Every Animated Christmas Carol: Worst to Best (1/2)

[@MrShinyObject]

I like how "do they kill the child" is central to like every review.

[@theflickchick9850]

I'm waiting for a version to actually show the ghost hearse going up the stairs.

[@jenniferschillig3768]

@@theflickchick9850 The hearse shows up in the 1971 Richard Williams animated version, the George C. Scott version, and the 1970 musical Scrooge.

[@genericname2747]

I grew up on the child-friendly versions, so the fact that the kid dies is a huge shock. Show the kid dying, you cowards.

[@UN_BOXT]

DELETUS THE FETUS YOU WIMPS

[@Mr.Tw1sty]

"Hit the child Hit the child Hit the child" - Jude Howard 2021

[@Legoluigi26]

Actually, most Barbie movies don't star "Barbie", just Barbie playing a different character.

[@z3dexe]

yes she plays the "actor" in movies except "a fashion fairytale" where she plays herself

[@carcinoVantas]

Damn Barbie lore

[@cintronproductions9430]

Yup, as a kid I was originally a bit confused as to why they weren't calling her Barbie, but then I quickly realized that Barbie is basically an actor.

[@z3dexe]

@@carcinoVantas oh believe me this is just the tip of the iceberg wit until you learn about her family

[@psychedahlia]

Barbie multiverse

[@SiRenfield]

“Horror has no place in Christmas!” It was literally a tradition way back when to tell ghost stories on Christmas Eve hence that one line in “It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”

[@jeremyusreevu237]

Not to mention the numerous Christmas horror films that exist.

[@maldon3659]

Also a lot of people forget that A Christmas Carol's Subtitle is "Being A Ghost Story of Christmas"

[@cedartheyeah.justyeah.3967]

Yep! Also the tales of the Wild Hunt are about the same time of year, so why would there not be some kind of connection between them?

[@jamingrythm584]

I mean to be fair I think horror can be included in Christmas, but in generally doesn't belong IMO. I don't think it fits with either of the Holidays themes, with the religious route of Jesus' birthday or the Santa-route which is about being jolly, family, etc. Also specifically with A Christmas Carole, the point of the story isn't to scare you, but to show you the importance of caring for others and other values.

[@JCBro-yg8vd]

Ah, so *THAT* explains the line "There'll be scary ghost stories, and tales of the glory of Christmases long, long ago."

[@Werewolf_Korra]

I give MLP points for just how hard it went in the third act. Also the songs slapped.

[@prageruwu69]

yes

[@donnamitsuki281]

YUP THAT SONG IS AWESOME I WISH IT WAS LONGER

[@ncity515]

i always found music as one of mlp's hidden strengths like the music from the main series to eqg SLAPS

[@Regfife]

@@donnamitsuki281 4everfreebrony has a longer version.

[@WildFirePhoenix96]

Absolutely. And I watch about 4 times this month. So I agree.

[@ztslovebird]

I thought the Barbie Scrooge didn’t like Christmas because her aunt was one of those guardians who force their performing charges to overrehearse without any chance to be a kid, and when she caught her at the friend’s house made a traumatizing scene.

[@PaintSplashProductions]

Yeah that’s what I thought too

[@aromaladyellie]

Yeah. I think it might have had more if an effect if they showed more Christmases where Eden had it ruined by her aunt, and maybe imply Catherine’s mother or father died around then and use it to contrast Catherine and Eden more, where Eden focuses on the death as just one more thing Christmastime has hurt her, and Catherine focuses on the good memories she has. Eden did say something to the effect of how she loves rehearsing but just wants to hang out with Catherine sometimes iirc.

[@amandahealey2216]

Same

[@SiRenfield]

Yeah that is more fair enough

[@dylanoliver403]

I don’t if it counts, but I really like “The Looney Tunes Show” episode “A Christmas Carol” just because it doesn’t follow the formula by the plot being that Bugs is helping Lola put on A Christmas Carol play but she hasn’t read the book or seen any adaptation of it while Daffy and Foghorn try to make it snow.

[@kingwill4403]

I loved that episode.

[@Alpha121198]

This sounds amazing

[@kingwill4403]

@@Alpha121198 It is.

[@brandonthetoyandgamecollector]

I remember that episode, Lola did read the book but she wasn’t impressed at all about it, so she tried changing it to be about a girl named carol, and everyone, even Santa, admitted it was horrible

[@baffledbrandon3132]

This isn't the first time the Looney Tunes have adapted A Christmas Carol.

[@sovereign9645]

I think you misunderstood the MLP’s version story a bit. The ep never says that Starlight not wanting to go to the party is the same as wanting the holiday gone, she herself interrupts the story to point out how crazy Snowfall’s plan is, with Spike then needling her over her own past. Snowfall in the story is played by Season 5 Starlight, not Season 6 Starlight, hence the hair. Starlight didn’t want to go to the party because she finds the holiday pointless and commercialized, Twilight wants her to go to the party because she thinks it would be good for her to socialize rather shutting herself upstairs alone all evening (trying to teach her friendship remember). She reads her the story to try and prove that there is more to “Christmas” then just buying presents and goofing around. Twilight never forces Starlight to go to the party, or acts like she’s bad for not wanting to go. Even after reading the Story she makes it clear that it’s Starlight’s choice. Starlight chooses to go and ends up enjoying herself and further integrating herself into Ponyville’s community.

