History and Heritage
Christmas is a time for cozy family get-togethers. Watching movies with elders and kids is part of this traditional experience. A number of 2D and 3D animation movies have been made exclusively for this holiday season to watch with family. We at Video Caddy have picked 7 of the best 3D animated movies based on viewer ratings, movie quality, and its overall success. If you are wondering which animated movies to watch this Christmas, here is our recommended list:
 | - Name of the Film: Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas
- Year of Release: 2014 (December 16)
- Ratings: 6.4/10 (IMDB)
- Running Time: 43 minutes
- Starring: Jim Parsons, Mark Hamill, Kate Micucci
- Produced by: Warner Brothers Animation
- Directed by: Mark Caballero, Seamus Walsh
- Written by: Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic
- Budget: Not known
- Box Office: Yet to be seen
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| Story Brief: This is a festive and heartwarming story based on the 2003 Christmas comedy “Elf.” Santa narrates Buddy’s travel to New York to meet his father whom he never knew he had. On the way his joy transforms the lives of all he meets and leads his father to see and experience the magic of Christmas. There are nine songs in the special. |
 | - Name of the Film: Frozen
- Year of Release: 2013
- Ratings: 7.7/10 (IMDB)
- Running Time: 102 minutes
- Starring: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff
- Directed by: Chris Buck & Jennifer Lee
- Written by: Jennifer Lee, Hans Christian Andersen, Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee, Shane Morris & Dean Wellins
- Produced by: Walt Disney Animation Studios
- Budget:$ 150 million
- Box Office:$ 1274 billion
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| Story Brief: Anna was born with secret powers, but she hid it for long. But when her powers become revealed, the whole land gets covered with ice and snow. Watch how Anna’s sister teams up with a mountain man and his reindeer to change the weather, while it may be snowing outside during Christmas! |
 | - Name of the Film: Rise of the Guardians
- Year of Release: 2012
- Ratings: 7.3/10 (IMDB)
- Running Time: 97 minutes
- Starring: Hugh Jackman, Alec Baldwin, Isla Fisher
- Directed by: Peter Ramsey
- Written by: David Lindsay-Abaire & William Joyce
- Produced by: DreamWorks Animation
- Budget: $145 million
- Box Office: $306 million
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| Story Brief: This is an adventure movie on how a group of heroes – the Guardians – team up to save innocent children from the assault of an evil spirit called Pitch. Discover how Jack and his team including Santa help children. |
 | - Name of the Film: Arthur Christmas
- Year of Release: 2011
- Ratings: 7.1 /10 (IMDB)
- Running Time: 97 minutes
- Starring: James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy
- Produced by: Aardman Animations & Sony Pictures Animation
- Directed by: Sarah Smith, Barry Cook
- Written by: Peter Baynham (screenplay), Sarah Smith (screenplay)
- Budget: $100 million
- Box Office: $147 million
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| Story Brief: If you’ve ever wondered how Santa is able to deliver billions of gifts in one night, that mystery is finally revealed in “Arthur Christmas.” Nevertheless, Santa misses to give out a gift to one child. And Santa’s son Arthur goes on a crazy mission to deliver it within 2 hours. Watch this pure Christmas classic! |
 | - Name of the Film: A Christmas Carol
- Year of Release: 2009
- Ratings: 6.8 /10 (IMDB)
- Running Time: 96 minutes
- Starring: Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth
- Produced by: Walt Disney Pictures & ImageMovers Digital
- Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
- Written by: Charles Dickens (novel), Robert Zemeckis (screenplay)
- Budget: $175-200 million
- Box Office: $325 million
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| Story Brief: You are invited to watch this classic tale, which is an adaptation from Charles Dickens’ work in the same name. This 3D-animated holiday comedy fantasy brings to you how a miserly moneylender is haunted by a ghost of his former business partner on Christmas Eve, and how he tackles it. |
 | - Name of the Film: The Flight Before Christmas
- Year of Release: 2008
- Ratings: 6.3/10 (IMDB)
- Running Time: 80 minutes
- Starring: Olli Jantunen, Hannu-Pekka Björkman, Vuokko Hovatta
- Produced by: Anima Vitae, A. Film A/S, Pictorion Magma, Magma Films
- Directed by: Michael Hegner, Kari Juusonen
- Written by: Hannu Tuomainen, Marteinn Thorisson
- Budget: €6,100,000
- Box Office: $21 million
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| Story Brief: Niko, a little reindeer, has big dreams including the desire to fly like his dad, but is stopped by unbelief. This Finnish movie is all about how Niko overcomes unbelief, which is part of the Christmas message. Niko’s determination and bravery is displayed in this fascinating journey he undertakes. |
 | - Name of the Film: Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
- Year of Release: 2000
- Ratings: 6/10 (IMDB)
- Running Time: 104 minutes
- Starring: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Kelley
- Produced by: Imagine Entertainment
- Directed by: Ron Howard
- Written by: Seuss (book), Jeffrey Price
- Budget: $123 million
- Box Office: $345 million
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| Story Brief: How the Grinch Stole Christmas is based on a book by Dr. Seuss in the same name. It brings out the holiday spirit hilariously in search for the true meaning of Christmas. |
Do you want to add anything to this list? Please feel free to do so by commenting below. Enjoy your Christmas movie with your loved ones. Remember, Video Caddy wishes you “Happy Holidays!”
– VideoCaddy
