I love Christmas, and I love Christmas Specials.

What some may see as a cynical attempt by media corporations to rake more cash into their already bloated coffers, I also see that but enjoy the spectacle anyway. I appreciate when media companies and TV shows embrace this time of year to bring us new stories with a festive flair. Some of these specials even become classics worth watching years later. I don’t know if all of the specials I’ve listed will become classics or if they’ll be forgotten like tears in rain, but it’s possible by writing this list that one of these specials resonates with you and becomes a classic in your heart.

Many Christmas specials didn’t make this list. I watched “Scooby-Doo! Haunted Holidays” in an attempt to bring you some variety in this list, but that special was such dog sh*t, in good conscience, I could not recommend it. I love claymation, but too many claymation specials do that thing where characters speak in muted, grumbly tones like the adults from Charlie Brown, so those were out. So please know that I did my research to the best of my abilities, and next year, there will probably be a second list of additional specials that I missed.

One: The Christmas Toy (1986), streaming on Peacock and Amazon Prime

Any fan of “Toy Story” will notice a few eerie similarities in the plot, like how the toys are sentient but can’t move in front of their humans, and an old favorite toy has to cope with the jealousy of being replaced by a new, shinier toy. In this story, the new Christmas toy is also a sentient being who doesn’t realize they’re a toy, which causes minor havoc. 

As similar as these stories are to each other, the Jim Henson Company‘s story came first, and since you can’t copyright an idea, it has had to sadly sit by while Pixar soaks up all the glory for its “original” story.

Viewers should also be aware that Apple the doll looks like Chucky’s good twin. This isn’t an exaggeration – the two look frighteningly similar, so I think the Jim Henson company deliberately redesigned Apple’s look in the spin-off to not resemble the infamous serial killer. 

I’d watch this movie with any Jim Henson fan, or anyone who doesn’t believe me when I say that Apple the doll’s design really had to change in “Secret Life of Toys” or whoever owns the rights to “Child’s Play” may have had grounds to sue.

Two: Robin Robin (2021), streaming on Netflix

What if a family of (adorable) rodents raised a tiny (adorable) robin? In this Netflix special by Aardman Animation, a little Robin is desperate to prove to her mice family that she’s just as good a thief as them. However, Robin learns that her differences are what make her so special.

All the characters are made of needle felting, and the lighting casts all of the characters and set pieces in a soft, warm glow. I’d watch this special with anyone who needs a little hygge in their day. 

Three: A Very Big Mouth Christmas (2021), streaming on Netflix

Don’t watch this with your family.

I don’t think you need to watch “Big Mouth” to fully appreciate this holiday special, but it does help to have some context. The special begins with puppet versions of hormone monsters Maury and Connie preparing for a Christmas party that almost no one attends. As they prepare for their “guests,” they tell stories about the human kids and how they’re celebrating the holidays.

This special tells multiple stories using a variety of animation styles, including classic stop motion like in “Snowmom” and paper cut-out style for “Vader Johan” (these stories are my favorite). It also addresses some difficult emotions that arise during the holidays, like loneliness and jealousy. 

“Big Mouth” is a show that hides genuine emotional intelligence behind a thick layer of crass jokes, so you should be prepared for that. If you want to avoid seeing Santa’s junk, this may not be the special for you. However, if you like a bit raunch with your holiday cheer, or you’re just a fan of animation, then I’d give this special a chance.

Four: A Muppet Family Christmas (1987), available on Youtube

Fozzie Bear’s mom, Emily Bear, wants to head someplace sunny for the holidays, but her plans are disrupted when Fozzie Bear brings all his friends to her place for the holidays. A terrible blizzard traps everyone, and Emily Bear’s plans are ruined, so she, the Muppets, and her renters spend the holidays together.

This movie features cameos from a bunch of different beloved Jim Henson creations, including “Sesame Street,” “Muppet Babies,” and “Fraggle Rock.” The only notable human cameo I remember from this special was Jim Henson himself at the end (he’s consigned to dishwashing duty). Jim Henson would cameo in his work, but he passed away in 1990, and since then, his company has gone on to produce many notable works that he unfortunately was not present for. Because of that, I’m glad he could make an appearance in this one. 

I’d watch this special with any other Jim Henson fan. 

Five: Shrek the Halls (2007), streaming on fubo

Unpopular opinion time: I think Shrek’s babies are hideous. Like they make me uncomfortable with their intense ugliness. If I had a choice between finding a Shrek baby in my closet and one of the Turkey Hollow creatures, I’d throw myself out the window. 

But “Shrek the Halls” is pretty cute. It features all the great characters from the Shrek movies, including Donkey and his dragon baby mama (Unlike the Shrek babies, the Donkey-Dragon hybrids are clearly designed with ugliness in mind, so they’re more palatable to me). I wish Fiona had more to do than be a boring mom, but the rest of the story made up for her lackluster character.

