Christmas movies take over TV channels, streaming sites and movie theatres the entire month of December. Programmers have a huge selection of Christmas movies to choose from: the cult classic “Elf,” the timeless “It’s a Wonderful Life” and even “Die Hard.” Netflix still holds on to its data, but “Love Actually” must be one of the most streamed movies each Yuletide. And every year, a few new Christmas blockbusters try to fit in with the classics.

This year, ”The Night Before,” “Joy” and “Krampus” line up as the top holiday Hollywood releases. A lot of movies beg for your time during the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but the true classics only ask for an hour. Rankin/Bass’ stop-motion television specials highlight ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas each year. Unlike any new Christmas movie, they give Christmas a classic vibe that makes the whole season feel more festive. In honor of their annual appearances, here are the top five Rankin/Bass Christmas TV specials.

5. “Rudolph’s Shiny New Year” (1976)

While the New Year setting feels premature before Christmas, Rudolph keeps it merry. He chases after Baby New Year alongside Big Ben, The Great Quarter-Past-Five and General Ticker through the Archipelago of Last Years as they try to avoid the vulture Aeon. It’s a New Year’s story with Christmas characters, so it still plays well in December. Not their best work, but an underrated story.

4 . “The Year Without a Santa Claus” (1974)

The title is a bit misleading, but this special boasts two of the most memorable characters from the Rankin/Bass world: Heat Miser and Snow Miser. Their dueling songs remain the most fun originals in the whole series. And nothing beats the trumpet noise of Santa’s sneeze, that’s classic.

3 . “The Little Drummer Boy” (1968)

Based off the song, this special goes without the North Pole characters, and instead tells the story of an orphan boy and his lesson in giving. While it is more religious than the rest, it gives one of the best lessons: giving is the most rewarding thing, no matter how little you have to give.

2 . “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (1964)

The one that started it all. Based on the classic Johnny Marks song, this was Rankin/Bass’ first network Christmas movie and its success made the rest possible. Most importantly, this one follows the song exactly, so it sets up the rest of the Rankin/Bass universe to be the true stories of the Christmas characters everybody loves.

1 . “Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town” (1970)

The best Rankin/Bass movie is the story of the man himself. It’s a growing up story, it’s romantic, it’s heartbreaking and it’s a perfect execution of the Santa Claus’s legend. Plus, Burgermeister Meisterburger might be the best villain name of all time.

Rankin/Bass achieved classic status because its specials felt like the true origins of Santa, Rudolph and all their friends. Stop-motion cartoons feel playful, like new Christmas toys, and that’s why they remain timeless and they will be a part of the 25 Days of Christmas no matter what ABC Family changes its name to.

Editor’s note: “Frosty the Snowman” (1969) was also produced by Rankin/Bass, but it is not a stop-motion movie and therefore not on the list.

Kyle Stevens is a sophomore advertising major. You can email him at ksteve03@syr.edu or reach him on Twitter at @kstevs_.

Published on December 6, 2015 at 8:59 pm