Top 10 Christmas Episodes in Adult Animation
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at animated TV episodes that best put grown-ups in the Christmas spirit, despite not necessarily being the most appropriate for the whole family. What are your favorite edgier viewing traditions for the holidays? Share the joy in the comments.
#10: “Sabrina’s Christmas Wish”
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“BoJack Horseman” (2014-20)
"BoJack Horseman" fans best-remember the has-been sitcom star for less-than-wholesome entertainment. They got to really see his claim to fame when Netflix released a full-length Christmas special that includes an episode of "Horsin' Around". In "Sabrina's Christmas Wish", BoJack's character must deal with the awkwardness of his youngest adopted child asking Santa for her parents back. Some fans were taken aback by the episode's homage to the cheesy humor and schmaltz of '90s family sitcoms. But this earnest spoof and the genuinely heartfelt characterization make for good old-fashioned family fun. Though that can't be said of any other episode in the brilliantly subversive "BoJack Horseman", "Sabrina's Christmas Wish" hits the beats of a sitcom seasonal tradition.
#9: “A Huey Freeman Christmas”
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“The Boondocks” (2005-14)
Aaron McGruder turns his bold satire on holiday myths when Huey Freeman is given full creative control over his school's Christmas play. The faculty's progressivism is inevitably challenged by the revolutionary's decision to portray Jesus as Black. Meanwhile, his volatile brother Riley swears vengeance on Santa for not getting him a basketball hoop. This especially whimsical episode of "The Boondocks" stays grounded for its ingenious takedown of holiday consumerism, white liberalism, and the social constructs behind it all. It's cynical, but in a way that pays tribute to "A Charlie Brown Christmas". Behind its harsh truths, "A Huey Freeman Christmas" is as humanly poignant as it is wickedly irreverent.
#8: “Livin' On Reds, Vitamin C, and Propane”
“King of the Hill” (1997-2010)
With all of "King of the Hill"'s classic Christmas episodes, the strongest isn't the most seasonal. Hank fulfills a childhood fantasy of driving a big rig in order to deliver furniture to his mother. The only overtly Christmassy plot points are his promise to make it home for the holidays, and Peggy trying to write a Christmas carol. "Livin' On Reds, Vitamin C, and Propane" still stands out for championing family and helping others. Hank and Bobby grow particularly close on their journey, completed with unexpected help from Hank's stowaway friends and some truckers. This character and the hilarious mishaps round out a favorite episode among "King of the Hill" fans, and a true tribute to goodwill.
#7: “Ricktional Mortpoon’s Rickmas Mortcation”
“Rick and Morty” (2013-)
If nothing else, “Ricktional Mortpoon’s Rickmas Mortcation” is the perfect cautionary tale about Christmas gifts gone wrong. While the Sanchez-Smith family view an extended edition of “Miracle on 34th Street”, Rick and Morty must intercept a dropped lightsaber before it tunnels into the Earth’s core. It all comes down to the duo and a Rick robot battling the President after the White House gets launched into space. It’s as narratively scattershot as any “Rick and Morty” episode, and just as satisfying. A whole season’s worth of family drama comes to a head against hysterical holiday satire and fun references to Christmas classics. It’s everything fans could hope for in a Sanchez-Smith Christmas, and more.
#6: “Xmas Story”
“Futurama” (1999-)
Fry has particular trouble adapting to his first holiday season of the 31st century. Christmas has been officially renamed Xmas; palm trees have replaced the extinct pine tree. Oh yeah, and there’s also a morally rigid robot Santa who goes on an annual killing spree. “Xmas Story” introduces one of the most surreal and nightmarish aspects of the “Futurama” mythos. It still gets to the heart of togetherness and charity for the holidays. Hiding from evil robots will bring that out in people. The Xmas mythos produced some of the most bloodcurdling and heartwarming episodes of “Futurama”. It’s still hard to top the gift of “Xmas Story”’s initial shock and perfect structure.
