What's in Santa’s Netflix queue?

Ash Walker • 18 Dec 2024 Features

‘Tis the season to be binging.

Picture this: jolly old St Nick, exhausted from a night of delivering presents across the globe, kicks off his boots and curls up in front of the TV with a plate of cookies and a well-deserved glass of milk.

But what is he watching? What, exactly, does Kris Kringle put on to unwind? Well, we’ve been crunching the numbers and pulling the crackers, and we think we’ve figured it out.

Read on to find out what we think is on Santa’s Netflix Watchlist.

The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

Credit: The Christmas Chronicles | Official Trailer | Netflix (Netflix, YouTube)

There have been some world-class movie Santas over the years, including the likes of Ed Asner and Richard Attenborough, but let’s be honest - if the man himself could choose anyone to play him in a film, it’d be Kurt Russell.

The screen legend brings a gruff-but-sweet charisma to the role; a svelte, sassy Santa who gets mad about his blubbery appearance in popular culture and breaks out a jazzy saxophone solo during an impromptu prison-based musical number.

And it doesn’t hurt that he appears in one of the few actually decent modern Christmas movies. From Chris Columbus, the director of such past holiday classics as Home Alone and Gremlins (not to mention the first Harry Potter film), The Christmas Chronicles is a fun festive romp that cheekily plays around with the established lore.

One that’s always on Santa’s Christmas watchlist.

Violent Night (2022)

Credit: Violent Night - Official Trailer (Universal Pictures, YouTube)

Speaking of great, lovably gruff movie Santas, David Harbour (Stranger Things) brings his trademark worldweary snarkiness to this one - surely another of St Nick’s festive favourites. I mean, who wouldn’t want to watch themselves in a Die Hard-style action movie?

The excellently-named Violent Night pits Kris Kringle against a band of armed criminals, who are holding a wealthy family hostage on Christmas Eve. The plot is pretty basic, but there are some clever set pieces as the jolly old elf uses his powers to dispatch the bad guys in some pretty novel ways.

Is it Cake? Holiday (2024)

Credit: Is It Cake? | Official Trailer | Netflix (Netflix, YouTube)

If there’s one thing Santa loves more than Christmas, it’s sweet treats. Even after consuming billions of cookies on Christmas Eve, the big man’s sweet tooth is never sated.

Which is why he’d be drawn to this festive baking competition show like a moth to Christmas lights.

The Is It Cake? holiday special brings back allstars from previous seasons to craft mind-bogglingly realistic replicas of ice skates, nutcrackers and all sorts of winter miscellany. With a rotating panel of celebrity judges and some genuinely impressive craft on display, this is one that Santa will surely gobble up.

Klaus (2019)

Credit: Klaus | Official Trailer | Netflix (Netflix, YouTube)

Another gruff Santa with a heart of gold here - is there any other kind? This wonderful animated movie offers a novel, unique spin on St Nick’s humble origins.

In this version, Santa is a misanthropic woodsman with a talent for making toys. When a spoiled postal worker comes to town, he sees Nick’s soft spot for children as a potential money-maker, and a way back to his lavish lifestyle.

But, of course, along the way the two of them become good friends, the town becomes a better place to live, and everyone learns the power of generosity and kindness.

Is this a true-to-life depiction of Santa’s beginnings? Only the big man himself can say for sure, but either way Klaus is a beautiful film that deserves way more attention.

Certainly more than some of Netflix’s other Christmas efforts - looking at you, Hot Frosty.

A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter (2024)

Credit: A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter | Official Trailer | Netflix (Netflix, YouTube)

You’d be forgiven for thinking that the North Pole is a bit… behind the times - all wooden toys and carols by candlelight - but perhaps more than anyone, Santa Claus has to keep his finger on the pulse.

Just think of all the modern tech he and his elves have to get to grips with, all the hot new trends they need to understand. So it stands to reason that St Nick would be au fait with one of the summer’s biggest (figuratively) popstars.

In fact, he’s probably going to be blasting Sabrina’s festive EP, Fruitcake, from his sleigh on Christmas Eve. And he’ll surely be popping on her brand new Netflix variety show once his work’s done.

Filled with comedy skits, celebrity guests and, of course, a ton of musical numbers, this is exactly the kind of fluff Santa needs to unwind after a long night of gift-giving. Plus, it makes a great double-feature with Bill Murray’s 2015 festive special, A Very Murray Christmas.

All of the movies and TV shows mentioned here are available to stream right now on Netflix. So why not add them to your own Watchlist, grab some Christmas cookies and get stuck in?