15 Animated Christmas Movies for the Young and Young at Heart
November 20, 2024
Whether you’re a grown-up with kids or just a kid at heart, anyone can enjoy the magic of an enchanting holiday cartoon.
With family-friendly animated holiday classics, like The Polar Express (2004), to adult cartoon comedies, like The Simpsons Meet the Bocellis in Feliz Navidad (2022), everyone will find something on Hulu and Disney+ to slow down and celebrate the season with.
So put on your matching pajamas and grab some hot cocoa — we’ve rounded up the best animated Christmas movies streaming this holiday season.
Animated Christmas Movies on Hulu
1. The Polar Express (2004)
Based on the novel by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express is a touching Christmas tale about a young boy who stops believing in Santa, just as he’s met with the adventure of a lifetime on The Polar Express — a magical train headed to the North Pole.
All Hulu subscribers can stream The Polar Express, starting Wednesday, November 27.
Watch: Coming soon
2. Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
In this classic 1966 Dr. Seuss Christmas movie, the infamously mean and bitter Grinch attempts to ruin the holiday for all the Whos in Whoville. But there’s one brave little girl who might have enough Christmas spirit in her heart to make the Grinch change his ways.
Watch: Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch*
*Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas requires the Hulu + Live TV plan. Regional restrictions, blackouts, and additional terms apply.
3. Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Since we all know the holiday season starts on November 1 (cue the Christmas music), what better way to transition than with a movie that celebrates both Halloween and Christmas? Jack Skellington, The Pumpkin King, is sick of the same old routine. But when he tries to change things up, he puts Santa Claus in danger and must fix his mistake before Christmas morning.
Watch: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas*
*The Disney Bundle is required. Access content from each service separately.
4. The Little Drummer Boy (1968)
In the original animated adaptation of the classic Christmas song, The Little Drummer Boy follows a lonely orphan whose only possession is his drum. As he travels through the desert, his entire outlook on life changes when he encounters a newborn baby lying in a manger.
Watch: The Little Drummer Boy
5. Frosty the Snowman (1969)
Frosty the Snowman is a jolly, happy soul. With a corncob pipe and a button nose, he came to life all thanks to a magic hat. To keep him from melting, Frosty and his friends hop on a cargo train to the North Pole. The only thing in their way? The greedy magician who wants his magic hat back.
Watch: Frosty the Snowman
6. Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (1970)
In this classic stop-motion animation Christmas tale, Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town, we discover how a baby named Kris who was left on the doorstep of the Kringle family came to be the jolly man in a red suit we know and love.
Watch: Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
7. Family Guy Holiday Special (2024)
In celebration of Christmas and the 25th anniversary of Family Guy, Hulu is excited to bring you an exclusive holiday special starring Peter, Lois, Meg, Stewie, and Brian. Your favorite animated family will have you “ho, ho, hollering” as Peter scrambles to find Lois’ brooch he accidentally regifted. Meanwhile, troublemaker Stewie tries to turn a new cheek after learning he’s on Santa’s naughty list.
Watch: Family Guy Holiday Special
8. Mickey Saves Christmas (2022)
Is there anything better than a Disney Christmas movie to get in the holiday spirit? In this made-for-TV movie, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and the gang must find a way to save Christmas after Pluto loses all of Santa’s presents. Get in the holiday spirit with the classic Disney characters you know and love in this family-friendly film.
Watch: Mickey Saves Christmas
*The Disney Bundle is required. Access content from each service separately.
9. Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997)
The year after the spell has been broken in Beauty and the Beast (1991), Belle and the Beast decide to have a Christmas party and invite all of their friends. As they reflect on the Christmas from the year before, Lumiere and Cogsworth argue over which of the two saved the holiday. To solve the mystery (and resolve the bickering), Mrs. Potts recounts the story of The Enchanted Christmas.
Watch: Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas*
*The Disney Bundle is required. Access content from each service separately.
10. Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year (2002)
Join Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Rabbit, Piglet, and Eeyore as they celebrate Christmas together and make some misguided New Year’s resolutions.
Watch: Winnie The Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year*
*The Disney Bundle is required. Access content from each service separately.
11. Prep & Landing (2009)
When Wayne (one of Santa’s grumpy elves) is passed over for a promotion, he partners up with a rookie elf, Lanny. On their first mission together, they encounter a few bumps in the road, which threaten to ruin Christmas morning for children around the world.
For more Prep & Landing adventures, check out the prequel and sequel elf-espionage shenanigans, Prep & Landing: Operation: Secret Santa* (2010) and Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice* (2011).
Watch: Prep & Landing*
*The Disney Bundle is required. Access content from each service separately.
12. Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas (2011)
[Alt text: Title art for the animated Christmas movie, Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas.]
Our favorite Ice Age friends are back with a hilarious Christmas adventure to cross their names off the naughty list and move over to the nice list (where they rightfully belong, of course).
Watch: Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas*
*The Disney Bundle is required. Access content from each service separately.
13. A Piece of Cake (2019)
The Elfkins have been living in hiding for over two centuries. This Christmas, they’re breaking free from their comfort zones to finally step out into the human world. Will they be greeted with open arms? Find some Christmas spirit with the holiday children’s movie, A Piece of Cake.
Watch: A Piece of Cake
14. Trolls: Holiday in Harmony (2021)
This Christmas, Queen Poppy is excited to plan the very first secret holiday gift swap for all of Trolls Kingdom. But despite her good intentions, things take an unexpected turn. If you need a little light, love, laughter, and plenty of dancing this holiday season, Trolls: Holiday in Harmony will get the entire family on their feet!
Watch: Trolls: Holiday in Harmony
15. LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special (2020)
LEGO meets Star Wars meets Christmas in this epic holiday crossover special streaming now on Disney+. Follow Rey on a mad dash throughout the Galaxy as she connects with fan-favorite Star Wars characters past, present, and future — including Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, Han Solo, Kylo Ren, The Mandalorian, and more!
Watch: Lego Star Wars Holiday Special*
*The Disney Bundle is required. Access content from each service separately.
Do these animated Christmas movies make you sentimental for memories of Christmases past? Check out our list of nostalgic Christmas movies streaming now on Disney+ with The Disney Bundle.
