It’s common for animated shows to release a Christmas episode during the festive period, but some are more of a standout than others. Most of the best animated TV shows ever typically have an episode that focuses on the holiday season, although they’re not always set in the safety and warmth of the characters’ homes. Adult animated shows like Rick and Morty or Family Guy are just as keen to broadcast a Christmas episode as children’s titles like SpongeBob SquarePants, which proves that regardless of background, the holiday season can be enjoyed by anyone.

Christmas is a chaotic season, as many of the best Christmas episodes from great TV shows highlight to viewers time and time again. Whether it’s a mad dash to get a Christmas tree or an action-packed fight against a festive threat, these animated TV shows provide some amazing and endearing Christmas episodes that are well worth revisiting across the holiday period.

10 "Marge Be Not Proud"

The Simpsons - Season 7, Episode 11

There are several brilliant Christmas episodes of The Simpsons, but the very best is easily the season 7 episode “Marge Be Not Proud.” The episode perfectly encapsulates what the holiday is like for a family with growing children, as Bart turns even more rebellious after stealing a video game when Marge doesn’t give in to his demands.

“Marge Not Be Proud” not only highlights the sweet dynamics between Marge and her kids, but also just how complex Bart is as a character.

However, his punishment allows Bart to understand the true meaning of Christmas, as he works to regain Marge’s trust and acceptance. Bart spends some time with Milhouse, who is one of the nine characters in The Simpsons voiced by Pamela Hayden, and his mother, which lets him appreciate just how hard parents work to give their offspring a happy Christmas.

“Marge Not Be Proud” not only highlights the sweet dynamics between Marge and her kids, but also just how complex Bart is as a character. While Bart will always be the ultimate rebel, it’s nice that he acknowledges he ruins Marge’s family photo, and finds a heartfelt way to apologize to his mother.

9 "Xmas Story"

Futurama - Season 2, Episode 4

The first of Futurama’s holiday-themed episodes is from season 2, and “Xmas Story” introduces audiences to how the special occasion looks in the year 3000. Futurama’s Xmas episodes aren’t always as wholesome and feel-good as expected, especially because of the strange robotic threat that the employees of Planet Express face.

The Robot Santa in Futurama makes his first appearance in “Xmas Story,” when Fry learns that if he isn’t inside by sundown, the villain will kill him. “Xmas Story” is so much more than a battle against Futurama’s Robot Santa, though. The episode proves just how strong Fry’s feelings for Leela are, as he risks his life just to get her a present.

There are some brilliant bits of Futurama’s lore littered throughout, like palm trees being used as decoration due to the extinction of pines, and more context on the backstory of the Friendly Robot Company is provided. While the later Futurama Xmas episodes are great, “Xmas Story” stands as the best.

8 "A Very Big Mouth Christmas"

Big Mouth - Season 5, Episode 8

“A Big Mouth Christmas” serves as the only Christmas episode of the show, seeing as it’s unlikely that Big Mouth season 8 will include one, considering it is due to be released after the festive period. The episode uses a brilliant anthology format and jumps between multiple stories, as well as differing art styles, too. Maury, Connie, Rick, and the Shame Wizard as puppets are fantastic to see, and it’s a unique direction for Big Mouth to take the episode.

Another segment of the episode that switches up its visuals is Lola’s story. While Lola being abandoned by her mother on Christmas is saddening, Rodney showing up and coming through for her is heartwarming. However, the best “A Big Mouth Christmas” story is arguably Mila and Lotte’s tale about the spirit Vader John, who eats children who don’t go to bed on time on Christmas. Although it’s creepy and dark, it fits the characters, and it's a hilarious change to the average animated Christmas episode.

7 "Christmas Guy"

Family Guy - Season 12, Episode 8

“Christmas Guy” isn’t just a holiday-themed installment, it’s also one of the best Stewie and Brian time travel episodes of Family Guy. In typical Family Guy style, the episode begins with inappropriate humor, but Stewie simply isn’t feeling it because he misses Brian so much. Thankfully, “Christmas Guy” brings Brian’s death arc to a close when Stewie locates a past version of himself and goes back in time to save his dog from being hit by a car.

Although the Family Guy Christmas episode ends with Brian’s replacement, Vinnie, vanishing, it’s still a wholesome watch. “Christmas Guy” proves that no matter how outspoken and sharp-tongued Stewie can be, he genuinely cares about Brian, and he’ll happily risk breaking the rules of time travel just to see the Griffins’ dog once again. Plus, on top of this, there’s a ridiculous yet funny subplot between Peter and Lois’ father that reminds audiences that even though it's the holidays, ‌Family Guy is still bonkers.

6 "It's A SpongeBob Christmas!"

SpongeBob SquarePants - Season 8, Episode 23

The winter and Christmas episodes of SpongeBob SquarePants are always a delight to watch, regardless of the age of the viewer. Regardless of the fact that the titular character and his friends are underwater, where weather doesn’t really affect the environment, SpongeBob and the gang are still keen to enjoy the festive spirit (except Squidward, perhaps.)