I do think there was a missed opportunity to have Shrek celebrate Channukah, as the book “Shrek!” was written by William Steig, the son of Jewish immigrants. The word “Shrek” is Yiddish for “fear” or “fright,” so it seems inappropriate to ignore the Jewish origins of the character. Steig supposedly loved the “Shrek” movie, so maybe he’d be on board with how Shrek celebrated Christmas with his family and friends.

I’d watch this special with anyone who really likes “Shrek” and can stomach the ugly Shrek babies.

Six: Angela’s Christmas (2017), streaming on Netflix

This short film is based on a story by Irish author Frank McCourt. Unlike his book “Angela’s Ashes,” a pulitzer-prize winning tale about growing up in poverty with an alcoholic father, “Angela’s Christmas” is a sweet story about his mother as a child in 1910’s Limerick, Ireland. In this story, and the resulting special, young Angela is concerned that the Baby Jesus doll at her church is cold without a blanket, so she does the only rational thing and steals it. 

The movie received several Emmy nominations and features a few notable Irish actors in the cast, like Ruth Negga and Caitríona Balfe. The whole thing is pretty wholesome, so you can probably watch it with your conservative grandparents if necessary. 

Seven: Le Pupille (2022), streaming on Disney+

It’s the 1940s at a Catholic School for Girls in war-torn Italy. Over the holidays, the girls receive an extravagant cake from a wealthy donor, and one “wicked” girl fully embraces her reputation to get the slice she rightfully deserves.  

Although this film was released in 2022, it was shot in Super 16 and in 35 mm format, making it feel reminiscent of European films shot in the 1930s through the 1960s. This film celebrates how young girls can be mischievous trouble-makers even in the most austere environments. Even though the film is set during a complicated time, it focuses on the inner rebellion within all young children, so it’s easy to see yourself in the characters.

This film will make you crave Zuppa Inglese. If you have a Nona, invite her over for a slice and put this movie on.

Eight: Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983), streaming on Disney+

Although it’s been unanimously agreed that “Muppets Christmas Carol” is the finest production of “A Christmas Carol” ever made, there are still a few others worth watching. “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” appropriately features Scrooge McDuck as Ebenezer Scrooge, and other classic Disney characters, like those from “Robin Hood” and “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad,” make appearances. 

This movie clocks in at only 26 minutes, and the creators tell an impressive amount of story in that time. The short was even nominated for an Academy Award for Best Short Animated Film. If you like “A Christmas Carol,” or classic Disney cartoons, I’d add this to your list.

Nine: Waffles + Mochi Holiday Feast (2021), streaming on Netflix

I want “Waffles + Mochi” to get seven seasons and a movie. I like “Waffles + Mochi” so much that I’m writing about this holiday special a second time because not enough people appreciate it. This incredibly charming show is about two friends, a yeti-waffle creature appropriately named Waffles and her strawberry mochi ice cream best friend named Mochi, and they love food. 

As it’s the holidays, they’ve returned to the Land of Frozen Food. After a call with Michelle Obama, alarmed to discover that everyone seems to have some kind of winter celebration except for them, so Waffles invents a holiday called “Freezie Day.”

Everyone wants to come over and celebrate, so Waffles asks Mochi to find a few items to serve at their holiday feast. While Waffles entertains the guests (including celebrity chef Samin Nosrat and Tracee Ellis Ross), Mochi flies around the world, searching for delicious dishes for their feast. 

This holiday special mentions Christmas and Chanukah but also references other winter holidays, like Yaldā Night. The food featured in this special includes Hawaiian poi and pancakes made with reindeer blood and cloudberry jam. I’d watch this special with any of your foodie friends or if you have young kids and want to expose them to other winter celebrations.

Ten: Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas, streaming on Disney+

Maybe I’m cheating with this suggestion, as technically it’s a full movie and not a special under 60 minutes, but I have a good reason. “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas” is comprised of three separate stories. 

The first story, “Donald Duck: Stuck on Christmas,” is about Huey, Dewey, and Louie wishing it was Christmas every day and coming true. The boys are stuck in a time loop until they learn the true meaning of Christmas. 

The second story, “A Very Goofy Christmas,” is about young Max and Goofy dealing with a crisis of faith: whether or not Santa Claus exists. This is a Disney movie, so of course, he’s real. It’s not my favorite because “You Should Believe in Santa Claus” stories are innately stupid. 

The third story is my favorite, and I’ve written about it before in my post “5 Must-Watch Christmas Specials.” It’s a retelling of O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi,” and it’s about Mickey and Minnie trying to give each other a present for Christmas. It’s a very sweet retelling of the story, and I have fond memories of watching this movie as a kid. 

So readers, what specials do you recommend? Did I miss any good ones? Do you want to challenge any of my recommendations or argue why “Scooby-Doo! Haunted Holidays” deserves a spot on the list? Let me know in the comments below, and it could be a story for next week.