The best Classic Christmas Cartoons
by pervangtoft | created - 16 Aug 2014 | updated - 30 Apr 2018 | PublicCartoons have always been an essential part of christmas in my book. I remember in my childhood in Denmark, where we only got one hour of Walt Disneys great cartoons at christmas on TV the whole year. My parents also took me to the movies for a Disney cartoon show at a special cinema called Metropol. It was the highlight of the whole year and the only Disney cartoons we got. Nowadays you can buy almost every cartoon of the golden age from both Disney, Warner brothers, MGM and all the others on DVD. They also show them on TV all year long, but in the old days part of the waiting and anticipation for christmas was as much for the great cartoons as for the presents, at least I always felt that way. These old cartoons still have a big place in my heart, and I watch them with almost as much joy today, so here I have collected a list with as many of the short christmas cartoons as possible. Some of them I have only discovered in recent years, where other fans have posted their childhood favorites on Youtube and other sites, but most of them I remember from the christmas days of my own childhood.
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1. Toy Tinkers (1949)
Approved | 7 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
Chip and Dale sneak into Donald Duck's house to steal his walnuts. Donald dresses as Santa Claus to have fun with the two thieving chipmunks, but ends up using the war toys underneath the Christmas tree to do battle with them.
Director: Jack Hannah | Stars: Dessie Flynn, James MacDonald, Clarence Nash
Votes: 1,474
The best and most violent of all christmas cartoons. In a time of "peace on earth and good will to men", you can trust Donald and Chip & Dale to start world war 3 in the living room among the presents.
2. Santa's Workshop (1932)
G | 7 min | Animation, Short, Family
Santa's little helpers must hurry to finish the toys before Christmas Day.
Director: Wilfred Jackson | Stars: Pinto Colvig, Walt Disney, Harriette Haddon, Allan Watson
Votes: 2,807
3. The Night Before Christmas (1933)
Approved | 8 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
A narrator sings the opening stanzas of the classic poem while we see the house at rest. Santa lands on the roof, comes down the chimney, and opens his bag. The toys march out and decorate ... See full summary »
Director: Wilfred Jackson | Stars: Allan Watson, Kenny Baker
Votes: 956
4. Once Upon a Wintertime (1948)
8 min | Animation, Short, Family
A short segment of the feature film Melody Time (1948), re-released as a separate entity five years afterwards.
Director: Hamilton Luske | Stars: Frances Langford, Buddy Clark
Votes: 379
5. Pluto's Christmas Tree (1952)
G | 7 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
The tree that Mickey and Pluto chop down to bring home for Christmas is the tree that Chip 'n Dale live in.
Director: Jack Hannah | Stars: Ruth Clifford, Pinto Colvig, Dessie Flynn, James MacDonald
Votes: 3,471
6. Donald's Snow Fight (1942)
TV-G | 7 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
Donald Duck, in a battleship made of ice, goes to war against his three nephews, who fight back from their ice fort.
Director: Jack King | Star: Clarence Nash
Votes: 2,257
7. Mickey's Good Deed (1932)
Approved | 8 min | Comedy, Family, Animation
On Christmas Eve, Mickey is forced to sell Pluto to a bratty rich kid in order to give some orphans presents.
Director: Burt Gillett | Stars: Pinto Colvig, Walt Disney, Marcellite Garner
Votes: 852
8. The Night Before Christmas (1941)
Passed | 9 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
Well, a mouse *is* stirring... And he's having fun playing with the toys, until he mistakes Tom for a stuffed toy and wakes him up.
Directors: Joseph Barbera, William Hanna, Rudolf Ising | Stars: The Boswell Sisters, Connee Boswell, Martha Boswell, Vet Boswell
Votes: 2,395
9. Bedtime for Sniffles (1940)
Approved | 8 min | Animation, Family, Short
Christmas eve, and Sniffles is determined to stay awake to see Santa. Not an easy task.
Director: Chuck Jones | Star: Margaret Hill-Talbot
Votes: 355
10. Broken Toys (1935)
Approved | 8 min | Family, Comedy, Animation
A sailor doll, thrown into a toy dump, rallies the demoralized dolls that were already there.