[@pichugirl6]

Within the Snowfall Story, her reason for hating christmas is due to it being pointless and a waste of time. Thanks to her harsh teachings, she's convince that it's better if every pony work hard and better Equestria. So something like decorating a celebrational holiday and throwing parties to her, you can see it from both perspectives. She thinks this isn't meanwhile people inside the party say this is bettering Equestria. Thanks to Future, we get a glimpse that the Windago's consumed much of Equestria thanks to Snowfall's way of belief should everyone focus too much on their studies while being bitter.

[@Maxwell_Twist]

Cell also didn't understand what caused the Wendigos to come and freeze everything over. It wasn't just negative emotions, it was because they were fighting and arguing with each other. The three leaders argued amongst themselves about who would control what part of the cave which lead to them freezing over. The subordinates started to talk to each other about their bosses and found out they had a lot in common and enjoyed each other's company. The idea was that without Hearth's Warming Eve everyone's negative emotions would eventually boil over and lead to another separation of the pony races again from pony races fighting and arguing with each other.

[@UnicornStef8]

@@Maxwell_Twist Yesh she was told by her teacher not to care about Christmas and more on her studies.

[@prowolf633]

The only mistake they made is not having a Marley figure

[@Thomperfan]

All of this is true.

[@sailorcat]

Another thing about the Barbie version: Yes, they don't let "Tammy" die. BUT here it's about a whole orphanage of children instead of "just" one!

[@glanni]

But it doesn't punch nearly as hard, especially since they are presumably all alive (or at least that's what kids watching assume)

[@reasyrandom]

@@glanni That's the thing: We don't know for sure. It was around 1900, so it's entirely reasonable to assume that some orphans were left to die.

[@glanni]

@@reasyrandom yeah for sure, with rl context and all. All I'm saying is that most of the time in children's drama, things that aren't stated, shown, or very strongly and undoubtedly implied didn't happen because kids wouldn't get it. Unless in cases where it's supposed to go over their heads and be picked up on by older viewers only. It's still hardcore to theorize about it

[@mechanicalthephantomonial7757]

Can we give a round of applause to Cellspex for continuing worst to best even in this terrible year

[@Daniel-yv9xr]

*clap* * clap* *clap*

[@theberrby6836]

Yes! 👏 👏 👏 🧡

[@sakurabiskuit]

Here's some claps for you too for having Godot as your profile pic That automatically makes you 20% cooler

[@mechanicalthephantomonial7757]

@@sakurabiskuit thanks!

[@cleanestmidwestemofan]

Starlight as Scrooge is just amazing, I love her design!

[@charlottethatcher5563]

Don't even get me started on the Snape teacher!!

[@syabilaazri7834]

The fact that Starlight is voice by Barbie just make it even more funny because it like she on this list twice

[@Fimbleshanks]

I watched Barbie movies growing up, and I remember finding the Christmas Carol adaptation to be by far the least interesting. Barbie in The Nutcracker, however, is still a go to Christmas film for me. Sure it looks... of its time... but it has a lot more heart than it gets credit for. Frankly, the earliest Barbie movies are pretty solid, considering they're cgi, based-on-a-toyline, girl-oriented films from the late 90s/early-2000s.

[@thehillisalive]

I showed my roommate the princess and the pauper a little while ago and it was a great time

[@Metallic_Ashes]

Yeah can agreeee :3

[@Cyberbrickmaster1986]

I never saw those movies. But I do recall there was a cat that thought it was a dog, according to some trailers.

[@reasyrandom]

One thing that I respect Barbie for is that they did their own thing in a time when everyone was trying to copy Disney. Nutcracker, Rapunzel, Swan Lake, Prince(ss) and the Pauper, Twelve Dancing Princesses, Christmas Carol, Thumbelina and Three Musketeers. All stories that Disney hasn't tackled yet (yes, Barbie's Rapunzel came first).

[@ssailormoon]

huge agree, i was really confused when she said this was supposedly one of the better ones

[@DavyEddyBenny]

I can’t recall the last time I saw your pony OC, quite felt nostalgic to have it here for a few seconds.

[@bri5018]

I felt the same 😊

[@phantomkitten73]

When does it show up again?

[@DavyEddyBenny]

@@phantomkitten73 at 19:02 during the Hearts Warming Eve section

[@phantomkitten73]

@@DavyEddyBenny: Thank you.

[@au9parsec]

A Grinch Christmas Carol, would be a version of "A Christmas Carol" where the Grinch is Ebenezer Scrooge.

[@Nazo-kage]

I’ve noticed when people try to downplay a harthswarming tale they always seem to go after the same two things. (because quite frankly it’s the only two things you could try to go after) Starlight glimmer‘s motivation for not wanting to celebrate the holiday. And Snowfall Frost’s Philosophy. Starlight’s was that she didn’t understand the point of celebrating the holiday. That it just seem to be a holiday for singing songs eating candy and getting gifts. It wasn’t that she just wasn’t interested in celebrating, and that twilight needed to quickly pounce on her before she could possibly be grumpy. And snowfall frost’s whole story is a lot more layered than you would think. (but then again that’s true of MLP in general) Her thing is that she has taken the philosophy “Work hard, learn, and use your skills to better Equestria” and turned it into a vice. The story even starts with the fact that she wants to be perfect and anything that gets in the way if that is a waste of time to her. So that means that she’s learning and she’s working hard but it doesn’t seem like there’s anything she’s doing that actually helps Equestria, in fact the thing that she thinks would better the world would be getting rid of Hartswarming all together. And when you look into the past you can see the reason that she dislikes the holiday. It is the combination of everything she was told she needed to get rid of if she wanted to be a powerful unicorn. So taking that on its logical path, Since she isn’t actually doing anything with the knowledge she’s gained, she hasn’t really accomplished anything for the sacrifice. And then when the partygoers boo her philosophy, it’s them boo in the fact that her philosophy seems to be to the detriment of any kind of happiness. Or any kind of reason for “why“ you would want to better the world. And as for the Windygo’s. It’s not really that ridiculous a stretch when you consider the penultimate episode of the series. Involved that if ponies started arguing with each other and slipping back into their old racist ways then the winter horses of frozen death will reappear. Even the villain trio were surprised by their arrival. So it wasn’t like they planned for it.

