"A Charlie Brown Christmas," the iconic holiday TV special, turns 50 this year. While admittedly, it's a perennial holiday classic, there are plenty of other classic animated offerings you can view this holiday season, too. Here's a rundown of our favorites -- some popular, some unsung -- all worthy of a glance on your TV or favorite streaming device this season.
The Simpsons, "Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire"
![8 Holiday Animated Specials to Watch Besides A Charlie Brown Christmas, the simpsons]()
Wouldn't be an animated specials list without giving a nod to TV's longest running animated family. The first season of The Simpsons is extra biting and dark, so if you're into satire this 1989 holiday episode will hit the best notes. This episode is packed with an effective Christmas-inspired storyline, but is most important if you're a fan of the full series, since it offers the first appearances of many well-known series characters like Mr. Burn's assistant Smithers, Patty and Selma, Principal Seymour Skinner, Ralph Wiggum, and also Homer's well-beloved pooch.
Robot Chicken's Half-Assed Christmas Special
![8 Holiday Animated Specials to Watch Besides A Charlie Brown Christmas, robot chicken]()
Adult Swim (and stop motion animation) fans can appreciate this laugh-out-loud satire of Xmas specials. The magical land of Narnia gets in on the holiday hoopla and a nerd even gets stuffed into a locker as a result. Why you should watch? To see Hermey the Elf epically fail at being a dentist. And to witness Sally hoping for a love note and it not being for Linus. Not your standard Christmas special, which makes me stand out even more.
A Rugrats' Chanukah
![8 Holiday Animated Specials to Watch Besides A Charlie Brown Christmas, rugrats]()
You don't have to light the Menorah to appreciate this holiday classic. "A Rugrats' Chanukah" gives the story of the Maccabean Revolt with Tommy playing Judah, a key event in history remembered during Chanukah. And the kids, including Dil's nerve-wracking cousin Angelica search for the meaning of Chanukah.
Mickey's Christmas Carol
![8 Holiday Animated Specials to Watch Besides A Charlie Brown Christmas, mickey's christmas carol]()
Disney aficionados will like this classic in the Disney holiday TV specials. Scrooge McDuck stars as Ebeneezer Scrooge and Mickey Mouse plays Bob Cratchit in this heartwarming version of the Charles Dickens' holiday classic. I used to watch this ever year on the Disney Channel as a kid and it holds up very well today. Scrooge gets a visit by a couple of creatures who seek money for the poor, and we all get a valuable lesson in sharing and kindness. Great hand-drawn animation as well (yes, there was a time before Pixar).
WIll Vinton's Claymation Christmas Celebration
![8 Holiday Animated Specials to Watch Besides A Charlie Brown Christmas, claymation christmas special]()
Claymation needs love, too. And, hey, who can forget the California Raisins? Dried raisins don't have end up in your holiday desserts, they can belt out a pretty mean R&B-inspired rendition of "Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer," too. The retro factor takes this special over the top. The special is a series of Christmas carol music videos hosted by Rex, a red Tyrannosaurus Jeff Goldblum; and Herb, a lisping stegosaurus.
Boondocks, "A Huey Freeman Christmas"
![8 Holiday Animated Specials to Watch Besides A Charlie Brown Christmas, boondocks, a huey freeman christmas]()
A hilarious Adult Swim spin on "A Charlie Brown Christmas" is offered up on The Boondocks. Huey Freeman takes over complete control of his elementary school's Christmas play, but gets into a conflict with school officials when he wants to portray Jesus as black. Not only do you get Riley getting pissed off about Santa Claus (penning hilarious notes to the North Pole), the show also tackles holiday consumerism and is perfect if you aren't the jolliest one at the Christmas party.
Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas
![8 Holiday Animated Specials to Watch Besides A Charlie Brown Christmas, how the grinch stole christmas]()
Yes, we all know the film with Jim Carrey, but way before it hit cinemas, Dr. Seuss' beloved 1966 cartoon tale was a perennial TV staple during holiday time. Who can forget seeing a grinning and green Grinch trying to steal the Whovilles' Christmas and the earworm that is "The Grinch Song"? Watching Grinch dressed up as Santa and witnessing his heart grow in the process of all his shenanigans can make even the coldest hearts melt. Sappy, but true.
