The 20 Best Animated Christmas Movies Ever Made

Nothing beats relaxing and watching Christmas anime when it’s time to get into the holiday spirit. Christmas-themed anime can make anyone joyful and cheery or provide a festive setting as you open gifts. These animated movies will remain available to keep you feeling festive long after Christmas.

The good news is that several anime are best appreciated in front of warm blankets and twinkling Christmas lights. So get ready because we’re discussing a list of anime you can watch over the Christmas season. Let’s get started! Christmastime coziness and anime viewing can surely warm your soul!

20. Neo Yokio: Pink Christmas

Director– Anthony Chun
Writer– Ezra Koenig, Nick Weidenfeld
Cast– Julian Barratt, Richard Ayoade
IMDb Rating– N.A.
Where to Stream– Amazon Video

Neo Yokio: Pink Christmas might win the top prize for the most ludicrous T.V. movie, as it fulfills all the requirements. This Netflix original epitomizes bold, with a demon Kaiju-style tree attack and a high-concept sci-fi Secret Santa.

Sure, some would criticize this choice as less “genuine” than the other options on the list. Still, everything by Neo Yokio counts since it features animation by Production I.G. and Studio Deen and has numerous “roots” in the history of anime.

19. Tenchi Muyo The Movie 2: Daughter of Darkness

Director– Satoshi Kimura
Writer– Marc Handler, Naoko Hasegawa
Cast– Masami Kikuchi, Ai Orikasa, Yumi Takada
IMDb Rating– 6.8
Where to Stream– Amazon Video

Even though it isn’t explicitly set at Christmas, this Tenchi Muyo film has a strong Christmas aesthetic.

The references to the happiest season are numerous, ranging from a Jurai holiday similar to ours in which trees are decorated with lovely lights, one of the critical antagonists employing holiday-themed toys as a weapon, to the anti-hero wearing pretty Santa-themed clothing.

The irony of this film is that it is one of the rare Christmas in July anime options because it is set during the summer. No of the time of year, it will put you in the festive spirit.

18. Little Women (1980)

Director– Yûgo Serikawa
Writer– Louisa May Alcott, Eiichi Imado
Cast– Kazuko Sugiyama, Eiko Masuyama, Yôko Asagami
IMDb Rating– 8
Where to Stream– Amazon Video

Little Women is one of the best holiday classics there is. It never fails to bring on the holiday spirit.

Based on the well-known book by Mary Louise Alcott, this T.V. movie version examines the early years of the March sisters and includes many enduringly popular wintry scenes.

Although this is the least well-known of the anime adaptations of this story, it is an excellent example of classic shoujo nostalgia with plenty of sparkling-eyed drama that will make you feel festive as it follows the Christmas themes perfectly.

17. Millennium Actress

Director– Satoshi Kon
Writer– Sadayuki Murai, Satoshi Kon
Cast– Miyoko Shôji, Shôzô Îzuka, Mami Koyama
IMDb Rating– 7.8
Where to Stream– Amazon Video

Millennium Actress by Satoshi Kon is a masterpiece, despite not being as holiday-appropriate as another choice from the same filmmaker on this list.

It may not have the cheeriest of narratives, and there may not be anything explicitly Christmas-related, but this lists the most crucial scene in the snow.

16. Laid-Back Camp: Movie

Director– Yoshiaki Kyogoku
Writer– Afro, Jin Tanaka
Cast– Yumiri Hanamori, Nao Tôyama
IMDb Rating– 8.4
Where to Stream– Amazon Video

Finally, there is no better anime than Laid-Back Camp, a slice-of-life series if all you want is something to make you want to spend a chilly winter by the fireplace.

The program centers on the reclusive Rin Shima, a young woman who enjoys “solo camping” and seeing Japan alone.

We observe as Rin grudgingly meets new friends through her love of camping when her uncommon interest prompts a high school student, Nadeshiko, to find a club devoted to camping.

15. Arctic Dogs

Director– Aaron Woodley
Writer– Bob Barlen, Cal Brunker, Matthew Lyon
Cast– Jeremy Renne, Heidi Klum
IMDb Rating– 4.7
Where to Stream– Amazon Video

Swifty, the fox, learns of Otto Von Walrus’ cunning scheme to drill beneath the Arctic’s surface and release sufficient gas to destroy the entire glacier.

Swifty and his buddies, a reclusive polar bear, a disorganized albatross, a cunning fox, and two neurotic otters, leap into action to thwart Otto’s scheme and save the day. It has a lot of vibes of festive vibes.

