During the golden years of Nickelodeon, creative minds introduced young audiences to kid-centric dramas, sketch comedy, and originally produced cartoons known as "Nicktoons." From gross-out to gratifying, Nickelodeon holiday specials have something to offer for everyone.
Yearly traditions include watching holiday-themed content with the whole family, and throughout the years, Nickelodeon has provided some of the best to choose from. Some episodes even broke the mold, proving that media targeted to children can tackle weighty themes with surprising depth. The following episodes can currently be streamed on Paramount+.
Christmas Every Day! (The Fairly Odd Parents)
The magic of The Fairly Odd Parents is how it humorously subverts childhood fantasies and this holiday special rings true to its central theme. Timmy Turner, along with the rest of the world, receives the Groundhog Day treatment after his well-intended wish places society in a loop of Noel-related chaos.
The idea of waking up every morning to familial joy is a cozy conceit, but the truth is life has to go on. Stores are closed, resources (and nog) are low, cheer is diminishing, and the "lesser" holiday mascots are taking out their jealous anger on Santa Clause. This memorable episode is bookended with a musical number, "I Wish Every Day Could Be Christmas," which is sweet as it is catchy.
Doug's Christmas Story (Doug)
The classic Nicktoon, Doug, has an infectious, upbeat energy, even when it deals with the awkwardness and insecurities of youth. Conflict begins when the titular character's canine companion, Porkchop, is falsely accused of attacking a classmate after an attempted rescue goes awry.
Out of options, Doug charmingly takes advice from his imaginary heroes, and while accepting his limitations as an average kid, he is still compelled to do the right thing and clear his dog's reputation. In an unexpectedly somber moment, Doug is haunted by the thought of losing his friend which is sure to hit a tender note with some animal lovers. Nevertheless, this Christmas story is a gentle reminder to not judge a book by its cover.
The Santa Experience (Rugrats)
Instilling fear in children with Santa Claus might seem like an unorthodox parenting decision, but for children like Angelica, it is completely justifiable. In this soft take on "The Gift of the Magi," the forenamed little hellion is warned of the consequences of ending up on the naughty list. Initially skeptical, Angelica begins to question her belief after a cruel trick causes her to rethink her past behavior.
The idea of "the big man in the red suit" has always teetered on the edge of wonder and unease, and it is no better represented than through the innocent POV of a toddler. Lessons are learned in this overall jolly episode of Rugrats, but its imposing depiction of Saint Nick in a memorable nightmare sequence may have viewers siding with Chuckie.
Rocko's Modern Christmas (Rocko's Modern Life)
Creator Joe Murray intended Rocko's Modern Life to resonate with both children and adults as it blended relatable experiences with absurdist comedy. The Christmas special of this edgy cartoon features the central wallaby, Rocko, throwing a holiday get-together for everyone in O-Town, including a family of elves who recently moved into the neighborhood to the dismay of the curmudgeonly Ed Bighead. The party is placed in jeopardy after Bighead spreads a nasty rumor concerning the elves.
In the spirit of the series, clever sight gags abound, namely a cloud with constipation trying to let it snow. Though for all of its asinine slapstick, the episode contains a witty socio-political undercurrent touching on consumerism and xenophobia.
Merry Christmas, Kenan (Kenan & Kel)
Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell made up the iconic comedy duo, Kenan & Kel, a nostalgic Nickelodeon after-school show from the mid-90s. The prankish Kenan sets aside his typical scheming ways to become a Mall Santa to raise money for a new mountain bike. As is tradition with end-of-the-year specials, Kenan is confronted with a moral dilemma when a less fortunate child wishes for a bicycle as a gift for his sister.
Although predictable, the episode is genuinely heartwarming, carried by the magnetic chemistry between its two leads. Stuffed with nostalgic moments like Kel ornamenting a Christmas tree with empty cans of orange soda, this holiday segment hearkens back to a time when sitcom television was treated like more of an art form and less of an edited down corporate product. Having been filmed in front of a live studio audience also gives this classic special a true sense of authenticity.
A Rugrats Chanukah (Rugrats)
Dumb babies, smart writing. Klasky Csupo, the animation studio behind Rugrats, wanted there to be a strong focus on Judaism, according to Nick Alive, for no other children's show prior had released Chanukah-related content. Similar to the Passover-themed-special, the babies imagine themselves in the story of Judah Maccabee. Meanwhile, Grandpa Boris also rediscovers the meanie, ahem, "meaning" of Chanukah through an old friend-turned-rival.
With iconic moments such as a debate over the proper pronunciation of the holiday and the creation of the term "Macca-baby," it is indisputably one of the best episodes of the series.
The Most Horrible X-Mas Ever (Invader Zim)
Like the many Nicktoons that preceded it, Invader Zim was ahead of its time. "The Most Horrible X-Mas Ever" was the last episode of Jhonen Vasquez's twisted sci-fi comedy to air on Nickelodeon before its cancellation. Narrated by a robotic snowman, the macabre series goes out on a merrily dark note with a story in which Zim devises a scheme to conquer Earth using the power of seasonal belief.
The aspiring villain builds a "Santa Suit" which successfully convinces humanity that he is the real deal until the technologically advanced disguise begins to fuse with him. The "WTF" Invader Zim episode then mutates into a joyously strange amalgamation of gruesome body-horror and "Mecha vs Kaiju" inspired creature feature. Despite its disturbing themes, viewers will find it difficult to resist its weirdness as the lyrics to "Jolly Boots of Doom" get permanently stuck in their heads.
Christmas Who? (SpongeBob SquarePants)
Also known as "Patchy the Pirate Presents the SpongeBob SquarePants Christmas Special," the full-length episode of SpongeBob SquarePants is nuttier than chestnuts roasting on an open fire. After SpongeBob and Patrick learn of the mythical Saint Nick from above, they are determined to spread the yuletide across the ocean tide.
All of Bikini Bottom begins to feel the spirit, except for Squidward, who feels forced into the tradition, only to get his own "irritated" verse in the group number. It eventually comes down to the sardonic cephalopod to save the day, but a particularly funny running gag has a real donkey superimposed over Squidward every time the show wants to make a euphemism.
Son Of Stimpy (Ren & Stimpy)
This controversial episode of the boundary-pushing Nicktoon, Ren & Stimpy, may seem tame by today's standards, but this incredibly bizarre sendup of melodramatic Christmas specials is terrifically absurd. Using all of the manipulative tactics present in an oversentimental holiday outing, with its wintry cinematography and classical music cues, it takes its ridiculous premise about a lost fart and executes it with ironic grandeur.
Audiences will be equal parts astonished and appalled. Yet despite its deliberately cheap tricks, one may be swayed into feeling sympathy for Stimpy's flatulence. The deceptively beautiful parody received a nomination for Outstanding Animated Program in 1993.
Arnold's Christmas (Hey Arnold!)
While most children's holiday specials are filled with light-hearted saccharine cheer, Hey Arnold! took a different, more grounded approach with the release of its timeless Christmas-themed installment. The emotionally powerful episode focuses on the fan-favorite Vietnamese immigrant, Mr. Hyunh, and his dream to reunite with his daughter after being separated during the war. The normally hilarious supporting performance from the stellar Baoan Coleman is injected with pathos and warmth.
It was a bold decision to explore these themes in a thirty-minute block of kid's entertainment, but the forward-thinking animated series was able to do with compelling effectiveness. There is no other Nicktoon that has captured the meaning of the holidays as honestly as "Arnold's Christmas," and its rousing conclusion will be a test for some viewers to hold back their tears.