Why Film Buffs Say Netflix’s 2019 Hit Is One of the Best Christmas Movies Ever

Six years after its release, Klaus continues to stand out as one of Netflix’s most loved holiday films. The animated movie arrived quietly in November 2019, but it quickly gained strong support from critics, audiences, and animation fans around the world. Today, many film lovers still point to it as one of the best Christmas films of the modern era.

Klaus was created by Spanish filmmaker Sergio Pablos, who made his directorial debut with the project. The film was produced by The SPA Studios and released globally by Netflix. Unlike many recent animated movies, Klaus used traditional hand-drawn animation, a choice that immediately caught the attention of animation fans who miss that style.

The story offers a fresh take on the origins of Santa Claus. Instead of following a well-known version of the legend, the film introduces a lonely toymaker living in the far north and a selfish postman sent to a frozen island town as punishment.

Over time, their unexpected friendship sparks change in a divided and bitter community. The setting is fictional and inspired by the 19th century, giving the film a timeless feel.

The voice cast also played a major role in the film’s success. Jason Schwartzman leads as the postman, while J.K. Simmons voices Klaus. Rashida Jones, Joan Cusack, Will Sasso, and Norm Macdonald round out the cast. Many viewers noted that the performances felt warm and natural, helping the emotional moments land without feeling forced.

You can check out the trailer on YouTube.

Critics were quick to praise the film when it was released. Reviews highlighted its animation quality, emotional storytelling, and balance between humor and heart. On Rotten Tomatoes, Klaus holds a very high approval rating, with reviewers calling it a strong candidate for holiday classic status. Metacritic scores also placed it in the “generally favorable” range.

Some critics were especially impressed by how the film avoided overused Christmas clichés. John DeFore of The Hollywood Reporter praised the movie for creating its own version of Santa’s origin and noted how generosity slowly grows into something meaningful within the story. Not every critic was fully sold on the plot, though. Variety’s Peter Debruge felt the story was too complex at times, even while praising the visual design.

Awards attention soon followed. Klaus dominated the Annie Awards, winning seven trophies, including Best Animated Feature and Best Directing. It also won Best Animated Film at the British Academy Film Awards.

The movie later earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature, marking a major milestone. It became the first animated Netflix film to receive an Oscar nomination and one of the first animated films released by a streaming service to reach that level of recognition.

Audience response was just as strong. Netflix shared data showing that nearly 30 million households watched Klaus in its first month. The film even beat major studio releases like Toy Story 4 in some year-end animation rankings by industry publications.

In the years since its release, Klaus has continued to find new viewers. It often appears on lists of underrated or must-watch Christmas movies, especially for families looking for something heartfelt but not overly sentimental. Its mix of humor, emotion, and striking animation helps it appeal to both children and adults.

So why do film buffs love Klaus so much? Many point to its respect for classic animation, its emotional honesty, and its refusal to rely on nostalgia alone. Instead of retelling a familiar story, it builds a new one that feels earned. The film also trusts its audience, allowing moments of silence, sadness, and kindness to speak for themselves.

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