Ho! Ho! Ho! The figure of Santa Claus, an image of Christmas and the idea of gift giving, dates back to the 17th Century in Britain, or at least the St. Nick we all have come to know and love. His image has spread in all forms of media, including movies, a subject dear to our hearts here on Killer Film. With hundreds of Christmas movies, there must be an equal amount of Santa’s appearing in those films. So, which ones are the most memorable? Which ones display unique images or variations of Santa, yet remain true to his spirit? Let’s countdown the Top 10 Movie Santa Clauses!

10 – Santa with Muscles (1996): Santa is played by Hulk Hogan.

The character of Blake (Hogan) suffers from amnesia and believes he is the real Santa. In the spirit of Christmas, Blake…err, Santa beats up some bad guys in order to save an Orphanage. Okay, it might be on IMBD’s worst films of all-time, yet the Hulkster as Santa is a silly idea, yet a funny one, and we get to see a very young Mila Kunis. Santa has never been this tough.

9 – Ernest Saves Christmas (1988): Santa is played by Douglas Seale.

Oh, Ernest! Santa visits Orlando to find a new Santa, since he is aging at 151 years old, only to be rejected by his chosen replacement, and even loses his sack of toys for all the children! Displaying all of the qualities of Santa, he’s a bit senile, sadly. Luckily, good old Ernest saves the day and delivers all of the toys on Christmas Eve night, as a temporary Santa. Two Santa’s for the price of one, KnowWhatIMean? Works for me, and both have what we like in our Santa.

8 – The Santa Clause (1994): Santa is played by Tim Allen.

Okay, Tim Allen might be in the penalty box for being in too many Santa/Christmas movies, but this cute movie is a fun twist on the lore. Scott Calvin (Allen) is a bitter divorced father, who yells at the so-called trespasser on his roof. The sudden noise scares the man, making him slip and fall, killing Santa Claus. Scott is issued a clause against his will, but by the end, he fulfills the agreement as the one, true Santa much to the delight of his son. Silly sequels aside, this is a what Santa is all about.

7 – Nightmare Before Christmas (1993): Santa is voiced by Edward Ivory.

While Jack Skellington takes over as Santa, in costume and in practice, he mucks it all up. The real Santa must not only restore the wrongdoings of Jack’s misinterpretation of Christmas, but has to kick Oogie Boogie’s butt! Now, that’s a Santa!

6 – Tales from the Crypt; Season 1, Episode 2 – All Through the House (1989): Santa is played by Larry Drake.

Fred Dekker (Monster Squad) writes one of the more memorable and simple, yet effective episodes from this classic HBO series. Is there anyone more scarier than Larry Drake? How about Drake with some ugly teeth and dressed as a killer Santa? He plays a silent, deranged escaped mental patient who stalks a greedy woman on Christmas Eve. Just when she thinks she’s defeated him, her son calls up to her holding his hand. Santa has an axe behind his back. As the Crypt Keeper says, “Oh, don’t worry about little Carrie. This particular Santa preferred older women… in pieces, that is.” One of the cooler killer Santa’s out there.

5 – Bad Santa (2003): Santa is played by Billy Bob Thornton.

Perhaps the most blackest comedy about Santa ever, Willie (Thornton) is the anti-Santa. A bitter mall Santa by day, and a thief at night, who doesn’t love his attitude about the holidays. But in the end, even Willie’s black heart comes to the spirit of Christmas, albeit in the clever manner.

4 – A Christmas Story (1983): Santa is played by Jeff Gillen.

The iconic Christmas film has one of the definitive mall Santa’s ever in film. Gillen’s Santa is a bitter slave to the dollar, quickly letting the crying kids go. His voice should send chills down any kids spine. But poor Ralphie must go to Santa, because he is the only person on Earth to get him a Red Rider BB gun for Christmas, and what does Santa say? “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.” Of course, besides being crushed, poor Ralphie is pushed by Santa’s boot down that enormous slide with the meanest sounding “Ho! Ho! Ho!” ever. Mall Santa’s have never been the same for any Midwestern kid.

3 – How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966): Grinch is voiced by Boris Karloff.

While the Grinch is a symbol of bitterness, how can we not have him on the list? The spirit of Christmas cannot be stopped, something the Grinch, dressed up as Santa realizes. But he’s convincing, even to little Cindy Lou Who. Might not be the Santa is the traditional sense, as the film is more about the meaning of Christmas,  the Grinch in the home-made Santa outfit is a classic image.

2 – Christmas Evil (1980): Santa is played by Brandon Maggart.

Harry loves Christmas. So much so, he has books on Good and Bad Boys and Girls. When his toy company might not have enough toys for some kids in a hospital, so he decides to make the Christmas spirit a reality. While he delivers toys to all of the good boys and girls, he punishes the bad-violently. A horror film that has more understanding of Christmas than most Christmas movies, as the original title suggests, You Better Watch Out!

1 – Miracle on 34th Street (1947): Santa is played by Edmund Gwenn.

Is there any Santa more classic and iconic than Kris Kringle in this film? He’s a warm soul, played beautifully by Edmund Gwenn, and even when nobody believes in him, he still smiles, because a little girl (Natalie Wood) sees that he’s the real Santa. A great film for the holidays that features one of film’s best Santa Clauses.

Missing a Santa you liked? Feel free to comment below!

Tags: Bad Santa, Christmas Evil, Fred Dekker, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street, silent night deadly night, Top 10 Movie Santa Clauses