5 Must-Watch ‘Santa Claus’ Movies for Christmas
Santa Claus is the ultimate holiday MVP. He is the real Hollywood A-lister when the holiday season comes along. Santa Claus has been a part of movies ever since the inception of the industry. Santa Claus first made an appearance in Santa Claus Filling Stockings (1897). Ever since then, it has been a staple in Hollywood for generations.
Santa Claus is a mythic figure who is full of mysteries. There have been countless imaginations and adaptations of Santa Claus over the years in Hollywood. One can trust Hollywood to provide a story of the Christmas spirit for any genre. With that in mind, let’s look at an array of Santa Claus movies that are an absolute must-watch for the holiday season.
1) Get Santa (2014)
After all, who would not like Santa to have an adorable British accent? It is a Christmas comedy that follows Santa Claus after he has been jailed. Now it is up to a recently paroled prisoner and his son to save Christmas before it’s too late.
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Written and directed by Christopher Smith, the movie stars Jim Broadbent as Santa Claus, Rafe Spall as Steve Anderson, the father, and Kit Connor as Tom Anderson, the son. It has the classic British dry humor that goes from being ridiculous to humane at times and creates a jolly good Christmas movie full of emotions that would make one hold their stomach for laughter as well as reach for the tissues in some moments.
The movie has many heartfelt moments and is altogether a wholesome watch for the whole family to enjoy.
2) Violent Night (2022)
Ever wanted a Santa Claus that fights like Liam Nelson and Jason Statham combined? This Christmas action movie is pretty outside the tropes of what the audience is used to seeing in Hollywood. Here, Santa is a badass who fights mercenaries who have taken a wealthy family hostage. The eminent actor David Harbour plays the titular role of Santa Claus in the movie.
The movie was immensely successful. Made on a budget of $20 million, it managed to gross $76.6 million worldwide. The movie does not hold back when it comes to violence and a number of deaths, which contributes immensely to its distinctive nature as a holiday film. Many fans deem the movie a Christmas version of the Die Hard movie and it is quite spot on. Syfy even went as far as to say, “critics hail what might be a new holiday classic.”
3) Klaus (2019)
Klaus is the perfect Christmas movie that feels like chicken soup for your soul in the winter. Sergio Pablos made a home run with his directorial debut in this movie. It was so good that Netflix picked up the distribution rights as soon as they could. It is an animated film that tells the story of Smeerensburg’s new postman, Jesper, who befriends toymaker Klaus and together they melt an age-old feud and deliver beautiful holiday traditions.
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The movie made history as the first animated film from Netflix to be nominated for an Academy Award, as well as the first animated film from a streaming service to be nominated. There is a plethora of generic Christmas movies that Hollywood produces every year. However, Klaus stands out with its unique plot, beautiful characters, and interesting story.
4) The Santa Clause (1994)
Christmas is truly incomplete without this Tim Allen classic. The movie follows a man who finds himself magically recruited in Santa Claus’s place after Santa falls through his roof and lands into an injury. The movie came out in 1994 and was made on a budget of only $20 million. It managed to gross over $190.3 million worldwide, which is a huge number given the time. The tremendous success of the movie turned it into a franchise pretty soon.
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It is a fun ride that gets even better with Tim Allen’s marvelous comic timing. The film can be enjoyed by adults and children alike.
5) Bad Santa (2003)
This Christmas black comedy crime film is so good that the Coen Brothers took on the role of executive producers. The movie follows a con man and his partner, who pose as Santa and his Little Helper, to rob department stores. However, their plans fall apart as they befriend a troubled kid.
The movie, made on a budget of $23 million, grossed $76.5 million worldwide. Roger Ebert for Chicago Sun-Times called this movie “demented, twisted [and] unreasonably funny work of comic kamikaze style.
These movies are sure to brighten up even the Grinch with their infectious Christmas spirit.