Director: Ben Sharpsteen | Stars: Alyce Ardell, Sara Berner, Tommy Bupp, Cliff Clark
Votes: 382
11. The Cookie Carnival (1935)
Approved | 8 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
Cookies, cakes, and other desserts march in a parade. A gingerbread girl cries because she has nothing to wear; a gingerbread man dresses her up, and she is named cookie queen.
Director: Ben Sharpsteen | Stars: Pinto Colvig, The Four Blackbirds, Marcellite Garner, The Guardsmen
Votes: 875
12. On Ice (1935)
Approved | 8 min | Animation, Short, Adventure
Mickey and friends have various levels of enjoyment skating on a frozen river. As Mickey and Minnie glide romantically, Donald plays tricks on Pluto and ends up in trouble himself with a kite, from which Mickey must save him.
Director: Ben Sharpsteen | Stars: Pinto Colvig, Walt Disney, Marcellite Garner, Clarence Nash
Votes: 1,856
13. Mickey's Orphans (1931)
Approved | 7 min | Family, Comedy, Animation
At Christmastime, Mickey Mouse, Minnie and Pluto are beset by an enormous litter of bratty orphan cats.
Director: Burt Gillett | Stars: George Magrill, Barbara Brewster, Gloria Brewster, Pinto Colvig
Votes: 935
14. The Art of Skiing (1941)
Approved | 8 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
After figuring out how to get dressed, Goofy hits the slopes to demonstrate the art of skiing. Through a series of gags and misadventures, Goofy demonstrates turns, skiing backwards and even the ski jump.
Directors: Jack Kinney, Bill Roberts | Stars: John McLeish, Hannes Schroll
Votes: 1,954
15. Corn Chips (1951)
Approved | 7 min | Family, Animation, Comedy
After Donald tricks the chipmunks to shovel snow, they get things a-poppin' in the duck's house.
Director: Jack Hannah | Stars: Dessie Flynn, Clarence Nash, Norma Swank
Votes: 1,329
16. Alias St. Nick (1935)
Passed | 10 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
Mrs. Mouse is reading "A Visit from St. Nicholas" to her brood when a cat tries to break in and have a feast. The cat overhears them arguing about the existence of Santa, so he dresses up accordingly, but his plans go awry.
Director: Rudolf Ising | Stars: Billy Bletcher, Beatrice Hagen, Geneva Hall, Bernice Hansen
Votes: 263
17. Good Will to Men (1955)
Passed | 8 min | Animation, Short, Drama
A group of young mice is in the ruins of a church, practicing singing for an upcoming service. After singing an adulterated version of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," the mice wonder about ... See full summary »
Directors: Joseph Barbera, William Hanna | Stars: Daws Butler, Sandy Descher, The Robert Mitchell Boy Choir, Elmore Vincent
Votes: 494
18. Bats in the Belfry (1942)
Passed | 7 min | Animation, Family, Comedy
A trio of belfry-dwelling bats explain to us musically (and demonstrate) why they are associated with nuttiness. Especially the smallest.
Directors: Jameson Brewer, Rudolf Ising | Stars: Sara Berner, Pinto Colvig, Kent Rogers
Votes: 192
19. Peace on Earth (1939)
Passed | 9 min | Animation, Short, Drama
Two baby squirrels ask grandpa to explain what "men" are when they hear everyone singing of "peace on earth, goodwill to men". Grandpa tells the story of man's last war.
Director: Hugh Harman | Stars: Mel Blanc, Jeanne Dunne, The Hollywood Choir Boys, Shirley Reed
Votes: 1,751
20. Santa's Surprise (1947)
Approved | 9 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
Five children from around the world follow Santa home on Christmas Eve, and decide to give him some extra help around the workshop.
Directors: Seymour Kneitel, Myron Waldman | Stars: Jack Mercer, Mae Questel
Votes: 375
21. The Pups' Christmas (1936)
Passed | 8 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
Christmas morning, and two puppies (and their children) are up early. The pups are frightened by a large stuffed dog, a train set, a crying doll, a toy tank, and other toys. By the time the... See full summary »
Director: Rudolf Ising | Stars: Jayne Shadduck, Bernice Hansen, Leone Le Doux, Dorothy Lloyd
Votes: 210
22. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1948)
TV-G | 8 min | Animation, Short, Family
Santa and his sleigh crash into some trees while attempting to deliver presents on a foggy Christmas Eve. Rudolph is enlisted to lead the sleigh and is hailed as a hero.
