Christmas movies often feature Santa Claus, and while most people know him as the cheerful gift-giver of Christmas Eve, he’s been portrayed in some unusual ways over the years. We see variations of Santa delivering presents, like the quirky version in The Santa Clause, and many films feature people playing Santa, but aren’t the real deal, such as in Bad Santa.
From classic Christmas movies to surprisingly scary horror films, here’s a look at some of the strangest Santa Claus characters ever put on screen.
7) Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale
Forget everything you know about Santa Claus. The Finnish film Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale presents a truly unique – and terrifying – take on the holiday legend. This dark, R-rated comedy follows a group who don’t deliver presents, but hunt down and capture feral Santas. Instead of jolly gift-givers, these Santas are gaunt, aggressive creatures who punish bad children… severely. The film’s clever twist? The captured Santas are broken and trained, ultimately ending up as the mall Santas we all know – a darkly humorous origin story, to say the least.
6) Rise of the Guardians
Released in 2012, Rise of the Guardians is a DreamWorks animated film that many consider to be underappreciated. The movie features beloved holiday figures – Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and Sandman – who must team up with a new guardian, Jack Frost, to defeat the villainous Pitch Black. Pitch Black is trying to steal the joy from children around the world. Alec Baldwin provides the voice for Santa Claus, portrayed as a strong and capable leader. Seeing Santa as a warrior is a fun twist, and this movie deserves a wider audience.
5) The Christmas Chronicles
The 2018 Netflix film, The Christmas Chronicles, offers a fresh take on Santa Claus, played by Kurt Russell. Unlike the traditional jolly depiction, Russell’s Santa is cool, a bit of a rule-breaker, and even admits he isn’t overweight. He’s shown as someone who playfully manages his elves, occasionally indulges in mischief, and even orchestrates the events of the movie to help two children – revealing a cunning side. The film also features exciting car chases and a modern, unconventional North Pole, setting it apart from other Santa Claus movies.
4) Arthur Christmas
The animated film Arthur Christmas offers a unique take on Santa Claus. Instead of focusing on Santa himself, the story centers on his son, Arthur, who must step up to save Christmas. This version of Santa doesn’t personally deliver all the presents worldwide; instead, he oversees a modern, high-tech operation run by his older son, Steve. The film highlights the true spirit of Christmas through Arthur, and reveals that ‘Santa’ is a legacy passed down through the family, rather than a single person.
3) Santa’s Slay
Santa’s Slay is a horror movie with a Christmas twist, featuring Bill Goldberg as Santa Claus. The film reveals that Santa wasn’t originally the jolly gift-giver we know today. He’s actually a demon who was compelled to deliver presents for a thousand years after losing a bet with an angel. Once the bet is up, Santa embraces his demonic nature and switches from giving gifts to spreading terror. Goldberg delivers a surprisingly enjoyable and playfully wicked performance as the evil Santa.
2) Violent Night
While other movies have shown a dark side to Santa Claus, “Violent Night” puts him on the side of the heroes. David Harbour, known from “Stranger Things,” plays a Santa who’s become disillusioned with children’s behavior and prefers a drink to spreading cheer. In this action-comedy, Santa steps in to protect a young girl when mercenaries attack her family’s home – and he recognizes them all from his naughty list! Harbour’s performance was a hit, and the movie is getting a sequel planned for 2026.
1) Miracle on 34th Street
The character of Kris Kringle in Miracle on 34th Street is a beloved, yet unusual, portrayal of Santa Claus. What makes it so unique is the question of whether he actually is Santa – it’s the power of belief that truly matters. Actor Edmund Gwenn famously won an Academy Award for playing Kringle, a man who finds himself in court, fighting to prove he isn’t delusional. If he loses, he’ll be committed to an institution. The film hinges on whether he can convince everyone he’s the real Santa, or at least that people want to believe. The story seems to conclude with Kringle returning to a retirement home, suggesting he was simply a kind elderly man, but a final, magical scene involving a little girl’s home and Santa’s cane hints that Christmas magic was real after all.
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2025-12-21 20:10