The Voices of Liberty Share Their Voices From Home

Disney

The Voices of Liberty are one of my favorite musical groups at Disney World. These a capella singers' voices usually soar to incredible heights in the rotunda of the American Adventure Pavilion in EPCOT. With the Parks closed, they are sharing their Voices From Home with a medley of "You've Got a Friend in Me" from Toy Story and "Friend Like Me" from Aladdin.

I love all of the Voices From Home vieos. They always bring a smile to my face, and I hope they do the same for you.

Pentatonix' New "Home" Medley Is Perfect

Pentatonix

Pentatonix is one of my favorite musical groups. They blend five a capella voices together in incredible harmonies. Their latest album, At Home, is fantastic. My favorite song is "Home", which is a medley made up of more than a dozen songs about home, skillfully blended together.

Amazing, right? And just in case you're curious, here are the 13 songs that make up the medley:

1. “Break My Heart” by Dua Lipa
2. “My House” by Flo Rida
3. “Our House” by Madness
4. “Our House” by Crosby, Stills & Nash
5. “Work from Home” by Fifth Harmony and Ty Dolla $ign
6. “House Party” by Sam Hunt
7. “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
8. “Home” by Phillip Phillips
9. “Take Me Home” by Pentatonix
10. “Home” by Michael Bublé
11. “Home” by Daughtry
12. “Mama, I’m Coming Home” by Ozzy Osbourne
13. “Home Sweet Home” by Mötley Crüe

The Voices of Liberty Sing America the Beautiful

Disney

The Voices of Liberty are one of my favorite performers at Disney World. Their voices blend together in the most beautiful a capella harmonies. As the parks are still closed, they have shared another Voices From Home video. This time it's my favorite song to listen to in the American Adventure Pavilion's rotunda, "America the Beautiful."

The Wonderful World Of Disney Is Returning To ABC

Disney

Being under quarantine has brought us some amazingly unexpected entertainment. From the Disney Family Singalongs to cast members sharing their Voices From Home, there's been a wonderful dose of Disney nearly every week. And now, one of my favorite childhood shows from Disney is returning to television. Beginning on Wednesday, May 20, The Wonderful World of Disney will be back to share Disney, Pixar, and Marvel movies every week from 8-10PM Eastern.

Here's the lineup:

• May 20 - Moana
• May 27 - Thor: The Dark World
• June 3 - UP
• June 10 - Big Hero 6

Although I've seen them all many times, I'm looking forward to seeing them again as part of The Wonderful World of Disney.

"Go The Distance" from Hercules

Disney

Six stars from Disney on Broadway share their Voices from Home singing "Go The Distance" from Hercules.

Grim Grinning Ghosts Stay Home And Socialize

Disney

Disneyland's Dapper Dans are back once again to share their Voices From Home. This time, they're singing "Grim Grinning Ghosts" from the Haunted Mansion. It's the perfect way to kick off a week of halfway to Halloween fun!

Mariachi Cobre Sing "Remember Me"

Disney

Mariachi Cobre, the vibrant musicians from EPCOT's Mexico Pavilion, are the latest musical group to share their Voices From Home. Here, they perform "Remember Me" from Pixar's animated film Coco.

The Dapper Dans Are Back With A Classic From Dumbo

Disney

The Dapper Dans of Disneyland have created another Voices From Home video. This time, they sing "When I See An Elephant Fly" from Disney's animated classic, Dumbo.

There's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow... Just A Dream Away!

Disney has released another Voices From Home video to brighten your day. This time, its Disney World's Dapper Dans singing "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" from the Carousel of Progress.

The Dapper Dans Sharing Their Voices From Home Is Truly Magical

Disney

With the world feeling a little out of sorts, we could all use a little extra magic in our day. This performance by all of Disneyland's Dapper Dans, part of Disney's #VoicesFromHome, is definitely magical.

If you enjoyed "When You Wish Upon A Star", head over to the Disney Parks Blog to vote for their next song choice. Personally, I'm hoping for "Grim Grinning Ghosts."

