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Christmas Classics Movies

Updated on August 24, 2017

Classic Christmas Animated Movies - Christmas Classics Stop-Motion and Claymation Movies

There's nothing like Christmas Classics movies, to get you in the holiday spirit. Christmas Classics are a series of Christmas claymation, stop-motion and animated movies that were originally created in the 1960s. The majority of these Classic Christmas movies were created by Rankins-Bass, a pair of well-known directors who were famous for these types of movies.

Originally, the Christmas Classics movies were filmed in claymation, followed by stop-motion, and then finally produced in cartoon animation.

The Original Christmas Classics were some of the first animated movies of any kind to be produced. In fact, the Christmas Classics Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol, was the first animated Christmas movie to ever be created specifically for television. Shortly after, came Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, The Little Drummer Boy, Frosty the Snowman and Santa Claus is Comin' to Town. A few more were created over the next decade before a new wave of television began and the creation claymation and stop-motion movies quickly declined.

Even in 2012, the claymation and stop-motion movies are still extremely popular even though more than 50 years has passed since the original airing of Christmas Classics. Children and adults around the world still look forward to Thankgiving Evening, when these movies start to play on local channels.

Image Source: The Original Television Christmas Classics

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer

The Christmas Classics Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer movie from 1964 tells the original story of Rudolph and how came to be the lead reindeer for Santa's sleigh. Sam the snowman narrates this classic tale of Rudolph, the Abominable Snowman, and the night Christmas almost didn't happen.

The Original Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer movie in stop-motion is now available with the same animated scenes that have been digitally remastered in high definition for a clearer picture, vivid colors and more defined details. Enjoy the same Christmas Classic you watched as a child with your own children.

Santa Claus Is

Comin' to Town

Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town is one of the most well-known Christmas Classics, stop-motion movies by Rankin-Bass. This classic Christmas movie is based on the Christmas song Santa Claus is Comin' to Town written by Eddie Cantor in 1934.

The Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town movie from 1970 tells how the tradition of Santa Claus began many years ago in a small town called Sombertown. The town is ruled by a mean old man named Burgermeister Meisterburger who does not like children. One day a baby is delivered to his door andhe quickly orders for the infant to be taken to the local orphanage. On the way to the orphanage a strong winter wind blows the baby and the sled far away to Whispering Winds mountains, home of Winter Warlock. The mountain animals quickly rush the baby across the land to an elf family named Kringle who spend their days making toys. The toys are made for children around the world but can't be delivered due to the Winter Warlock blocking their path. The Kringle family adopts the orphaned baby and names him Kris. Many years later, Kris sets on a quest to deliver the toys to Sombertown. Burgermeister has banned any and all toys from Sombertown and threatens to arrest anyone found playing with them. After Kris barely escapes t being tossed into the dungeon, his frantic path home takes him right into the mountains where he comes face to face with Winter Warlock. His only hope of escaping the wrath of the warlock is to offer him a toy in hopes he will be satisfied. To everyone's surprise, Winter Warlock loves the toy and instantly dismisses his evil ways and transforms into a human. The instant friendship and the love for toys continues on as the entire story of Santa Claus, the reindeer, elves and North Pole, is skillfully mastered in stop-motion. Film stars Fred Astaire and Mickey Rooney both play lead parts in the movie as the voices of the narrator and Santa Claus.

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Jack Frost

(Remastered Deluxe Edition)

Watch the original Jack Frost animated movie by Bass-Rankin on the Jack Frost Remastered Deluxe Edition DVD. This Jack Frost claymation movie from 1979 is one of the Christmas Classics that many people still watch today and share with their own children.

Jack Frost by Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin, tells the story of young boy, Jack Frost, who's duty is to deliver cold weather around the world. With the direction of Father Winter, Jack Frost is felt but never seen. Just a lonely boy, who is doesn't exist in any form other than cold, snow, and freezing temperatures, Jack begs Father Winter to make him human after he falls in love with a beautiful girl named Elisa, who lives in January Junction. Against his better judgement, Father Winter grants Jack Frost his wish to be human for just one winter. Father Winter tells Jack Frost that if he wants to stay with Elisa and remain human forever he must acquire four humanly essentials; a home, gold, a horse and wife that he has to marry before the warm springtime weather arrives. It all sounds simple until he has to defeat the King of the Cossacks Kubla Kraus! While his ability to defeat the king is possible, he has to make a personal sacrifice in order to save Elisa that could mean the difference between being human and just another cold weather storm.

