Movies like Looking for Santa (2022)
The best movies like Looking for Santa (2022) are A Trash Truck Christmas (2020), A Scooby-Doo! Christmas (2002) and The Boss Baby: Christmas Bonus (2022). If Looking for Santa 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 ratedIt's a Wonderful Life (1946)8.3/10 from 5,158 votes
- NewestDiary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw (2025)Released 2025
- In FrenchSanta's Apprentice (2010)Also in French
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 & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Scooby-Doo! Christmas (2002)
On the way to Daphne's relatives' condominium, the Mystery Inc. gang detours through the town of Winter Hollow, where the vengeful Headless Snowman has destroyed the town's Christmas spirit.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Boss Baby: Christmas Bonus (2022)
Christmas Eve takes a twisty turn when the Boss Baby accidentally swaps places with one of Santa's elves and gets stranded at the North Pole.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPAW Patrol: Ready, Race, Rescue! (2019)
It’s the Adventure Bay 500! The pups have built an awesome race track and are ready to be the pit crew for their race hero, The Whoosh! But when the legendary racer is unable to drive in the championship race, he calls on his biggest fan-pup Marshall to take the wheel and race in his place! Marshall has to overcome his lack of confidence and his dastardly competition, The Cheetah, to fulfill his dream of becoming the fastest race-pup ever!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCurious George 3: Back to the Jungle (2015)
When Curious George is offered a special space mission, Ted (The Man in the Yellow Hat) can't deny his little friend this exciting journey, especially after Curious George completes the training. But when he crash-lands in Africa, a worried Ted goes searching, expecting the worst, only to have it turn out to be the best.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSanta's Apprentice (2010)
Santa doesn't want to retire, but rules are rules and he must train someone to replace him. The lucky winner, to be chosen from among millions of children, must be named Nicholas, be an orphan and have a pure heart. On the other side of the planet, there is a little boy who is a perfect match, but his lack of self-confidence and fear of heights make him a poor contestant. Will Santa agree to step down, and help his apprentice take his place?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPets United (2019)
When Roger (a Robin Hood-esque, stray dog) and Belle (an elegant yet spoilt pet cat) are thrown together amidst the chaos of a robot take-over of their home city, they must push all their preconceptions aside in order to survive, as they embark on a high-stakes, action-packed adventure.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
SnoozefestMovies like thisPAW Patrol: Mighty Pups (2018)
When their latest scheme goes awry, Mayor Humdinger and his nephew Harold accidentally divert a meteor towards Adventure Bay. The meteor's golden energy grants the PAW Patrol superpowers. The heroic Mighty Pups are on a roll to super-save the day.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisToy Story That Time Forgot (2014)
During a post-Christmas play date, the gang find themselves in uncharted territory when the coolest set of action figures ever turn out to be dangerously delusional. It's all up to Trixie, the triceratops, if the gang hopes to return to Bonnie's room in this Toy Story That Time Forgot.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisOnce Upon a Forest (1993)
A young mouse, mole and hedgehog risk their lives to find a cure for their badger friend, who's been poisoned by men.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTo Grandmother's House We Go (1992)
When precocious twins Sarah and Julie feel like Mom is tired of them, they take off on an exciting adventure to their grandmother's house and encounter a pair of villains along the way.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 thisMonster Family 2 (2021)
To free Baba Yaga and Renfield from the clutches of Monster Hunter Mila Starr, the Wishbone Family once more transforms into a Vampire, Frankenstein's Monster, a Mummy and a Werewolf but when aided by their three pet bats, the Monster Family zooms around the world again to save their friends, make new monstrous acquaintances.
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 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 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 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 thisPrep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice (2011)
Lanny and Wayne are at it again! With the Big 2-5 fast approaching, Wayne and Lanny must race to recover classified North Pole technology which has fallen into the hands of a computer-hacking Naughty Kid! Desperate to prevent Christmas from descending into chaos, Wayne seeks out the foremost Naughty Kid expert to aid in the mission: a bombastic member of the Coal Bucket Brigade who also happens to be his estranged brother, Noel.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPrep & Landing (2009)
Wayne gets a new rookie partner, Lanny, after his previous partner got the promotion he wanted. Lanny has to remind Wayne of the Spirit of Christmas and the importance of being an elf in Santa's Prep and Landing elite unit.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDiary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw (2025)
When laidback Greg finds himself at odds with his dad's outsized expectations, pressure builds to turn his act around. After a series of hilarious near disasters, Greg's dad presents him with an ultimatum that just might challenge his wimpy ways for good.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSuper Monsters Save Christmas (2019)
On Christmas Eve, the Super Monsters get together to make decorations, but end up having to find Santa's missing reindeer in order to save their holiday.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Tired of scaring humans every October 31 with the same old bag of tricks, Jack Skellington, the spindly Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, kidnaps Santa Claus and plans to deliver shrunken heads and other ghoulish gifts to children on Christmas morning in his place. But, as the holiday approaches, Jack's rag-doll girlfriend Sally tries to foil his well-meaning yet misguided plans.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisChristmas Every Day (1986)
When little Lucy wishes it were Christmas every day, "forever and ever", her dad tells the cautionary tale of her grandmother Tilly, who, as a little girl, made the very same wish, and the dire consequences that occurred after her wish was granted.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
31 Minutes: One Hot Christmas (2025)
Puppeton, the town of 31 Minutes, faces such an infernally hot Christmas that Santa Claus cancels his visit! Bodoque the rabbit heroically volunteers to rescue the presents from the North Pole, while his friends improvise a disastrous Christmas show. But what they don't expect is Bodoque giving in to some irresistible temptations along the way.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family & adventure
Dreamworks: Holiday Classics (2012)
Join your favourite DreamWorks friends for these four holiday specials. Watch as those zany zoosters from Madagascar save Christmas, Donkey puts on a carolling Christmas Shrek-tacular, and Po prepares for his favourite holiday, the Winter Feast.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Little Drummer Boy (1968)
After being kidnapped and escaping, young drummer boy Aaron searches for his camel and finds him in the Nativity of the Baby Jesus. Aaron gives Baby Jesus the only gift he has, a song on his drum.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisUp on the Housetop (1993)
Curtis Calhoun just isn't in the mood for Christmas and wishes it would all go away. It appears he gets his wish, at least until he finds a strange little man in a red suit stuck in his chimney on Christmas Eve. Is it a cat burglar in disguise, or is it really Santa Claus with a very special Christmas gift for the discouraged Curtis Calhoun?
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
George Bailey has spent his entire life giving to the people of Bedford Falls. All that prevents rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town is George's modest building and loan company. But on Christmas Eve the business's $8,000 is lost and George's troubles begin.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisFalling in Love at Christmas (2021)
Miranda and Paul, two business rivals who playfully despise each other, work together on a holiday gift-giving app, and unexpected feelings develop for one another.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family
The Christmas Film (1984)
An animated holiday film from Sweden, based on a song composed by Anders F. Rönnblom.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Like Looking for Santa and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Looking for Santa?
The closest matches to Looking for Santa are A Trash Truck Christmas (2020), A Scooby-Doo! Christmas (2002) and The Boss Baby: Christmas Bonus (2022). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Looking for Santa?
Start with A Trash Truck Christmas (2020), the closest match to Looking for Santa.
What is the highest-rated movie like Looking for Santa?
It's a Wonderful Life (1946), rated 8.3/10 by 5,158 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Looking for Santa?
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there French movies like Looking for Santa?
Yes: Santa's Apprentice (2010).
How are movies similar to Looking for Santa chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Looking for Santa, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.