A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes

Disney

The Dapper Dans of the Magic Kingdom are back to share their Voices From Home once again. This time, they're singing the classic Cinderella song, "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes."

Star Wars Weekends at Hollywood Studios

For four 3-day weekends each year, Disney's Hollywood Studios is invaded by characters from the Star Wars universe. This year, from May 16th to June 15th. It's a great time for those with a Disney and Star Wars obsession. My family was a little unsure about going because we'd heard that the crowds can be crazy! I finally convinced them that it would be fun to give it a try. We decided to go on a Friday during the second weekend in 2012. This was the perfect time to go. Star Wars Weekends are a blast!

There are several special events during Star Wars Weekends: Jedi Training Academy, the Star Wars Celebrity Motorcade, the Padawan Mind Challenge, celebrity autographs, character Meet & Greets, behind the scenes shows, as well as the Hyperspace Hoopla. And there are two new experiences this year: now you can have lunch with characters from Jedi Mickey to Darth Goofy at Hollywood and Vine or enjoy a Galactic Breakfast at the Sci-fi Dine-in Theater. And to cap off the night, Disney has added the new Symphony in the Stars fireworks. Each day is packed with a lot to see and do.

The Star Wars fun begins before you enter the park. Stormtroopers have been stationed above the gates and make comments about the crowds. They point out odd looking characters to each other and talk about what strange creatures the crowds are. Our favorite part was when the Stormtroopers decided that everyone must be holding up those little boxes (cameras) and pointing them as a way of greeting. The Stormtroopers then decided to greet the crowd in the same manner. It was hilarious! Throughout the park, you can hear many different themes from the Star Wars saga. I have always loved John Williams' themes, so I really appreciated this touch.

Ahsoka Tano

The Jedi Training Academy is extra special during Star Wars Weekends. The sign up station is moved near the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular and they take 30 kids for each show. (If you want to get a guaranteed spot, be there when the gates open and head immediately to the sign up station. Spots are filled very quickly, so you may wish to sign up during the week when it's less busy.) 15 Padawans, or Jedi Trainees, are up on the stage and 15 are on the ground in front of the stage. Jedi Master Vance Nadal trains those onstage and Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker's Padawan, trains those on the ground. The Padawans are taught a series of moves that they will be using to fight the Dark Side. Then, Darth Vader and his Stormtroopers arrive, along with a female Sith named Asajj Ventress. When Bean was selected to participate, she was delighted to be trained by Ahsoka and fight Asajj, as you can only see them during special times, like Star Wars Weekends.

Star Wars Weekends feature many character Meet & Greets that can only be found during these four weekends each year. The lines can be long, but you should be able to meet at least a few of the characters with relatively short wait times. Each character location has a fantastic backdrop from the films and a brief description of the characters that appear there. In Darth's Maul, we met a young Luke Skywalker. He was really nice and looked enough like Luke to be convincing. Sometimes, R2-D2 and C-3PO appear with Luke. After Luke, Princess Leia was meeting fans in the same locations. She also appears with R2-D2 and C-3PO at times. Near the Star Tours face painting station, we met Queen Amidala. The line for Amidala was fairly short and we only waited about 15 minutes. Near the speeder across from Star Tours, Chewbacca and a couple of Ewoks were posing for photos. In the Streets of America, near the San Francisco backdrop, you could meet either Anakin Skywalker, ShaakTi, Mace Windu, or Kit Fisto. Near the Phineas & Ferb and Cars Meet and Greet areas, you could find Captain Rex, Clone Troopers, Asajj Ventress or Ahsoka Tano. In the covered area near the Backlot Tour was a very long line to meet Darth Vader. By the ABC Commissary, you could meet Darth Maul or Goofy in his Darth Vader costume. Across from him, you could meet Boba or Jango Fett and stand with your arms and legs in shackles. Between the ABC Commissary and the Great Movie Ride was the area for Jedi Mickey, Leia Minnie, and Duck Maul. In addition to these character locations, there are also wandering characters, including Jawas, Tusken Raiders, Stromtroopers, and Tam Wesel.

