Hey friends,
MERRY CHRISTMAS (if you celebrate, if not, HAPPY DECEMBER 25TH).
So, I actually meant for this to be a Film Friday post, but due to not getting it up in time, I’ve reworked it as my T10T post for today! I hope you still enjoy it!
But today, I wanted to talk about some of my favorite holiday specials. I realize I don’t really have any holiday reads that I revisit every year or save for this time of the year, but I do have plenty of movies I watch religiously in December and only in December. When coming up with this idea, it was supposed to include all of my favorite specials, then AMC had a Rankin/Bass marathon and plans were changed.
If you’re not familiar with the Rankin/Bass specials, they are the movie company behind some of the classics: Rudolph, Frosty, Santa Clause is Coming to Town and more. They are some of my favorite films to watch around the holidays and I wanted to share my favorites with you all!
For those of you not familiar with Top Ten Tuesday, it was a meme created by the lovely bloggers over at The Broke and the Bookish but was moved to That Artsy Ready Girl in 2018. Be sure to check out Jana’s blog for prompts for the rest of the year!
This week for Top Ten Tuesday the topic was books I hope to find under my Christmas tree! Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE this topic, but I also wanted to get this belated Film Friday post up!
And unlike my other lists, this one is in order from my favorite to my least favorite.
But okay, let’s get into the post!
The List:
10. ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas – This is a 30-minute special that’s pretty much bringing the poem to life and adding a few clock scenes. It’s a cute special and one that I will watch every year, but it’s better as background noise when wrapping presents or baking cookies.
9. Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey – My mom and I’ve joked about host Nester is religious allegory Rudolph, and yeah, that’s the movie (though the beginning is kind of sad). It’s cute and is not that preachy as religious holiday movies goes, but it’s not for everybody. It’s one that I like watching if it’s part of a marathon, but not one I’ll turn on myself.
8. Frosty the Snowman – Ah, one of the classics. I’m not sure how popular this movies are in other countries, but these next 4 are staples of American holiday celebrations and have been seen several times by most children. Don’t get me wrong, I like Frosty and I like watching it every year, but there are others I like more.
7. Frosty’s Winter Wonderland – Okay, I do like this one more, mostly because I think Crystal is so sweet and I’m a sucker for any movie with Jack Frost.
6. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – I’m pretty sure Rudolph is the most well-known movie on this list and year I like it. It’s a classic and one I’ve seen so many times. My mom loves this movie and is one of the reasons we watch it so much. Like Frosty, I like this one, but I like others more.
5. Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town – You guys know how much I like a prequel origin story, so getting one for Santa was pretty freaking cool. I like how this one takes the Kris Kringle, toy maker approach, and it has some pretty fun characters and SUPER catchy songs (🎶 Put one foot in front of the other 🎶). It’s a bit of a cheesy movie, but one I love seeing every time it’s on.
4. The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus – Okay, so this is also a Santa origin story, but y’all this takes PAGAN inspiration and it’s SO good. This movie was actually based off the book of the same name by L. Frank Baum (a book I really need to read) and roots most of the story in a Pagan inspired past. You guys know how much I love that stuff, so it’s no surprise that I like this movie. I mention it more below, but there’s another version of this movie with my traditional 2D animation that I actually saw first and when looking for a replacement for that movie, discovered this version. I like both, but haven’t actually seen them back to back so I’m actually not sure which one I like more.
3. Rudolph’s Shiny New Year – Ah, I love this movie so so much, but it’s one the few I like watching after Christmas instead of before (though I did this year). I think this is such an interesting concept and I love the idea of Father Time and Baby New Year being the same figure. It’s not a take I’ve ever seen before and I love it. I also love how every one has clock names in this movie. I don’t know, it’s stupid but I like it. The Archipelago of Last Year is probably my favorite thing in any movie ever and I’d love to watch a movie just about someone exploring all the islands.
2. The Year Without a Santa Claus – Okay, as plots go, this one is pretty weak. But I love the Miser Brothers and side characters and I love this movie. I love Mrs. Claus and the elves, and LITTLE VIXEN (be still my heart). Gah, it may just be the nostalgia, but this movie is great.
1. Jack Frost – This is easily one of my favorite movies, let alone favorite holiday specials. I love movies that have deity-like figures in love with us measly mortals (and is probably why I like mythology as much as I do). This one also felt like it could be a pagan/fantasy blend story, which is just something I’m a sucker for. I also loved the message this one had. There’s a scene where the townsfolk pass around an empty box and pretend it’s their perfect gift and it just warms my heart every time I see it. Oh and there is some heavy steam punk in this movie, a think I love, so clear win.
And for those of you wondering, here are some of my other favorite holiday specials:
I adore the three Santa Clause movies! I think they’re some hokey, 90s holiday fun.
A Christmas Story is my Elf. My family and I have the TBS 24 hour marathon on every year and we quote the hell out of this one constantly. It’s one of our favorites.
There are so many versions of A Christmas Carol, but Scrooge is actually my favorite (though this may just be because this is the one I grew up with).
Okay, so I know it looks like Life and Adventures of Santa Clause is on here twice, and it totally is, but this animated version is slightly different from the Rankin/Bass version, though both are based off the book my L. Frank Baum. I saw this animated one first and completely fell in love with it. I do need to watch both now and see which one is my favorite.
Charlie Brown and THE GOOD Grinch movie are some classics I grew up with and I love them so much.
Nightmare Before Christmas is the perfect Halloween/Christmas crossover movie. I watch this one every October and December and love it more every time.
And lastly the Polar Express. My mom and I first saw this one when it came out and we adore it (especially that hot chocolate scene). We watch this one together every year.
What are some of your favorite holiday movies?
Be sure to let me know below!
Coffee Cocktails & Books 📖 