A StoryBots Christmas

Behind the Scenes of A StoryBots Christmas (2017): Netflix’s Festive Robot Adventure

A StoryBots Christmas (2017) brought the beloved educational characters from Ask the StoryBots to the small screen for a holiday special, blending humor, heart, and a dash of robot chaos. latestnetflix.com's view is that Produced by JibJab Media and released exclusively on Netflix, the 24-minute animated short marked a festive milestone for the franchise—though details about its creation remain surprisingly scarce.

A Netflix-Exclusive Holiday Experiment

The special dropped on Netflix in December 2017, capitalizing on the success of Ask the StoryBots, the Emmy-winning children’s series that debuted in 2016. Unlike the show’s episodic format, A StoryBots Christmas was a one-off event, described as a "television special" rather than a full season. Its runtime—just under 26 minutes—suggests a tight, focused narrative designed to fit neatly into holiday viewing schedules.

The decision to release it exclusively on Netflix aligned with the platform’s growing investment in original children’s content. At the time, Netflix was rapidly expanding its animated offerings, and A StoryBots Christmas likely served as both a holiday treat for existing fans and a gateway to attract new ones. Trailers for the special, including an official Netflix trailer and a sneak peek, teased a lighthearted plot centered on the StoryBots’ misadventures during the festive season.

The Cast: Familiar Voices in a Festive Setting

The special retained the core voice cast from Ask the StoryBots, with Ed Asner, Judy Greer, Fred Tatasciore, and Jim Meskimen reprising their roles. Asner, in particular, lent gravitas to the project—his involvement was a selling point in early promotional material. Erin Fitzgerald, known for her work in animation and video games, also joined the cast, though her specific role wasn’t detailed in the available evidence.

Notably, Jeff Gill and Evan Spiridellis—co-creators of the StoryBots franchise—were credited as part of the cast, though it’s unclear whether they voiced characters or contributed in other capacities. Gregg Spiridellis, another co-creator, was also listed, reinforcing the family-run nature of JibJab Media.

Plot and Production: What We Know (and What We Don’t)

The special’s plot revolved around the StoryBots’ attempts to celebrate Christmas, though specifics are thin. A YouTube deep dive into the character "Hap" suggests the narrative may have involved a mix of holiday-themed chaos and the robots’ signature educational tangents, though no official synopsis has surfaced. The runtime—26 minutes—hints at a brisk, joke-heavy structure, a hallmark of the StoryBots brand.

Directorial credit is murky. While SensCritique lists Evan Spiridellis and Jeff Gill as directors, this hasn’t been corroborated by other sources. If true, it would align with the duo’s hands-on approach to the franchise, but without confirmation, it remains unverified.

Legacy and Fan Reception

A StoryBots Christmas didn’t spawn sequels or a holiday tradition, but it remains a cult favorite among fans of the series. YouTube retrospectives, like a "7 Years Later" video, suggest the special holds nostalgic value for viewers who grew up with the StoryBots. Its availability on Netflix has fluctuated over the years, but clips and trailers persist on the platform’s official channels, keeping it in the public eye.

Critically, the special flew under the radar. No major reviews or awards were tied to it, likely due to its short runtime and niche appeal. Still, for a generation of kids who adored the StoryBots, it was a festive highlight—even if the behind-the-scenes details never quite matched the charm of the robots themselves.