Asajj Ventress

During our visit, we only met three characters, but they were all fantastic! Luke was very personable and kind to Bean and even spent several minutes talking with her and looking at her autograph photobook. Amidala was very in character and told us about her time in the Galactic Senate. ShaakTi suggested unique poses for each group of guests and really had quite a variety of fun poses to choose from. She was fantastic at putting guests at ease and getting them involved in some Star Wars fun.

In addition to the various costumed characters, different celebrities are available for autographs each weekend. To meet these celebrities, you must obtain a Fast Pass for that celebrity near the entrance to Hollywood Studios. There is a limit of one Fast Pass per person, so you must choose wisely. Also, the guest whose ticket was used to obtain the Fast Pass must be present to receive the Fast Pass, so you can't send one person with all of the tickets for a group to get your Fast Pass. Once you have a Fast Pass, you can go the the autograph for your chosen celebrity at the designated time to get your autograph. Also, you can only have one item autographed and one photo taken. Honestly, I'm not sure it's worth all of the hoops you have to jump through, so my family and I decided not to get any celebrity autographs.

The Star Wars Celebrity Motorcade is a parade of Star Wars characters. The parade lasts about 20 minutes and features groups of Stormtroopers, classic Star Wars characters, Mickey and friends in their Star Wars costumes, and cars full of Star Wars celebrities. Unfortunately, the celebrities can be somewhat obscure, such as a voice from the cartoons and may not be interesting to young children, but the costumed characters are a lot of fun. If you want to watch the parade, you'll need to get a seat early. I would recommend finding your spot at least 90 minutes before the parade starts as spaces fill up quickly.

The Padawan Mind Challenge is a trivia trial for kids age 11 and under. You do have to preregister to participate in this challenge. Kids use their knowledge of Star Wars: The Clone Wars to become Padawans, or Jedi Trainees. You can signup near the ABC Sound Studio, beginning when the park opens, but spaces fill up fast. There are only two shows a day, around 2 PM and 6:30 PM. The shows take place on the large stage set up in front of the Sorcerer's Hat. The crowds in this area can be very large, so if you'd like to watch the challenge, be sure to check your Times Guide and arrive early.

There are several special Behind the Scenes shows each weekend, hosted by one of the co-hosts of Star Wars Weekends. Ashley Eckstein, the voice of Ahsoka Tano, hosts Behind the Force: an insiders look at Star Wars: The Clone Wars cartoons. James Arnold Taylor, the voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, hosts two different shows. The first, Stars of the Saga, invites that weekends celebrity guests to sit down for an interview about their work. The second, Obi-Wan and Beyond, is a glimpse into the world of voice acting. James Arnold Taylor voices around 150 characters, so he is the perfect actor for such a show.

One of the favorite stops for collectors during Star Wars Weekends is the special shopping area. Available only during Star Wars Weekends and located through the gates near Rock 'N' Roller Coaster, the name and theme changes yearly. In 2012, the shop was called Darth's Maul. During the opening weekend the line was a 90 minute wait to get in and a 90 minute wait to get out. By the second weekend, there was no wait to get in and very little wait to get out. Darth's Maul was a giant tent filled with Disney exclusive Star Wars merchandise. Limited edition merchandise is also available. 2012 saw the release of a new collection of women's clothing designed by Ashley Eckstein, the voice of Ahsoka Tano. The Her Universe collection debuted at Darth's Maul and included many shirts for women and girls as well as a few costume hoodies. The Princess Leia hoodie sported her famous hair buns and the girls Ahsoka hoodie looked just like Ahsoka. for the true collector, there were Darth Vader and Chewbacca costumes that cost over $100,000 each. Some of the limited edition goods were only available as a purchase with purchase. One was a photo frame with Duck Maul and Jedi Mickey. There was also a polar fleece throw with Duck Maul and a pin with the same design. There were quite a few pins that had been created especially for the event and two series of Vinylmation as well. We waited about 5 minutes to make our purchases, but the wait to purchase limited edition merchandise was 20-30 minutes. One of my favorite items was the Star Tours name tag. I purchased one with my name in Aurebesh, the language of the galaxy. You can also choose your home planet from one of the 15 available. I chose Endor because I love Ewoks. And new for 2012, the Droid Factory, a fun build-a-droid spot now permanently housed at Tatooine Traders.

