Movies Like The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

If you liked The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (1985), a animation and family movie directed by Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass, here are 20 movies with a similar feel, based on TMDB's recommendations. Each one links to its cast, trailer and where it's streaming.

1
The Boss Baby: Christmas Bonus (2022)
★ 6.7/10Also animation and family
Christmas Eve takes a twisty turn when the Boss Baby accidentally swaps places with one of Santa's elves and gets stranded at the North Pole.
2
Prep & Landing (2009)
★ 6.9/10Also animation and family
Wayne gets a new rookie partner, Lanny, after his previous partner got the promotion he wanted. Lanny has to remind Wayne of the Spirit of Christmas and the importance of being an elf in Santa's Prep and Landing elite…
3
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
★ 7.4/10Also animation and family
Sam the snowman tells us the story of a young red-nosed reindeer who, after being ousted from the reindeer games because of his glowing nose, teams up with Hermey, an elf who wants to be a dentist, and Yukon Cornelius…
4
That Christmas (2024)
★ 7.2/10Also animation and family
It's an unforgettable Christmas for the townsfolk of Wellington-on-Sea when the worst snowstorm in history alters everyone's plans — including Santa's.
5
Arthur Christmas (2011)
★ 6.8/10Also animation and family
For hundreds of years, the Claus family has delegated the title "Santa" to a chosen few of its members, which can be passed down upon retirement. Each Christmas, Santa and his vast army of highly trained elves produce…
6
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
★ 7.9/10Also animation and family
Tired of scaring humans every October 31 with the same old bag of tricks, Jack Skellington, the spindly Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, kidnaps Santa Claus and plans to deliver shrunken heads and other ghoulish gifts…
7
Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas (2004)
★ 7/10Also animation and family
Santa Claus, Mickey Mouse and all his Disney pals star in an original movie about the importance of opening your heart to the true spirit of Christmas. Stubborn old Donald tries in vain to resist the joys of the…
8
It's a SpongeBob Christmas! (2012)
★ 7.1/10Also family and animation
At Christmastime in Bikini Bottom, everyone's excited except Plankton, who always gets a lump of coal from Santa. But he vows this year he'll finally get his wish – the Krabby Patty formula! And it won't be by being…
9
The Smurfs: A Christmas Carol (2011)
★ 6.7/10Also animation and family
When Grouchy Smurf behaves badly to everyone and refuses to celebrate Christmas, the Smurfs of Christmas Past, Present and Future teach him to appreciate Christmas.
10
Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas (2021)
★ 7/10Also animation and family
Shaun's seasonal excitement turns to dismay when a farmhouse raid to get bigger stockings for the flock inadvertently leads to Timmy going missing. Can Shaun get Timmy back before he becomes someone else’s present?
11
The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)
★ 7.2/10Also animation and family
Feeling forgotten by the children of the world, old St. Nick decides to skip his gift-giving journey and take a vacation. Mrs. Claus and two spunky little elves, Jingle and Jangle, set out to see to where all the…
12
The Polar Express (2004)
★ 6.7/10Also animation and family
When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.
13
Marvel Super Hero Adventures: Frost Fight! (2015)
★ 6/10Also animation and family
The holiday season gets extra chilly as Loki and the frost giant Ymir plot to conquer the world. Marvel heroes Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, Thor and others must stop the villains from stealing Santa's power – if…
14
Toy Story That Time Forgot (2014)
★ 7.1/10Also animation and family
During a post-Christmas play date, the gang find themselves in uncharted territory when the coolest set of action figures ever turn out to be dangerously delusional. It's all up to Trixie, the triceratops, if the gang…
15
The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus (2000)
★ 7.1/10Also animation and family
Based on the popular book by L. Frank Baum, the beloved author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, comes the incredible story of The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus. Many centuries ago, long before toys had even been…
16
Mickey Saves Christmas (2022)
★ 7.3/10Also animation and family
Mickey, Minnie and their pals attempt to celebrate the perfect Christmas at their snowy cabin. However, when Pluto causes Santa to lose all the presents on his sleigh, the friends travel to the North Pole on a quest to…
17
Barbie in 'A Christmas Carol' (2008)
★ 7.2/10Also animation and family
On Christmas Eve, Kelly is reluctant to go to a Christmas Eve ball, so Barbie tells her the story of Eden Starling, a glamorous singing diva in the Victorian England and the owner of a theatre house. However, Eden is…
18
Robin Robin (2021)
★ 7/10Also animation and family
A bird raised by mice begins to question where she belongs and sets off on a daring journey of self-discovery.
19
Dashing Through the Snow (2023)
★ 6.1/10Also family
Eddie Garrick is a good-hearted man who has lost his belief in the wonder of Christmas. While spending time with his nine-year-old daughter Charlotte on Christmas Eve, he befriends a mysterious man in a red suit named…
20
Olive, the Other Reindeer (1999)
★ 6.7/10Also animation and family
After mis-hearing a radio broadcast about Santa canceling his Christmas trip due to an injured reindeer, Olive the dog decides to travel to the North Pole and volunteer to be a replacement. Unfortunately, Olive must…