Claymation, an intricate form of animation created through stop-motion photography and manipulating clay figurines by hand, is forever linked to Christmas. (All apologies to Gumby and Mr. Bill.) But there’s a reason this style isn’t used much anymore. It’s a long, difficult process compared to modern animation and CGI. (Why do you think it took two decades to make the sequel to Chicken Run?)
Now, before the animation purists come for us, many of the Rankin/Bass classics on this list are actually “Animagic.” That’s where the animators used wood and plastic puppets, not pure clay. But frankly, who cares? They all share the same jerky, tactile charm that defines classic holiday TV.
Call us nostalgic—here are some of our holiday claymation favorites from the last 60+ years. We’ve organized them chronologically so you can watch the evolution of stop-motion animation from the Swinging Sixties to today.
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Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Easily the most famous of all Christmas claymation movies, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer took a hit holiday song from the 1940s and spun it into a classic for the ages. Never mind that the animation is rudimentary (it was 1964, after all) and the movie’s unintended message is a bit cringy (Rudolph is only accepted when he becomes useful on Christmas Eve). This flick will live on forever. —Bill Frost, Senior Staff Writer
Where to stream Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
The Little Drummer Boy (1968)
The Little Drummer Boy retells the nativity story from the perspective of Aaron, a poor orphan with some slick drumming skills. Aaron’s musical gift leads him on a turbulent journey to Bethlehem. His story is quite dark for a holiday special, as he struggles with bitterness before finding redemption. But if you enjoy the tale, there’s a 1976 follow-up called The Little Drummer Boy, Book II that’s finally available on streaming platforms. —Taylor Kujawa, Sports Editor
Where to stream The Little Drummer Boy
Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (1970)
The claymation skills of Rankin/Bass had improved greatly by 1970 when the colorful Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town made its TV debut. Not only does the movie provide an origin story for St. Nick, but it also serves up a worthy antagonist for the jolly man: Burgermeister Meisterburger, an ornately named crank who rules over Sombertown and literally burns down Santa’s house. —Bill Frost, Senior Staff Writer
Where to stream Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)
He only has one annual job, but what happens when Santa Claus falls ill and can’t deliver presents on Christmas Eve? Or won’t, because he feels like the world doesn’t appreciate him anymore? In The Year Without a Santa Claus, elves Jingle and Jangle deer-jack Vixen and set out to find some Christmas spirit. Along the way, they encounter claymation icons Heat Miser and Snow Miser. Spoiler: Christmas is saved. —Bill Frost, Senior Staff Writer
Where to stream The Year Without a Santa Claus
Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey (1977)
If you thought Rudolph was the only holiday icon bullied until he became useful, allow me to introduce Nestor. Narrated by Roger Miller, this TV special follows the long-eared outcast who’s literally thrown out of his stable into the cold. Guided by a cherub on orders from the man upstairs, Nestor journeys toward Bethlehem. That’s where Mary and Joseph eventually discover him, and the rest is history. Like The Little Drummer Boy, the ending is joyous, but this biblical tale packs a surprising amount of tragedy along the way. —Taylor Kujawa, Sports Editor
Where to stream Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey
Rudolph & Frosty’s Christmas In July (1979)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman team up to capture the evil wizard Winterbolt, who knows a way to snuff out the light in Rudolph’s sniffer—with Frosty’s unwitting help. There’s also a Circus by the Sea, a bad reindeer named Scratcher, a plot to melt the entire Frosty family, and more weirdness. Despite the title, Rudolph & Frosty’s Christmas In July was released in November 1979. —Bill Frost, Senior Staff Writer
Where to stream Rudolph & Frosty’s Christmas In July
Jack Frost (1979)
Narrated by Buddy Hackett’s Pardon-Me-Pete, Jack Frost is technically a Groundhog Day flick, but don’t let that stop you. The wintry vibes are perfect for a December watch. In this story, the titular winter sprite sheds his powers to experience human life and love. It’s classic Rankin/Bass, with catchy tunes, seasonal deities, and a local population oppressed by a Paul Frees-voiced tyrant. This time, it’s the iron-obsessed Kubla Kraus. (I wonder if he was friends with Irontail.) —Taylor Kujawa, Sports Editor
Where to stream Jack Frost
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (1985)
As the last stop-motion TV special by Rankin/Bass, The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus stands out for its unique take on the big man’s origin. It’s based on an L. Frank Baum book that leans into a darker, more mystical mythology akin to Baum’s Oz series. Here, Santa is a human who grows up among magical beings in a grand forest. But he must join the mortal world and bring joy to its people by fulfilling his destiny as the world’s greatest gift-giver. —Taylor Kujawa, Sports Editor
Where to stream The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus
A Claymation Christmas Celebration (1987)
From the mind of Will Vinton (the filmmaker behind The California Raisins), this special is 24 minutes of pure 1987 energy. Hosted by dinosaurs Rex and Herb, it’s a variety show featuring R&B-infused carols and, naturally, a performance by the Raisins themselves. While it might not be in my annual rotation like Rudolph, it’s a mandatory watch for animation nerds. Plus, you’ll finally learn the definition of “wassailing,” whether you wanted to or not. —Taylor Kujawa, Sports Editor
Where to stream A Claymation Christmas Celebration
Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas (2021)
It’s Christmastime at Mossy Bottom Farm, and Shaun the Sheep is on a mission to raid the farmhouse to score bigger stockings for his flock. This inadvertently leads to young Timmy going missing and ending up in the possession of celebrity influencer Farmer Ben and his smitten daughter Ella. The thoroughly modern Flight Before Christmas jam-packs countless sight gags into 30 brisk minutes, making it an instant classic. —Bill Frost, Senior Staff Writer
Where to stream Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas
Bill Frost has been a journalist and TV reviewer since the 4:3-aspect-ratio ’90s. His pulse-pounding prose has been featured in The Salt Lake Tribune, Inlander, Coachella Valley Independent, Las Vegas Weekly, and many other dead-tree publications (see BillFrost.tv). In addition to being a Senior Staff Writer at CableTV.com, Bill is a syndicated streaming TV columnist forSalt Lake City Weekly and other alternative weeklies, and host/producer of TV Tan Podcast. By night, Bill cranks a Flying V with his band at the bar.
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