12 of the jolliest Santas in pop culture

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Making a list, checking it twice

Elf; MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET — Everett Collection (2)

He's one of the most popular guys on the planet (what with all that excessive gift-giving), so it's no wonder he's been brought to the big and small screens many times over the years. Yes, we're talking about Santa Claus! And since it's the season to be jolly, here are some of his most memorable appearances in pop culture.

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Tim Allen, The Santa Clause franchise (1994–2022)

Okay, so technically Tim Allen's Scott Calvin kills Santa Claus (accidentally!) — but hey, at least he steps up and takes on the demanding job. Fine, he doesn't have any choice in the matter, but, in the end, he even delivers gifts to his ex-wife! And, he got multiple sequels and a Disney+ limited series as a reward!

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Richard Attenborough, Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, Richard Attenborough, Mara Wilson, 1994, TM and Copyright © 20th Century F — Everett Collection

Yes, the 1947 version is considered the classic, but the dulcet tones and kindly demeanor of Mr. Attenborough make his take on Kris Kringle the stuff of miracles.

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Ed Asner, Elf (2003)

Maybe he's a little overshadowed by an elf, but still: "Santa?!" We all know (and love) him!

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Paul Giamatti, Fred Claus (2007)

I mean, he's literally a saint. Need we say more? A shame his saintliness couldn't save the movie overall, though.

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James McAvoy, Arthur Christmas (2011)

Arthur Christmas (2011)Santa (voiced by Jim Broadbent) — Aardman Animations/Sony

Granted, the O.G. Santa isn't so great in this telling, but, when his younger son, Arthur (voiced by James McAvoy), steps up and delivers a present to the kid his dad missed, he more than earns the coveted red suit.

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Kurt Russell, The Christmas Chronicles (2018) and The Christmas Chronicles 2 (2020)

The Christmas ChroniclesKurt Russell as a wisecracking Santa Claus CR: Netflix — Netflix

If you didn't think Santa could be sexy, watch Kurt Russell as the man in the red suit and reconsider.

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The Snowman (1978 book and 1982 TV special)

A Santa who knows how to throw a party is so important at this time of year. Just look at those snowpeople dance!

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David Huddleston, Santa Claus: The Movie (1985)

SANTA CLAUS: THE MOVIE, from left: Dudley Moore, David Huddleston, 1985, ©TriStar Pictures/courtesy — Everett Collection

Befriending an orphan and then adopting him even after he takes the reins and flies his sleigh under the Brooklyn Bridge? Yes, this version of Mr. Claus definitely lands on the nice list.

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Daniel Franzese, Mean Girls (2004)

Damian (Daniel Franzese) makes for the sassiest Santa of them all when he dons the red suit to deliver Candy Cane-grams at North Shore High School and, in doing so, coins the now iconic catchphrase "You go, Glen Coco!" If that's not a true Christmas gift, we don't know what is!

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Matthew Perry, Friends ("The One With the Holiday Armadillo")

He came, he celebrated, he shook his belly like a bowl full of jelly, and he even, somehow, managed to turn on his wife. Yep, Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry) can add Santa Claus to his résumé, up there alongside "transponster."

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Anna Kendrick, Noelle (2019)

When Noelle Kringle's (Anna Kendrick) brother Nick (Bill Hader) skips town due to the stress of taking over from their father Kris Kringle (Jay Brazeau), it's up to Santa's daughter to step up to the sleigh and save Christmas. Of course, we all knew all along that leaving this sacred job in the hands of someone who loves Christmas and wholly epitomizes the Nice List would bring maximum merriment.

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Tom Hanks, The Polar Express (2004)

We've always known Tom Hanks could do it all, so it was not a surprise that he stole our hearts as Mr. Claus (he also plays Scrooge and the train conductor) in what's only a small scene in the 2004 feel-good fantasy.