Santa Claus is one of the most reinterpreted and reinvented characters in all of fiction, and the movie industry is the biggest repeat offender. There has been a whole slew of Santas throughout the medium of film, and audiences essentially have their pick of who is the best and the worst.
With that in mind, not all Santa interpretations are all mistletoe and holly. In fact, some versions of Santa are absolutely evil. From alcoholic mall Santas to straight-up slasher villains, there are as many naughty versions as there are nice ones. So whether magical or malicious, which versions of St. Nick truly stand out?
10 Naughty: The Mall Santa (A Christmas Story)
He might not be inherently naughty, but the mall Santa from A Christmas Story isn't exactly one of the jolliest of the bunch. This Santa is obviously just some guy trying to get a paycheck before Christmas.
He's more than likely not a bad guy, he's just tired of dealing with screaming kids but that does interfere with his performance. Honestly, he's probably the most sympathetic one on the naughty list.
9 Nice: Jack Skellington (The Nightmare Before Christmas)
He might be stealing the Grinch's M.O. by assuming the role of Santa Claus, but no one can match Jack Skellington for pure, unfiltered, joy when he dons the hat and coat. His idea of Christmas might be more scary than merry, but at least his heart is in the right place.
While Jack and Santa have very different definitions of holiday cheer, Jack's glee as he sets out to deliver his ghoulish gifts is downright infectious. Maybe Santa could hire him on as an alternate Claus?
8 Naughty: Santa (Fred Claus)
Paul Giamatti's Santa isn't bad. He's just overworked and stressed out trying to manage his holiday duties along with his screw-up brother, Fred. That being said, this version of Santa Claus does not behave like the joyful gift-giver everyone knows and loves.
In fact, his brother brings out the absolute worst side of him. This Santa is angry, bitter, and absolutely nothing like the character. But at least Giamatti's performance is solid.
7 Nice: Father Christmas (The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe)
Although he doesn't appear in the film very long, Narnia's medieval-inspired Santa definitely deserves some recognition. Instead of the typical red-suited Santa, Father Christmas looks like the type to pick up a sword rather than a bag of gifts.
As the White Witch's spell weakens, so does Christmas return along with a visit from St. Nick. But instead of toys and trinkets, this Santa bestows the Pevensie children with weapons they'll need in the oncoming battle. How many Santas are out there giving out swords and daggers?
6 Naughty: Willie T. Soke (Bad Santa)
Honestly, it's right there in the title of the flick. Willie is by no means Santa Claus material by any stretch of the imagination. He drinks, smokes, swears, and that's just the mild offenses he commits in the Santa suit.
Let's not forget that Willie is a professional thief and con man looking for his next big score. At least he has some decency in teaching the dim-witted Thurman to take up for himself.
5 Nice: Scott Calvin/Santa (The Santa Clause)
From naughty to nice, Scott Calvin's transformation into Santa is 100% worthy of a spot on the list. A product of the '90s this Santa might be but Tim Allen's performance is unforgettable, to say the least.
If one were to choose a definitive film Santa, this one would be some serious top-tier material. Scott's journey of redemption gives his Santa a much more humanistic quality that few versions of the character receive. It serves as a gentle reminder that giving is always better than gaining.
4 Naughty: Krampus (Krampus)
Krampus is the monstrous manifestation of the naughty list, and he's not the kind to let viewers forget it either. Essentially Santa's evil twin, Krampus comes in the night not to give but to take.
Assisted by his legion of evil elves and malicious misfit toys, he makes the dysfunctional Engle family regret losing their holiday spirit. But as scary and sinister as this hooded horror is, there are a lot worse ways to go out than getting stuffed in a bag, right?
3 Nice: Malcolm “Santa” Claus (Arthur Christmas)
He's absentminded and forgetful, but this Santa truly has one of the biggest hearts out of any version out there. The patriarch of the Claus clan in Arthur Christmas might be getting a bit too off his gourd to accurately perform his Santa duties, but the love he has for his job and the children of the world is absolutely undeniable.
It's an unusual interpretation of the character, but one that certainly wins the admiration of the audience every time.
2 Naughty: Santa (Santa’s Slay)
Krampus might have been a monster, but at least he didn't kill the members of his naughty list. The same could not be said for Bill Goldberg's interpretation in Santa's Slay.
In this holiday horror movie, Santa is an ancient demon who loses a bet with an angel that forces him to spend 1000 years spreading joy. But when the 1000 years are up, he goes on a Christmas killing spree. Santa as a slasher character is nothing new, but this one definitely has a little extra malice.
1 Nice: Kris Kringle (Miracle on 34th Street)
Whether it's Edmund Gwenn or Richard Attenborough, Kris Kringle from Miracle on 34th Street has to be the contender for everyone's favorite Santa. Whether Kris truly is who he says is debatable for some, but there's just something unshakable about his persona that everyone should expect from the figure.
Whether it's Gwenn's elegant charm and demeanor or Attenborough's child-like joy, both versions feel genuine and worthy of the name Santa Claus.
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