A Super Hero Fan’s Holiday Special Watch Guide

When it comes to super heroes and holiday cheer, Christmas is a favorite choice. Winter brings a whole slew of storytelling options, as well as emotions, and our favorite comic book characters are just as nutty as we are when it comes to a holiday.

Sometimes, we see a unique spin on the holidays like Doom Patrol’s “Immortimas Patrol” episode. Other shows, like Teen Titans GO!, find a way to incorporate holidays from throughout the calendar. Plus, we also get glimpses of Jewish traditions in shows like Moon Knight, Batwoman, and Harley Quinn: The Animated Series.

But for anyone who loves super heroes as well as Christmas, this watch guide is for you, featuring the best of the best from Marvel and DC. From the new to the classic, we’ve got happy, sad, funny, and every holiday feeling in between!

Warning: Slight MCU spoilers ahead for Spider-Man: No Way Home.

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X-Men: The Animated Series

This animated adventure from the X-Men shows the mutants encountering the elusive Morlocks. Though they are mutants too, the Morlocks shun society because society shuns them. In the end, with the help of Jubilee, Storm, Rogue, and Beast, the Morlocks drum up some holiday cheer. Plus, this episode features the infamous kitchen showdown between Gambit and Jean Grey. The Ragin’ Cajun just wanted to add some spice to Jean’s undoubtedly unseasoned cooking!

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X-Men Evolution

In this episode of the fan-favorite series X-Men: Evolution, Rogue and Cyclops are the only students left at Xavier’s mansion. On the news, they see reports of a mysterious winged figure that has been averting crime all over town. They team up to recruit this potential mutant, none other than Angel, in a heartwarming tale of holiday goodwill.

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Justice League

Switching gears to DC, the episode of the Justice League animated series called “Comfort and Joy” is an excellent choice for holiday viewing. The beauty of this episode is seeing various members of the League find comfort and joy in their own holiday adventures. The Flash works with a super-villain to bring toys to children, Martian Manhunter accompanies Superman on a trip back home, and Green Lantern and Hawkgirl show each other how they enjoy the holidays.

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Smallville

Even super-villains aren’t immune to the magic of the holidays. If you’re looking for a super hero throwback, the Smallville episode “Lexmas” plays into the classic Christmas trope of “What if things were different?” Lex Luthor, in a coma, dreams of a reality in which he is a good person married to Lana Lang. Meanwhile, Clark Kent delivers Christmas presents. It’s a perfect episode to watch with friends and family — just don’t lose sight of your evil ambitions.

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Spider-Man: No Way Home

Now this one’s a tearjerker. Over in the MCU, Spider-Man has been going through it. Spider-Man: No Way Home is a multiversal mess of altering reality, with help from Doctor Strange. When all is said and done, Peter Parker must experience a very bleak winter holiday without those he loves most. This one’s for the fans who like a good holiday cry.

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Batman Returns

Now, maybe you want something that’s a little moody but not quite that level of sad. Then look no further than Tim Burton’s Batman Returns. This classic Batman film brings Bruce Wayne, Catwoman, and The Penguin all together for a gothic romp through snow-filled Gotham City. Bundle up, Miss Kitty, it’s cold outside.

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Batman: The Animated Series

Listen, you can’t talk about the best of Batman without somehow bringing Batman: The Animated Series into the conversation. The animation of this TV series alone elevates it into the upper echelon of DC storytelling. Plus, it boasts two holiday episodes that bring some of the best DC super-villains right into the spotlight. “Christmas with The Joker” shows Batman and Robin foiling a classic plot from The Joker, while “Holiday Knights” features Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy on an iconic holiday shopping spree. Laugh it up while you can, villains!

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Merry Little Batman

Speaking of unique animation, Merry Little Batman is the latest DC holiday fare. When Batman is stranded on a mission, it’s up to Damian Wayne to defend Wayne Manor from yet another nefarious plot by The Joker. Who can resist a heartwarming Bat-Family story? That’s right — nobody!

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Iron Man 3

For Marvel fans, if you want a Christmas adventure from start to finish, MCU chronology would suggest you start at Iron Man 3. Even before her daring stint as Rescue in Avengers: Endgame, Pepper Potts was swooping in to save the day in this Iron Man film that has yuletide elements all throughout!

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Guardians of the Galaxy Christmas Special

But hey! Tony Stark isn’t the only one whose heart is growing three sizes. The Guardians of the Galaxy have their very own Christmas special! When Peter Quill, AKA Star-Lord, is down in the dumps, Drax and Mantis take it upon themselves to cheer him up and steal Kevin Bacon. It isn’t a wonderful Christmas without a little lawbreaking, after all.

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Hawkeye

If you need something that’s festive and fun to marathon, then Hawkeye is just what Santa ordered. This six-episode series stands out as not only the MCU debut of multiple heroes, like Kate Bishop and Maya Lopez, but also an Avengers-related story that’s equal parts heart and humor.

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Supergirl

Finally, our list concludes with Supergirl, season 3 episode 9 titled “Reign.” Kara Danvers encounters Reign, a Kryptonian Worldkiller created by a deranged cult to dispense their twisted sense of justice. When Reign reawakens, she and Supergirl go head to head. Their brutal, high-flying fight is set to Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” a jovial soundtrack for such a devastating battle.

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Needing more super heroic holiday hijinks? Don’t worry, there’s plenty more outside of this list! Multiple holiday episodes exist within the Arrowverse for The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, and Arrow. Plus, Spidey fans can enjoy a new spin on “A Christmas Carol” in the Ultimate Spider-Man episode called “Nightmare on Christmas.”

What’s on your holiday watchlist? Join the conversation with other super hero fans over at Sideshow Social Network or at side.show/geekgroup, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!