#5: “The Bleakening”
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“Bob’s Burgers” (2011-)
Leave it to “Bob’s Burgers” to find a wholesome spin on the Krampus lore with “The Bleakening”. When the top of the Belchers’ Christmas tree goes missing, Louise suspects it was stolen by the dreaded Bleaken. She, Tina and Gene set out to track down this sinister ghoul and save Linda’s Christmas party. The story is so full of twists and thrills that it had to be split into two episodes. This makes the most of the festive spirit around Seymour’s Bay, as well the dynamics and devotion of the Belcher family. “Bob’s Burgers” has served up plenty of holiday classics in a bleaker age for adult animation. But “The Bleakening” stands out as two of the show’s best episodes overall.
#4: “Rapture’s Delight”
“American Dad!” (2005-)
“American Dad!”’s third Christmas special reminds us of the reason for the season: Armageddon. After the Rapture leaves behind Stan, Francine and Roger, they witness the Second Coming of Christ. Seven years later, Francine and Jesus are romantically involved, asking for Stan’s help in defeating the Antichrist. The show has a history of fantastical extremes for holiday specials, including time travel and the Smiths’ blood feud with Santa. “Rapture’s Delight” may not have a very commercial Christmas aesthetic, but the post-apocalyptic biblical epic is awesome. With dark comedy and satisfying characterization on top of the spectacle, the episode quickly won acclaim as one of “American Dad!”’s best. It’s certainly top-tier in subversive and action-packed holiday entertainment.
#3: “Road to the North Pole”
“Family Guy” (1999-)
After being dismissed by a mall Santa, Stewie drags Brian to the North Pole to give the real Santa Claus a taste of his own medicine. Their epic journey leads to a workshop devastated by rampant consumerism. “Road to the North Pole” may be controversial for pushing “Family Guy”’s dark comedy. But on top of that hysterical contrast with holiday wholesomeness, viewers are truly confronted with the virtue of goodwill over greed. The episode itself is wonderfully decadent, complete with cheeky musical numbers that have all the qualities of genuine Christmas anthems. You also see where Seth MacFarlane gets his humor with his dad hosting the hour-long special. Stewie and Brian’s “Road to…” episodes have always stood out. But from spectacle to brutally sincere heart, “Road to the North Pole” has everything.
#2: “Woodland Critter Christmas”
“South Park” (1997-)
"South Park"'s peppy yet subversive Christmas episodes go back to the show's roots. But "Woodland Critter Christmas" goes strictly subversive in the most disturbingly funny way. When Stan helps talking critters prepare for the holidays, he realizes too late that they're a Satanic cult that aims to birth the Antichrist. Things only get more surreal from there, with creatively dark twists in the plot and the storybook writing style. It's a perfect affront to everything wholesome in Christmas fairy tales. It's also one of Trey Parker's highest feats in clever shock value. "Woodland Critter Christmas" would be "South Park"'s last holiday spoof for a decade. Certainly, it sets a high bar for Christmas cartoon magic with a wickedly adult flavor.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Beavis and Butt-Head Do Christmas”, “Beavis and Butt-Head” (1993-)
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The Boys Rock Out to Christmas Hits Between Parodies of Classical Seasonal Stories
“Die Semi-Hard”, “The Cleveland Show” (2009-13)
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Cleveland Tells the Story of Action Fans’ Favorite (Maybe) Christmas Movie
“A Very Solar Holiday Opposites Special”, “Solar Opposites” (2020-)
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The Shlorpians Travel Through Beloved Pop Culture Properties to Find the Meaning of Christmas
“Cybernetic Ghost of Christmas Past from the Future”, “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” (2000-)
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The Team Tries to Unravel the Mysterious Mission of a Ghostly Visitor
“Murray Christmas”, “The Cleveland Show” (2009-13)
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Rallo Learns About Hanukkah From a New Friend, While Cleveland & His Dad Get Ready for a Literal Boxing Day
#1: “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire”
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“The Simpsons” (1989-)
Television was changed forever by a Christmas episode spun off from shorts shown on "The Tracey Ullman Show". When Homer Simpson doesn't get a bonus check at work, he secretly takes a job as a mall Santa to afford Christmas. It turns out the perfect gift is at the dog racing track. "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" sounds like the typical holiday cartoon, with a tear-jerking heart to match. But Matt Groening's edgy humor and social satire revolutionized fun for the whole family. It was an unlikely success to kick off one of the greatest and longest-running TV shows ever. As much as adult animation owes to "The Simpsons" overall, its pilot episode is still the standard for holiday entertainment in that genre.
