Top Five Christmas Specials That Traumatized Us Unexpectedly

Because nothing says festive cheer like emotional scarring you didn’t see coming!

5. The EastEnders Christmas Episode (Pick Any Year)

If you grew up in the UK, you already know: EastEnders doesn’t do “jolly Christmas specials.”

It does:

Divorce papers

Massive arguments

Betrayal

Someone dramatically storming out while the Queen’s speech plays

Kids would sit down expecting mince pies and family fun.

Instead, they got existential dread.

Thanks, BBC.

4. The Snowman (Yes, the Entire Thing)

It lulls you in with lovely music, soft lighting, Christmas magic…

…and then WHAM:

The boy’s magical flying friend melts into a depressing puddle.

You’re left staring at the screen, clutching your selection box, wondering why life is pain.

And then Channel 4 reran it every year.

EVERY. YEAR.

3. Blackadder’s Christmas Carol

Imagine a kid thinking this was a fun historical romp.

Then discovering it’s a cynical, twisted, nightmare version of Dickens where the happy ending is… well, there isn’t one.

Nothing like learning:

“Being good gets you nowhere!”

to kick off the festive season.

2. The Doctor Who Christmas Specials

Snow?

Yes.

Sleigh bells?

Yes.

Sudden emotional destruction?

Absolutely.

Doctor Who has a habit of:

Killing people off. Making companions leave. Having the Doctor regenerate. All on Christmas Day.

You’re supposed to be digesting turkey, not sobbing into a Quality Street tin.

1. Watership Down (The BBC Re-Run)

Why this was shown at Christmas remains one of humanity’s great mysteries.

Parents thought:

“A charming animated animal film! Perfect!”

Children discovered:

“Graphic rabbit carnage! Terrifying!”

Many kids never looked at a woodland creature the same way again.