14. Rise Of The Guardians

Director– Peter Ramsey
Writer– David Lindsay-Abaire, William Joyce
Cast– Hugh Jackman, Alec Baldwin, Isla Fisher
IMDb Rating– 7.8
Where to Stream-Netflix

A gang of eternal guardians with excellent skills gets together to defend the children when Pitch, an evil spirit, returns to Earth to attack the kids and rule the world.

13. Sailor Moon S: The Movie

Best Sailor Moon Quotes — Source: Netflix

Director– Hiroki Shibata
Writer– Sukehiro Tomita, Naoko Takeuchi
Cast– Kotono Mitsuishi, Aya Hisakawa, Michie Tomizawa
IMDb Rating– 7.7
Where to Stream-Amazon Prime

None of the anime films with Christmas themes reach the same fanciful absurdity as Sailor Moon S: The Movie. Along with the usual Sailor Senshi antics, there is a high-stakes romance drama involving Luna and a threat on the order of the Ice Age that could wipe out the Earth.

12. 5 Centimeters Per Second

Director– Makoto Shinkai
Writer– Makoto Shinkai
Cast– Kenji Mizuhashi, Yoshimi Kondou, Satomi Hanamura
IMDb Rating– 7.5
Where to Stream-Amazon Prime

With this selection, we wanted to address the unfortunate aspect of anime we all enjoy watching around the holidays.

The narrative in 5 Centimeters Per Second centers on Tohno Takaki and Akari.

Two childhood buddies forced to part ways because of their parents’ jobs are two. Distance between them eventually widens due to their failure to stay in constant communication throughout time, and the regret of “what could have been” consumes both of them until their passing.

Even though this anime film is undoubtedly depressing, we all adore it.

11. Love Hina Christmas Special: Silent Eve

Director– Yoshiaki Iwasaki
Writer– Shô Aikawa
Cast– Ken Akamatsu, Yu Asakawa, Steve Blum
IMDb Rating– 7
Where to Stream-Amazon Prime

You might be shocked to discover how much you like this special holiday episode, even if you aren’t a fan of Love Hina.

If you profess your love on this day, it will come true, according to a rumor that claims the first Christmas of the new millennium is a particularly significant time of year.

As you can expect, it causes quite a commotion and requires Keitaro to make some difficult choices during Christmas. Anyone can enjoy this lighthearted holiday story while decorating or wrapping gifts. It is indeed one of the best Christmas movies.

10. Smallfoot

Director– Karey Kirkpatrick, Jason Reisig
Writer– Karey Kirkpatrick
Cast– Channing Tatum, James Corden, Zendaya
IMDb Rating– 7
Where to Stream-Amazon Prime

Friendly Yeti Migo, who asserts that humans evolved, could be expelled from his home. He starts a mission, nonetheless, to show himself and win the peasants’ respect. Additionally, it has a few significant Christmas-themed episodes, which is another reason it made our list.

9. Chocotto Sister

Director– Yasuhiro Kuroda
Writer– Sakura Takeuchi
Cast– Daisuke Hirakawa, Rie Kugimiya, Momoko Saito
IMDb Rating– 7
Where to Stream-NA

The heartwarming anime series Chocotto Sister has a solid connection between Christmas magic and the season of giving.

Visitors can see a small kid who begged Santa for an unexpected present after his mother miscarried during the holiday season. In addition to requesting Santa to provide his mother with a speedy recovery, he also wished for the sister he was never given.

Even when his desire is not instantly granted, Haruma Kawagoe quickly discovers that Santa enjoys taking his time. The Christmas episode is perfect, and you should watch it.

8. Your Lie in April

Director– Kyōhei Ishiguro
Writer– Takao Yoshioka
Cast– Natsuki Hanae, Risa Taneda
IMDb Rating– N.A.
Where to Stream–

“Your Lie in April,” a romantic drama adapted from the manga series of the same name by Naoshi Arakawa, is a tale of hardship and self-discovery. This one takes place in Japan.

Even seasoned artists appreciate the extraordinary pianist Kousei Arima for his talent. However, the young boy tries to deal with the terrible reality of his mother’s sudden death, and as a result of the stress, he cannot hear the sound of his piano for the ensuing years.

Arima’s life is spiraling out of control when he meets a young lady, Kaori Miyazono, a stunning violinist who encourages him to pick up the piano once more and competes with him.

Arima’s experience aids in his recovery from despair, but Kaori is concealing a harsh reality that can send him back over the edge.

