‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ Celebrates 60 Years as a Holiday Classic

The beloved 1964 stop-motion special returns to NBC, sparking both nostalgia and ongoing discussions about its themes.

Debuting on December 6, 1964, the stop-motion film is the longest-running Christmas TV special in the U.S., airing annually for six decades.
The story follows Rudolph, an outcast reindeer with a glowing red nose, who ultimately saves Christmas by guiding Santa's sleigh through a storm.
Produced by Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass, the film was the first in a series of iconic stop-motion holiday specials, inspiring generations of filmmakers.
Though widely cherished, the special has faced criticism over the years for its portrayal of bullying and its initial omission of a resolution for the misfit toys, which was later added due to audience feedback.
The special will air tonight at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and is also available for streaming on platforms like Freeform, Apple TV+, and Amazon Prime Video.