My top 25 Christmas specials
by gizmomogwai | created - 06 Nov 2011 | updated - 06 Dec 2015 | PublicTV specials and episodes dedicated to Christmas
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1.
Arrested Development (2003–2019)
Episode:
Afternoon Delight
(2004)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy
While Buster looks for ways to get out of serving in Iraq, Lindsay's quest to score a date at the Bluth Company Christmas party backfires after Gob's sexual harassment speech. Michael and ... See full summary »
Director: Jason Bateman | Stars: Jason Bateman, Portia de Rossi, Will Arnett, Michael Cera
Votes: 2,970
2.
The West Wing (1999–2006)
Episode:
Noël
(2000)
TV-14 | 43 min | Drama
Josh speaks to a psychiatrist about the events of the last three weeks: Toby hired musicians for the foyer, an Air Force pilot disobeyed orders, Yo-Yo Ma performed at the White House, and Josh managed to cut his hand quite badly.
Director: Thomas Schlamme | Stars: Rob Lowe, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney, Janel Moloney
Votes: 1,947
3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 26 min | Animation, Comedy, Family
A grumpy hermit hatches a plan to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville.
Directors: Chuck Jones, Ben Washam | Stars: Boris Karloff, June Foray, Dal McKennon
Votes: 59,040
4.
The Simpsons (1989– )
Episode:
Marge Be Not Proud
(1995)
TV-14 | 30 min | Animation, Comedy
Marge's relationship with Bart is strained when he is caught shoplifting before Christmas.
Director: Steven Dean Moore | Stars: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith
Votes: 3,772
5.
Pinky and the Brain (1995–1998)
Episode:
A Pinky and the Brain Christmas
(1995)
TV-Y7-FV | 30 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
The Brain designs a mesmerizing doll, Noodle Noggin, and plans to have Santa Claus deliver one to every house so he can make people do his every command through mind control.
Directors: Toshihiko Masuda, Rusty Mills | Stars: Jeff Bennett, Earl Boen, Maurice LaMarche, Tress MacNeille
Votes: 439
6.
The Simpsons (1989– )
Episode:
Miracle on Evergreen Terrace
(1997)
TV-G | 30 min | Animation, Comedy
When Bart accidentally burns down the family's Christmas tree and gifts, he claims that a robber stole everything. As a result, the town gets them a new tree and pitches in to raise funds.
Directors: Jim Reardon, Bob Anderson | Stars: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith
Votes: 2,681
7.
Arrested Development (2003–2019)
Episode:
In God We Trust
(2003)
TV-PG | 21 min | Comedy
The family attorney arranges George Sr.'s release from prison for Christmas. Later, George-Michael has to wear an embarrassing codpeice in a pageant.
Director: Joe Russo | Stars: Jason Bateman, Portia de Rossi, Will Arnett, Michael Cera
Votes: 2,907
8.
The West Wing (1999–2006)
Episode:
In Excelsis Deo
(1999)
TV-14 | 45 min | Drama
When a homeless veteran dies on the National Mall and his body remains uncollected for hours, Toby becomes fixated on getting him a proper burial.
Director: Alex Graves | Stars: Rob Lowe, Moira Kelly, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney
Votes: 1,909
9.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)
Episode:
Amends
(1998)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Drama, Fantasy
As the Christmas holiday approaches, Angel is tormented by evil apparitions who want him to eliminate Buffy.
Director: Joss Whedon | Stars: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter
Votes: 3,851
10.
Futurama (1999– )
Episode:
Xmas Story
(1999)
TV-14 | 23 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Fry learns how Christmas has changed and remained the same over the last 1000 years when a Robot Santa terrorizes New New York.
Directors: Peter Avanzino, Bret Haaland, Rich Moore | Stars: Billy West, Katey Sagal, John DiMaggio, Tress MacNeille
Votes: 3,186
11.
Futurama (1999– )
Episode:
A Tale of Two Santas
(2001)
TV-14 | 23 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
When Fry, Leela and Bender make a delivery to Neptune, they run afoul of the robot Santa Claus. Bender takes his place, but the previous Santa's fearsome reputation makes his job difficult.
Director: Ron Hughart | Stars: Billy West, Katey Sagal, John DiMaggio, Tress MacNeille
Votes: 2,599
12.
The West Wing (1999–2006)
Episode:
Bartlet for America
(2001)
TV-14 | 44 min | Drama
In an episode dotted with flashbacks, Leo and his attorney Jordon Kendall (Joanna Gleason) face a Congressional inquiry into whether the president lied to the American people regarding his ... See full summary »
Director: Thomas Schlamme | Stars: Rob Lowe, Stockard Channing, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney
Votes: 1,154
13.
