Father Christmas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, Santa Claus. Call him what you will, we tend to think of the big guy in the red suit when it comes to December. He knows whether youโve been naughty or nice, he sees you when youโre sleeping (kinda creepy), and knows when youโre awake (still creepy). Yes, Santa isnโt always what we expect. Just as heโs had many evolutions (he used to wear a tan or green suit), heโs also been portrayed in a variety of ways in the movies. Here are five of our favourites.
Edmund Gwenn in Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Some movies have Santa as an actual character, others have characters dress up as Santa. This movie has a little of both. For one thing, the man who dresses up as Santa to listen to Christmas wishes at Macyโs department store is literally called Kris Kringle. For another, as the film progresses there is a back and forth (and even a whole court case) on whether or not Kris actually is Santa.
The Voices of Chris Sarandon, Danny Elfman, and Ed Ivory in The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
This stop-motion animation from the mind of Tim Burton has an actual Santa Claus (whom the characters mistakenly think is called Sandy Claws) and an imposter, so to speak. When Jack Skellington, whoโs in charge of Halloween Town, gets bored of all the scariness and spookiness of his holiday, he decides to try running Christmas Town instead. The result is a dark and funny musical, filled with festive spirit.
Billy Bob Thornton in Bad Santa (2003)
Speaking of characters who dress up as Santa, but arenโt Santa, Billy Bob Thornton is another great example. As Willie in the black comedy Bad Santa, heโs everything the title suggests, as he dresses up as Santa to rob malls with his pretending-to-be-an-elf partner-in-festive-crime.
Ed Asner in Elf (2003)
This festive film is full of comedy, carols, and elves. Starring Will Ferrell, it follows his character Buddy Hobbs, who has been raised by elves but isnโt one himself. Santa makes an appearance too, of course. Heโs played by Ed Asner, who looks every inch the part.
Tom Hanks in The Polar Express (2004)
Tom Hanks provides a number of voices for this animation, amongst them Santa Claus. As one of the nicest guys in Hollywood, we think itโs most apt to place him in the role. And to cap it off, The Polar Express is a sweet, heart-warming, perfect-for-the-whole-family holiday film that will make you believe in the Christmas spirit again, if not in Santa.
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Feature image: Getty Images.