One of my favorite collectibles from Star Wars Weekends was the R2-D2 popcorn buckets and lidded cups. The buckets were available filled with caramel popcorn, churros with chocolate sauce, a kids corndog and chips meal, or even a kids power pack with a cheese stick, carrots, yogurt, goldfish, and a cookie. The cups were available with either frozen lemonade, a milkshake, or hot fudge sundae. Other Star Wars treats included a Darth Vader cupcake, chocolate peanut butter flavored.Yum!

The final show of the night is the Hyperspace Hoopla. Described as an intergalactic dance competition, this show is loud and raucous. The characters dance to modern music with modern accessories. I have to say, this show was my least favorite part of Star Wars Weekends. The music is very loud! It can be heard throughout the park and is especially loud near the stage, which is located in front of the Sorcerer's Hat. I was also disappointed in the music, accessories, and dance styles that were used for the show. They were rather suggestive and not very family friendly. I wouldn't recommend taking small children to the Hyperpace Hoopla as I consider it to be an adult show.

If you want a VIP experience during Star Wars Weekends, those are available, too. The Feel the Force VIP dining event sounds like a lot of fun. You start with reserved seating for the Legends of the Force: Star Wars Celebrity Motorcade with beverages and snacks available. Then you also have reserved seating for the Symphony in the Stars fireworks which includes a Star Wars-themed dessert party. Finally, so the Force will be with you always, you receive a souvenir Disney Photopass card which includes complimentary Star Wars photos. This VIP event is a little pricey at $54 per adult and $32 per child, but I bet it's a lot of fun!

In all, I really enjoyed attending Star Wars Weekends. The characters were a lot of fun, the shows were great to watch, and the atmosphere was fantastic. I have always loved Star Wars and would recommend going to Star Wars Weekends to any fan.

Star Wars Forces of Destiny

All images:  Lucasfilm

Disney and Lucasfilm have created a new series of animated shorts featuring the heroic ladies of the Star Wars Universe.  The series will launch in July, and a two-part tv special will air on the Disney Channel this fall. They've also created "Adventure Figures" (a cross between dolls and action figures) of the heroines that look amazing.

For more details, check out the press release below:

Disney and Lucasfilm today announced Star Wars Forces of Destiny, a new initiative celebrating the inspiring stories of iconic heroes from across the Star Wars universe. An original series of animated shorts (each 2-3 minutes in length) will explore exciting, all new adventures of key characters including Rey, Jyn Erso, Sabine Wren, Princess Leia, Ahsoka Tano and others, ahead of books and a TV special later in the year. The stories will also be supported by a line of toys from Hasbro, including new ‘Adventure Figures’ – a fusion between traditional dolls and action figures, creating a whole new way to play Star Wars.

“Star Wars Forces of Destiny is for anyone who has been inspired by Leia’s heroism, Rey’s courage, or Ahsoka’s tenacity,” said Kathleen Kennedy, President of Lucasfilm. “We’re thrilled that so many of the original actors are reprising their roles in these shorts which capture the small moments and everyday decisions that shape who these characters are. It is a fun new way for people to experience Star Wars.”

Developed by Lucasfilm Animation, Star Wars Forces of Destiny will remain true to the Star Wars canon, showing how choices both big and small ultimately shape the destinies of beloved characters. 

Launching in July, the animated micro-series will be available on Disney YouTube ahead of a two-part TV special featuring eight additional shorts on Disney Channel in Fall 2017.

Fans will be delighted to hear familiar voices in the series, including: Daisy Ridley (Rey), Felicity Jones (Jyn), Tiya Sircar (Sabine), Ashley Eckstein (Ahsoka Tano) and Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata as narrator).

Star Wars Forces of Destiny will also be supported by global product extensions, such as books, apparel, bedding, and toys – including the new line of ‘Adventure Figures’ created by Hasbro, which bridges the gap between traditional action figures and dolls. Each individually designed figure features dynamic action, like Rey swinging her lightsaber, along with multiple points of articulation to help recreate the characters’ adventures and heroic moments with different poses.

