It doesn't matter if he's known as Santa Claus, Father Christmas, or Kris Kringle – the festive icon is a regular on the big screen. Rarely a year goes by without a few new iterations, providing plenty of options for Christmas viewing.
But some portrayals of Santa are better received than others. While some people love a cliché Christmas movie, others are more cynical about the man in red. Which movies starring Santa are most beloved by viewers?
The Santa Clause (1994) – 6.5
The origin story of Santa Claus is brought to life in 1994's The Santa Clause. Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) is the latest in a long line of Santas, taking his predecessor's place after he falls off the roof and dies. When Scott puts on his coat, he subjects himself to "The Santa Clause" – after which he has a year to come to terms with his new position.
It's way less depressing than it sounds. Allen convincingly portrays both a cynical toy salesman and the increasingly jolly, white-bearded icon he gradually becomes over the course of the movie. It's a magical affair – one so beloved that it spawned two sequels and still serves as the quintessential Santa movie to this day.
Miracle On 34th Street (1994) – 6.6
Remakes rarely match up to the original, but audiences still rate 1994's Miracle on 34th Street. In it, Susan (Mara Wilson) and her mother try to prove that department store worker Kris Kringle (Richard Attenborough) is the real Santa Claus to prevent him from being institutionalized.
A wintery New York backdrop is part of the magic, but a lot of it comes down to Attenborough. Considered by many to be the best movie Santa Claus, he's so warm and loveable that he embodies the Christmas spirit like no other. He also makes it easier to ignore some of the cynicism that makes this movie slightly less iconic than the original.
The Polar Express (2004) – 6.6
While Santa Claus isn't the main character in The Polar Express, he has a huge impact. The entire plot revolves around a young boy who boards a mysterious train on Christmas Eve alongside a group of children bound to visit Santa at the North Pole.
Portrayed by Tom Hanks (as are several other characters in the movie) Santa seems more ethereal and god-like than in many Christmas movies. The CGI visuals may not have aged well, but this still gives the movie an enchanting quality that endures to this day.
The Christmas Chronicles (2018) – 7.0
Most movies depict Santa Claus as a kindly, jolly old fellow. The Christmas Chronicles goes in a totally different direction. When two kids notice Santa in their home, they jump into his sleigh – which promptly malfunctions and loses all the presents. They then have to team up to save Christmas.
Portrayed by Kurt Russell, Santa is more like a rockstar than anything else. He wears leather, hates how he's represented in the media, and even has a musical number. His performance gives an otherwise cheesy Christmas movie its edge, and even earned it a second outing in 2020.
Elf (2003) – 7.0
As the title suggests, Buddy the Elf (Will Ferrell) is very much the focus of Elf. Having accidentally found himself on Santa's sleigh as an infant, he's raised alongside elves before deciding to return to the human world to find his biological father. The result? Festive fun in snowy New York.
Santa still plays a big role though. Played by the late Ed Asner, he's a warm but pragmatic figure who relies on Christmas spirit to fly his sleigh. He's a complete natural.
Arthur Christmas (2011) – 7.1
Multiple figures vie for the title of Santa Claus in the woefully underrated Arthur Christmas. Arthur (James McAvoy) is the youngest son of the current Santa (Jim Broadbent). He sets out to deliver a lost toy to a young child, aided by his grandfather – Grandsanta (Bill Nighy), a former Santa – and impeded by his older brother – Steven Claus (Hugh Laurie), the cynical Santa-in-waiting.
The characters are all endlessly watchable, and Arthur's adventures provide wholesome fun for the whole family. Ultimately, they lead to him being named the next Santa – and he's just as generous, selfless, and optimistic as anyone could hope.
Rise Of The Guardians (2012) – 7.3
Another movie where Santa isn't the only man in the spotlight. Voiced by Alec Baldwin, Santa's role in Rise of the Guardians is to serve as one of the Guardians who recruit Jack Frost to stop the evil Pitch Black from engulfing the world in darkness.
It's a quirky concept, matched with a quirky Santa. Russian, tough, and epically-bearded, he cuts a memorable figure in a film where he doesn't even have much to do.
Miracle On 34th Street (1947) – 7.9
The original and best version of Miracle on 34th Street has been a Christmas viewing staple ever since 1947. Set in New York City, it focuses on Kris Kringle – a man who plays Santa Claus in Macy's, and claims to be the real Santa.
Everything about this movie is pure holiday magic, but especially Edmund Gwenn's portrayal of Santa. He's quirky without being annoying, and whimsical while still being credible. It's a fine balance – but one he pulls off perfectly.
Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) – 8.0
Jack Skellington is just as fascinated with Santa Claus (or "Sandy Claws") in The Nightmare Before Christmas as the world is in real life. Having decided that he wants to take over and improve Christmas, he has Santa abducted – but doesn't expect him to be handed over to his enemy, Oogie Boogie.
Although it's a very macabre take on the season, part of its magic is that even Jack – the Pumpkin King – is completely enamored with the magic of both Christmas and Santa.
Klaus (2019) – 8.2
Nominated for an Oscar, Klaus is destined to become a future Christmas classic. Putting a new spin on the Santa mythology, it depicts him as an isolated toymaker who teams up with the town's new postman to deliver gifts to local children.
It's beautifully animated, with a unique, quirky style that sets it apart from other Christmas movies. Really it's the fresh take on Santa himself that makes it so special. It's free of the usual clichés of the genre, transforming him from a jovial old man to a misunderstood loner – and consequently revamping the lore in a way that appeals to the whole family.