Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

Disney

There are so many fantastic Christmas movies. And many of them feature one of the most recognizable figures of Christmas: Santa Claus. Whether you know him as Santa, Father Christmas, or Saint Nicholas, his stories and adventures, both old and new, can make for great holiday watching. Here are a few of my favorite movies starring the loveable gift-giver with the belly that shakes like a bowl full of jelly.

First up are several different versions of Santa's origin story.

Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town - Fred Astaire, as the Postman, tells the story of how a baby named Claus became Santa in this Rankin Bass movie. After he's taken in by a family of toy-making elves and renamed Kris Kringle, he begins bringing toys to the village of Sombertown to bring joy to the children there. A series of adventures, and misadventures, lead him to meet the future Mrs. Claus, move to the North Pole, and become the jolly fellow we know and love. 

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus - In this story by L. Frank Baum, author of the Wizard of Oz series, Santa began life as an infant abandoned near an enchanted forest. Baby Nicholas was taken in by a wood nymph named and raised him in a magical world. He learns about the sad and difficult world of humans, leading him to his lifelong gift-giving mission. This film features an amazing cast of voices, including Robby Benson, Dixie Carter, and Hal Holbrook.

Santa & Pete - This unique film has been one of my favorites since the first time I saw it. It tells the story of the Dutch Santa (portrayed by the amazing Hume Cronyn) and his helper, Black Peter. The story begins with master storyteller James Earl Jones as a Grandfather teaching his grandson about Santa and Pete. Full of wonderful references to the historical Santa, this story focuses on what happens when Santa and Pete arrive in the New World. Although Santa is rather set in his ways, their adventures in New Amsterdam force him to rethink his Christmas traditions.

Klaus - While rather unusual, this film is absolutely charming. Told by Jesper, the unwilling Postman of Smeerensburg, it's a story that proves "a true act of good will always spark another." Klaus is a lonely woodsman who lives far from town. Through a chance encounter, Jesper and Klaus begin delivering toys to the children of Smeerensburg, changing all their lives in the process.

And here are a few where Santa struggles with the dwindling Christmas spirit in the world.

The Year Without A Santa Claus - This is another classic from Rankin Bass. When Santa wakes up with a cold in December, he decides he won't deliver gift this year. In an effort to change his mind and show him that he's truly needed, Mrs Claus sends two elves, Jingle and Jangle, to Southtown. They get into all sorts of trouble along the way, meeting the Miser Brothers and Mother Nature before finally convincing Santa to take his annual Christmas ride.

Miracle on 34th Street - This is a wonderful story that can make anyone believe again. When he is hired to be Santa in the Macy's Thanksgiving day Parade, Kris Kringle is so wonderful, that they decide to keep him on as the official Santa of Macy's. With his help, everyone begins to put the spirit back into Christmas. But when he angers one of the employees, he is put on trial for insanity. Can his lawyer prove that he is "the one and only Santa Claus" or is he "just a nice old man with whiskers like mother said"?

Violent Night - This movie is definitely not for kids. It is rated R for violence and language. Santa is feeling very disillusioned with the world when he accidentally stumbles into a hostage situation involving a little girl who truly believes in Santa Claus, and her horrible extended family. In this version, Santa was once a Viking warrior, and he must put his old skills to work to save young Trudy and her family. It was recently announced that a sequel will be coming to theaters next Christmas. 

Next up, we have stories of new people taking on the role of Santa Claus, willingly or not.

The Santa Clause -  There's a lot to enjoy here with three movies and a two season series. Starring Tim Allen as Santa, these are great stories that support the existence of Santa Claus in an ever changing form.

• The Santa Clause tells how Scott Calvin, an executive for a toy company, became Santa, much to the delight of his son Charlie. 
• In The Santa Clause 2, Santa must seek a wife or he'll have to stop being Santa. 
• By The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, Santa and Mrs. Claus are expecting a baby. Will Santa stay Santa or will he employ the "Escape Clause?" 
• The Santa Clauses Season 1 sees Scott Calvin once again struggling to stay Santa. He and his family love living at the North Pole, but worry that it might be time to hand the reins to someone new.
• In The Santa Clauses Season 2, Mad Santa seeks to take back the job of Santa Claus as Scott Calvin tries to prepare his son Cal for the role.

Arthur Christmas - This is a wonderful story about Christmas, magic, and the importance of family. Arthur is Santa's youngest son. He's a bit of a klutz and afraid of everything, but he has a good heart. On Christmas Eve, Santa and his oldest son, Steve, head out in a spaceship sleigh to deliver presents to the children of the world, with an efficient and modern flair. But this Christmas, a gift was left undelivered, and it seems only Arthur understands the importance of finding a gift from Santa under the tree on Christmas morning. So, Arthur, Grandsanta, and a wrapping elf named Bryony set out to make things right.

Noelle - Santa's daughter is full of the Christmas spirit, but a bit lost when it comes to her role at the North Pole. When her brother Nick begins training to become Santa, the results are disastrous, so she tries to help by suggesting he take a little vacation. Unfortunately, he decides not to come back, so Noelle must find him and convince him to return to save Christmas.

The Claus Family Trilogy - Young Jules is feeling lost after the sudden death of his father. His family has recently moved and he has just discovered that his grandfather Noël is Santa Claus. When he learns that he is meant to take over as Santa in a few years, he rebels, but eventually discovers the magic of Christmas. In the second film, Jules tries to help a young girl bring her family back together. And in the third, Jules' little sister Noor discovers that Noël is Santa, but can she keep the secret? 

And finally, we have the movies that are about Santa, but are told by Santa's companions.

Prep & Landing - When Prep and Landing Elves arrive in a child's home, their job is to get everything ready for the arrival of Santa. But when Wayne the elf is passed over for a promotion, he decides not to do his job, with disastrous results. 

Prep and Landing: Naughty vs Nice - There are two types of Elves that visit homes on Christmas Eve: Prep and Landing Elves who visit nice kids, and the Coal Elf Brigade who visit naughty kids. This year, Wayne must work with his Coal Elf baby brother Noel to stop a naughty kid from ruining Christmas for kids everywhere.

Red One - This is a wild and crazy ride of a movie, with lots of mythological Christmas characters and a fun story.   When Santa, code name Red One", goes missing, Calum Drift, his head of security, immediately begins searching for him. After reluctantly teaming up with bounty hunter (and Level 4 Naughty Lister) Jack O'Malley, they head off on an adventure to save Santa.