With the holiday season upon us, there are many different ways to celebrate Christmas through TV and movies, whether it be finding that perfect rom-com to watch while you cuddle up with a partner or using the season as an excuse to binge on some Christmas-themed horror movies with friends – however you want to enjoy the holidays with friends and family is up to you. There are many little niches that one can use to categorize a holiday film, but there is one that has that little bit of extra fantastical sense of merriment and wonder: A trip to the North Pole.
Christmas films set at the North Pole bring us back to childhood, when the idea of a man in a big red suit making toys with the help of his elves, then getting ready to deliver them worldwide with his trusty reindeer, kept many a kid up late at night on Christmas day. These movies offer us a look at childhood imagination and the joy the holiday can bring in a special, fantastical way, making many of these titles enduring holiday classics. Whether it’s introducing the world to a misunderstood elf leaving home or an adventure to Santa’s workshop to help save the holiday, these are great films that portray what life at the North Pole would look like.
11
‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ (1964)
Though not a full-length film, the fan-favorite 1964 Christmas animated TV special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is based on the timeless holiday tune and is a stop-motion masterpiece that follows the iconic young reindeer as he is ostracized by Santa’s other flying helpers because of his bright and bold red nose, and he goes on a soul-searching journey to discover his self-worth and embrace his uniqueness. The holiday classic features legendary musician Burl Ives as the heartwarming flick’s narrator, and it has been telecast every year since its premiere 59 years ago.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest Christmas films ever made, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer primarily takes place in the enchanting North Pole and chronicles Rudolph’s adventures as he meets many wondrous characters, like an abominable snowman, spirited elves, and of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus. It has been lauded for its captivating animation, positive message, and toe-tapping soundtrack. It has become an undisputed Christmas must-see, loved by viewers during the festive season.
10
‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ (1993)
One of the most beloved Christmas movies of the ’90s and a major cinematic triumph, Henry Selick’s 1993 stop-motion animated fantasy film The Nightmare Before Christmas famously follows the bored King of Halloween Town Jack Skellington (Chris Sarandon), as he ventures into the woods and discovers wondrous holiday-themed worlds hidden within it, including the mesmerizing Christmas Town. Jack decides to shake up his mundane routine and bring some festive spirit to his spooky realm, creating unforeseen problems in both worlds.
Jack is completely mystified when he stumbles upon Christmas Town, located in the North Pole and a jolly representation of the holiday. He takes his time exploring the bright and colorful world, memorably belting out the song “What’s This?” due to his sheer excitement, marveling at the cheerful village, massive decorated Christmas tree, and snowy landscape. The Nightmare Before Christmas is considered one of the best animated films of all time and brilliantly captures the allure and heart of the holiday.
9
‘The Santa Clause’ (1994)
Tim Allen famously took on the role of Jolly Saint Nick in the 1994 comedy The Santa Clause, which tells the story of average father Scott Calvin as he finds his whole world completely turned upside down after he accidentally startles Santa and causes him to fall to his death, resulting in Scott becoming the next Kris Kringle. A highly skeptical Scott discovers he has 11 months to prepare for his official role as Santa, which delights his young son, Charlie, but concerns those around him, who believe he has effectively lost his mind.
After inadvertently causing the original Santa’s demise, Scott and Charlie discover his reindeer and sleigh waiting for them on the roof, and the duo finish delivering presents before being whisked away to the North Pole. Hidden deep within the Arctic ice, they arrive in the magical, snowy land and Santa’s workshop (that Scott has now officially inherited), and the countdown begins for the following Christmas and his transformation into the beloved holiday figure.
8
‘Elf’ (2003)
Undeniably one of the greatest Christmas films of all time that continues to hold up, the spirited and wholesome 2003 comedy Elf stars the phenomenal Will Ferrell as the eccentric Buddy, a man who was raised by elves in the North Pole who learns decades later that he is not actually one of Santa’s little helpers and is actually from the human world. Buddy decides to go on a noble quest to be reunited with his biological father (James Caan) in New York City, spreading festive cheer and holiday glee to those who cross his path.
The North Pole that Buddy grew up in pays homage to the stop-motion claymation used in the Christmas classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, with director Jon Favreau imitating the stylings of Rankin & Bass as Buddy travels through the snowy landscape and says goodbye to his pals before heading off to find his father. Buddy journeys through candy cane fields and even catches up with a wise snowman as he bids farewell to his breathtaking white tundra home in the North Pole.
7
‘The Polar Express’ (2004)
Robert Zemeckis brought the celebrated titular children’s story to life with the 2004 adventure fantasy The Polar Express, brilliantly blending live action elements and motion capture animation to tell the heartwarming tale of a young boy in 1950s Grand Rapids who rediscovers the magic and wonder of Christmas when he is brought aboard the awe-inspiring passenger train and taken to the North Pole. Zemeckis enlisted the help of frequent collaborator Tom Hanks, who ended up voicing a whopping six characters, including the train’s kind-hearted conductor.