[@ThePa1riot]

I like that you pointed out the “detriment of happiness” bit. Not only for Snowfall, but for who she’s a stand in for, Scrooge. People always think his vice is greed, which it is one of them, but Scrooge’s biggest flaw is not that he’s greedy, it’s that he’s a man who hates the world and all in it, himself included. Which translates nicely to, “I hate these idiots because they don’t understand I’m trying to help them,” with Snowfall.

[@thesilverprincess]

I respect your knowledge of MLP FIS

[@charlottethatcher5563]

Most of these look like those animated American Revolution cartoons they make you watch in fifth grade Social Studies.

[@IcyDiamond]

They do kinda lol

[@IcyDiamond]

@@ghostbowandenvysmithfan so Hamilton but bad, right?

[@ghostbowandenvysmithfan]

@@IcyDiamond No Hamilton (The Broadway Musical) is amazing Lol

[@IcyDiamond]

@@ghostbowandenvysmithfan yeah I love Hamilton, but what you’re describing is a bad version of Hamilton

[@ghostbowandenvysmithfan]

@@IcyDiamond yeah lol

[@r2ube]

If this wasn't exclusively animated you already KNOW, Muppet's Christmas Carol is best by a mile

[@IcyDiamond]

That or Mr. Magoo are the best ones

[@rachelb.684]

some people consider puppetry animation so it still has a shot of making the list

[@dtmcgmcgr9081]

It should still be named as the best because any Christmas Carol list without it is a crime against humanity

[@hunterlawrence3573]

It's the best movie

[@Heyzzels9947]

Probably

[@louisdarden108]

If Christmas Carol isn't the most adapted work of fiction, then it's probably either Robin Hood or King Arthur by virtue of their lack of a concrete narrative.

[@nicolersands]

I think right now it’s actually Dracula (if you count him being a main character in something as an adaptation) but don’t quote me on that. And Cinderella is really up there if you count fairytales.

[@plucas1]

Unlike the other "Scrooges" on this list, Starlight was an honest-to-C supervillain who brainwashed -people- ponies, magic-raped their cutie marks away, and came close to destroying the world. I always assumed Twilight forcing her to listen to the story and go to the party was just Twilight's passive-aggressive way of saying, "We've forgiven but haven't forgotten. Play nice or else."

[@houldenmelville5530]

Honestly, a very merry Rasputin Christmas would've been a more accurate title

[@Puddingskin01]

So, like every time Starlight has an episode? "Hey, remember the bad shit you did? Oh and also a fun lesson shoehorned in."

[@FlammableFlamingoooo]

she didn't force her to go to the party :

[@Puddingskin01]

@@FlammableFlamingoooo No but she did have the party in the castle that she kinda lives in.

[@amandaslough125]

@@Puddingskin01 I mean, she is the Princess of Friendship, and has a giant crystal tree castle big enough to host a gathering for the whole town of Ponyville.

[@chillpenguin4118]

"Because if enough people get too depressed then the entire continent gets wiped out". That's not the greatest explanation ever or anything. I just love how the happy colourful ponies have such a metal holiday.

[@ThePa1riot]

Well when you’re world has powerful magic that comes from emotions and interpersonal bonds, that’s the kind of thing that happens.

[@Birdsflight44]

No one talks about how the spirits are friggin WENDIGOES. Which is especially conspicuous when there's already an ACTUAL Christmas-themed ghost horse who comes and takes things- the Mari Lwyd. For them to make wendigoes into horse spirits associated with Hearthswarming instead of using an existing creature like that HEAVILY implies that we're meant to read into the meaning. And what's the sequence of events? A massive famine occurs. And then we see that the founders of Equestria are haunted by supernatural cannibal spirits. I mean, come ON. How else are you supposed to take that, when the Pegasai and Unicorns state that they had *already* run out of food by the time they just started setting off to find a new land? Hearthswarming is TRULY the most metal of fictional Christmas analogs out there. Those infection AUs didn't need to look far

[@thesweetembraceofnonexiste3740]

*Seriously, I will defend A Heath'swarming Tale to my final breath.*

[@ELGG1894]

Jokes aside, im interested in your defences

[@AcrizCaazi]

You’d be right to defend it. Cell seemed to miss the point/mark on a few important things. One of the other commenters above lays it all out very nicely.

[@harmonetheanimationaddict4419]

I swear that Snowfall’s professor was inspired by Severus Snape.

