Santa On Film: The 10 Most Memorable Movie Portrayals

Culture
Santa On Film: The 10 Most Memorable Movie Portrayals
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The holiday season is a special time – and not just because of all the gifts. There are merry songs, delicious dishes, colourful decorations, twinkling lights and beautifully trimmed trees. Yet, as every child (and child at heart) knows, one of the most exciting moments of Christmastime is when you look up at the night sky, wondering if you might glimpse reindeer or hear a jolly voice bellowing “Ho Ho Ho!” These days, a lot of our Santa Claus legends and myths come from popular culture, and films especially. But among all the loveable St Nicks who’ve graced cinemas over the years, which ones are the best? Join us as we round up our list of the most memorable portrayals of Father Christmas ever seen on screen.

[Image: chrispecoraro/iStock]

By Victoria Luxford

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Santa On Film: The 10 Most Memorable Movie Portrayals.
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David Huddleston in Santa Claus: The Movie – David Huddleston was a character actor known for his roles in cult comedies like The Big Lebowski and Blazing Saddles. Somewhat unexpectedly, he seemed to embody the spirit of Christmas in this fictional tale of how a 14th-century villager inherited the title of Santa Claus and went on to contend with a wayward elf (Dudley Moore) and escalating consumerism in 20th-century America. As well as looking and sounding the part, Huddleston’s Santa portrayed the very relatable struggle to keep the true meaning of Christmas dear, even in increasingly fraught times.

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Santa On Film: The 10 Most Memorable Movie Portrayals.
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Hannu-Pekka Björkman in Christmas Story – Evidence that Santa doesn’t exclusively belong to Hollywood! Offering a more grounded version of Santa Claus’ origins, this 2007 film (not to be confused with the 1983 classic A Christmas Story) focuses on an orphan named Nikolas who is taken in by a different family in his village from one Christmas to the next. Grateful for their kindness, he leaves carved presents for the families on Christmas Day as he leaves, slowly creating the legend of Santa Claus as he grows older. A more solemn take on the character, the film shows how acts of reciprocal kindness can grow into something quite special.

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Santa On Film: The 10 Most Memorable Movie Portrayals.
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Jim Broadbent in Get Santa – Oscar winner Jim Broadbent has played Santa Claus a few times, but this live-action caper epitomises the jollity he brings to the part. After a holiday mishap sees this cuddly and loveable Santa imprisoned, it’s up to a young child and his father to get him out. Broadbent’s portrayal is much as you’d expect: a merry old man whose optimism stands in stark contrast with the harsh contemporary world – and perhaps teaches us a little bit about ourselves.

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Santa On Film: The 10 Most Memorable Movie Portrayals.
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Kurt Russell in The Christmas Chronicles – “I don’t go ‘ho ho ho’; that’s a myth,” says Kurt Russell’s Santa Claus, who enlists a couple of children to help him save Christmas. There’s a bit more of an edge to Russell’s portrayal, as this particular spirit of Christmas loves rock and roll, and he laments his rift with Mrs Claus (played by real-life partner Goldie Hawn). The ‘80s action hero injects a little more fun into the season, making Santa an energetic reminder of the carefree moments we enjoyed as a child – and still can.

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Billy Bob Thornton in Bad Santa – Unlike the rest of the characters on this list, Willie T. Soke (Billy Bob Thornton) is neither kid-friendly nor the actual Santa Claus. Soke is a thief who poses as a department store Santa in order to rob the shop during Christmas, but his heart and mind are changed when he befriends an eight-year-old boy. While short on magic, this grown-up comedy does show how the wonder of the famous red suit can thaw even the coldest of hearts.

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Ed Asner in Elf – While not as gruff as Bad Santa, Ed Asner (whose voice you may recognise from the Pixar film Up) played a world-weary version of Santa Claus who struggled with his duties, given the declining Christmas spirit around the globe. With help from the titular elf played by Will Ferrell, his Santa shows that, even if it can be hard sometimes to be as hopeful as we’d like, a little bit of wonder and belief can turn things around for the better.

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Santa On Film: The 10 Most Memorable Movie Portrayals.
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Tom Hanks in The Polar Express – From Forrest Gump to A Man Called Otto, Tom Hanks is a movie star whom we all associate with warmth and security. It makes sense, then, that he was the perfect choice to play the Claus in this animated adventure (although it was just one of several roles the Oscar winner had in the film!). His comforting voice feels like it comes straight from the North Pole, and the beautiful script takes every viewer back to those magical years as a youngster looking out for Santa’s sleigh.

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Santa On Film: The 10 Most Memorable Movie Portrayals.
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J.K. Simmons in Klaus – This hand-drawn animation offers a fictional origin story for Santa Claus, set in a 19th-century Norwegian town. Jason Schwartzman voices Jasper, a postman for the town who teams up with a reclusive toymaker (Klaus), encouraging him to deliver his toys to children in the village in order to bring them some happiness. Klaus’s story is tinged with tragedy, but it’s a depiction of what the ideal Santa Claus means to people: a kindly figure who brings a little bit of happiness no matter how people’s lives are going, and ensures no child goes without.

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Santa On Film: The 10 Most Memorable Movie Portrayals.
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Tim Allen in The Santa Clause Series – What happens when an ordinary dad unwittingly takes on the role of Santa? He becomes a holiday favourite! Buzz Lightyear voice Tim Allen created another ‘90s hit when he played a father who helps Santa while in a crisis, donning Santa’s suit and unknowingly activating a ‘Santa clause’ that makes him St Nick’s official successor. Spanning three films and a TV series, Allen’s portrayal has always been about the inner child in all of us that wants to believe in the magic of the season.

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Sir Richard Attenborough in Miracle On 34^th Street (1994) – We end with perhaps the most definitive portrayal of Santa Claus on film. A remake of the beloved 1947 story, Sir Richard Attenborough plays a department store Santa Claus who claims to be the real thing. After being threatened with institutionalisation for what others consider his grandiose delusions, it’s up to a mother and daughter to prove he is the real thing. The film is about the power of believing, and Attenborough embodies the spirit of everything that’s good in the holiday season. One of the greatest actors of his generation, he brought an authenticity to the role that makes viewers big and small repeat the film’s mantra: “I Believe”.

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Quiz: What Christmas Movie Are You?
Everyone has a favourite holiday film – unless you're a Scrooge, that is! Take our quiz to see which festive classic encapsulates your feelings about the festive season...

Quiz: The Movie Santa You Need This Christmas
Hardly anyone has been reimagined by Hollywood as often as jolly ol' St Nick. Take this quiz, and we’ll tell you which beloved movie Santa best matches your Christmas spirit

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Santa On Film: The 10 Most Memorable Movie Portrayals

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Quiz: The Movie Santa You Need This Christmas

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