“From Princess Leia to Sabine Wren, Star Wars heroines are unique, and we wanted to represent that in the product line for Star Wars Forces of Destiny,” said Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media. 

“The result is the creation of our new ‘Adventure Figures’ that celebrate the power and stories of these incredible characters and allow kids to recreate their most heroic moments at home.”

The 11-inch figures will depict characters including Rey, Jyn Erso, Princess Leia, Sabine Wren, plus loveable sidekicks and epic villains like BB-8, Chewbacca, Kylo Ren and many more. 

Hasbro is also rolling out Star Wars Forces of Destiny role play and accessories—from Rey’s Extendable Staff, to a new, electronic Jedi Power Lightsaber toy, which are part of the Star Wars Bladebuilders system.

Adds John Frascotti, President of Hasbro: “As the Star Wars fan base has broadened over the last 40 years, we have continued to add new and exciting play experiences to the Star Wars brand, to engage fans across generations."

"We’ve worked closely with Disney to bring the storytelling from Star Wars Forces of Destiny to life through this innovative toy line to help connect with new audiences as well as appeal to existing fans.”

The Jungle Book Photos

Disney has released six stunning images of the voice actors from The Jungle Book alongside their digital characters. The photos are beautiful and each included a quote by the actor about their character. The Jungle Book arrives in theaters on April 15.

Lupita Nyong'o voices Raksha, a mother wolf who cares deeply for all of her pups–including man-cub Mowgli, whom she adopts as one of her own when he's abandoned in the jungle as an infant. "She is the protector, the  eternal mother," says Nyong'o. "The word Raksha actually means protection in Hindi. I felt really connected to that, wanting to protect a son that isn’t originally hers but one she’s taken for her own."

Akela is the strong and hardened alpha-male wolf who shoulders the responsibility of his pack. He welcomes Mowgli to the family, but worries he may one day compromise their safety. "Akela is a fierce patriarch of the wolf pack," says Giancarlo Esposito, who voices the character. "He believes the strength of the pack lies in what each and every wolf offers. He's a great leader, a wise teacher."

Bagheera is a sleek panther who feels it's his duty to help the man-cub depart with dignity when it's time for him to leave his jungle home. "Bagheera is Mowgli’s adoptive parent," says Ben Kingsley, who lends his voice to Bagheera. "His role in Mowgli’s life is to educate, to protect and to guide. My Bagheera was military–he’s probably a colonel. He is instantly recognizable by the way he talks, how he acts and what his ethical code is.”

King Louie is a formidable ape who desperately wants the secret of Man's deadly "red flower”–fire. He's convinced Mowgli has the information he seeks. "King Louie is huge–12 feet tall," says Christopher Walken, who voices the character. "But he's as charming as he is intimidating when he wants to be.”

Voiced by Idris Elba, Shere Khan bears the scars of man, which fuel his hatred of humans. Convinced that Mowgli poses a threat, the bengal tiger is determined to rid the jungle of the man-cub. "Shere Khan reigns with fear," says Elba. "He terrorizes everyone he encounters because he comes from a place of fear."

Kaa is a massive python who uses her voice and hypnotic gaze to entrance Mowgli. The man-cub can't resist her captivating embrace. "Kaa seduces and entraps Mowgli with her storytelling," says Scarlett Johansson. "She's the mirror into Mowgli's past. The way she moves is very alluring, almost coquettish."

Lightyear Looks So Funny!

All images: Pixar

The latest trailer for Pixar's Lightyear is absolutely hilarious. After Buzz makes a mistake of monumental proportions, he'll do anything to make it right, even team up with a group of not quite rookies.

Here's the official synopsis from Pixar:

The definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the toy, “Lightyear” follows the legendary Space Ranger after he’s marooned on a hostile planet 4.2 million light-years from Earth alongside his commander and their crew. As Buzz tries to find a way back home through space and time, he’s joined by a group of ambitious recruits and his charming robot companion cat, Sox. Complicating matters and threatening the mission is the arrival of Zurg, an imposing presence with an army of ruthless robots and a mysterious agenda.