[@MafiosiPepperoni]

I personally prefer the cartoon version of 1997, because here you can clearly see Scrooge's Character-Developement. Many versions, if not the most, are not getting the point of this story. They think it is just a christmas horror movie which is supposed to scare us and they make it look like Scooge is changing because he is traumatized and his further actions of kindness is based on fear. But the point of this story is not to see an greedy old man getting scared to the bones so he would change, the spirits came to reach his heart and making him understand what his actions and his cold heart caused. They did not appear to scare Scrooge, but to show him the consequences of his actions. The whole point is about an old, greedy and bitter man getting confronted with his past, his present and his future so he is becoming aware of his people around him and to care about them. But also of course to becoming happy himself again, to open his heart. And this is what I love about this version: This is not a movie where you get scared of the spirits and Scrooge is getting hunted through the whole town by a dark figure (Disney *cough*) If a horror aspect appears, then only by becoming aware of the circumstances of the people around him. For example getting confronted with the possible death of Tim. In this movie you can clearly see how Scrooge is changing, it is not about the spirits, it is about Scrooge waking up from his ignorance and getting saved from the chaines. And this is the whole point of the story. You have to remember that you have to be aware of your actions in the past, present and the future. You have to learn from the past, live in the present and thinking of the future. Sorry for my long text, I hope you understand my point. Many greetings from Germany!

[@CellSpex]

Link to the Saban Christmas Carol: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXjOZKOqgd-thpo You're Welcome and Merry Christmas!

[@mylittleponyfan7160]

I'm a Brony

[@kaylemathewcomendador6964]

Looks like a random animation from Japan that was given the Samurai Pizza Cats/Ghost Stories treatment.

[@au9parsec]

A Grinch Christmas Carol, would be a version of "A Christmas Carol" where the Grinch is Ebenezer Scrooge.

[@Birdyboys]

“Oh thank Celestia we finally got to one where the animation doesn’t look like ass” *previous animation was gorgeously hand drawn* Huh

[@IcyDiamond]

The Smurfs one looked better than the My Little Pony one

[@punbug4721]

I was more caught up with the fact that she used a shot of a donkey for that line.

[@meganmarchionda1165]

To be fair the crappy movie animation was in the Smurf one

[@scoutart1508]

I think she meant the previous flash animated movies

[@IcyDiamond]

@@scoutart1508 yeah but still, the Smurfs one right before it had great animation, also despite the My Little Pony one looking pretty good, it’s also in flash

[@jf4132]

The All Dogs go to Heaven Christmas Carol was actually made to be a finale to the TV series.

[@KingAzxoll9]

I actually loved the franchise, but the third movie was probably the worst medium of ADGtH to come out, including the series

[@williamharmon4039]

@@KingAzxoll9 There was a third movie? There was a series?

[@Nicky2414]

@@williamharmon4039 I was thinking the exact f#$king thing.

[@KingAzxoll9]

Yeah, so the original Don Bluth film came out in the late 1980s, and then later in the 1990s a sequel was made, All Dogs Go to Heaven 2. I believe it had a limited theatrical release and honestly, while by no means a great animated film, still had its own charm and wit to it that I really enjoy. The sequel did surprisingly well, leading to a 3-season television series of 40+ episodes, All Dogs Go to Heaven the Series, which directly follows the second movie. It, too, had a bit of wit here and there but was otherwise forgettable and you could definitely tell had a low budget (despite the return of some of the main cast like Dom de Luise). However, after the end of a third season, a straight-to-tv special/movie was released on television, meant to be the finale of the show. This was All Dogs' Christmas Carol, which is technically a feature film. Therefore, the Christmas Carol film on the bottom of this list is in fact the third All Dogs film and the last piece of media ever released for the franchise (which honestly may have been good given each addition to the franchise had been decreasing in quality from the original film). It was basically the nail in the coffin (and worst piece of media) in the All Dogs Go to Heaven series.

[@williamharmon4039]

@@KingAzxoll9 Huh. How about that.

[@KillerEggFromOuterSpace]

You know a really odd Christmas Carol Special? The one from the Ghostbusters cartoon where they not only get sent back in time, but trap the three ghosts from the Christmas Carol which causes the present to become all Back to the Future 2 where Scrooge becomes Donald Trump- I mean Biff! Then they split up so part of the gang has to go pretend to be the ghosts while the other goes to rescue the real three ghosts somehow. This exists. I have no idea if it'll be on this list, but it is an absurd treat to watch.

[@hunterlawrence3573]

That sounds awesome!

[@theAstarrr]

Biff is actually evil....

[@meadowlark7487]

Honestly I really like the mlps take on a Christmas Carol but its honestly one of my favorites the music is incredible yes there are some problems i do honestly think its one of the best Christmas carols at least in my books also twilight never said she had to go to the party she read starlight a story and then said if want join us you can she never had to if she didn't want to join twilight she had the option

[@JakeTheArmyGuy]

Everyone always talks about Luna's song in that episode, but Say Goodbye To The Holiday is legit one of the best songs Daniel Ingram ever wrote.

[@clarktooncrossing3975]

Ah, the whole soundtrack was awesome! As for Say Goodbye to the Holiday, it was a nice reminded that Starlight/Snowfall can get surprisingly scary at times.

[@overlordsalem2706]

Pinkies Present is my all time favorite song from the series.

[@DeathKitta]

I loved ALL songs, they were so good and suited it atmosphere so good!

[@Birdsflight44]

Applejack's song is incredibly underrated, too- its so happy and cute.