30 Rock (2006–2013)
Episode:
Christmas Attack Zone
(2010)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
Jack tries to ambush his mother by inviting his father and Avery to Christmas dinner, Jenna misses her ex because they won't attend "New Queers Eve" together, and Tracy tries to maintain his new "serious" image.
Director: John Riggi | Stars: Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski, Jack McBrayer
Votes: 763
14. A Garfield Christmas Special (1987 TV Short)
TV-G | 23 min | Animation, Short, Adventure
Garfield, Jon, and Odie go to Jon's grandmother's house for Christmas, where Garfield finds a present for Grandma.
Directors: Phil Roman, George Singer | Stars: Lorenzo Music, Thom Huge, Gregg Berger, Pat Carroll
Votes: 3,657
15.
Seinfeld (1989–1998)
Episode:
The Strike
(1997)
TV-PG | 23 min | Comedy
Jerry goes out with a woman who is beautiful one day and ugly the next. Kramer goes back to work at H&H Bagels. George makes up a charity. Elaine gives a fake number to a man.
Director: Andy Ackerman | Stars: Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards, Jason Alexander
Votes: 4,329
16. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964 TV Movie)
TV-G | 47 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
A young reindeer Rudolph lives at the North Pole. His father is one of Santa's reindeer and it is expected that Rudolph will eventually be one too. However, he has a feature which is a setback and causes him to be ostracized: his red nose.
Director: Larry Roemer | Stars: Billie Mae Richards, Burl Ives, Larry D. Mann, Paul Soles
Votes: 37,484
17. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965 TV Movie)
TV-G | 25 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
Depressed at the commercialism he sees around him, Charlie Brown tries to find a deeper meaning to Christmas.
Director: Bill Melendez | Stars: Ann Altieri, Chris Doran, Sally Dryer, Bill Melendez
Votes: 44,104
18.
The Simpsons (1989– )
Episode:
Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire
(1989)
TV-PG | 30 min | Animation, Comedy
Homer is forced to become a department store Santa when Marge spends the family's Christmas savings on removing Bart's tattoo.
Director: David Silverman | Stars: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith
Votes: 8,807
19.
Modern Family (2009–2020)
Episode:
Undeck the Halls
(2009)
TV-14 | 21 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Phil and Claire cancel Christmas for their kids until they confess to wrongdoings at the house. Jay is hesitant to celebrate Gloria and Manny's holiday traditions. Mitchell and Cameron take Lily to meet Santa.
Director: Randall Einhorn | Stars: Ed O'Neill, Sofía Vergara, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell
Votes: 3,117
20. The Story of Santa Claus (1996 TV Movie)
46 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
The special presents an origin story for Santa Claus, who is depicted as a man named Nicholas Claus who wishes to give every child in the world a gift for Christmas. The elves of the North ... See full summary »
Directors: Toby Bluth, Debbie Baber, Dave Brain, Tommy Isumi, Juli Murphy, Mike Frank Polcino, Chuck Sheetz | Stars: Edward Asner, Jim Cummings, Tim Curry, Miko Hughes
Votes: 305
21.
The Office (2005–2013)
Episode:
Christmas Party
(2005)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
Seeing the party is headed for disastrous boredom, Michael breaks corporate policy to buy alcohol for the staff.
Director: Charles McDougall | Stars: Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer
Votes: 7,707
22. Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983)
G | 26 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
The classic Disney animated characters play the roles in this animated retelling of the Charles Dickens masterpiece.
Director: Burny Mattinson | Stars: Alan Young, Wayne Allwine, Hal Smith, Will Ryan
Votes: 15,365 | Gross: $21.00M
23.
30 Rock (2006–2013)
Episode:
Ludachristmas
(2007)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
Jack gets attached to Liz's nurturing parents because they provide the love and support he never got from his mom. The staffers get ready for their raunchy holiday party, but Kenneth changes their plans at the last minute.
Director: Don Scardino | Stars: Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski, Jack McBrayer
Votes: 1,119
24. A Flintstones Christmas Carol (1994 TV Movie)
G | 69 min | Animation, Comedy, Family
Fred is cast as Ebenezer Scrooge in a stage adaptation of the story, but is acting a bit stingy in real-life.
Director: Joanna Romersa | Stars: Henry Corden, Jean Vander Pyl, Frank Welker, B.J. Ward
Votes: 1,631
25.
30 Rock (2006–2013)
Episode:
Secret Santa
(2009)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy
Jack hooks up with an old crush who found him on a social networking site, the writers invent a religion to get out of playing Secret Santa with Kenneth, while Pete vows revenge on Jenna for not pitching in on a Christmas present.
Director: Beth McCarthy-Miller | Stars: Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski, Jack McBrayer
Votes: 905
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