‘Twas Two Nights Before Christmas
Stream classic holiday favorites like ‘Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town’, ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’, and ‘The Little Drummer Boy’
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
When it comes to classic Christmas films, it doesn’t get more quintessential than Rankin/Bass. The production company (which is no longer in business) created more than 45 movies between 1964 and 1985, including Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and The Little Drummer Boy. Their holiday-themed animated TV specials were some of their most popular, probably due to the iconic, doll-like characters, stop-motion movements, and themes of celebration and tradition.
At a Glance: Where to Stream Rankin/Bass Holiday Specials
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: Sling TV
• Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town: Hulu, Disney+, Sling TV
• The Year Without a Santa Claus: Sling TV
• The Little Drummer Boy: Hulu, Fubo TV
• The Complete Rankin/Bass Christmas Collection: Buy on Amazon Prime
Whether you grew up watching these beloved classics or recently saw your first (we force our friends to watch them every year), we found all of the ways to stream the top Rankin/Bass specials online. Sit back, pour yourself a hot chocolate — or something a little stronger — and view them all now.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Sling TV
First released in 1964, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer tells the origin story of Santa’s favorite “misfit.” With songs like “We Are Santa’s Elves” and “Jingle, Jingle, Jingle,” this holiday classic is full of reindeer games. You can stream it on Sling TV with a monthly subscription (which starts at $23).
‘Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town’
Hulu, Disney+, Sling TV
Get ready to “Put One Foot In Front of the Other” with a 30-day free trial to Disney+ and Hulu. The streaming services give you access to Rankin/Bass’s Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (which stars Fred Astaire) and more than 2,500 other shows and movies. But if you want something a little more permanent, you can also hang out with Burgermeister Meisterburger with a Sling TV subscription (starting as low as $23 per month).
‘Frosty the Snowman’
Hulu, Disney+, Sling TV
With a “corncob pipe and a button nose”, Frosty the Snowman is available for streaming on Hulu, Disney+, and Sling TV. This animated classic, which first aired in 1969 as a Christmas TV special, tells the tale of this “jolly, happy soul” through a series of fun (and extremely catchy) songs and dances.
‘The Year Without a Santa Claus’
Sling TV
This might be a hot take (although we think Heat Miser would agree), but The Year Without a Santa Claus is Rankin/Bass’s best holiday special. Not only do you get to experience two dueling brothers fighting through song, but you also get to see it snow for the first time in Dixie — and who wouldn’t want that. You can watch it with a subscription to Sling TV, where plans start as low as $23.00 per month.
‘Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey’
Amazon Prime
Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey may be a little more niche than the other Rankin/Bass Christmas movies (it isn’t as widely available to stream, either), but this stop motion story shouldn’t be missed. Rent it on Amazon Prime for $3.99, or buy it for only a dollar more ($4.99).
‘Rudolph’s Shiny New Year’
While you’re at it, you might as well rent Rudolph’s Shiny New Year, too. This 1976 special (available to rent for $3.99 on Amazon Prime) is the sequel to Rankin/Bass’ Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and tells the tale of how everyone’s favorite shiny-nosed reindeer saves a top-hat-wearing baby. (Yes, that is really the plot, and it’s a damn good one.)
The Complete Rankin/Bass Christmas Collection
Of course, the best way to watch Rankin/Bass stop motion movies is by owning the complete set. With this boxed collection from Amazon, you can watch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, Jack Frost, The Little Drummer Boy, and more, year after year. It’s a great way to start your own tradition or continue the one your family started decades ago.
