B Movies Blog

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping some of my favorite Christmas/winter holiday episodes into the ol’ VCR. 

In keeping up with the tradition of this week, we have more holiday content coming at you because a) it’s that time of the year and b) we have some big pieces cooking in the background, including a brand-new LCA and a brand-new piece on Inside. 👀

Moving on. 

Now, we all know I have my annual rewatches, but there are some Christmas/winter holiday episodes that I don’t rewatch every single year but still love. 

So, this list is going to be a mix of both. 

There are gonna be some familiar favorites, but I think there might also be some surprises. 

She said, knowing good and well that none of these will probably be surprises. 

I also need to give some CWs/TWs up top for “Fishes” and “White Christmas”: 

“Fishes” contains depictions of addiction, emotional and verbal ab*s*, and all like topics. 

“White Christmas” contains depictions of su*c*d*, murder, SA, and all like topics. 

As with our other CWs/TWs, I always highly recommend researching these episodes before watching and/or having a trusted person watch these episodes first. 

Additionally, “Arnold’s Christmas” does depict scenes of war, and I wanted to flag that as well. 

(Plus, it’s really sad but also really heartwarming) 

Alrighty, that should do us for introductions and disclaimers. 

Without further ado, here are 10 of my favorite Christmas/winter holiday episodes:

“Fishes” – The Bear 

This isn’t just one of my favorite Christmas/winter holiday episodes of a show, but I think it’s one of the best episodes of television I’ve ever seen. The cast they pulled for this episode is incredible, and they captured the chaos of the holidays paired with family baggage in a way that cuts deep. If you’ve never seen an episode of The Bear, you can always watch this one as a standalone.

“Arnold’s Christmas” – Hey Arnold! 

This episode never fails to make me cry, and I think it’s a prime example of how the power of animated series can be overlooked. Mr. Hyunh’s story is so heartbreaking, and I can’t give the writers enough kudos for writing such a poignant episode. If you’ve never seen this episode and need both a happy and sad cry. 

“Christmas Who?” – SpongeBob SquarePants 

For those who don’t know, I sincerely watch “Christmas Who?” every single Christmas Eve, along with The PowerPuff Girls: “Twas the Fight Before Christmas. You honestly can’t beat early SpongeBob, and the running donkey joke throughout still gets me every time.

“Depth Takes a Holiday” – Daria 

I clearly wasn’t in the writers’ room for this episode, but I feel like MTV forced the Daria crew to make a holiday episode, and they wrote this as a giant fuck you. It’s razor-sharp, and I love that it isn’t relegated to a single holiday but that they purposely threw all of them together. If you need a reminder of why Daria is one of my favorite shows, check this one out.

“White Christmas” – Black Mirror 

Sometimes, I forget how dark Black Mirror was when it started (I mean, my favorite episode is “White Bear”). Don’t get me wrong—y’all know that I really liked some of the episodes from the most recent season. However, some of these darker episodes are so well done that it makes me miss the older seasons. Also, this is just another reminder to check the CWs/TWs for this one.

“O’ Christmas Pete” – The Adventures of Pete and Pete 

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I’m so glad The Adventures of Pete and Pete came out when it did. This show could never work now, and I don’t know if it would even be greenlit, tbh. It’s sincerely one of my favorite shows of all time, and the holiday episodes only make me love it more. 

“The Bracebridge Dinner” – Gilmore Girls 

I know that there are a couple of actual Christmas episodes of Gilmore Girls, but the episode that really puts me in the holiday spirit is “The Bracebridge Dinner” episode. There’s just something so cozy and comforting about it that makes me want to settle in with a hot chocolate and big, comfy quilt. 

“Merry Christmas, Johnny Rose” – Schitt’s Creek 

I think Schitt’s Creek is one of the best written sitcoms of all time. Full stop. And, the Christmas episode is no exception. I love that there’s only one holiday episode in the series’s entire run because it shows how carefully crafted it was.

“Christmas Special” – 30 Rock 

First and foremost, I know that there are things in 30 Rock that definitely don’t hold up, and I’ll 100% admit that. But, this holiday special gets me every single time. From the Lemon Party joke to the entire setup of Liz’s brother’s accident, it just shows how well written this show is overall. 

(But again, even though 30 Rock is one of my favorite shows, there are DEFINITELY things that didn’t age well) 

“The Chrismukkah That Almost Wasn’t” – The O.C. 

I know that people are probably shocked that I went with this episode over “The Best Chrismukkah” ever, but hear me out. “The Chrismukkah That Almost Wasn’t” is prime 2000s teen drama. There’s a love triangle, a secret love child, an indie soundtrack, you name it. I’m not necessarily saying it’s the best Chrismakkuh episode, but it’s definitely my favorite.