[@SageofStars]

The All Dogs christmas special was more based around the series than the movies...yes, it and Land Before time both got series. No, neither is very good.

[@ajzeg01]

I wonder if she’s gonna talk about VeggieTales: An Easter Carol. It’s not Christmas, but it is an adaptation of the story.

[@dandandaniel1]

yes omg please

[@SiRenfield]

I pretty much doubt it because it’s an adaptation, but it’s not Christmas. Anai not everyone grew up with Veggietales

[@SaveMeMoon]

As an unironic 24 year old Barbie fan, who doesn't consider the films good but will watch and love them every year, I'm so happy someone even mentioned a Barbie film! While they're definitely bottom of the barrel when it comes to a lot of things they do still have a decent amount of heart in them and are very entertaining. Wish more animation youtubers would talk about them!

[@luthientinuviel3883]

Yeah at the very least they really fueled my imagination and gave me a taste for fantasy.

[@SaveMeMoon]

@@mysteriousfigure1281 I never said they weren't. I own them all on DVD and watch them every month, no need to be rude here.

[@SaveMeMoon]

@@mysteriousfigure1281 I don't consider them good in a lot of aspects, that doesn't mean I don't consider them master pieces in their own right and love them to death. Also "stfu" is something that I get a lot from people who mean it, so sorry that I took it at face value!

[@clarktooncrossing3975]

Wait, I thought the problem was Starlight saw the Holiday as nothing more than commercialism? Y'know, like that furry, green Tsundere. Ah well, I still think it's a decent retelling of the story anyway, if not one of the better MLP Holiday specials. Seriously, after Hearthbreakers, this was a Hearth's Warming miracle! Personally, I prefer when adaptations of books try their own, unique thing. If I wanted a 1 for 1 recreation of the book, I'd just read the book. The best adaptations of Dicken's beloved classic are those that have their own voice while still singing the same song that Dickens did: be charitable and kind all year long, not just Christmas... and hoo boy do a lot of these adaptations miss the point. I actually remember seeing the All Dogs Go to Heaven One on Toon Disney when I was younger and even my tiny boy-brain thought it was garbage. Same goes for ANY Barbie movie not featuring Jodi Benson. Still, I'm surprised you weren't harsher on a lot of these adaptations. Guess that goes to show the power of this wonderful story. With all that said, I'm so very curious who made your BEST list.

[@michaelaburns734]

You mean Minty?

[@clarktooncrossing3975]

@@michaelaburns734 The Candy Cane that Briefly Fell on the Ground? YES!

[@UlmDoesAnything]

Not really Starlight more of Starlight as a character named Snowfall Frost

[@Christian-gr3gu]

Yeah I can't believe it's in her worst list. Like it's not bad

[@IcyDiamond]

I hope the Mr. Magoo one is number one on the best list

[@swap9649]

When you know cellys gonna put Arthur christmas at top even though it's not a carol

[@swap9649]

@Jet Lall amen

[@cheskaeunicelimpin4701]

Lol

[@ghostbowandenvysmithfan]

@@cheskaeunicelimpin4701 XD

[@Rosegirl398]

I loved Barbie in a Christmas Carol. The quote of keeping the beauty of Christmas in your heart all year is beautiful

[@sarafontanini7051]

the thign about the All Dog's Go to heaven christmas carol is it bascially ignores like MOST of what happened in the second film, which not only ALREADY had a devil figure (who was MUCH more terrifying and cool than the one in the christmas special, even got an awesome villain song too) but it actually ends with Carface GOING TO HELL, which considering what the guy did YEAH. KINDA DESERVED.

[@Thunor93]

"horror not belonging in Christmas" ... It is like alot of people forget Christmas has alot of spooky and scary shit that goes on with lore before it became a Christian Holliday when Christmas was a pagan Holliday called Yule, Yule cat, Krampus, the Christmas carol story, and many many others.

[@MrMakulu]

I really like this and am excited to see the rest of the list. The one thing I really liked about the mlp version was the idea of making the scrooge character not evil but just misguided, despite how grumpy she is her goals were still the betterment of Equestria. As you pointed out, many adaptations tend to make scrooge more evil than the OG version, who was more of a miser than an outright villain, so it was interesting to see a version make she was well intentioned but still needing to learn the meaning of the holidays.

[@mimsilvernote]

I forgot that Luna sang in the MLP Christmas Carol episode ,to be fair, I haven’t seen MLP in three years, thanks for reminding me that the song actually slapped

[@JohnPannozzi]

2:20 Mr. Spacely's wife was actually introduced in IINM the first (or maybe second) episode of the Jetsons back in 1962.

[@Omnywrench]

"Squish City, huh? Wow, that's bad" has the same vibes as Zuko's "That's rough, buddy"

[@janussimonsen24]

I know this doesn’t count for this list, but I really love Doctor Who’s version of this. It’s very meta, with the Doctor using the framework of the book to change the heart of the Scrooge stand-in. Eleven also works really well as a friendly, yet foreign ghost-like character since he’s the Imaginary Friend Doctor.

[@ghazghkullthraka9714]

I looked it up. ‘A Christmas carol’ is this third most adapted book at least, after ‘Les Miserables’ and ‘ Dracula’

[@drewbear1969]

1:23 well that was a hell of a flashback. I've always had a deep-seated discomfort about this story because the 1969 version of Marley's ghost scared me so much. I couldn't even watch the Mr. Magoo special without crying until I was older.

