While not a Christmas movie, I watched DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp many times during the holiday season, associating the film with that time of year by extension.
No Disney character is more tied to Christmas than ‘Unca Scrooge.’ Created by Carl Barks in 1947, Scrooge made his first appearance in the Christmas story ‘Christmas on Bear Mountain’ and was named after the classic character Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
Since his debut, Scrooge has celebrated many Christmases with his nephew Donald Duck, his grandnephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie, and other family members. While Scrooge often plays the grumpy and stingy uncle, there’s no doubt he’s warmed up to his relatives and enjoys spending time with them (though he’s still reluctant to part with his money—that hasn’t changed!).
As we count down the days to Christmas, it’s the perfect time for a few trips to Duckburg and Bear Mountain to get into the holiday spirit with some classic Duck stories starring your favorite Uncle!
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Return to Bear Mountain (1987)
Plot by Lars Bergström • Story by Tom Anderson • Art by Daniel Branca
As a reader, it’s only natural to have high hopes for a story titled Return to Bear Mountain, as it implies a follow-up to Carl Barks’ classic comic. Unfortunately, it’s nothing of the sort, either in spirit or execution. This is a shame, as the setup—bringing recurring characters together for a Christmas gathering—sounds promising. Alas, aside from Grandma Duck, who has a chance to shine, the story falls flat. The big reveal feels random and uninspired, making this a Christmas tale that’s easy to forget
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Holiday Hideaway on Bear Mountain (2017)
Story by Carol McGreal and Pat McGreal • Art by Francisco Rodriguez Peinado
A story set during the holiday season at Scrooge’s cabin is bound to include nods to the classic Christmas on Bear Mountain, and Holiday Hideaway opens with one—though it doesn’t deliver a very Christmassy tale! Instead, we get more bear shenanigans at Bear Mountain, while Donald Duck is busy impersonating his uncle at the annual holiday ball. Although the spirit of the season makes an appearance in the form of a bear, the story feels a bit too repetitive to truly resonate.
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Scaredy Showdown (2017)
Story by Frank Jonker and Paul Hoogma • Art by Daniel Perez
When the Duck family heads to Bear Mountain for Christmas, you can bet there will be bears sniffing around Uncle Scrooge’s cabin! This time, the nephews inform us of a curse—a giant grizzly’s ghost that still haunts the woods on certain nights! The timing is perfect, as Scrooge and Donald have a bet on who will get scared first. It’s always fun to see the two trying to one-up each other, though the story relies on so many familiar elements that it’s missing a dash of surprise.
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A Christmas Carol, Starring Scrooge McDuck (2019)
Story by Guido Martina • Art by Jose Colomer Fonts
Scrooge McDuck is inextricably linked to Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol and was naturally cast as Ebenezer Scrooge in the beloved adaptation Mickey’s Christmas Carol. It would be fitting to see him shine in a graphic novel retelling of that story; however, this version simplifies both the character and storyline too much. The result is a pleasant read but one that lacks the depth and emotional weight of the original tale.
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Christmas Magic (2003)
Story by Per Hedman • Art by Vicar
Any time of year is good for the sorceress Magica De Spell to try to get her hands on Scrooge’s Number One Dime! Perhaps a little Christmas magic could help her succeed? Or maybe the season—with its snow, ice, bears, and clever nephews—will turn the tables on her. With De Spell’s presence, some decent action, and a fun conclusion, Christmas Magic starts to bring a touch of holiday magic at Scrooge’s cabin!
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The Black Pearls of Tabu Yama (1957)
Story and Art by Carl Barks
For Huey, Dewey, and Louie, Christmas means a tree, snow, and presents! The Black Pearls of Tabu Yama stands out with its unique setting, as Barks takes the Ducks away from Duckburg for the holiday season, sending them on an adventure in the South Seas! Scrooge’s quest for the famous pearl leaves the group stranded on an uninhabited island, where only science can help them escape. And, of course, it all leads to a heartwarming conclusion—a reminder that the magic of Christmas is something you create yourself!
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Turkey with All the Schemings (1953)
Story and Art by Carl Barks
It’s easy to imagine that Turkey with All the Schemings would be set at Thanksgiving, but don’t be fooled! Donald is stressed out by the holiday season and all he has to do, but he thinks he has everything under control—until he realizes he forgot to buy the turkey for Christmas dinner. As usual, Donald is out of money and must come up with a scheme to get Uncle Scrooge to pay him a meal. While the story’s main plot could take place at any time of year and doesn’t feel especially Christmassy, it’s still a fun read, and it’s all too easy to sympathize with Donald’s predicament!
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Another Christmas on Bear Mountain (2007)
Story by Tito Faraci • Art by Giorgio Cavazzano
Sixty years after Christmas on Bear Mountain, Italian creators Tito Faraci and Giorgio Cavazzano revisit the iconic Christmas Eve that changed Scrooge’s life! With the help of Santa Claus’s grandfather, Scrooge travels back in time, getting the chance to confront Donald once again and perhaps change his own destiny. Events take an unexpected turn for both Donald and Scrooge, offering a fresh perspective on their history. And let’s just say, you don’t need much more than that to get into the holiday spirit!
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Christmas on Bear Mountain (1947)
Story and Art by Carl Barks
Christmas wouldn’t be the same without Christmas on Bear Mountain! In need of a wealthy family member for his story, Barks created Uncle Scrooge, who was originally intended as a one-off character. Scrooge doesn’t actually appear much in this story, nor is he yet the ‘Unca Scrooge’ who would go on to star in countless adventures. To be honest, it’s a fairly straightforward story that holds a special place today thanks to Scrooge’s debut. This simple fact makes it one of the most important Christmas stories Barks ever wrote, often referenced in many stories that followed. Simply put, if you haven’t read it yet, you should!
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The Orphan’s Christmas or The Substitute Santa of Strathbungo (2013)
Story by Knut Nærum, Tormod Løkling • Art by Arild Midthun
Christmastime is here again, and Uncle Scrooge takes us on a nostalgic journey back to Scotland (set during The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck). When he was a twelve-year-old duck selling peat in Scotland, young Scrooge befriended an orphaned girl and learned about her many hardships. Determined to help, Scrooge goes undercover in the factory, disguised as a girl, to uncover the truth. It’s a lively story that captures the spirit of a classic Don Rosa tale, making it a special treat for Christmas!
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A Christmas for Shacktown (1952)
Story and Art by Carl Barks
Considered Carl Barks’ best Christmas story, A Christmas for Shacktown brings together all the essentials for the holiday season. It tackles themes of poverty and the hardships faced by children lacking even basic necessities, sends the Duck family on wild adventures when Scrooge’s money falls down a seemingly bottomless pit, and delivers a happy conclusion just in time to celebrate Christmas!
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The Richest Duck in the World (1994)
Story and Art by Don Rosa
Christmas Day, 1947! Scrooge McDuck has put Uncle Donald to the test at his cabin on Bear Mountain, and against all odds, Donald has succeeded! At this time, though, ‘Unca’ Scrooge hasn’t yet ended his years of reclusion. Don Rosa’s classic The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck revisits this iconic moment in The Richest Duck in the World, completing one of the most memorable Christmases for the Duck family! Perfectly timed, full of classic Scrooge McDuck antics, and brimming with holiday spirit, this story is a true Christmas treasure.
For more Duck Stories, check out our Guide to Donald Duck and Uncle Scrooge stories by Carl Barks.