Ranking the Top Movie Santa Clauses

It's that time of year, the Christmas movies are showing up on TV. This past weekend, The Polar Express was on TBS. I saw that Christmas Vacation was on FX. It seems like November 1st Freeform dropped their 25 days of Christmas schedule. All great things! Christmas is awesome. Last week I put up an article about the 5 Christmas movies that we have to watch in my house every year around the holiday. The polar express was on that list so you can give that a 1x watched tally mark and it's not even Thanksgiving yet! In that article I also, mentioned some of the best movie Santa Clauses as a future thing, so lets do them now.

Klaus (Klaus)

Animated Christmas movie that is focused on how Christmas came about in an imaginary town. Voiced by J.K. Simmons, this Santa isn't called Santa, but he's close enough. He's not even really Santa for most of the film. Klaus is a hulking figure which is fitting that Simmons is voicing him because he's got enough bass in his voice to fit the build. Oh and since J.K. Simmons is absolutely jacked.

Kriss Kringle (Miracle on 34th Street 1994)

I'm not a fan of this movie, but Richard Attenborough brings a certain gravitas to the Santa Claus role. I mean the guy won an academy award for directing Ghandi, and he brought the dinosaurs back! He's got an air about him that nicely fills the boots of Santa Claus.

Scott Calvin (The Santa Clause Series)

One of the original non-traditional Christmas movie for an entire generation of people. The people that were born in the late 80's, but were movie watching age in the 90's. Really post-Christmas Vacation. Tim Allen's role as Scott Calvin (SC, Santa Claus) changed the game for how you play the Santa character. He started out totally not into it, and it being a real hassle. Then found his groove and turned non-believers into true believers.

Santa Claus (The Christmas Chronicles)

Kurt Russell was born to play Santa Claus. He just didn't know it until he grew that bad ass beard. 80% of the beard for his turn as Santa was his natural beard. He comes off as a bad ass always in control Santa. Santa, has to cover the entire earth in one night. If I'm going to trust any of these Santas to get the job done, it's going to be Kurt Russell's Santa.

It’s Christmas time again, and Santa Claus is ready and waiting to meet at the Philadelphia malls. St. Nick will make appearances throughout the holiday season.

Pretty much everything in the world has changed during the 21st century, and sitting on Santa’s lap is no exception. Some malls have closed down. Some locations require an appointment to meet Santa Claus.

Don’t let that stop your children from seeing their favorite holiday hero before the big day comes.

The city of Philadelphia has so many iconic holiday traditions. There’s the Dickens Village inside the Wanamaker Building celebrating “A Christmas Carol” characters. There’s the fantastic and classic light shows inside Macy’s and the Comcast Center.

The holiday tree at City Hall, the skating rink in Dilworth Park, and the Christmas Village in Love Park are unmistakable traditions in the hearts of Philadelphians.

Taking the kids to sit on Santa's lap and share their Christmas wishes after these memorable holiday celebrations is a must.

Most malls will provide opportunities to see Santa before Thanksgiving. If you want to beat the crowds and get things done quickly, see availability in the seven local malls listed. they accept reservations now to limit the wait time of people standing for hours at a time.

Most locations will extend Santa’s hours after Thanksgiving to accommodate the crowds. Kris Kringle will be working overtime for the week leading up until Christmas. If you need to do some last-minute shopping, he’ll be on site. He probably can’t promise you a quick visit inside a mall at Christmastime though.

Where does Santa meet the children? When can they see him? Do I have to make an appointment?

There are even hours designated for pet photos with Santa Claus nowadays. We have you covered on all things Santa.

Santa will be at the Plaza in the Nordstrom Court at King of Prussia Mall beginning on Nov. 9. The mall will extend its hours for the holiday season, closing at 9pm on most weeknights after Thanksgiving leading up until Christmas.

Hours (Before Thanksgiving):
Monday-Thursday: 10am-8pm
Friday-Saturday: 10am-9pm
Sunday: 11am-6pm

Hours (After Thanksgiving):
Monday-Saturday: 10am-9pm
Sunday: 11am-7pm

The Cherry Hill Mall in South Jersey strongly recommends making an appointment to meet Santa Claus. They extend their hours beginning on December 8. They’ll hold special hours for the final three days before Christmas.

Hours (Before Dec. 8):
Monday-Thursday: 11am-8pm
Friday-Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm

Hours (Dec. 8-21):
Monday-Saturday: 11am-8pm
Sunday: 10am-9pm

Santa will meet at the Center Court of the Deptford Mall outside Macy’s beginning on Nov. 9. Guests are not required to make reservations, but wait times are usually shorter for people who plan ahead. A reservation also guarantees you a free personalized video and phone call from the North Pole.

Hours (Nov. 9-22):
Monday-Saturday: 11am-7pm
Sunday: 11am-6pm

Hours (Nov. 24-30):
Monday-Saturday: 11am-7pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm

Hours (Dec. 1-17):
Monday-Friday: 11am-7pm
Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm

Hours (Dec. 18-24):
Monday-Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 9am-4pm

The Fashion District Philadelphia will host a welcome parade leading Santa to the main entrance on Saturday, Nov. 25. They also recommend reservations to limit wait times.

Hours (Nov. 24-26):
Friday-Saturday: 11am-7pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm

Hours (Dec. 2-17):
Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm

Hours (Dec. 11-15):
Monday-Friday: 10am-7pm
Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm

Hours (Dec. 18-24):
Monday-Friday: 10am-8pm
Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 9am-4pm

Santa will start his appearances at Springfield Mall in Delaware County on Nov. 11. Hours will extend from Dec. 8 through Dec. 24. Springfield Mall also recommends making a reservation.

Hours (Nov. 11-Dec. 7):
Monday-Thursday: 11am-8pm
Friday-Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm

Hours (Dec. 8-20):
Monday-Thursday: 11am-8pm
Saturday: 10am-9pm
Sunday: 11am-6pm

Hours (Dec. 21-24):
Thursday-Saturday: 10am-9pm
Sunday: 10am-5pm

The Willow Grove Mall will offer pet photo opportunities every Monday from Nov. 13- Dec. 18. They also allow walk-ups with the recommendation for reservations. Santa takes breaks during the announced hours.

Hours (Nov. 11-Dec. 7):
Monday-Thursday: 11am-8pm
Friday-Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm

Hours (Dec. 8-20):
Monday-Thursday: 11am-8pm
Saturday: 10am-9pm
Sunday: 11am-6pm

Hours (Dec. 21-24):
Thursday-Saturday: 10am-9pm
Sunday: 10am-5pm

Philadelphia Mills in Northeast Philly encourages reservations and allows walkup guests. The Big Guy will meet at 1455 Franklin Mills Circle. Hours with Santa Claus are expected to begin on Nov. 24.