[@mirathestrongestwarrior5944]

11:34 one kid dying appearentally decreases the ENTIRE surplus population

[@god-rj5wf]

The Stingiest Man In Town is objectively low quality, but it will always be one of my favorite Christmas Carol adaptations. The songs slap (except for maybe Birthday Party of The King, it's the slowest part of the movie, but at least it's not unbearable and the stained glass is pretty), it's one of the first more book accurate Christmas Carols I saw as a kid. The dueting between Belle and Scrooge always goes SO HARD, and I'll be damned if I don't almost always cry during the ending of Might Have Been. The singing is beautiful, AND AAAAAA WATCHING BELLE BECOME A SAD OLD WOMAN I LITERALLY WANNA CRY RN JUST THINKING ABOUT IT. I might just be wearing nostalgia goggles, but it's just such a delight. Then again, I unironically love the RB animation, it's just so cute. I wore out my DVD from watching it all the time, and it's sort of a tradition to watch it when available every Christmas.

[@Skizzo321]

"Yes There Is a Santa Claus" was always my mom's favorite.

[@Heidegaff]

Nothing says "story about not being consumed by greed but instead remembering the ones around you" more than "easily marketable A Christmas Carol spinoff for our animated series".

[@dr.badguyreviews6785]

Phew, Celly did not like the All Dogs Christmas Carol. No one tell her it was based on a limited TV series adaption of All Dogs, being an entire set of episodes that was the basically the same thing.

[@KingAzxoll9]

Yeah...Belladonna was the weakest of the franchise's 3 big bads. And trying to redeem the first big bad (Carface) was a pretty big slap to the first film. That being said, I actually really enjoy the second film

[@remnants9974]

@@KingAzxoll9 I don't think redeeming Carface is necessarily a slap in the face of the first movie, considering it's implied at the end with Charlie saying "he'll be back" that Carface has the potential to be redeemed as well, the whole movie is just really badly done

[@harveyhaslostit]

The Smurf one was especially funny to me, because my brother writes weird Harry Potter Fanfics in his freetime and in one of them he actually included Gargamel, who was pissed at Santa for never bringing him a Smurf, but socks every year, even though in all the letters he wrote to Santa he was wishing for a Smurf. The two of them actually share the same fate...

[@amandalynn4979]

Sorry but who puts Gargamel in a Harry Potter fanfic 😭

[@harveyhaslostit]

@@amandalynn4979 Autistic People

[@harveyhaslostit]

@amandalynn4979 It was just a throwaway gag lol Dumbledore was Santa and since Gargamel is a wizard, there was one letter from him featured in a scene But dw we're already planning Harry Potter and the Smurfs: Harry Potter gets an internship at Garganmels and regrets everything

[@Nova7o9]

You know, I remember Spacely as always having been married. She showed up every once in a while in the series, usually to make Spacely apologize or to act as the party who didn’t know what hijinks were surrounding everyone. Just had to say.

[@katiem7463]

I can't wait for part 2! I wanna see where the version with all the Disney/Mickey Mouse characters comes on the list, I loved that one...

[@maxcasteel2141]

Was completely caught off guard when the video ended, would've happily watched a 40 minute video for this list. Props to you.

[@Moonstar79]

You came to see where Mickey’s A Christmas Carol, The Muppets Christmas Carol, and that weird 3D one placed, didn’t cha

[@glanni]

I came here for the one where he likes chains

[@lookatthiscutekittyc2903]

I liked that weird one, the one with Jim Carrey, right? I absolutely loved the scene where the spirit of the Christmas present dies

[@remnants9974]

nah

[@sakurabiskuit]

I really like some of the songs in the My Little Pony one. Luna's singing voice is beautiful, it's a shame she didn't get to sing much in the show.

[@saadamansayyed]

When we needed her the most, she returned

[@TheCommenterDragon]

A Hearth's Warming Tail is one of my all time favorite episodes of mlp, although i'll admit it has it's ups and downs like all episodes do, but it's still a joy to watch!

[@GaiashKetoji]

I wonder if the DuckTales episode Last Christmas counts as it does feature the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future for the next video...

[@13.7BYITM]

No I don't think so its more like the sequel to the story

[@houldenmelville5530]

What I love about that version is how they made the ghost of Christmas past the villain of the story who is also Jimminy Cricket personified as nostalgia for everything from the past. Yeah, Disney pretty much mocked themselves by making one of their most popular characters and nostalgia the villain. That's awesome!

[@fallingpetunias9046]

Mickey's Christmas Carol is far more likely given it shows Scrooge McDuck as Ebenezer Scrooge.

[@GaiashKetoji]

@@fallingpetunias9046 Mickey’s Christmas Carol is inevitable but since this is also Christmas Carol related it would be interesting if it made the list.

[@em.the.awful.waffle]

That episode is neat but I hate how the ghost of Christmas past is basically just Wander

[@johntumahab323]

It's interesting that you only found a single one with Scrooge's old love's happy married life, because that was actually in the original story.

[@thefanwithoutaface8105]

18:12 considering you do pony videos I figured this would be in the best category. But whatever, though Luna's song is pardon the pun...Chilling and the line "The future is a Cold Nightmare." gets me every time.