In season 8’s "It's a SpongeBob Christmas," Plankton puts a stop to everyone’s Christmas cheer by putting all of Bikini Bottom on Santa’s naughty list. "It's a SpongeBob Christmas!" is an amazing example of a TV show switching up their visual style for an episode, as the usual cartoon appearance is switched out for claymation, which is a nod to classic Christmas films like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Thankfully, Plankton’s evil plot doesn’t go to plan, but he does realize his mistake in the name of Christmas. With the appearance of Santa, a toy version of SpongeBob, and plenty of Christmas madness, "It's a SpongeBob Christmas!" is an enjoyable watch for all generations.

5 "Christmas In The Car"

Bob's Burgers - Season 4, Episode 8

"Christmas in the Car" is easily one of the best Bob’s Burgers holiday-themed episodes. The season 4 episode is a great Christmas story from start to finish, and it shows the Belcher family at their very best. It’s common knowledge that Linda loves any holiday, but especially Thanksgiving and Christmas, so it’s no surprise that her need to decorate the apartment so early causes issues.

Linda buys the tree so early that it dies, and this process is repeated until Christmas Eve, when the family are forced to rush to get another in time for the big day. "Christmas in the Car" is a great road trip episode, too. Bob’s road rage and Gene repeatedly requesting the radio station play "Jingle in the Jungle" brilliantly encapsulate their character’s personalities.

Even though the episode mainly takes place on the road, it still represents Christmas well. Many families know the pain of being stuck driving across the festive period, especially when a last-minute crisis crops up, and the Belchers provide a hilarious and endearing representation of this.

4 "Anatomy Park"

Rick And Morty - Season 1, Episode 3

While Rick and Morty isn’t a stranger to a Christmas twist, many forget that the show’s first festive episode happens in season 1. “Anatomy Park” is the third episode of Rick and Morty, in which Rick creates a theme park inside the body of a homeless person. Although “Anatomy Park” isn’t a typical Christmas episode of any show, the jump between the subplots, one sci-fi and the other festive, is compelling.

As Morty enters Ruben’s body to help Dr. Xenon Bloom and his team fight off various infectious diseases, Jerry struggles with the arrival of his parents’ new partner. It’s hard not to feel sorry for Jerry, who wants a simple and calm Christmas with his family.

However, it’s funny that, for once, Rick isn’t Jerry’s biggest problem. Despite the threat of Rick’s experiment and the lack of devices for the Smiths to stare at, the first of Rick and Morty’s Christmas episodes has a relatively happy ending. Jerry gets to be the bigger man, Summer learns to appreciate life behind her phone screen, and Morty even gets lucky with one of the park’s employees, Annie.

3 "Christmas Every Day"

The Fairly OddParents - Season 1, Episode 7

The Fairly OddParents season 1 finale "Christmas Every Day" is a memorable watch for those who grew up with the show. Timmy Turner makes the one wish every child has considered in their lives, and in a Groundhog Day-esque story, he wakes up to a house full of presents every day. However, this episode also teaches children how to appreciate the holiday season, and why, realistically, Christmas can’t be a continuous event.

The episode not only focuses on how Christmas is a special time, but also that there are other important holidays throughout the year.

This episode is a great example of the life lessons the show provides children, something The Fairly OddParents’ sequel also relies on. Other than the overarching narrative, "Christmas Every Day" is also full of typical jokes from The Fairly OddParents that make it great to watch by itself, regardless of the time of year.

The running gags like Mr. Turner’s excitement over eggnog and the frustration of the other holiday mascots are brilliant. The episode not only focuses on how Christmas is a special time, but also that there are other important holidays throughout the year. Timmy learns that Santa and his parents work hard to provide him with a good Christmas, and by the end, he appreciates this.

2 "For Whom The Sleigh Bell Tolls"

American Dad! - Season 7, Episode 8

Although the Christmas specials aren’t generally considered the best episodes of American Dad!, there are still plenty of enjoyable holiday-themed stories. Season 7’s "For Whom the Sleigh Bell Tolls" follows a chaotic Christmas in the Smith household. Despite Francine’s objections, Stan gives Steve a gun for Christmas, but he somehow accidentally kills Santa Claus.

Amongst the drama of the Smiths hiding from Santa’s elves, many typical familial issues crop up during the festive period, too. Stan struggles to accept his son-in-law into the family, despite Jeff marrying Hayley two seasons before.

The search for the perfect whiskey is an amazing Roger story, too, but the bond that forms between Jeff and Stan perfectly encapsulates the Christmas spirit. When Santa, who turns out to be alive in the end, tries to convince Jeff to abandon his family, he refuses. "For Whom the Sleigh Bell Tolls" is both action-packed and wholesome, which is why it’s one of the best Christmas episodes of American Dad!

1 "Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics"

South Park - Season 3, Episode 15

One of the best South Park Christmas episodes is "Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics," which is also the name of the album released by the show. Throughout the variety show style episode, Mr. Hankey guides viewers through various short skits, each of which includes a ludicrous yet catchy holiday track.

While the recurring South Park character appears in a few cameos after his South Park debut, this episode is the first time that Mr. Hankey gets significant screen time, which is a treat to see. "Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics" is far from wholesome, with songs from the likes of Satan and Adolf Hitler. However, the narrative is also quite diverse in ways.

There’s a skit dedicated to Kyle explaining Jewish heritage to Ike, and Mr. Garrison also teaches a class on how various countries across the world don’t celebrate Christmas, although this lesson is dampened when he reveals he visits these locations and forces them to take part in the festivities. A South Park Christmas episode is never going to be serious, but this episode is still a fun and musical watch.