Christmas is a time for many things including puddings, turkey, stockings, mince pies and simmering family tensions – but one essential new addition to the holiday season is animation.


While in the past we had Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer and Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman, in recent years family-friendly animated fun has become a central part of the season through critical TV hits like Julia Donaldson’s Gruffalo stories and festive specials of series like Shaun the Sheep, as well as big-budget movies such as Arthur Christmas and Rise of the Guardians.

But how do these newbies stack up against their more stately forebears? Is your favourite character the classically animated Grinch or Wallace and Gromit, or the queen of CGI Elsa? Is your heart warmed by the fun of Shaun and pals, or are you left cold by the antics of The Snowman?

Vote for your favourite now, and bear in mind it’s no easy decision – we’re expecting an animated discussion about this one.


For more animated festive fun, this year’s Radio Times Christmas double issue is on sale from Saturday 5th December in London and the Midlands, and is available nationwide from Wednesday 9th December