Why is it that so many kids Christmas movies portray Santa in a bad light? It’s like they want parents fielding questions that may lead to ruining the magic of Santa. I shouldn’t have to pre-watch every Santa movie out there before my kids are allowed to see it.
When my oldest son was around 2 years old, we began introducing some of the classic Christmas movies. He was just old enough to sit through them, and he had just started to get the concept of Santa. When I was a kid, I remember watching all of the classics they played on TV. I wanted my son to have the same memories. It didn’t take long for my memories to be tarnished.
Watching these movies as an adult I am in shock. What they are teaching my kids is that Santa is an asshole. He is snarky, a bully, vain, and just plain mean! I bet the next time you watch one, you will see these movies in a new light.
It’s no wonder we see so many Santa pictures with kids crying hysterically (that’s my nephew). They have been conditioned to be afraid. I wouldn’t want to sit on his lap either!
3 Kids Christmas Movies That Prove Santa is an Asshole
- Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – You remember the story, right? Rudolph is the outcast because his nose glows. The elf that wants to be a dentist instead of making kids toys. While looking for a place they can be accepted, they find the island of misfit toys. What we really discover in this movie is that Santa is an asshole! Not only does he support the bullying of Rudolph, he joins right in. He is selfish and rude. How does such a popular Christmas movie center around the mistreatment of others? Especially having Santa as the center of it all?
- A Christmas Story – This one is still a staple in my house on Christmas Day. How could it not be? It gets played over and over and over again. But fast forward to the mall Santa scene. Why do all mall Santa’s hate kids? This one is obviously an alcoholic. Kids line up with their parents just to get assaulted. To top it off he pokes fun at the kids as they tell him what they want for Christmas. With so many parents standing there, how does he gets away with it?! We’ve now taught our kids that not only is Santa an asshole, but your parents can (and will) not do anything about it.
- Arthur Christmas – This is a newer movie. I actually thought it was cute. In case you haven’t seen it, this movie dives into the technical side of how Santa delivers all those presents in just one night. It did cause some questions at my house. However, the main plot focuses on Arthur (one of Santa’s sons) trying to deliver a forgotten present to a child. Can you believe Santa didn’t care that she was missed, or that she would wake up without a gift on Christmas morning? What an asshole! Luckily, his “screw up” son Arthur is the only one with the true Christmas spirit and saves the day. So yet again, we walk away thinking Santa is an uncaring, vain man.
I hope I haven’t ruined these films for you. I bet the next time you watch them (and possibly others) you will see it. Why can’t Santa just be nice?
