Movies like Santa's Christmas Elf (Named Calvin) (1971)
The best movies like Santa's Christmas Elf (Named Calvin) (1971) are A Trash Truck Christmas (2020), Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & the Island of Misfit Toys (2001) and The Nutcracker Prince (1990). If Santa's Christmas Elf (Named Calvin) hooked you with its animation and family, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedThe Snowman (1982)7.6/10 from 375 votes
- NewestSnoopy Presents: There's No Place Like Home, Snoopy (2026)Released 2026
A Trash Truck Christmas (2020)
When Santa crash-lands in the junkyard on Christmas Eve, Hank, Trash Truck and their animal friends all have a hand in rescuing the holiday for everyone.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & the Island of Misfit Toys (2001)
When the mysterious Toy Taker grabs all of Santa's toys, it looks like the children will miss out on Christmas. But everyone's favorite reindeer, Rudolph, comes to the rescue with his lovable friends: Hermey the elf, Yukon Cornelius the grizzly prospector, the abominable snow monster Bumbles and Rudolph's very special friend Clarice. Together, they promise Santa they'll track down Toy Taker and rescue Santa's toy. Their incredible quest takes them on a wild adventure with Rudolph's red nose leading the way!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Nutcracker Prince (1990)
After young Clara receives a wooden nutcracker as a Christmas gift, she dreams about a fantastical battle between her Nutcracker Prince and the evil Mouse King. At stake is the Nutcracker's freedom - and Clara's future happiness.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPAW Patrol: Jet to the Rescue (2020)
A royal relative steals a gem with the power to make things fly, the Paw Patrol takes to the skies to stop him and save Barkingburg.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAngela's Christmas Wish (2020)
A determined Angela makes a wish to reunite her family in time for Christmas, then launches a plan to find her way from Ireland to Australia.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie (1998)
Young Rudolph suffers a childhood accident that sees his nose turn from the publicly accepted norm of black to a glowing red colour. His parents worry about him getting teased, and indeed he does in the end. When he is beaten in the reindeer games by his rival for a doe he fancies, Rudolph runs away and moves into a cave with Slyly the Fox. However can he overcome his fear and reach his true potential?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Christmas Carol (1997)
Miser Ebenezer Scrooge is awakened on Christmas Eve by spirits who reveal to him his own miserable existence, what opportunities he wasted in his youth, his current cruelties, and the dire fate that awaits him if he does not change his ways. Scrooge is faced with his own story of growing bitterness and meanness, and must decide what his own future will hold: death or redemption.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPloey: You Never Fly Alone (2018)
A plover chick has not learned to fly when his family migrates in the fall. He must survive the arctic winter, vicious enemies and himself in order to be reunited with his beloved one next spring.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWinnie the Pooh & Christmas Too (1991)
Pooh is so busy gathering up his friends' wish lists for Santa that he forgets to include his own. After retrieving the list and adding his own desires, he realizes he's late getting it where it needs to go. Off he goes to the North Pole on Christmas Eve, with pals Eeyore, Tigger, Piglet, Rabbit, and Christopher Robin missing him
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSnoopy Presents: There's No Place Like Home, Snoopy (2026)
When Snoopy's beloved doghouse goes missing, he tries to track it down, and learns what makes a house feel like home.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisBah, Humduck!: A Looney Tunes Christmas (2006)
In this adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Daffy Duck is the greedy proprietor of the Lucky Duck Mega-Mart and all he can think about is the money to be made during the holiday season.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAngela's Christmas (2017)
A trip to church with her family on Christmas Eve gives young Angela an extraordinary idea. A heartwarming tale based on a story by Frank McCourt.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Life & Adventures of Santa Claus (2000)
Based on the popular book by L. Frank Baum, the beloved author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, comes the incredible story of The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus. Many centuries ago, long before toys had even been invented, a baby abandoned at the edge of an enchanted forest was adopted and raised by a beautiful wood nymph, thus beginning the life story of Santa Claus. From his first truly magical childhood through the discovery of his life's work of making children happy, discover the origin of every tradition surrounding Santa Claus, from toys, stockings and lighted trees to reindeer and sleigh. Journey back to a time of magic and wonder, and experience this heartwarming tale that will bring joy each holiday season.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisOlive, the Other Reindeer (1999)
After mis-hearing a radio broadcast about Santa canceling his Christmas trip due to an injured reindeer, Olive the dog decides to travel to the North Pole and volunteer to be a replacement. Unfortunately, Olive must deal with an evil postman who's tired of handling all the extra Christmas mail. Will Martini the penguin be able to help Olive realize her dream?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Scroll (2016)
As Po looks for his lost action figures, the story of how the panda inadvertently helped create the Furious Five is told.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSnoopy Presents: It's the Small Things, Charlie Brown (2022)
Charlie Brown is determined to win the big baseball game. But things turn into a fiasco right before the matchup, when Sally bonds with a little flower on the pitcher's mound and vows to protect it at all costs.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisA Flintstones Christmas Carol (1994)
Fred is cast as Ebenezer Scrooge in a stage adaption of the classic Christmas story, but is acting a bit stingy in real life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCandy Cane Lane (2023)
Determined to win the neighborhood's annual Christmas decorating contest, family man Chris makes a pact with an elf to help him out-do the competition. However, the elf casts a spell bringing the twelve days of Christmas to life, unleashing chaos on the small unsuspecting town.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby (2019)
Christmas brings the ultimate gift to Aldovia: a royal baby. But first, Queen Amber must help her family and kingdom by finding a missing peace treaty.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLast Chance for Christmas (2015)
When Prancer injures his hoof Santa’s stable hand, John, must find a fill in to ensure Christmas deliveries go off without a hitch. His mission gets complicated when he discovers that Frankie, the perfect substitute reindeer, belongs to a precocious 8-year-old girl and her mother Annie. As he races to get Frankie up to the North Pole, he realizes that he’s actually falling in love with Annie and has to find a way to win her over and save Christmas at the same time.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family
SnoozefestMovies like thisA Frozen Christmas 2 (2017)
When Santa and his reindeer pal Barnaby finish delivering presents for Christmas, they head back to the North Pole to celebrate. Gather around and listen as Santa and his elf pals dance and tell stories. Including time-honored Christmas story classics!