Animaniacs, "Twaz The Day Before Christmas"
![8 Holiday Animated Specials to Watch Besides A Charlie Brown Christmas, animaniacs]()
'90s retro cartoon fans, rejoice! If you want to feel like a kid again and go back to the days of hypercolor T-shirts and grunge, rewind to this Warner Bros. animated classic. Yakko, Wakko and Dot, along with the full cast -- including Pinky and the Brain -- take on the classic "Night Before Christmas" tale. Its packed with music like "A Charlie Brown Christmas" but is fully engaged in irony and doesn't try to give any karmic, moral lessons like the "Grinch" or "Charlie Brown" Christmases -- which we all need sometimes.
Related: 10 Very Weird Christmas Movies
The Simpsons, "Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire"
Wouldn't be an animated specials list without giving a nod to TV's longest running animated family. The first season of The Simpsons is extra biting and dark, so if you're into satire this 1989 holiday episode will hit the best notes. This episode is packed with an effective Christmas-inspired storyline, but is most important if you're a fan of the full series, since it offers the first appearances of many well-known series characters like Mr. Burn's assistant Smithers, Patty and Selma, Principal Seymour Skinner, Ralph Wiggum, and also Homer's well-beloved pooch.
Robot Chicken's Half-Assed Christmas Special
Adult Swim (and stop motion animation) fans can appreciate this laugh-out-loud satire of Xmas specials. The magical land of Narnia gets in on the holiday hoopla and a nerd even gets stuffed into a locker as a result. Why you should watch? To see Hermey the Elf epically fail at being a dentist. And to witness Sally hoping for a love note and it not being for Linus. Not your standard Christmas special, which makes me stand out even more.
A Rugrats' Chanukah
You don't have to light the Menorah to appreciate this holiday classic. "A Rugrats' Chanukah" gives the story of the Maccabean Revolt with Tommy playing Judah, a key event in history remembered during Chanukah. And the kids, including Dil's nerve-wracking cousin Angelica search for the meaning of Chanukah.
Mickey's Christmas Carol
Disney aficionados will like this classic in the Disney holiday TV specials. Scrooge McDuck stars as Ebeneezer Scrooge and Mickey Mouse plays Bob Cratchit in this heartwarming version of the Charles Dickens' holiday classic. I used to watch this ever year on the Disney Channel as a kid and it holds up very well today. Scrooge gets a visit by a couple of creatures who seek money for the poor, and we all get a valuable lesson in sharing and kindness. Great hand-drawn animation as well (yes, there was a time before Pixar).
WIll Vinton's Claymation Christmas Celebration
Claymation needs love, too. And, hey, who can forget the California Raisins? Dried raisins don't have end up in your holiday desserts, they can belt out a pretty mean R&B-inspired rendition of "Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer," too. The retro factor takes this special over the top. The special is a series of Christmas carol music videos hosted by Rex, a red Tyrannosaurus Jeff Goldblum; and Herb, a lisping stegosaurus.
Boondocks, "A Huey Freeman Christmas"
A hilarious Adult Swim spin on "A Charlie Brown Christmas" is offered up on The Boondocks. Huey Freeman takes over complete control of his elementary school's Christmas play, but gets into a conflict with school officials when he wants to portray Jesus as black. Not only do you get Riley getting pissed off about Santa Claus (penning hilarious notes to the North Pole), the show also tackles holiday consumerism and is perfect if you aren't the jolliest one at the Christmas party.
Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Yes, we all know the film with Jim Carrey, but way before it hit cinemas, Dr. Seuss' beloved 1966 cartoon tale was a perennial TV staple during holiday time. Who can forget seeing a grinning and green Grinch trying to steal the Whovilles' Christmas and the earworm that is "The Grinch Song"? Watching Grinch dressed up as Santa and witnessing his heart grow in the process of all his shenanigans can make even the coldest hearts melt. Sappy, but true.
Animaniacs, "Twaz The Day Before Christmas"
'90s retro cartoon fans, rejoice! If you want to feel like a kid again and go back to the days of hypercolor T-shirts and grunge, rewind to this Warner Bros. animated classic. Yakko, Wakko and Dot, along with the full cast -- including Pinky and the Brain -- take on the classic "Night Before Christmas" tale. Its packed with music like "A Charlie Brown Christmas" but is fully engaged in irony and doesn't try to give any karmic, moral lessons like the "Grinch" or "Charlie Brown" Christmases -- which we all need sometimes.
Related: 10 Very Weird Christmas Movies