11 Christmas Movies That Don't Question Santa

Netflix's Klaus is a beautifully-told origin story of Santa Claus, presented in a totally unique way that still manages to explain all of the key highlights of the tradition without introducing any doubt. When a spoiled young postman is punished with an assignment on a remote (and cold!) island, he befriends a toymaker and starts a tradition that brings the town together.

Shila:  This holiday movie musical for kids on Netflix stars Forest Whitaker as Jeronicus Jangle, a toymaker whose marvelous inventions carry whimsical magic. When one of his most prized possessions is stolen, his young and clever granddaughter sets out on an extraordinary quest to retrieve it. This Santa safe Christmas movie for kids doesn't mention the big guy at all.

Not only does Arthur Christmas fully embrace the story of Santa in a delightfully modern way, it also explains how he manages to deliver all of those presents in one night! Santa is a title passed down through the family, and the current Santa has two very different sons in line for the job. It's a funny and personality-filled Christmas movie that doesn't spoil Santa and will appeal to the entire family.

Alexandra F.:  This retelling of Dickens' classic was my absolute favorite growing up, not least of all because it starred my favorite Disney animated characters. This Christmas movie without Santa tells the tale of the greedy Scrooge, whose visits by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future help reveal the true meaning of Christmas. At only about 30 minutes long, it's short enough to keep even very young kids entertained, though I will note that more sensitive younger viewers might find the ghost of Christmas future a touch scary, so be ready if that's your little one!

Alexandra F.:  When the Kranks decide not to celebrate Christmas one year, it causes a huge outcry in their tight-knit community, leading to plenty of silly and outrageous clashes. When their daughter unexpectedly announces she'll be coming home for the holidays, they quickly turn to these same neighbors - with even more hilarious antics - to create an extravagant, last-minute celebration. Santa barely figures in to this family Christmas comedy about neighbors at odds, and no doubts are raised about his existence, which is actually supported by a quirky side character we are led to believe may be the big man himself.

While the first Home Alone has no place on a list of Christmas movies that don't spoil Santa (it includes a doubt-inducing cameo), he doesn't show up in the sequel beyond the small assumption that Santa may or may not deliver gifts to hotel rooms at the end.

A delightful Muppet spin on the beloved Dickens classic about Ebenezer Scrooge, The Muppet Christmas Carol is one of the few kids Christmas movies without Santa at all. It embraces the idea that Christmas isn't about the gifts. It's about kindness, love and friendship. The music is so wonderful that it might quickly become one of your family's favorite Christmas albums.

Alexandra F.:  Curious George and his friend the Man in the Yellow Hat can't figure out what to get each other for Christmas...but that won't stop each of them from trying his hardest to find a gift as special as his friend! This sweet story with equally sweet songs only mentions Santa in passing as part of the Christmas season, never calling him into question and instead focusing on George, his friends, and all of their preparations as they await the big day.

Kelly R:  We watch this right after Halloween when we're just starting to dip our toes into the Christmas season because it is more on the spooky side, but it's worth mentioning that this is a Santa safe movie pick. When master of Halloween ceremonies Jack Skellington discovers the joy of Christmas, he decides that he wants to run the holiday instead of Santa.

Aside from a comment that he didn't bring someone what they wanted for Christmas last year, Santa really isn't mentioned at all in this Christmas movie from HBO Max. Set in 1980s Chicago, it's about a boy's mission to get his hands on the year's most popular toy...a new Nintendo system.

This new family Christmas movie is out in time for the 2024 holidays. It's based on the silly classic book about an unlikely bunch of siblings who take over an annual Christmas pageant.