7. Whisper of The Heart

Director: Yoshifumi Kondō
Writer: Aoi Hiiragi
Cast: Yoshifumi Kondō, Issei Takahashi
IMDb Ratings: 7.9
Where to Stream– Amazon Video

Shizuku, a young girl who enjoys writing but is unsure if it’s the direction she should go in life, is the main character in Whisper of the Heart.

Shizuku starts falling in love with Seiki after a few fateful encounters with him. She also learns what it means to choose her course in life and ultimately does so. Seiki motivates Shizuku to pursue her writing profession, just as Seiki does the same for his.

Few anime have the emotional impact that Whisper of the Heart does. There is no better way to start the new year with its depressing but inspirational message.

6. Wolf Children

Director– Mamoru Hosoda
Writer– Mamoru Hosoda
Cast– Aoi Miyazaki, Takao Osawa, Haru Kuroki
IMDb Rating– 8.1

Being a classic from Ghibli, Wolf Children is ideal for this time of year.

Hana, a dedicated college student who falls in love with a man who says he is half-wolf, is the novel’s main character. The two fall in love right away and even have a child together.

However, her husband dies, leaving her to raise her two wolf kids alone. Wolf Children gives a different perspective than some other anime on this list. Watch this as the story goes well, and the main character’s development is perfect too.

5. The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya

Director– Tatsuya Ishihara, Yasuhiro Takemoto
Writer– Nagaru Tanigawa, Fumihiko Shimo
Cast– Aya Hirano, Tomokazu Sugita, Minori Chihara
IMDb Rating– 8

The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya is an anime that depicts the events of the fourth Haruhi novel and is another one you’ll enjoy viewing at this time of year.

Suzumiya ends up disappearing while the SOS Brigade prepares a holiday party, and oddly enough, everyone’s recollection of her begins to fade to the point where they just forget about her.

Nevertheless, it has mystery and enough Christmas-y vibes to keep watching. It is one of the best Christmas anime. It teaches us the true meaning of selflessness and kindness.

4. Kanon

Director– Tatsuya Ishihara
Writer– Jun Maeda
Cast– Chris Patton, Tomokazu Sugita, Mariko Kouda
IMDb Rating– 8
Where to Stream–

While Kanon is a fantastic anime to watch during the holidays, most anime fans will agree that this is one of the few times a remake is superior to the original. The 2002 original series is generally considered inferior to the 2006 edition.

The anime is set in a wintery town and centers on a young man who discovers he doesn’t remember many of the happy times he used to have there.

Even though the anime is a harem, the depth of each character allows you to have a personal connection to each of these love interests rather than having the impression that the ladies are merely there to fill out the narrative.

3. Tokyo Godfathers

Director– Satoshi Kon
Writer– Keiko Nobumoto, Satoshi Kon
Cast– Tôru Emori, Yoshiaki Umegaki, Aya Okamoto
IMDb Rating– 7.8
Where to Stream– Netflix

Imagining another animation with more holiday cheer than Tokyo Godfathers is challenging.

This endearing and amusing cartoon contains three homeless friends who, while rummaging through the trash on Christmas Eve, come across something unusual: an abandoned baby. They try to locate the child’s mother and give the baby the meaningful name Kiyoko.

The story is heartwarming and ideal for the holiday season or whenever you’re searching for a nice deed that leads to an extraordinary journey, especially for these three homeless people. It is one of the best Christmas anime.

2. Itsudatte, My Santa!

Director– Noriyoshi Nakamura
Writer– Ken Akamatsu
Cast– Ian Sinclair, Brittney Karbowski, Brandon Potter
IMDb Rating– 5.6
Where to Stream– Amazon Video

The anime has a plot similar to most Christmas films, but it’s delivered with all the eccentricity and feeling you’d expect from a great anime. Despite being born on Christmas Eve, the main character, Santa, despises the season.

That is until he encounters a young woman who appears anxious to cheer up this cranky Santa. You should watch this anime; no need to wait for the winter break now!

1. Winter Sonata

Director– Daisuke Nakayama
Writer– Hidetoshi Namura
Cast– Yong-jun Bae, Choi Ji-woo
IMDb Rating– 6.5
Where to Stream– Amazon Video

Winter Sonata is a heartfelt anime romance based on the same-named Korean drama.

The main character of the love story is Yoo Jin, who has chosen to wed a close childhood friend after tragedy takes the guy she fell in love with from her. However, as fate would have it, it appears that her late love was more than a faded memory.

The anime’s wintertime setting allows for some breathtaking sequences and perfectly encapsulates the desire for love that many people frequently experience throughout Christmas.