Classic Christmas TV Specials on DVD (Rudolph, Charlie Brown, Frosty and More)
Updated October 2026
The Short Answer
The classic Christmas TV specials most families want on DVD are Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964), A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965), How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966), Frosty the Snowman (1969) and Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (1970). Most run about 25 to 50 minutes, they were made for television rather than rated by the MPAA, and all of them are gentle enough for preschoolers. Owning them on disc means you can watch on your own schedule instead of waiting for a broadcast.
Below is a guide to the specials worth owning, with years, what makes each one special, and a quick note for parents where a scene might upset little ones. You can browse everything seasonal in our Christmas DVD collection, or the full DVD and movie shop.
In this guide:
- Why Own Christmas TV Specials on DVD
- The Rankin/Bass Stop-Motion Classics
- The Animated Favorites
- Muppets, Variety Shows and Sing-Alongs
- How to Plan a Christmas Specials Marathon
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Keep reading
Why Own Christmas TV Specials on DVD
For decades, these specials were an event: the whole family gathered on one night because that was the only chance to see them all year. Broadcast schedules have changed a lot since then, and some of the best-known specials have moved between networks and streaming services in recent years. A DVD takes the guesswork out of it.
They also fit real family life. Most are under an hour, which makes them easy to squeeze in after dinner or before bed, and short enough to hold a toddler's attention. Many were released as double features or collections, so one disc can cover several evenings. Shipping is free on orders over $15, which makes it easy to pick up a few at once.
The Rankin/Bass Stop-Motion Classics
Rankin/Bass Productions made the stop-motion specials most people picture when they think of Christmas TV. Their puppets, songs and narrators have been part of American Decembers since the 1960s.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
The longest-running Christmas special on American television first aired on NBC in 1964. Burl Ives narrates as Sam the Snowman and sings "A Holly Jolly Christmas," and the story adds Hermey, the elf who would rather be a dentist, the Island of Misfit Toys and Bumble, the Abominable Snow Monster. Look for it under Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Parent note: Rudolph is teased and shut out by the other reindeer (and by Santa, at first), and Bumble can be scary for very young viewers.
The Little Drummer Boy (1968)
Greer Garson narrates this Nativity story about Aaron, an orphaned shepherd boy who has only his drum to offer the newborn Jesus. It is quieter and more serious than the other Rankin/Bass specials, and it is a favorite in church families. See The Little Drummer Boy. Parent note: Aaron's parents are killed by bandits in his backstory, and his lamb is badly hurt near the end; both are handled gently but can be sad for small children.
Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (1970)
Fred Astaire narrates as a mailman answering children's questions about Santa, and Mickey Rooney voices young Kris Kringle, who grows up delivering toys to the children of Sombertown in defiance of the toy-hating Burgermeister Meisterburger. We have it on its own and on a double-feature disc with The Little Drummer Boy under Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town. Parent note: the Winter Warlock is menacing at first, but quickly turns friendly.
The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)
A tired Santa (Mickey Rooney again) considers skipping Christmas, and Mrs. Claus (Shirley Booth) sends two elves to find some holiday spirit. It is best remembered for the Heat Miser and Snow Miser song, which kids tend to quote for weeks.
The Animated Favorites
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
This was the first half-hour Peanuts special, first broadcast on CBS. It runs about 25 minutes. Charlie Brown is depressed by how commercial Christmas has become, picks the saddest little tree on the lot, and Linus answers his question about what Christmas is all about by reciting the Nativity story from the Gospel of Luke. Vince Guaraldi's jazz score, including "Christmas Time Is Here," is a big part of its charm. Find it under A Charlie Brown Christmas. Parent note: none, beyond some teasing of Charlie Brown.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
Directed by Chuck Jones and narrated by Boris Karloff, who also voices the Grinch, this 26-minute special follows Dr. Seuss's book closely. Thurl Ravenscroft sings "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." Do not confuse it with the 2000 live-action film with Jim Carrey, which is a full-length movie rated PG.
Frosty the Snowman (1969)
Another Rankin/Bass special, but in traditional cel animation rather than stop-motion. Jimmy Durante narrates and Jackie Vernon voices Frosty, who comes to life when a failed magician's hat lands on his head. Karen and her classmates try to get him to the North Pole before he melts. Our copies are under Frosty the Snowman, sometimes paired with the 1992 sequel Frosty Returns, with John Goodman as Frosty. Parent note: Frosty melts in a greenhouse near the end before Santa brings him back, which can upset preschoolers the first time.
The Snowman (1982)
Based on Raymond Briggs' picture book, this British special has no dialogue at all. A boy builds a snowman that comes to life on Christmas Eve and flies with him to the North Pole, set to the song "Walking in the Air." It is about 26 minutes long and beautifully hand-drawn. See The Snowman. Parent note: the snowman has melted by morning, and the ending is bittersweet.
Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas (2011)
A newer special for kids who know the Ice Age movies. Sid breaks Manny's heirloom Christmas rock, lands on Santa's naughty list and heads to the North Pole to fix things. It runs about 20 minutes. Look under Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas. Parent note: slapstick and some mild peril in an avalanche.
Muppets, Variety Shows and Sing-Alongs
Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (1977)
Jim Henson's Muppet-style special is based on the picture book by Russell and Lillian Hoban. Emmet and his widowed mother each secretly give up something the other depends on to enter a talent contest with a cash prize, in a story that echoes O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi." It is gentle, funny and full of folk songs. See Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas.
Christmas variety shows
For grandparents who grew up with holiday variety hours, a Christmas show from a favorite host makes a warm gift. We have The Carol Burnett Show: Christmas with Carol and The Andy Williams Christmas Show (Live from Branson), which captures Andy Williams, whose Christmas specials were a 1960s tradition, performing the season's songs later in his career.
Sing-along discs
Original Television Christmas Classics Sing-A-Long strings together the songs from Rudolph, Frosty, Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town and more, with on-screen lyrics. It is a fun one for a room full of cousins.
How to Plan a Christmas Specials Marathon
Because these specials are short, they are perfect for a countdown. Here is one simple plan:
- Thanksgiving weekend: Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town, to start the season with Santa's origin story.
- Early December: Rudolph and Frosty, one per night.
- Mid-December: A Charlie Brown Christmas and The Snowman for quieter evenings.
- Christmas Eve: The Little Drummer Boy or A Charlie Brown Christmas, for the Nativity story.
With toddlers, one special a night is plenty. Older kids often like to watch two back to back and compare them. For more options, browse our Family and Animation DVDs and the Holiday DVD collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the oldest Christmas TV special still shown today?
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, which first aired on NBC in 1964, is the longest-running Christmas special on American television.
Are classic Christmas TV specials rated?
No. Specials like Rudolph, Frosty and A Charlie Brown Christmas were made for television and were never rated by the MPAA. They are gentle enough for most preschoolers.
How long is A Charlie Brown Christmas?
A Charlie Brown Christmas runs about 25 minutes, so it fits easily into a weeknight.
Is the 1966 Grinch special the same as the Jim Carrey movie?
No. The 1966 special is a 26-minute cartoon directed by Chuck Jones and narrated by Boris Karloff. The 2000 film with Jim Carrey is a full-length live-action movie rated PG.
Which Christmas TV specials tell the Nativity story?
A Charlie Brown Christmas includes Linus reciting the Nativity story from the Gospel of Luke, and The Little Drummer Boy is built around the birth of Jesus.
Is Frosty the Snowman too sad for little kids?
Frosty melts near the end, which can upset preschoolers, but Santa brings him back and Frosty promises to return someday. Most kids are fine once they know the happy ending.
