Some Santas want to spread joy to the world…and others just want to watch the world burn. As Christmas approaches, take some time to this week’s special extra 24 Frames gallery, looking at the variations of jolly St. Nick across movie history.
GOOD SANTA: After murdering Father Christmas in cold blood, Tim Allen takes the reins and spreads the joy in The Santa Clause.
BAD SANTA: A Silent Night, Deadly Night scares the eggnog out of horny teenagers.
GOOD SANTA: In-family fighting mar the holiday craze in Arthur Christmas, with only one Claus emerging as the true successor to the sleigh.
BAD SANTA: Ernest P. Worrell as savior of Christmas? What could go wrong? (Ernest Saves Christmas)
GOOD SANTA: A mall Santa played by Patton Oswalt helps our fearless duo in A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas.
BAD SANTA: A rivalry between St. Nick and his bitter brother Fred Claus threaten to ruin Christmas.
GOOD SANTA: A Polar Express leads a young boy to the sweet jingle of Christmas.
BAD SANTA: A Madea Christmas? Ho no she didn’t!
GOOD SANTA: A 1985 comedy that explores the origin of Santa Claus.
BAD SANTA: Jack Skellington takes over for the previous holiday caretaker in A Nightmare Before Christmas.
GOOD SANTA: A tactile wood and plastic world in Rankin/Bass’ classic Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.
GOOD SANTA: Naughty or nice, the Rise of the Guardians Santa will destroy you in arm wrestling either way.
BAD SANTA: If being bad means the adoration of a Gilmore girl, then hey, we don’t wanna be good. (Bad Santa)
BAD SANTA: It’s not A Christmas Story if your local department store clerk doesn’t give you the boot!
GOOD SANTA: Elf‘s Santa gifted us Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel that year. Thanks!
BAD SANTA: To get away from Futurama‘s malevolent Robot Santa, we’ll need a guinea pig. Why not Zoidberg?
GOOD SANTA: Whether he’s a suburban commando, Mr. Nanny, or Santa with Muscles, Hulk Hogan shows he’s got what it takes to deal with kids.
BAD SANTA: Chevy Chase meltdown imminent in Christmas Vacation.
GOOD SANTA: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians. ‘Nuff said.
BAD SANTA: In Rare Exports, Santa’s elves run amok stealing children for dinner.
GOOD SANTA: Miracle on 34th St. can warm even the most Festivus-hardened hearts.
BAD SANTA: John Frankenheimer’s final film, Reindeer Games, spread lots of yuletide carnage.
GOOD SANTA: In A Nightmare Before Christmas, Santa is nice…which means diddlypoop to Jack Skellington.
BAD SANTA: Not to be upstaged by Hogan, Bill Goldberg entered the Santa arena with horror-comedy Santa’s Slay.