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Barbie in 'A Christmas Carol' (2008)
On Christmas Eve, Kelly is reluctant to go to a Christmas Eve ball, so Barbie tells her the story of Eden Starling, a glamorous singing diva in the Victorian England and the owner of a theatre house. However, Eden is self-centered and loves only herself. She is frequently accompanied by her snooty cat, Chuzzlewit. She does not believe in Christmas and orders all her employees to work on Christmas.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHow the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
Bitter and hateful, the Grinch is irritated at the thought of a nearby village having a happy time celebrating Christmas. Disguised as Santa Claus, with his dog made to look like a reindeer, he decides to raid the village to steal all the Christmas things.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMickey's Twice Upon a Christmas (2004)
Santa Claus, Mickey Mouse and all his Disney pals star in an original movie about the importance of opening your heart to the true spirit of Christmas. Stubborn old Donald tries in vain to resist the joys of the season, and Mickey and Pluto learn a great lesson about the power of friendship.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Sam the snowman tells us the story of a young red-nosed reindeer who, after being ousted from the reindeer games because of his glowing nose, teams up with Hermey, an elf who wants to be a dentist, and Yukon Cornelius, the prospector. They run into the Abominable Snowman and find a whole island of misfit toys. Rudolph vows to see if he can get Santa to help the toys, and he goes back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. But Santa's sleigh is fogged in. But when Santa looks over Rudolph, he gets a very bright idea...
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisShrek the Halls (2007)
The Christmas tree isn't the only thing green in this new holiday classic. Shrek is back and trying to get into the spirit of the season. After promising Fiona and the kids a Christmas they'll remember, he is forced to take a crash course in the holiday. But just when he thinks he has everything for their quiet family Christmas just right, there is a knock at the door.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Snowman (1982)
A young boy makes a snowman one Christmas Eve, which comes to life at midnight and takes him on a magical adventure to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)
Feeling forgotten by the children of the world, old St. Nick decides to skip his gift-giving journey and take a vacation. Mrs. Claus and two spunky little elves, Jingle and Jangle, set out to see to where all the season's cheer has disappeared. Aided by a magical snowfall, they reawaken the spirit of Christmas in children's hearts and put Santa back in action.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Very First Noel (2006)
Melchior, one of the Three Wise Men, narrates the story of his travels in search of a magnificent star pointing him to a newborn King.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
A Meowy Christmas (2017)
A couple of bumbling burglars are mistaken as two aliens by a talking cat that watches too many conspiracy videos. Regardless it's up to Ms. Whiskers and her rat friend, Chuck, to capture them and save Christmas.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family
Like Santa's Christmas Elf (Named Calvin) and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Santa's Christmas Elf (Named Calvin)?
The closest matches to Santa's Christmas Elf (Named Calvin) are A Trash Truck Christmas (2020), Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & the Island of Misfit Toys (2001) and The Nutcracker Prince (1990). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Santa's Christmas Elf (Named Calvin)?
Start with A Trash Truck Christmas (2020), the closest match to Santa's Christmas Elf (Named Calvin).
What is the highest-rated movie like Santa's Christmas Elf (Named Calvin)?
The Snowman (1982), rated 7.6/10 by 375 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Santa's Christmas Elf (Named Calvin)?
Snoopy Presents: There's No Place Like Home, Snoopy (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Santa's Christmas Elf (Named Calvin)?
Yes: A Trash Truck Christmas (2020), Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & the Island of Misfit Toys (2001) and The Nutcracker Prince (1990).
How are movies similar to Santa's Christmas Elf (Named Calvin) chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Santa's Christmas Elf (Named Calvin), then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.