Director: Max Fleischer | Star: Paul Wing
Votes: 888
23. Christmas Comes But Once a Year (1936)
G | 9 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
At an orphanage, the children are sad because they received broken toys as gifts. Professor Grampy sees the children while passing by in his sled and has an idea on how to give them a merry Christmas.
Directors: Dave Fleischer, Seymour Kneitel | Stars: Everett Clark, Jack Mercer, Mae Questel
Votes: 778
25. Hector's Hectic Life (1948)
Passed | 6 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
Hector is a dog with an easy life and the run of the house when the lady of the house gives him a warning...one more mess and you're out. Hector would be okay if not for the fact that three... See full summary »
Directors: Bill Tytla, George Germanetti | Star: Mae Questel
Votes: 296
26. Clown of the Jungle (1947)
6 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
In the South American jungle, the narrator introduces us to the various birds living there and to wildlife photographer Donald Duck intent on getting some pictures. Unfortunately, all his ... See full summary »
Directors: Jack Hannah, Norman Ferguson | Stars: Pinto Colvig, Ken Darby, Larry Keating, Faith Kruger
Votes: 786
27. Mickey's Trailer (1938)
Approved | 8 min | Animation, Short, Adventure
Mickey and Donald ride in a trailer pulled by Goofy, who doesn't realize his car has separated from the trailer as they travel down a mountain.
Director: Ben Sharpsteen | Stars: Pinto Colvig, Walt Disney, Richard Edwards, Clarence Nash
Votes: 3,633
28. Ginger Nutt's Christmas Circus (1949)
7 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
Squirrel Ginger is the ringmaster for an animal circus. A parrot has snuck in using a weasel's ticket; the weasel keeps trying to enter as well, but keeps getting thrown out. The parrot ... See full summary »
Director: Bert Felstead
Votes: 135
29. Jolly Little Elves (1934)
Passed | 9 min | Animation, Musical, Short
A poor shoemaker and his wife have only a stale donut and a cup of coffee left to share. An elf drops by, and they offer to share with him. He teaches them (in song) to dunk the donut in ... See full summary »
Directors: Walter Lantz, Manuel Moreno | Stars: Dorothy Compton, Beatrice Hagen, Bernice Hansen, Mary Moder
Votes: 250
30. Little Cheeser (1936)
Approved | 9 min | Animation, Short
Little Cheeser is a young mouse who thinks he's more grown up than he is. Mama tells him to go to bed, calling him "Mama's little man"; he doesn't want to. His devil side emerges and guides... See full summary »
Director: Rudolf Ising | Stars: Bernice Hansen, Martha Wentworth
Votes: 151
31. One Ham's Family (1943)
Approved | 8 min | Family, Animation, Comedy
A hungry wolf with ham in the shape of a pig kid stands in for Santa Claus.
Director: Tex Avery | Stars: Tex Avery, Sara Berner, Pinto Colvig, Kent Rogers
Votes: 471
32. Mister and Mistletoe (1955)
TV-PG | 5 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
Christmas eve; Popeye's nephews are staying over with Olive, and Popeye is helping trim the tree. Bluto dresses as Santa and horns in on Olive until a candle burns off his beard and reveals him.
Directors: Izzy Sparber, Al Eugster | Stars: Jackson Beck, Jack Mercer, Mae Questel
Votes: 131
33. Snow Foolin' (1949)
Approved | 6 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
Various animals prepare for winter and enjoy a variety of winter sports. A hen invites us to follow her bouncing egg and sing along to Jingle Bells. Finally, a turtle dispenses hot coffee to a bird on her nest.
Directors: Izzy Sparber, Myron Waldman | Stars: Jack Mercer, Mae Questel, Sid Raymond
Votes: 254
34. Somewhere in Dreamland (1935)
Approved | 9 min | Animation, Short, Family
In their dreams, two poor and hungry tots enter a fantasy kingdom where there are more sweets than they can eat. But when they wake...