The film features the voices of Chris Evans as accomplished Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear, Uzo Aduba as his commander and best friend Alisha Hawthorne and Peter Sohn as Sox. Keke Palmer, Taika Waititi and Dale Soules lend their voices to the Junior Zap Patrol’s Izzy Hawthorne, Mo Morrison and Darby Steel, respectively, and James Brolin can be heard as the enigmatic Zurg. The voice cast also includes Mary McDonald-Lewis as onboard computer I.V.A.N., Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Commander Burnside, Efren Ramirez as Airman Diaz, and Keira Hairston as Young Izzy.

Lightyear arrives in theaters on June 17th. 

To Infinity... And Beyond!

All images: Pixar

The second trailer for Lightyear has been revealed and it looks like one amazing, and very unexpected, adventure.

I can't wait!

Here's the official synopsis from Pixar:

The definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the toy, “Lightyear” follows the legendary Space Ranger after he’s marooned on a hostile planet 4.2 million light-years from Earth alongside his commander and their crew. As Buzz tries to find a way back home through space and time, he’s joined by a group of ambitious recruits and his charming robot companion cat, Sox. Complicating matters and threatening the mission is the arrival of Zurg, an imposing presence with an army of ruthless robots and a mysterious agenda. A new poster and images are also available. 

The film features the voices of Chris Evans as accomplished Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear, Uzo Aduba as his commander and best friend Alisha Hawthorne and Peter Sohn as Sox. Keke Palmer, Taika Waititi and Dale Soules lend their voices to the Junior Zap Patrol’s Izzy Hawthorne, Mo Morrison and Darby Steel, respectively, and James Brolin can be heard as the enigmatic Zurg. The voice cast also includes Mary McDonald-Lewis as onboard computer I.V.A.N., Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Commander Burnside, Efren Ramirez as Airman Diaz, and Keira Hairston as Young Izzy.

Lightyear arrives in theaters on June 17th. 

Hoppers on Digital and Bluray

All images: Pixar

Pixar's Hoppers will soon be available to view at home. The movie is headed to Digital this month and Blu-ray in June, so you'll be able to watch the wild antics of Mabel and her new animal friends anytime.

Here's the official synopsis from Pixar: 

What if you could talk to animals and understand what they’re saying? In Disney and Pixar’s all-new feature film “Hoppers,” scientists have discovered how to “hop” human consciousness into lifelike robotic animals, allowing people to communicate with animals as animals! 

The adventure introduces Mabel, an animal lover who seizes an opportunity to use the technology, uncovering mysteries within the animal world that are beyond anything she could have imagined. “Hoppers” features the voices of Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, and Jon Hamm.

And here are the fun bonus features that may accompany the film:

• The Critter Diaries: Wander behind the scenes with director Daniel Chong and the Pixar team as they explore Yellowstone, study wildlife, and find real-life inspiration for our favourite new animated characters from Hoppers.
• Hopping In: The Making of Hoppers: Hop into the making of the movie as filmmakers, cast, and crew share how their ideas, collaboration, and creative process brought the story, animation, and lovable characters to life in Pixar’s Hoppers.
• “Meet King George” Scene Breakdown: Dive deep with director Daniel Chong and his filmmaking team as they reveal the craft of making King George’s Superlodge. Get insight into the directing process, editing, VFX, animation, and production design.
• Beaverton Revealed: Explore Hoppers to find surprising Pixar film cameos, hidden references, and plenty of fun, behind-the-scenes facts.
• Dam Good Bloopers: Laugh along with your favourite voice actors from Hoppers as they have fun bringing their characters to life in the recording booth.
• Deleted Scenes: Check out these scenes that didn’t make the final cut, as introduced by director Daniel Chong and editor Axel Geddes.
• Cold Open
• The Glade
• The Mission
• Kings Arrive
• George’s Bachelor Pad
• Helicopter Ride

Hoppers arrives on Digital on April 28th and Blu-ray on June 2nd.

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.