No Christmas is complete without some classic Simpsons Christmas episodes. Here are all the show's holiday specials, ranked.

Every year when Christmas approaches means it's time to start making a list of Christmas-themed movies and television specials to put fans in the mood for the holiday season. And no Christmas is complete without some classic Simpsons Christmas episodes.

While The Simpsons might be better known for their Halloween specials, there are plenty of Christmas offerings that are perfect for this time of year. Of course, like many episodes of the show, some are more entertaining than others. But fans should have no trouble finding the right episode to help celebrate the holiday season.

Updated on December 17th, 2021 by Colin McCormick: The Simpsons remains one of the most beloved shows of all time and its ground-breaking longevity means there are several generations of fans who will return to it this holiday season to watch their favorite Christmas episodes.

With over 30 seasons of episodes and no sign of it slowing down, there are always more episodes to be added to the list of The Simpson's best Christmas episodes. Though some are more memorable than others, fans can decide which are worth watching for some yuletide laughs.

18 Gone Boy (Season 29, Episode 9)

Despite opening with a festive and fun Christmas credit sequence, "Gone Boy" is hardly a Christmas episode at all. As the holidays approach, Bart goes missing after finding himself trapped in an underground bunker. This leads to Sideshow Bob breaking out of prison to find his old nemesis.

Even with the return of a fan-favorite character like Sideshow Bob, the episode has very little fun to offer. Not only that but it doesn't have anything creative to have with the holidays and the Christmas connection seems pointless.

17 Bobby, It's Cold Outside (Season 31, Episode 10)

For some reason, Sideshow Bob seems to be a regular fixture in recent Christmas episodes. Unfortunately, his other holiday appearance wasn't much more enjoyable than his first. This time, Bob escapes from prison only to get a job as a mall Santa. When he is accused of stealing Christmas presents, he sets out to find the real thief.

It is a very messy and muddled story with obvious jokes clumsily set up for underwhelming punchlines. It is another waste of a great character.

16 The Nightmare After Krustmas (Season 28, Episode 10)

Many fans might have forgotten that Springfield's grumpiest clown Krusty actually has a daughter named Sophie. She returns to the show when she comes to visit her dad over the holidays only for Krusty to be shocked to find out that she is being raised as Christian rather than Jewish.

Had the show wanted to be bolder and creative with their storytelling, this could have been a great opportunity to look at the humor behind the religious aspects of the holiday. Instead, the result is a dull and predictable offering.

15 The Fight Before Christmas (Season 22, Episode 8)

"The Flight Before Christmas" takes a page from the "Treehouse of Horror" episodes by telling three separate Christmas stories. After the family begins to lose some of their Christmas spirit, they all have dreams that help them remember why Christmas is so special.

The little stories are cute enough, but like the Halloween episodes in recent years, they feel very rushed. The show seems more interested in making pop culture references, including a random Inglorious Basterds parody, then telling a nice Christmas story.

14 I Won't Be Home for Christmas (Season 26, Episode 9)

This Christmas episode sees Homer attempt to please Marge by coming home early for Christmas Eve, but he instead stops off at Moe's after getting into a car accident.

As Homer's about to leave, Moe confides in him about how depressed he is so Homer stays to console his friend instead of going home to his family. Marge and Homer have a fight so he leaves and wanders aimlessly around Springfield as Marge becomes depressed with him gone and neither is happy with his choice to leave.

13 White Christmas Blues (Season 25, Episode 8)

This episode attempts commentary on modern issues as nowhere in the U.S. is going to experience snow in the holiday season due to global warming. Springfield ends up getting snow which turns the town into a tourist hot spot and the Simpsons decide to open up their home to visitors willing to pay.

The episode offers nothing that hasn't been seen in the countless other episodes in which The Simpsons open their home to strangers. It also continues a frequent issue with more recent episodes as it is filled with far too many half-baked ideas rather than one suitable story.

12 Kill Gil, Volumes I & II (Season 18, Episode 9)

Yet another guest who is welcomed to stay with the Simpsons for Christmas is Gil Gunderson, Springfield's biggest sadsack. After losing his job, Marge takes pity on Gil and brings him in on their holiday celebrations. But it doesn't take long for Gil to overstay his welcome.

Gil is an underrated Simpsons character who can be a lot of fun in small doses. Unfortunately, in this episode, Gill not only annoys the Simpsons by sticking around but the audience as well.

11 A Springfield Summer Christmas for Christmas (Season 32, Episode 10)

Hallmark Christmas movies are a holiday favorite for many audiences. However, they are also easy targets for parody. This recent Christmas episode took an interesting meta approach to poking fun at the genre.