After growing skeptical of the existence of Saint Nick, Hero Boy embarks on an unforgettable ride to the hallowed North Pole where he and other children will meet Santa and witness what goes into making the holiday happen. They see the factory where the toys are made, as well as the helpful little elves, and learn that one special child will receive the first gift of Christmas from Santa Claus himself. The Polar Express was lauded for its stunning visuals and animation, and for wonderfully transporting viewers to the fantastical North Pole.
6
‘The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause’ (2006)
Jolly Saint Nick goes toe-to-toe with the devious Jack Frost in the 2006 comedy The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, in which Tim Allen returns as the legendary gift giver and appears alongside Martin Short, following Scott Calvin/Santa as he must contend with not only the arrival of his in-laws but also a power play by Jack Frost, who wants to be in charge of the North Pole. The pair engage in a battle of wits, and Scott must enlist the help of his family and colorful friends to stop his scheme and protect the sanctity of Christmas.
Scott invites his in-laws, ex-wife, and son, Charlie, to visit the North Pole for the holiday season, dazzling his guests with the village’s beauty, majestic views, and its cozy, jubilant spirit. He’s going to need all the help he can get to stop Jack Frost from carrying out his nefarious plan, which wreaks havoc on the North Pole and makes the reindeer and elves miserable despite the joyous nature of the holiday season. Scott must not only save the North Pole from Frost, but also Christmas itself.
5
‘Fred Claus’ (2007)
Vince Vaughn and Paul Giamatti starred as mismatched brothers with vastly different moral compasses in the 2007 comedy Fred Claus, centering on the overshadowed younger brother (Vaughn) of Saint Nick who, after getting in trouble with the law, is bailed out by his legendary sibling (Giamatti) and subsequently brought to the North Pole, where he is forced to work for his money and pay off his debt by helping prepare for Christmas. Fred’s arrival disrupts the law and order of the mystical place and leads to even more problems for Santa, causing uproarious chaos.
Fred trades the bustling city of Chicago for the picturesque North Pole, portrayed as precisely what one would imagine Santa’s home to be: spellbinding storefronts, Kris Kringle’s workshop, and a stunning winter landscape with gorgeous snowflakes and twinkling lights. The self-centered Fred’s poor attitude and antics threaten Christmas from happening, and he eventually teams up with the elves to make the toys needed for all the boys and girls around the world.
4
‘Arthur Christmas’ (2011)
In the critically-acclaimed 2011 animated holiday comedy Arthur Christmas, Santa Claus’ clumsy-yet-earnest son Arthur (James McAvoy) is given the chance to get out of his famous father’s shadow and deliver some holiday magic by racing against the clock to deliver a gift to a forgotten child before Christmas morning. With the help of his quirky grandfather (who is also a retired Saint Nick) and a determined young elf, Arthur sets out to save the day and discover who he truly is while on the crucial quest.
Arthur Christmas depicts the North Pole and Santa Claus a bit differently than the other entries on this list, as his workshop is more industrial, a well-oiled factory featuring cutting-edge technology that blends sci-fi and fantasy. While still located within the snowy terrain where elves and reindeer dwell, the presents are delivered via a high-tech aircraft that effortlessly allows them to be dropped in record time all across the world. Arthur’s job within the organization is to respond to children’s letters to Santa, and he has a true passion for what his family has done and continues to do.
3
‘The Christmas Chronicles 2’ (2020)
The highly anticipated follow-up to the Netflix original hit, the 2020 comedy The Christmas Chronicles 2 stars cherished Hollywood couple Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn as Santa and Mrs. Claus, and focuses on the now-cynical teenager Kate Pierce as she is reunited with Old Saint Nick after traveling through a wormhole during the holiday season. The skeptical adolescent tries to help save Christmas after the wicked elf Belsnickel attempts to destroy Santa’s village and prevent him from delivering presents.
Kate and her companion Jack are magically transported to the North Pole, where breathtaking snow-dusted cobblestone streets, quaint storefronts, and historical-looking buildings reminiscent of stunning European architecture await. The film’s version of the North Pole is truly a spectacle, and the endearing sequel was streamed by an impressive 61 million households in its first month of release, serving up a massive heaping of holiday cheer.
2
‘Noelle’ (2020)
The always delightful Anna Kendrick and Bill Hader were in peak comedic form when they headlined the 2019 fantasy flick Noelle, centering on Kris Kringle’s polar opposite children, Noelle and Nick, as the latter sibling balks at the prospect of taking over as Santa Claus, and flees the North Pole and his mounting responsibilities in favor of an everyday life. His positive and perky sister embarks on a mission to track down her skittish brother and return him home in time to deliver the presents on Christmas. Still, she discovers convincing Nick is harder than she imagined.
Noelle and Nick live year-round in the cozy and whimsical North Pole, which is a breathtaking winter wonderland where everyone is jolly and festive. The village’s colorful residents adore Noelle and her upbeat attitude, and it’s quite clear that she would make a superior Santa by far, a fact Nick fully acknowledges, which leads him to nominate her as the next logical choice. The North Pole in Noelle looks like a breathtaking paradise full of holiday cheer and happiness, and it’s no wonder the lead heroine loves to spend her days there.