20 Devilishly Good Movies Like 'Dear Santa', Ranked By Fans

Henry Adams
Updated December 15, 2024 20 items

For fans of Dear Santa seeking more heartwarming and festive films, we've assembled a list of exceptional recommendations, refined by the enthusiastic votes from Rankers just like you. These movies capture the spirit and joy of the holiday season, delivering stories that are sure to delight and entertain viewers of all ages.

Among the recommended films, you'll find titles such as Red One, where an E.L.F. operative teams up with the world's most skilled tracker to rescue Santa Claus and save Christmas, offering an action-packed holiday adventure. Another standout is The Grinch, a delightful retelling of the classic tale where the titular character plots to steal Christmas from the festive residents of Whoville. Both films, like Dear Santa, promise to fill your holiday season with laughter and warmth.

To make your viewing experience even more convenient, our list features "Where to Watch" buttons that guide you directly to streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Max, Apple TV+, and more. With a simple click, you can dive into these enchanting stories and enjoy a cinematic holiday experience as magical as Dear Santa.


  • Why you'll like this movie:

    Violent Night offers a unique twist on traditional festive tales, providing a thrilling edge that combines humor with action in an adventurous holiday setting.

    What the movie is about:

    An elite team of mercenaries breaks into a family compound on Christmas Eve, taking everyone hostage inside. However, they aren't prepared for a surprise combatant: Santa Claus is on the grounds, and he's about to show why this Nick is no saint.
    • Actors: David Harbour, John Leguizamo, Beverly D'Angelo, Alex Hassell, Alexis Louder
    • Released: 2022
    • Directed by: Tommy Wirkola
    19 votes
    Watch after Dear Santa?
  • Candy Cane Lane
    • Photo:
      • Candy Cane Lane

    Why you'll like this movie:

    With Candy Cane Lane, you’ll discover a delightful blend of magic and comedy as unexpected turns transform the holiday season, echoing the whimsical holiday chaos found in Dear Santa.

    What the movie is about:

    A man makes a deal with a mischievous elf who casts a magic spell that brings the 12 Days of Christmas to life.
    • Actors: Eddie Murphy, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jillian Bell, Gennaya Walton, Thaddeus J. Mixson
    • Released: 2023
    • Directed by: Reginald Hudlin
    12 votes
    Watch after Dear Santa?
  • The Santa Clause

    Why you'll like this movie:

    The family-friendly vibes and magical transformation theme present in The Santa Clause resonate closely with Dear Santa, capturing the whimsical spirit of holidays and the blending of ordinary life with extraordinary destinies.

    What the movie is about:

    In the family-comedy film The Santa Clause, Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) inadvertently becomes Santa Claus. A regular father and business executive, Calvin stumbles upon a peculiar situation on Christmas Eve involving the real Santa. After donning the red suit and delivering gifts worldwide, he wakes up to find it wasn't a dream. The transformation begins gradually, and as the reality sinks in, he must juggle his everyday life with his newfound responsibilities at the North Pole. The movie cleverly weaves humor and fantasy, providing a fresh spin on holiday lore.
    • Actors: Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson, Eric Lloyd, David Krumholtz
    • Released: 1994
    • Directed by: John Pasquin
    20 votes
    Watch after Dear Santa?
  • Gremlins
    • Photo:
      • user uploaded image

    Why you'll like this movie:

    Gremlins infuses the holiday season with chaos and fantasy, much like the unanticipated events that lead to unexpected turns during Christmas festivities.

    What the movie is about:

    In the movie Gremlins, a young man named Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan) receives an unusual pet, a Mogwai called Gizmo (voiced by Howie Mandel), as a Christmas gift. This seemingly harmless creature comes with three important rules: no bright lights, no water, and never feed it after midnight. When these rules are inadvertently broken, the small town of Kingston Falls is overrun by destructive creatures known as Gremlins. Directed by Joe Dante and produced by Steven Spielberg, this 1984 film blends comedy, horror, and fantasy elements to create an unforgettable cinematic experience.
    • Actors: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, Frances Lee McCain, Polly Holliday
    • Released: 1984
    • Directed by: Joe Dante
    20 votes
    Watch after Dear Santa?
  • Krampus

    Why you'll like this movie:

    Krampus provides an intriguing balance of holiday spirit and folklore, aligning well with Dear Santa’s theme of youthful innocence amid supernatural influences.

    What the movie is about:

    While the holiday season represents the most magical time of year, ancient European folklore warns of Krampus, a horned beast who punishes naughty children at Christmastime. When dysfunctional family squabbling causes young Max (Emjay Anthony) to lose his festive spirit, it unleashes the wrath of the fearsome demon. As Krampus lays siege to the Engel home, mom (Toni Collette), pop (Adam Scott), sister (Stefania LaVie Owen) and brother must band together to save one another from a monstrous fate.
    • Actors: Emjay Anthony, Adam Scott, Toni Collette, Stefania Owen, Krista Stadler
    • Released: 2015
    • Directed by: Michael Dougherty
    16 votes
    Watch after Dear Santa?
  • Ernest Saves Christmas
    • Photo:
      • Ernest Saves Christmas

    Why you'll like this movie:

    Ernest Saves Christmas captures the festive mishaps and eventual heartwarming resolutions that are sure to delight fans looking for more lighthearted holiday comedy.

    What the movie is about:

    Santa Claus (Douglas Seale) is looking for his successor, and hapless taxi driver Ernest P. Worrell (Jim Varney) is just the man to help him out. Traveling to Florida to pass his mantle on to children's show host Joe Carruthers (Oliver Clark), Santa gets into unexpected trouble, and it's up to Ernest, along with a teen girl named Harmony (Noelle Parker), to assist Saint Nick with his important mission, or the future of Christmas could be in jeopardy.
    • Actors: Jim Varney, Douglas Seale, Oliver Clark, Noelle Parker, Robert Lesser
    • Released: 1988
    • Directed by: John R. Cherry
    18 votes
    Watch after Dear Santa?