed present. Its brisk pace and comic premise make it a natural feature-length option for a family movie night. The sources available here do not verify its current U.S. streaming destination.
Rank #4
- Vivendi Entertainment 4 Xmas Classics: Rudolph Red-Nosed/Santa Claus is Comin'/Frosty/Frosty Returns
11. The Polar Express
Using motion-capture animation, this feature follows a child’s nighttime train journey to the North Pole. It is a broad, musical holiday spectacle rather than a short special, best suited to viewers looking for a full-length seasonal event. Current service availability is not established here; check the title page on your preferred platform.
12. The Muppet Christmas Carol
This musical Dickens adaptation is a Muppet film, not a cartoon, but its festive storytelling makes it an adjacent choice for this list. Disney has previously included it in a holiday collection; that historical promotion does not establish current streaming access. Check Disney+’s regional catalog or the film’s current storefront listings before settling in.
13. Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas
This animated anthology feature tells several Christmas stories featuring Mickey and friends. Its linked episodes make it easy to watch as a full movie or in shorter stretches. The sources available here do not confirm its current service or whether it is included with a subscription.
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- Everyones favorite Peanuts Holiday titles all in one set with the All-new Deluxe Editions! All the content including EC and bonus episodes, from the following new Peanuts Deluxe Edition releases: Its the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving A Charlie Brown Christmas Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: CHILDREN Rating: NR Age: 883929008988 UPC: 8839290
14. The Grinch (2018)
Illumination’s feature-length adaptation gives the Grinch a bright, computer-animated makeover and room for a longer comic story. Choose this version if you want a modern family film rather than the compact 1966 TV special. JustWatch’s U.S. holiday guide lists The Grinch among animated favorites, but does not establish a current viewing route.
15. A Garfield Christmas
This short animated television special brings Garfield’s sarcasm to a family Christmas gathering. Its compact format makes it a useful alternative to a full movie when you want a quick, comic holiday watch. Current U.S. streaming availability is not established by the sources available here.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to check where a title is streaming
- Search the exact title in the streaming service’s app or website, making sure to select the right version when titles have multiple adaptations.
- Open the title page and look for the access label: included with a subscription, free with ads, rental, or purchase. A listing in an Apple TV or Prime Video storefront may refer to a separate transaction rather than the service’s subscription library.
- Confirm that the listing applies to your country and check the price or subscription prompt before starting playback. Catalogs and holiday promotions can change seasonally.
JustWatch’s U.S. Christmas streaming guide is a useful discovery starting point, but verify the final viewing route on the service itself. Amazon’s holiday viewing guide is another seasonal roundup, not a guarantee of current subscription inclusion for every title it mentions.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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