For over 50 years, children and adults have delighted in the whimsical creations of Arthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass. And then those children grew up to be adults with children of their own who herald in each holiday season with the Rankin/Bass studio’s instantly recognizable stop-motion animation. The multi-generational affection for these musical tales is as much a Christmas tradition as taking a trip to see Santa Claus. Revisit these classics—all of which are airing live or are available on-demand—as we rank our favorites:
10. Rudolph And Frosty: Christmas in July (1979)
What we love: The crossover appeal of a Frosty and Rudolph team up is enough to give this bloated affair a whirl. While it fails to rise to the legendary status of the original Rudolph outing, a mid-season boost of Christmas cheer is always welcome.
How to watch: On-demand with AMC
9. Pinocchio’s Christmas (1980)
What we love: I cannot tell a lie, Pinocchio doesn’t need his own Christmas special and Disney cornered the market on the character. Still, the Rankin/Bass goodwill carries over.
How to watch: On-demand with AMC
8. Frosty’s Winter Wonderland (1976)
What we love: Indie songsmith Father John Misty didn’t mince words when he sang, “every man needs a companion.” And Frosty is just a man made of snow in need of a wife. ‘Tis the season of engagements.
How to watch: On-demand with AMC
7. Leprechaun’s Christmas Gold (1981)
What we love: Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day make for strange bedfellows, but we are here for it anyway. The luck of the Irish infuses this combo with just enough blarney to embrace the reach.
How to watch: On-demand with AMC
6. Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey (1977)
What we love: Don’t laugh and make someone cry. Words to live by, as well as the song at the center of this introduction to the donkey Mary rode into Bethlehem while pregnant with Jesus. Maybe this should be required viewing before logging onto Twitter.
How to watch: On-demand with AMC
5. Rudolph’s Shiny New Year (1976)
What we love: The return of Santa’s No. 1 reindeer anchors this madcap quest to find missing Baby New Year. The story zags where it should zig, but damn, that’s one cute baby.
How to watch: On-Demand with AMC
4. The Year Without A Santa Claus (1974)
What we love: Mrs. Claus is the real MVP of this involved 51-minute telling of the year Santa has a crisis of faith, but the introduction of Heat Miser and Snow Miser—a combative pair of brothers who control the world’s weather—capture the imagination and set the stage for dozens of future memes.
How to watch: On-demand with AMC
3. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (1970)
What we love: A good old-fashioned origin story, we get to follow Kris Kringle (he’s a ginger, who knew?!?) on the long, winding road to the North Pole to fulfill his destiny as Santa Claus. Incredible voice work by Mickey Rooney and Fred Astire elevate this trippy tale.
How to watch: On-demand with Freeform
2. Frosty The Snowman (1969)
What we love: Frosty’s exuberance matches the child-like wonder of every kid on Christmas morning. What we wouldn’t give to be able to maintain that glorious feeling. The struggle is real, especially in 2020. If only it was as easy as finding an old silk hat imbued with a dash of magic.
How to watch: Dec. 24 at 8:15 pm ET on Freeform
1. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
What we love: Everything about this TV staple hits the heart like a glowing bullseye. Everyone wants to be loved for who they are, and all of us have our own unique talents. It takes running away for Rudolph and Hermey the Elf to discover that we’re all a bunch of misfits, with some of us lucky enough to find like-minded souls to walk with in this journey called life. Deep stuff for a story based on a kiddie carol.
How to watch: Dec. 25 at 8:50 pm ET on Freeform
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