The new series on Disney+, The Santa Clauses, offers new Christmas entertainment for the whole family. However, sometimes an adult animated holiday special is a nice change to the traditional Christmas watches.
Even if a viewer isn't into the dark humor of shows like Hey Arnold that offer entertainment with their animated holiday specials. While Christmas movies are a staple in many households, these episodes offer some quick, exciting holiday enjoyment. These Christmas specials are some of the best adult cartoon episodes.
Xmas Story - Futurama
Season 2, Episode 4
There are a few Futurama Christmas episodes, but this episode is a fan favorite. In it, a robot Santa Claus is programmed wrong, making him think everyone in the world is on the naughty list. And if that doesn't make for a sour enough Christmas, this Santa tries to exterminate everyone on the naughty list.
This murderous Santa is a shock for Fry, who learned that Christmas has changed but also stayed pretty consistent over the last 1,000 years. This is an interesting watch not just for fans of this series, but those that like the concept of a futuristic Christmas holiday and a unique take on Santa.
Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classic - South Park
Season 3, Episode 15
This isn't the highest-ranked South Park Christmas episode but is one of the fan-favorite holiday specials. In this episode, Mr. Hankey the Christmas Poo hosts. According to the only Jewish character in the series, Kyle, Hankey comes out of the toilet and gives presents to everyone with a good amount of fiber in their diet.
Though this is a holiday special, it has many of the favorite aspects associated with the South Park show. There are a few disturbing Christmas songs sung by characters like Satan and Hitler, giving viewers the dark humor they appreciate from this less-than-innocent TV series.
A Beavis And Butt-Head Christmas - Beavis And Butt-Head
Season 6, Episode 7
Beavis And Butt-Head is one of the best adult cartoons, and fans appreciate the quirky, humorous Christmas episode around the holidays. This two-part holiday special first features Beavis dreaming about being a Scrooge. The second half is about Butt-Head having an encounter with a guardian angel that shows him what his life would be like without Beavis.
This is an entertaining watch for those that like TV episodes that incorporate iconic Christmas stories. Using a spin on "A Christmas Story" and "It's a Wonderful Life," this duo episode utilizes all the perverse and silly humor fans love about Beavis and Butt-Head.
Road To The North Pole - Family Guy
Season 9, Episode 7
This episode of Family Guy features Brian and Stewie. After they are disappointed by the mall Santa Claus, they take a trip to the North Pole to confront the legend himself, where they run into a few surprises and embark on a thrilling adventure.
There are a few different watch options for Family Guy holiday specials, but this is the ideal option for fans of Stewie and/or Brian. These two are always up to some crazy antics and this episode is no different but succeeds in incorporating Santa in a quirky way appropriate for the show's themes.
Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire - The Simpsons
Season 1, Episode 1
In this very first Christmas special of The Simpsons, as well as the first-ever episode of the entire long-running series. In it, Homer runs into some financial difficulties during the holidays and decides to get a secret job playing Santa Claus at the local mall so he won't disappoint his family.
Though this isn't the best Simpsons Christmas episode, it is one of the most memorable. The animation is far different from what viewers see on the show today, as this episode kick-started this beloved series. Those that love this iconic series will get a kick out of the episode that started it all and enjoy watching what turns out to be a remarkable Simpsons family Christmas.
A Very Special Family Guy Freakin' Christmas - Family Guy
Season 3, Episode 16
This other Family Guy Christmas special features the whole family as they go a bit wacky during the holiday season. Notably, Lois loses her cool when she can't find her holiday cheer and Peter highlights his usual quirkiness when he can't watch the KISS Christmas special.
Big fans of this series will appreciate how this episode highlights the whole Griffin family during their holiday traditions. This is a hilarious watch for those that like the mix of the usual personalities of their beloved characters intertwined with a warped sense of holiday spirit.
Dear Consumer - Robot Chicken
Season 4, Episode 11
In normal Robot Chicken fashion, this episode features several skits tied together relating to all different Christmas stories. A couple of notable skits are ones featuring Thor celebrating Christmas in Asgard and the Little Drummer Goku playing out a song for the finale.
This dark Christmas humor is one that many adults find amusing, but others find in poor taste, so it's only something to explore for those with some experience with Robot Chicken themes. As one of the darkest adult animated series, it's an interesting watch for those that enjoy a twisted bit of comedy during the holidays.
A Huey Freeman Christmas - The Boondocks
Season 1, Episode 7
In this The Boondocks Christmas special, both of the Freeman brothers run into trouble when Huey plans to portray a Black Jesus in the school's Christmas play and Riley assaults the mall's Santa because of his hatred for the Santa Claus, who he felt betrayed them in their difficult times.
For those unfamiliar with the adult animated series, The Boondocks is comparable to Bob's Burgers with similar humor and themes. But while this episode has its share of laughs, it's also a thoughtful watch for those interested in social commentary and the exploration of other cultural celebrations during the holiday season.
Do You See What I See? - Eureka
Season 4, Episode 21
In this holiday special of Eureka, a magical wave turns the townspeople into animated characters. This event throws a rut in Sheriff Carter and Allison's plans to give their children a special holiday surprise.
This Christmas special has all the quirkiness, science-based themes, and humor associated with this SyFy series, but with an added taste of holiday spirit. This is an exciting watch for fans of real-life science fiction shows that enjoy the quirky specials thrown into the series, like an episode in which the characters are turned into two-dimensional cartoons.
Arnold's Christmas - Hey Arnold!
Season 1, Episode 11
Hey Arnold! isn't technically an adult animated series, but it is one of those cartoons entertaining for all ages. In this wholesome Christmas special, Arnold and his friends work to reunite Mr. Hyunh with his long-lost daughter who he was separated from during a war in Vietnam.
This isn't as humorous as other adult cartoons, but it has one of the most touching plotlines seen in an animated Christmas special. This episode of the beloved cartoon series is a great watch for adults to get some wholesome Christmas entertainment and is even a good watch for the whole family.