TMNT, DC, Marvel, & More: Essential Animated Christmas Specials to Ring in the Holidays
There’s nothing like an animated Christmas special to make you feel like a kid again. Put on your best pj’s because it’s cartoon time!
Hey there, kids! It’s officially December, which means it’s time for the winter holidays! Holiday specials are a beloved part of being a pop culture nerd. You’ve got your essential list of seasonal movies, but when’s the last time you lined up all the best Christmas episodes from your favorite heroes (or villains?)
9. Guardians of the Galaxy (2015)
“Jingle Bell Rock” (Season 1, Episode 26)
This is a great way to follow up the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. There’s no Kevin Bacon, but the Guardian-gang orchestrates a heist from a town miser a la A Christmas Carol. Rocket finds the true meaning of Christmas (for him, anyway). It’s got plenty of laughs and some pew-pew fight scenes. Plus, Peter’s childhood dream of riding a sled comes true – it’s Groot, the sled is Groot.
‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ is streaming now on Disney+.
8. Static Shock (2000)
“Frozen Out” (Season 2, Episode 5)
Like a lot of us, Victor is busy for the season. Between holiday parties, shopping, and public appearances as the hero Static Shock, he’s struggling to manage his time and energy. Relatable, right?
But when giant ice growths start popping up all over town, Victor notices a lonely homeless girl at each scene. As the city’s beloved hero, he learns the value of helping those less fortunate during the season of giving.
‘Static Shock’ is streaming now on HBO Max.
7. Ultimate Spider-Man (2012)
“Nightmare on Christmas” (Season 3, Episode 11)
Frazzled by the extra bustle of the holidays, Peter expresses dismay because the people of New York don’t appreciate him. And so Spider-Man gets the It’s a Wonderful Life treatment and finds out just how terrible the world would be without him.
Of course, there’s a Spidey villain behind it – and this one is voiced by Mark Hamill. And let’s be honest, that’s a Christmas gift in itself!
‘Ultimate Spider-Man’ is streaming now on Disney+.
6. The Tick (1995)
“The Tick Loves Santa!”
When a criminal disguises himself as Santa Claus to evade capture, he then clones himself and attacks the city. The Tick is, of course, a true believer in Santa. Will he be duped by all the Santa clones? Or will the Christmas spirit shine through and save the day?
‘The Tick’ is streaming now on Hulu.
5. The Simpsons (1989)
“Simpson’s Roasting on an Open Fire” (Season 1, Episode 1)
Alright, it’s not technically a comic book or superhero-animated Christmas episode. But it’s the first pilot episode of one of the most prolific animated series ever. And it features Bart’s iconic rendition of “Jingle bells, Batman smells”.
Homer doesn’t get his Christmas bonus so he secretly takes a job as a mall Santa. When he tries to make his extra earnings stretch so he can buy gifts for his family, he loses it all betting on a race dog named Santa’s Little Helper. It’s a classic episode and an integral part of my Christmas tradition.
‘The Simpsons’ is streaming now on Disney+.
4. X-Men: The Animated Series (1992)
“Have Yourself a Morlock Little Christmas” (Season 4, Episode 14)
It’s Christmas at the Xavier Institute, and the X-Men are all getting into the holiday spirit – save for Wolverine, of course. While doing some Christmas shopping, Jubilee and Storm run into some Morlocks stealing medical supplies.
When they find out that the Morlocks are attempting to save one of their own, the X-Men agree to lend them a hand. And while Wolverine may be the Grinch of the bunch, it’s up to him to perform a Christmas miracle and save the young Morlock’s life.
‘X-Men: The Animated Series’ is streaming now on Disney+.
3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003)
“The Christmas Aliens” (Season 3, Episode 1)
Mikey meets a kitten while sledding and names it Klunk. Later, he catches some thieves stealing toys from a truck meant to deliver them to orphans. While Splinter, the rest of the Turtles, and other members of the TMNT family arrive in the sewers for Christmas dinner, Mikey goes on a high-speed chase to make sure the kids get their gifts on Christmas.
‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ is streaming now on Paramount+.
2. Batman: The Animated Series (1992)
“Christmas with the Joker” (Season 1, Episode 38)
The Joker kidnaps Commissioner Gordon and some other Gotham characters and puts them on a holiday gameshow. Thoroughly a Christmas story all the way through, the episode begins with Joker’s “Jingle bells, Batman smells” diddy as he blasts out of Arkham on a rocket Christmas tree.
If you’re any kind of animation fan, you know this episode. It’s also our second Mark Hamill villain performance on the list. Happy Hamilldays!
‘Batman: The Animated Series’ is streaming now on HBO Max.
1. Justice League (2001)
“Comfort & Joy” (Season 2, Episode 23)
This episode packs more Christmas feels per frame than any of the other specials. First, Superman brings the Martian Manhunter home for the holidays. J’onn meets Ma and Pa Kent and gets his first introduction to Earth’s Christmas traditions.
Meanwhile, John shows Shayeera the joy of playing in the snow – and she shows him how she likes to celebrate in a seedy bar somewhere in space. And the Flash struggles to find the hottest toy for the kids at a local shelter. But he finds an unlikely Santa’s helper in Gorilla Grodd.
‘Justice League’ is streaming now on HBO Max.
Did I miss any of your favorite animated Christmas episodes? What’s your favorite Saturday morning cartoon?
