This 98%-Rated Masterpiece Is the Only Animated Series I Rewatch Every Christmas Season

There's a special kind of magic that's perfect for the short days of December and long winter evenings – the magic of the animated miniseries Over the Garden Wall.

This 10-episode show has become a Christmas classic for many. With its atmosphere of a mysterious autumn forest that seamlessly transitions into winter, it's the perfect choice for annual family viewing in the lead-up to the holidays.

What Is 'Over the Garden Wall' About?

Two brothers, the cautious teenager Wirt and his reckless younger brother Greg who wears a teapot as a hat, wander through a vast, mysterious forest trying to find their way home.

Their journey turns into a series of surreal and dangerous encounters. A sinister Beast who collects lost souls and witches who are best avoided roam the forest.

Against the backdrop of an approaching winter, the boys must not only survive, but also solve the ultimate mystery of how they got there and where their home lies, aided by the talking bird Beatrice.

'Over the Garden Wall' Is a Unique Project Made by the Creators of 'Adventure Time'

Over the Garden Wall was made by Nate Cash and produced by Patrick McHale, one of the creators of the cult classic, Adventure Time. Although there are similarities between the two projects, Over the Garden Wall is a complete stylistic contrast.

Adventure Time is a psychedelic, bright, and carefree fantasy, whereas the world of Over the Garden Wall features gloomy autumn forests, abandoned cottages, and a gothic aesthetic reminiscent of Tim Burton movies and indie games like Don't Starve.

It's a world where miracles coexist with genuine danger and characters have only their wits and cooperation, not superpowers.

'Over the Garden Wall' Masterfully Mixes Gothic Motives, Satire and Fantasy

The creators' greatest skill lies in their ability to strike a delicate balance between genres. On the one hand, it's a terrifying story with a gothic setting, in which the Beast is a truly frightening antagonist.

On the other hand, it's a clever parody of fairy tale clichés. Each episode subverts viewer expectations – the villain is not what he seems, the sweet creature is a treacherous traitor, and the terrifying monster is simply a misunderstood loner.

This balance between darkness and light reflects the brothers' contrasting perceptions of the world: pessimistic Wirt sees a threat in everything, while the optimistic Greg finds friends in the most unexpected places.

Despite its apparent simplicity, the series has astonishing depth and a multilayered plot that is only fully revealed in the finale, which radically changes the perception of the entire journey.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Over the Garden Wall'?

• Over the Garden Wall has 98% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 8.7/10

Where to Watch 'Over the Garden Wall'?

Over the Garden Wall is available to stream on Hulu.