Directors: Dave Fleischer, Seymour Kneitel | Stars: Mae Questel, Gus Wicke
Votes: 750
35. The Captain's Christmas (1938)
G | 8 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
The Captain is playing Santa; John and his henchmen stick him up and take over, but John breaks all the toys. They go into town and sing, so badly that people throw things at them to get them to to stop.
Director: Friz Freleng | Stars: Charles Bennett, Mel Blanc, Billy Bletcher, Stuart Hall
Votes: 273
36. The Peachy Cobbler (1950)
Approved | 7 min | Family, Animation, Comedy
A poor, sick cobbler, given the last crust of bread in the house by his wife, feeds it instead to some birds that are really shoemaker elves. They show their gratitude by finishing all his ... See full summary »
Director: Tex Avery | Star: Daws Butler
Votes: 463
37. The Shanty Where Santy Claus Lives (1933)
Passed | 7 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
Christmas Eve. A poor orphan boy trudges through the snow, pathetically. He finally arrives at his miserable cabin. While he is crying, Santa arrives and, singing the title song, offers to ... See full summary »
Directors: Hugh Harman, Rudolf Ising | Stars: Rudolf Ising, The King's Men, Johnny Murray, The Rhythmettes
Votes: 449
38. Toyland Broadcast (1934)
Passed | 8 min | Animation, Family, Short
Station ABC broadcasts the Toyland Revue, featuring music from baby-doll singers, a roly-poly bandleader, a jack-in-the-box crooner, a wind-up music box and more.
Director: Rudolf Ising | Stars: Johnny Murray, Brox Sisters, The Four Blackbirds, Rudolf Ising
Votes: 165
39. The Hockey Champ (1939)
Approved | 7 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
Donald shows his nephews the moves that won him his hockey trophy. But the boys have a few moves of their own.
Director: Jack King | Star: Clarence Nash
Votes: 1,508
40. Christmas Night (1933)
G | 7 min | Animation, Short, Family
On Christmas Eve, the Little King sneaks two tramps into the castle. The next morning, the three men are thrilled by the presents Santa left behind.
Directors: Oscar E. Soglow, James Tyer
Votes: 208
41. The Small One (1978)
G | 26 min | Animation, Short, Drama
Ordered by his father to sell his old, small donkey, named Small One, a boy in ancient Palestine takes the donkey to the Jerusalem market. Finding no buyers there, the boy is about to give up when he meets a kind man named Joseph.
Directors: Don Bluth, Jack Cutting, Wolfgang Reitherman | Stars: Sean Marshall, William Woodson, Olan Soule, Hal Smith
Votes: 2,090
42. New Year's Trip (1959)
10 min | Animation, Short, Adventure
Santa Claus lends his sparkling sleigh-like Star Shooter to let a child in order to deliver a Christmas tree to his father in Antarctica.
Director: Pyotr Nosov | Stars: Galina Ivanova, Irina Pototskaya, Gilbert Mack, Hal Smith
Votes: 147
43. 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: 15,354 | Gross: $21.00M
44. Squatter's Rights (1946)
7 min | Animation, Comedy, Family
Chip 'n Dale have set up house in the wood stove of Mickey's cabin. Pluto knows they are there, but Mickey only knows his matches keep going out when he tries to light a fire.
Directors: Jack Hannah, Clyde Geronimi | Stars: Dessie Flynn, Pinto Colvig, Walt Disney, James MacDonald
Votes: 553
45. Chicken in the Rough (1951)
7 min | Family, Comedy, Animation
Chip 'n' Dale are gathering nuts; the nuts fall into the chicken pen. When Dale is playing around with some eggs, one hatches. The chick leaves, and Dale has to pretend to be a chick to avoid the wrath of the rooster.
Directors: Jack Hannah, Jack Cutting | Stars: Dessie Flynn, Florence Gill, Mary Lawrence, James MacDonald
Votes: 453
46. Wynken, Blynken & Nod (1938)
Approved | 8 min | Animation, Short, Family
Three sleepy babies in a clog-boat sailing through the night sky attempt to fish with candy canes for very smart fish.
Director: Graham Heid | Star: Divonna Doxie
Votes: 790
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