The Little Drummer Boy

Rankin-Bass created another stop-motion movie in 1968, named The Little Drummer Boy. This beautiful Christmas movie tells the story of an orphan named Aaron who was only a small boy when Jesus was born. Not only is he a poor orphan child, but he is also very disgruntled and doesn't like people. After meeting the Three Wise Men while on their way to Bethlehem to see baby Jesus, he chooses to join them in witnessing this amazing miracle. When they arrive in Bethlehem and hand over their gifts for baby Jesus, Aaron realizes he doesn't have a gift, nor any possessions to give. As an attempt to show his gratitude and well-wishes, Aaron begins to beat on his drum in order to play a song for baby King. As he beats away at the drum the story of the Little Drummer Boy begins. This Christmas Classics movie was inspired by the Christmas carol with the same name, written by Romeo Muller.

CRICKET ON THE HEARTH

Christmas Classics Cricket On the Hearth is the animated musical version of the tale about a little girl who was the daughter of a poor toy maker.

tells the story of a poor toymaker and his daughter whom a helpful Cricket named Crocket befriends on Christmas morning. When tragedy strikes the family, it's Crocket who comes to the rescue and restores peace and happiness. On Christmas morning the little girl meets a tiny cricket named Crocket. When the family is faced with a sudden tragedy, it is Crocket the Cricket who saves the day and brings peace back into the family.

This Cricket On the Hearth was produced in 1967 by Rankin-Bass as a classic, Christmas musical of the original version produced by Charles Dickens.

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Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol

Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol was the first animated holiday movie to every be produced for television broadcasts. Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol was inspired by Charles Dickens' famous short story, A Christmas Carol.

This classic animated movie is a treasured holiday musical that tells the story of a mean old man, much like Ebenezer Scrooge, who is faced head on with the truth about Christmas. Try as he may, Mr. Magoo can't escape all the festivities and holiday cheer for long.

Frosty the Snowman

& Frosty Returns

Frosty the Snowman & Frosty Returns is a classic Christmas legend about about a magical snowman named Frosty. It all started when a group of kids are treated to a magic show at school. After many failed attempts to pull a rabbit out of a black top hat, the kids, the teacher and the magician all give up and the children all go outside to play.

While outside the group of children decide to build a snowman to pass the time. A gust of wind blows through playground, bringing the magicians hat to where the children were playing. The hat is placed on top of the snowman for decoration and suddenly the snowman is filled with magic and comes to life. The children name him Frosty and in an instant, a magical friendship is formed.

Frosty the Snowman was created in 1969 by Rankin-Bass, and was their first attempt at a full-length Christmas cartoon.

The Original Television Christmas Classics

The Original Television Christmas Classics Collection from 1969 includes 5 original Christmas Classics movies including claymation and animated. This box set also includes a Christmas CD with 12 of your favorite Christmas songs from the original scenes.

The Original Christmas Classics Gift Set Includes:

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Santa Claus is Comin' to Town

Frosty the Snowman

Frosty Returns

The Little Drummer Boy

The Original Christmas Classics DVD Collection

2007

The Original Christmas Classics Gift Set was published in 2012 and includes all 7 of the popular Christmas Classics clay animated movies. This gift set also includes a Bonus Holiday CD that includes your favorite Christmas songs from the movie.

The Original Christmas Classics Gift Set Includes:

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Santa Claus is Comin' to Town

Frosty the Snowman

Frosty Returns

The Little Drummer Boy

Cricket On the Hearth

Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol

The Original Christmas Classics Gift Set

2012

As if these Christmas Classics movies aren't enough to get you in the holiday spirit, the Bonus Holiday included in the gift set will surely get you in the mood. This Christmas album includes 7 classic Christmas songs by 4 of your favorite artists including Burl Ives, Chicago, Jewel, Bobby Rydell and Otis Redding.

The Bonus Holiday CD Includes:

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer by Burl Ives

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree by Bobby Rydell

Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives

Merry Christmas Baby by Otis Redding

Silver & Gold by Burl Ives

Winter Wonderland by Jewel

Let it Snow by Chicago

Do You Like to Watch the Christmas Classics Christmas Movies?

Do You Like to Watch the Christmas Classics Christmas Movies?

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