Santa Cameos in Media

UPDATED 12/5/2023

Not just a Santa in costume!  Let's watch some Santa specials or movies that focus on Santa Claus, the person.

Finding a Santa cameo in kids’ movies or television specials was quite easy.  I loved those stop-motion holiday specials when I was a kid and many of them had Santa appearances.

In the section about movies for grown-ups, I include stories where Santa is not just someone who is only dressed up as Santa.

Following is a list of five kids’ movies or television specials, five films for grown-ups, and as a bonus, I will list the websites that follow Santa’s path on Christmas Eve.

Five Kids’ Movies or Televisions Specials with Santa

  1. Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town:  The special that automatically comes to mind when thinking about Santa!  If you are looking for a visual biography about Santa, this is it!  Watch as Kris Kringle’s hair turns from a fiery red to his traditional white coif!
  2. Polar Express:  Do you still hear the bell or has it gone silent over the years?
  3. Frosty the Snowman:  Santa helps to save the day when things get warm!
  4. The Year Without a Santa Claus:  I just love those heat and snow miser songs!
  5. Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July:  Oddly, Santa tends to behave rather poorly in the Rudolph series, except for this one.

Five Movies for Adults, Too

  1. Miracle on 34th Street (1947):  Santa must convince the world that he exists.
  2. Santa Clause:  What happens when Santa has to be replaced?
  3. Santa Claus the Movie:  Answers many questions about Santa.
  4. Elf:  Will the sleigh have enough power to run this year?
  5. Violent Night:  Disillusioned Santa finds his mojo again.  The only R-Rated movie on this list.

Follow Santa on his Journey

There are a couple of Santa trackers that you can follow on Christmas eve:

Please send me any questions in the comments section below!

Books About Santa

Legends of Santa Claus, book cover
Yes, Virginia There is a Santa Claus, book cover
Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, book cover
Nicholas, book cover
The Real Santa Claus, book cover