ROUND 1: SING-ALONG SONG
RUDOLPH: A classic Christmas tune can feel like a cup of hot chocolate that warms the heart, but the round of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer can grate after too many spins. The familiar chorus revisits the same memory again and again, and for some listeners the magic can drift into routine by the time the train of verses reaches its twelfth carol. Yet the memory remains comforting, a beacon of holiday sentiment that older families pass down with a wink and a smile.
FROSTY: Frosty the Snowman enters with a longer number that stretches the moment and invites a fresh sense of wonder. Each performance seems to wake the snowman anew, a tiny winter miracle that never quite grows old. The living snowman proves to be oddly eternal, returning to the stage with a brighter, almost mischievous spark.
SCORE: RUDOLPH – 0
ROUND 2: CHILLIN’ VILLAINS
RUDOLPH: Nothing says holiday battles like a playful clash on the snow. Rudolph faces a formidable rival in the form of the abominable snow monster, a fearsome presence who keeps the tension high. The memory of misfit reindeer who laughed and teased him adds bite to the round, turning the scene into a memorable confrontation among North Pole legends.
FROSTY: On the other side stands Professor Hinkle, the scheming magician whose hat breathes life into Frosty. Hinkle is nasty, yet Bumble the snow monster looms larger still, a force capable of overpowering mere magic. If Bumble advances, Hinkle’s tricks fall short, and the contest tilts toward the monster’s raw power.
The snow monster tears apart Hinkle’s hat to score a point for Team Rudolph!
SCORE: RUDOLPH – 1
FROSTY – 1
ROUND 3: FRIENDLY FIGHT
RUDOLPH: Rudolph finds a friend in Hermey, the elf who shuns toy making and dreams of dentistry. The humor lands as Hermey’s ambitions collide with a world driven by fame and fortune, leaving him more useful in theory than in practice for many tasks.
FROSTY: Frosty, meanwhile, finds companionship with Karen, a determined girl who searches for a refrigerated train car so Frosty won’t melt. Her dedication is palpable, and their journey northward becomes a testament to belief, courage, and the lengths people will go to keep a friend alive. The bond is solid, and Karen’s faith fuels Frosty’s return to form.
KAREN sends Hermey off packing to the Isle of Misfit Toys! Frosty makes a comeback!
SCORE: RUDOLPH – 1
FROSTY – 2
ROUND 4: CHRISTMAS GIFTS
RUDOLPH: Gifts aren’t always wrapped in paper. Rudolph possesses two extraordinary giftings. His glowing red nose cuts through fog on a bleak Christmas Eve, guiding travelers, and his ability to fly adds a breathtaking advantage that other winter legends can only envy. It’s a reminder that some talents are visible in the darkest weather and brightest skies alike.
FROSTY: Frosty’s magic makes him a living snowman, but his existence depends on Hinkle’s magical hat. Without it, the snowman becomes a puddle. The contrast between contrived magic and natural charm underscores Rudolph’s broader appeal in this head-to-head.
There are no gifts for Frosty under the tree! Rudolph snaps Frosty’s corncob pipe in two, as things turn ugly!
SCORE: RUDOLPH – 2
FROSTY – 2
ROUND 5: ANIMATION INNOVATION
RUDOLPH: In 1964, Rankin/Bass used stop-motion puppets to animate the beloved Rudolph special, giving the hour-long program a distinctive, collectible look that continues to captivate audiences decades later. The tactile, almost tactile quality of the figures keeps the story intimate and memorable for families across Canada and the United States.
FROSTY: The 1969 Frosty feature opted for a bright, two-dimensional style reminiscent of a cheerful Christmas card. The animation is warm and vibrant, yet it doesn’t quite match Rudolph’s innovative craft in the eyes of many viewers. Still, the color and charm remain a hallmark of classic television animation.
Frosty can’t take the heat! Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer runs away with the final point!
SCORE: RUDOLPH – 3
FROSTY – 2
ROUND UP: Frosty the Snowman knew the sun was hot today, so he said, Let’s run since Rudolph has won and I’m going to melt away! Both Frosty and Rudolph are cherished Christmas classics, but the fact that the reindeer won is really no mystery. Simply put, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, you’ll go down in history!
Web Links: cbs/specials/rudolph cbs/specials/frosty