[@sarafontanini7051]

just cause it'sponies doesn't mean it'll automically be good, especially if its featuring in a lead role the most divisive character in said show

[@fallingpetunias9046]

While she did rate it 7/10 for music and entertainment value, it has ~0% book accuracy, so even a fan has to admit there are much better adaptations. Holiday specials of popular shows also tend to be weak due to the writers having to jam characters into roles their not really built for.

[@IcyDiamond]

I mean she still liked it so there’s that

[@tompotter8703]

Sort of an honorary mention would be Ducktales 2017s Last Christmas, which plays around a little by having Scrooge McdDuck befriend the three ghosts (due to confusion between him and Ebenezer) and going through time to parties throughout history, Dewey gets dragged along and gets to see his mum and uncle as kids. (RIP Russi Taylor) They even made the ghosts kinda sorta like the Mickey Christmas Carol, and got one of the artists who worked on it to do the credits artwork. The episode plays with it by having Past wanting to make sure Scrooge never learns his lesson so he’d have someone to be friends with, and long story he becomes a wendigo. While it’s more about getting to meet Della Duck in person for the first time, it serves a message about using your time to spend with the people you love without taking them for granted, because you’ll never know what could happen. I do think it’s better than the second one which ties up a running gag of Scrooge hating Santa into a story that was told much better in Klaus.

[@simmsquee]

Wow I'm...somewhat stunned by how good the animation looks in that Smurfs Xmas movie.

[@harmonetheanimationaddict4419]

You know why I love the MLP version? Because the stakes are WAY higher. (Along with at least 10 other reasons)

[@kittym30owmeow]

The ghost of Christmas future being a walrus is something I didn't know I needed in life

[@ALJJInkGames]

"I don't care Jacob, I like chains." Oh... oh my. Well okay then.

[@temin2776]

Really powerful reply

[@dumpsterracoon9920]

This isn’t animated, but my favorite adaptation of A Christmas Carol is and always will be the Muppet version. It’s just so iconic and well done

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

I wonder if "The Stingiest Man in Town" was just a filler project or practice for Rankin-Bass, seeing as how it falls in between The Hobbit and The Last Unicorn, which are both incredible.

[@jenniferschillig3768]

As far as I can tell, that 1991 Saban Christmas Carol was an episode of a dubbed anime series called Funky Fables. It adapted classic stories and fairy tales in a tongue-in-cheek manner. So all of the episodes were like that.

[@MafiaGuido]

"Charlie and Dom DeLuise." I lol'd way harder at that line that I probably should have.

[@angbandsbane]

I kind of like the DiC one's idea of Scrooge finding common ground with Tim and Fred; after all, that really can be the first step towards actual empathy. Mind you, it sounds like this one could've been handled better (but at least it WAS better than "Our mom's are both named Martha? Well, now I don't want to kill you to in the name of protecting the world.")

[@UndeadHavoc1]

Oh dear god, the All Dogs Go to Heaven christmas film... watched that as a kid, totally conned by how much I loved the original. Rented that thing from Blockbuster, watched it once (and barely, at that), then never again. I totally forgot that was even a film that existed... so glad to see it made the worst on the list :'D

[@bunnyconcubus8468]

Mlp cellpex is back, there are no words to express my joy.

[@MisteryMaiden8]

All Dog Christmas Carol...huh, guess that wasn't a fever dream after all. It was better that way...

[@happymadface6691]

Holy shit you brought me wayyyyyy back to my childhood with the All Dogs Christmas Carol. I remember liking it as a kid even though I only ended up watching the DVD a total of two times, haha

[@RagamuffinBabyDoll]

If I may include one good thing about the All Dogs Christmas Carol...Ernest Borgnine as Carface. Can’t deny Ernest Borgnine is always a joy to hear and watch!

[@Skizzo321]

You did Stingiest Man in Town dirty. Thats like Top 3 for me among Muppet Christmas Carol and Scrooged.

[@Spectra651]

15:08 I actually recognize that Saban Christmas Carol, weirdly enough. It's part of a larger series called 'Funky Fables' which started out as a series of segments on a Japanese show called 'Hirake! Ponkikki' that retold fairy tales and other popular stories. The retellings were fairly straightforward in the Japanese dub, I believe, but when they were brought to Canada and the US they were given the 'Fractured Fairy Tale' treatment and updated with humor and references that were much more contemporary. I couldn't find any info on why this decision was made, whether because Saban brought the show over for that specific purpose or it was more of a 'Ghost Stories' situation where no one really cared about it so they just let the staff go nuts, but either way I'm glad it ended up like it did. The episodes (the handful I've seen, anyway) have that cheesy, goofy 90's feel for sure, but that's what gives them their charm. They remind me a lot of this other anime that got dubbed by Saban in the 90's, 'Samurai Pizza Cats'; basically the same energy and sense of humor.

[@alchemist4evr]

Mr Magoo's christmas carol should be in the next video. The ghost of Jacob Marley in that version still gives me shivers, it's his deep baritone wailing.

[@teddyfurstman1997]

I love The Christmas Carol a lot and my faves are The Muppets, Disney with Mickey's Christmas Carol, and Scrooged staring Bill Murry.

[@floridaman735]

FINALLY, CellSpex post something! Now today is one of the best days of 2020. If you haven’t gotten the hint I love CellSpex channel and it brightens my day.

[@nateds7326]

Man I remember when Cellspex was on the Recast comparing two Christmas carols. I also remember that she was the only guest that the Recast had to actively censor cause she cursed so much.

