As children, at Christmas we learn about this fantastic man whose heart is so big that he can do the possible. How can he get around the whole world in just one night? How does he get inside the house (especially when you don’t have a chimney)? And how does he eat that many cookies without dying?
Unsurprisingly, many films have tried to tackle the origins of this amazing man and how he accomplishes these feats. Educate yourself this Christmas with these ten live-action films about the man himself, Santa Claus.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
This story is such a classic that it has been remade several times, but it is always best to start with the original. Starring Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle, it is set in the lead up to Christmas and looks at a department store Santa Claus who claims that he is also the real Santa. Also starring Maureen O’Hara, John Payne and a young Natalie Wood.
The Christmas that almost wasn’t (1966)
In this American-Italian Christmas classic, a kind-hearted lawyer meets Santa to discover that his work us under threat, as he has a new landlord who is threatening to confiscate all the toys if he is not paid what he owes. Starring Alberto Rabagliati as Santa, Paul Tripp as his friend Sam Whipple, and Rossano Brazzi as the Scrooge-esque landlord, can they save Christmas?
Santa Claus: The Movie (1985)
An origin story of the man himself, David Huddleston stars in the role as we see how he and his wife went from being simple workers to Christmas icons. At the same time, Christmas is at threat as one of Santa’s elves, played by Dudley Moore, is trying to employ Santa’s toy making techniques out in the world, unaware that he may be stealing the magic of Christmas.
The Santa Clause (1994)
Tim Allen stars as the titular characters in this movie, that quickly became a series. He starts off as an ordinary man, who accidentally causes Santa to fall from a roof on Christmas Eve. He and his son finish the toy delivery to save Christmas, but now it seems that Allen’s character must take over as the new Santa Claus, for life.
Elf (2003)
While this movie is more about a man who grew up with Santa’s elves, played by Will Ferrell, Santa also plays an important role in this comedy. Santa is played by Ed Asner, who finds the young Ferrell’s character in his sack and gives him to one of his elves to raise. He also returns to help Ferrell cope as he finds the real world a darker place than he was prepared for.
Fred Claus (2007)
Starring Paul Giamatti as Santa, we start with an origin story, that tell us much about the relationship between Nick and his brother Fred, played by Vince Vaughan, both of which are immortal, but do not get on. When Fred finds himself in financial struggles, he must work for his brother Nick to get the needed funds. There, he finds that hinds that maybe his brother Nick needs some help as well.
Rare Exports (2010)
A darker Christmas movie coming out of Finland, we follow a group of people living near the Korvatunturi mountain who come across the archaeological remains of the home of Joulupukki, a Finnish folklore figure linked to Santa. As they excavate, they discover that the site was closed over to stop something from escaping. But before they know it, they have unleashed a force they do not understand.
Get Santa (2014)
The fantastic Jim Broadbent stars as Santa in this British Christmas movie. Santa encounters a struggling ex-con, Steve played by Rafe Spall, who refuses to believe that he is the real thing. Following a series of unexpected events, it is Santa that finds himself in prison, and whether he believes of not, Steve must help him. Will he learn a little about the secrets of Christmas along the way?
Krampus (2015)
Definitely looking at the darker side of a mystical being that can enter your house whenever he wants. A young boy refuses to believe in Christmas as his family fights, and unwittingly invites the vengeful side of the Christmas spirit, Krampus, into his home to terrorize his family. Starring Adam Scott and Toni Collette.
The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
A Netflix original starring Kurt Russell in the titular role, the story starts when two children left alone as Christmas as their mother struggles to make end meet decide to stow away in Santa’s sled, and accidentally sabotage Christmas. They must then work with Santa to ensure that Christmas is not ruined.