The Snowman

The Snowman (1982) — why this festive episode or special deserves a place in a Christmas television marathon.

A near-wordless animated Christmas classic built from Raymond Briggs' picture book, remembered for snow, flight and a melancholy ending.

Year

1982

Best for

family animation

Why watch it at Christmas?

The best seasonal television does more than hang tinsel on an ordinary episode. It uses Christmas pressure—family, expectation, loneliness, food, gifts or forced togetherness—to make the characters more themselves than usual.

Christmas-night verdict

This one earns a place in the annual rotation. Pair it with one or two other short specials rather than letting an algorithm choose the entire evening.

Filed under: Christmas TV · family animation · 1982