EVERY December, animated festive films take over our screens and play their part in the Christmas schedule.
Animation is often written off as ‘children’s viewing’ but in reality it has always been one of cinema’s most flexible and expressive forms.
It can exaggerate emotion, soften darker themes and bring a sense of warmth that suits the festive season perfectly.
Christmas stories are about transformation, loneliness, kindness and second chances – all things animation handles especially well.
The medium is also quite comforting – whether hand-drawn, stop-motion or computer animated – animated films show their craft more openly than live action – especially at a time of year associated with tradition and care. That sense of the visible feels part of the appeal.
With that in mind, experts at MetStudios have chosen their top five animations which capture the spirit of Christmas while showing how broad and accomplished the medium can be.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) – Directed by Henry Selick. This is half Halloween, half Christmas, and entirely its own thing, The Nightmare Before Christmas remains a festive staple more than 30 years after its release. Based on a story by Tim Burton and made entirely using stop-motion animation, it follows Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, as he becomes fascinated by Christmas. Its handmade look gives the film a distinctive charm, while Danny Elfman’s songs have become seasonal earworms in their own right. Dark without being gloomy, playful without being saccharine, it’s a film that rewards repeat viewings at any age.
Watch the trailer here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr6N_hZyBCk
Klaus (2019) – Directed by Sergio Pablos. Klaus looks like a traditional hand-drawn film, but there is far more going on beneath the surface. Using innovative lighting and shading techniques, it gives 2D animation an unusual sense of depth and texture. The story about a reluctant postman and a reclusive toymaker bringing warmth to a divided town offers a fresh take on Santa Claus without relying on nostalgia alone. Funny, generous and visually striking, Klaus has quickly become a modern Christmas favourite.
Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/taE3PwurhYM?si=1n2aAHRqYTPgHO6Q
That Christmas (2024) – Directed by Simon Otto. Last year’s major animated releases, That Christmas brings together several stories set in the snowy seaside town of Wellington-on-Sea, where a blizzard disrupts everyone’s festive plans. Based on Richard Curtis’ children’s books, the film balances humour with moments of genuine emotional weight. Directed by Simon Otto, formerly Head of Character Animation on DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon films, it reflects a growing trend in family animation towards more grounded storytelling.
Marielle Reuser, BA Animation Course Leader at MetStudios London, said: “That Christmas captures the messy moments that make the holidays feel real.
“The characters feel true to life, and the film is full of warmth, humour and small details that reward careful watching.”
Produced by Locksmith Animation, the film also offers a glimpse into how contemporary British animation is being made at feature level.
Watch the trailer here – https://youtu.be/SiCTXSwqzkw?si=272OM3hif4673sV6
Tokyo Godfathers (2003) – Directed by Satoshi Kon. Set in modern-day Tokyo on Christmas Eve, Tokyo Godfathers follows three homeless companions who find an abandoned baby and attempt to return her to her parents. Unlike many festive films, it doesn’t shy away from difficult subjects, but it approaches them with humour and compassion. Director Satoshi Kon’s detailed cityscapes and expressive animation give the film an emotional richness that has helped it become a cult favourite well beyond the anime audience.
The official Tokyo Godfathers trailer can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/ZL_2E-HfIZY?si=A8ZHTQqjDFwi03zI
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966) – Directed by Chuck Jones. Before the live-action remakes and CGI versions, there was Chuck Jones’ animated television special. As the first animated adaptation of Dr Seuss’ story, it remains the most enduring. With its bold hand-drawn style and sharp comic timing, the film proves how much can be achieved with simplicity. Its message that Christmas isn’t something that can be taken away still resonates and its influence can be seen in decades of animation that followed. Whether you’re revisiting a childhood favourite or discovering something new, animated films offer a particular kind of Christmas comfort. They may be sold as family viewing, but at their best they speak to anyone willing to sit down, switch off, and let a story do the work.
The Grinch official trailer is here: https://youtu.be/1Natxh5RHzI?si=1mptiH7DWE4-GDf0