The episode focuses on a producer of one of these movies who is forced to go to Springfield for the next production. While there, her life becomes its own Hallmark movie as she falls for Principal Skinner. It is a fun gag for fans of these movies even if the Simpsons take a backseat in the story.

10 'Tis the 30th Season (Season 30, Episode 10)

Marge Simpson puts up with a lot in terms of her wild family and that seems to be especially true over their holiday adventures. This episode highlights the determination Marge has with making everything perfect for her family and all the thanks she is owed because of it.

After failing to get the perfect Christmas present for the family, Marge is disappointed and Homer and the kids attempt the do something special to cheer her up. The mix of heart and humor made for a rare standout episode in the more recent seasons.

9 Simpsons Christmas Stories (Season 17, Episode 9)

"Simpsons Christmas Stories" is another anthology story with a yuletide theme, but this one offers a lot of heart, some genuine laughs, and a good amount of Christmas cheer. The stories involve a retelling of the birth of Jesus, Grampa Simpsons WWII Christmas story, and a Simpsons' rendition of the Nutcracker.

8 She Of Little Faith (Season 13, Episode 6)

Though the show is mostly focused on delivering laughs, The Simpsons occasionally address more controversial topics like religion. In "She of Little Faith," Lisa becomes disillusioned with Springfield's church and becomes a Buddhist, so Marge tries to lure her back to Christianity with the help of Christmas.

The episode receives a lower ranking here since it only really turns into a proper Christmas episode in the last five minutes. Still, it is a funny and thoughtful look at Lisa as an independent person and teaches about acceptance of others' beliefs.

7 Holidays Of Future Passed (Season 23, Episode 9)

The later seasons of The Simpsons receive a lot of criticism but there are occasionally some bright moments. "Holidays of Future Past" is not only a solid episode from the 23rd season of the show, but many fans pointed out that it would have made a great series finale.

The episode travels into the future to see what Christmas is like once the kids are grown and moved out of the house. We see Bart as a dead-beat dad, Lisa married to Milhouse and Maggie as a famous singer. The fun episode does give an effective glimpse at what the future could hold for this family.

6 Skinner's Sense Of Snow (Season 12, Episode 8)

"Skinner's Sense of Snow" is another episode that doesn't quite address Christmas as much as you might like this time of year, but it is a fun winter adventure. On the last day of school before Christmas break, Principle Skinner finds himself snowed in the school with several of his students.

5 Grift Of The Magi (Season 11, Episode 9)

The idea of consumerism around the holidays is often explored in these episodes, but "Grift of the Magi" is the most overt and entertaining of them all. After the children's school is shut down, a toy company takes over and uses the children to help create the ultimate Christmas toy, Funzo.

Despite the subject matter, the episode never takes itself too seriously and is more than willing to embrace the weird side of the story. Add to that a great cameo from Gary Coleman and this episode makes for a unique and hilarious holiday treat.

4 'Tis The Fifteenth Season (Season 15, Episode 7)

It seems like no Christmas special is complete without someone learning the true meaning of the holiday. In this case, Homer helps the entire town come to that realization. After selfishly buying himself an expensive present, Homer tries to reform, becoming to nicest man in town, much to the annoyance of Ned Flanders.

The episode is another fun example of the show riffing on classic Christmas tales like A Christmas Carol and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. It's also fun to see a more envious side of Ned Flanders so a change.

3 Miracle On Evergreen Terrace (Season 9, Episode 10)

There seems to be a running theme in the Christmas episodes that Bart or Homer is responsible for ruining the holidays. In "Miracle on Evergreen Terrace", it's Bart's turn as his attempt to open his presents early results in all the presents getting destroyed. When he lies and says it was a burglar, the town rallies around the family.

2 Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire (Season 1, Episode 1)

It's strange to think that the record-breaking run of this show all started with a Christmas episode. When Homer and Marge run into some unexpected financial trouble around the holidays, Homer secretly takes a job as a mall Santa Claus to make ends meet.

The animation might look a little strange compared to the show now, but this episode immediately sells the charm and humor of the show. And while the irreverent jokes are still funny, the episode packs a satisfying amount of heart in the end as the beloved family pet Santa's Little Helper is introduced.

1 Marge Be Not Proud (Season 7, Episode 11)

Once again, Bart finds himself in the midst of a controversy that threatens to ruin the family's Christmas in "Marge Be Not Proud." After shoplifting a video game just before Christmas, Marge begins feeling like she has lost touch with Bart and he is left guilt-ridden during the holidays.

The episode is filled with hilarious moments like the gruff mall cop and Homer's failed disciplinary speech. It is also somewhat heartbreaking seeing Bart emotionally abandoned but it all leads to an emotionally satisfying end.

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