Netflix isn’t only home to royal romances and festive comedies, it has quietly built a collection of animated Christmas films that already feel like new holiday classics. These movies blend heart, folklore, and hand-crafted visuals, speaking to children and adults in equal measure.
From Oscar-nominated stories like Klaus to stop-motion gems such as Robin Robin and Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas, each of these titles captures a different side of Christmas: generosity, belonging, hope, and second chances.
These are 12 Netflix animated Christmas movies worth returning to every December, the films that bring back holiday magic on demand.
Klaus
Klaus reimagines the origin of Santa Claus through Jesper, a spoiled postman exiled to a bitter northern town. There, he meets Klaus, a reclusive woodsman with a workshop full of toys. Their unlikely friendship sparks acts of kindness that begin to heal a divided village. With painterly animation and emotional depth, Klaus has become a modern holiday classic about how generosity creates legends.
A Boy Called Christmas
Based on Matt Haig’s novel, A Boy Called Christmas follows young Nikolas as he journeys to find his missing father and the mythical village of Elfhelm. Joined by a talking mouse and a loyal reindeer, he encounters magic, loss, and the origins of Father Christmas. A story rooted in hope and wonder, it offers fairy-tale adventure with emotional resonance.
Angela’s Christmas
Set in 1910s Ireland, Angela’s Christmas begins with young Angela worried that the Baby Jesus figure in her church nativity looks cold. With innocent intentions, she brings him home for warmth, sparking gentle mischief and heartfelt reflection. A quiet, tender tale about compassion and the true warmth of Christmas.
Angela’s Christmas 2
In this sequel, Angela dreams of reuniting her family for the holidays, with her father working far away in Australia. Determined and hopeful, she sets out on a heartfelt mission. It’s a story about longing, courage, and a child’s belief in Christmas miracles.
Robin Robin
From Aardman Studios, Robin Robin follows a young bird raised by mice who longs to prove she belongs. On a Christmas quest, she learns that difference is not a weakness but a strength. With handmade textures, musical storytelling, and charm, it’s a cozy tale about identity and acceptance.
Scrooge: A Christmas Carol
This animated musical adaptation revisits Charles Dickens’ classic through vivid animation and original songs. Ebenezer Scrooge, cold and unyielding, confronts his past, present, and future on Christmas Eve. Faced with the cost of a loveless life, he chooses redemption, making this version a vibrant retelling of forgiveness and change.
That Christmas
Based on stories by Richard Curtis, That Christmas interweaves multiple lives in a seaside town, lonely neighbors, chaotic families, unexpected guests. Their separate December struggles quietly overlap, showing how imperfect holidays can still lead to connection, grace, and unlikely joy
Alien Xmas
When X, a tiny alien from a race of thieves, arrives at the North Pole to steal Earth’s gravity, he’s met with unexpected kindness from Santa’s world. Caught between greed and empathy, X must choose what Christmas truly means. A quirky, fast tale about how generosity can disarm even the coldest plans.
Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas
When young Timmy goes missing just before Christmas, Shaun and the flock launch a rescue filled with farmyard chaos. With Aardman’s signature humour, the story becomes a festive adventure about family, loyalty, and seasonal mischief.
The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday
Set before The Bad Guys film, this special follows the criminal crew after they accidentally ruin the city’s Christmas parade. To fix their mistake, and their reputations, they attempt to save the holiday. Slapstick, sabotage, and an unexpected dash of redemption.
The Boss Baby: Christmas Bonus
When Boss Baby ends up in the North Pole instead of home, he’s thrown into Santa’s high-stakes production line. Determined to prove himself, he navigates elves, reindeer, and holiday mayhem while his family searches for him. A comedic reminder that family is the real holiday bonus.
Trolls Holiday Special
When Poppy discovers the Bergens have no holidays, she insists on sharing Troll traditions. Her over-the-top plans unravel, leading to a lesson: celebration isn’t about perfection, but connection. Bright, musical, and full of glittering chaos.