[@manospondylus]

The DIC version is the first iteration of the Christmas Carol I ever saw

[@TheMoonHut]

In a weird way, based on the ones I've seen one of the best Christmas Carol adaptations came from, of all things, Veggietales. The animation is a little limited but the characterization is really well done and it's all just a pleasant experience

[@autumbreeze1129]

Bad Vampire Book Glitter. That got a good giggle out of me🤭

[@Vesuvius500]

Thanks for making this video. Watching every version of the Christmas Carol I can find (both live action and animated) is something of a yearly tradition of mine. It's one of my favorite stories, and I love every bit of it. I'm excited to see what your top choice is, though I'm also curious about your favorite live action adaptation. The BBC mini-series released last year took my first place, namely as a result of the scene in which the Ghost of Christmas Past showed Scrooge the life he could've had with his former fiancé. Whoo boy.

[@linkxmidna57]

Like how All Dogs Christmas Carol is the number 1 worse, it was sadly my introduction to the source material and even Go To Heaven. Also, thanks for the mention about my thoughts to the Rankin-Bass version, cell ;)

[@excess_alex.mp4]

The Saban one looks like it'll be hilarious if you like to get drunk/high on Christmas.

[@Justice1Knight3]

15:09 - Thank you for mentionning the 1991 Saban version of A Christmas Carol in this video. I couldn't stop laughing while watching it. I definitely recommend it if you like Samurai Pizza Cats levels of comedy.

[@lizardlord4k]

The fact I can't find any info on that Saban Christmas Carol infuriates and concerns me

[@the-nina-beans88]

Look up funky fables.

[@lizardlord4k]

@@the-nina-beans88 Well that clears some things up, thank you for that

[@the-nina-beans88]

@@lizardlord4k your welcome. I remember funky fables as a kid and watching a few episodes in elementary school

[@pikachuneoncat6480]

The teacher who scoffed at Starlight looks like Severus Snape as an MLP character.

[@FirstnameLastname-he1ov]

Me: Boy oh boy I better go to bed right now so that I can get more than two hours of sleep Cellspex: uploads a video, literally any video Me: Sleep is for cowards

[@phoebeclark4718]

Me when the video is almost over: “Why didn’t she mention A Christmas Plotz from Animaniacs?!” CellSpex: “I’ll have to divide this list into two parts.” Me: “Oh ok. Cool cool cool.”

[@thenerdlored]

Cell's angry voice is so maddeningly hilarious and adorable, it's like the equivalent of an angry kitten

[@darienodette]

I'm so happy no one can argue about the Muppet Christmas Carol, since this is only animated versions. It's good and all but the Disney one has always been the best.

[@ghoulmania7906]

I admit, I do watch barbie chistmas Carol every year, because that was the time I watched barbie movies in secret, while pretending to hate them

[@Esgles]

I glad you said the Dic 1997 version was ok. That’s my favourite version

[@glanni]

omg mine too ❤

[@NobodyC13]

I actually burst out laughing when I saw A Christmas Carol: Scrooge's Ghostly Tale's Christmas-Yet-to-Come. Way to undercut a character's century's worth of menace and horror by making him a talking walrus, Movie.

[@sarafontanini7051]

on the other hand, I'd give them props if they manage to make him terrifying despite looking ridiculous which they likely didn't

[@cintronproductions9430]

Yeah, what were they thinking? You can't make Scrooge look menacing and despicable if you turn him into one of the cutest and derpiest creatures in the sea! XD

[@TheHetzer-xy9lb]

Please tell me I’m not the only one who instantly got Ghost Stories dub flashbacks as soon as I saw the Saban version. If you have never seen the Ghost Stories dub watch it now it is the greatest piece of entertainment ever created.

[@sailorcat]

I really like the Barbie version! Maybe it's the nostalgia, but I like that it's different and has a young singer instead of an old Scrooge! Yeah, the future is a little ridiculous, but the scene with the Christmas party in the past - and especially the orphanage are so cute yet heartbreaking! And I also like the songs.

[@shino-X]

Ich kann mir das alleine schon wegen der Animation kaum geben. Außerdem hätten die Barbie zu Scrooge machen sollen (also finde ich). Sorry.

[@sailorcat]

@@shino-X Hä, aber Barbie ist doch Scrooge! xD In jedem Barbiefilm "spielt" Barbie ja eine bestimmte Rolle und (meistens) nicht sich selbst. Und hier spielt sie Eden als Scrooge.

[@shino-X]

@@sailorcat ich habe das falsch verstanden. Sorry.

[@shino-X]

@@sailorcat es ist nur etwas verwirrent, dass sie 2 Rollen spielt.

[@EvilOverlord1662]

This might be nostalgia talking, but I *really* like the Tim Curry one. At least in a "so bad it's good" sense. Also he named his dog "Debit" which I thought was hilarious.

[@kaizermierkrazy6886]

CellSpex sprite in Christmas hat is too cute for this world

[@Th3RealId0t]

The all dogs Christmas carol is one of my all time favorite Christmas movies It feels criminal to me for it to be “the worst “😭

[@ericsheldahl5158]

"Petite Equine Camaraderie is Sorcery" I'M DYING

[@bluesapphire170]

@CellSpex You know, i have an animated movie recommendation for you that I’m almost 100% sure you never heard of. It’s called “Nocturna” a Spanish/ French production from 2007 and has really beautiful animation. I’ll really love hearing your thoughts on it, it’s truly a hidden gem in my mind.