Sort by Popularity - Most Popular Movies and TV Shows tagged with keyword "department-store-santa"

1. Elf (2003)

PG | 97 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family

Raised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs, who doesn't know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christmas spirit.

Director: Jon Favreau | Stars: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart, Zooey Deschanel

Votes: 310,839 | Gross: $173.40M

2. Bad Santa (2003)

R | 92 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama

A miserable conman and his partner pose as Santa and his Little Helper to rob department stores on Christmas Eve. But they run into problems when the conman befriends a troubled kid.

Director: Terry Zwigoff | Stars: Billy Bob Thornton, Bernie Mac, Lauren Graham, John Ritter

Votes: 155,184 | Gross: $60.06M

3. Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

PG | 114 min | Drama, Family, Fantasy

A lawyer and a little girl must prove that a man claiming to be Santa Claus is the real thing.

Director: Les Mayfield | Stars: Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth Perkins, Dylan McDermott, J.T. Walsh

Votes: 43,882 | Gross: $17.19M

4. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Not Rated | 96 min | Comedy, Drama, Family

After a divorced New York mother hires a nice old man to play Santa Claus at Macy's, she is startled by his claim to be the genuine article. When his sanity is questioned, a lawyer defends him in court by arguing that he's not mistaken.

Director: George Seaton | Stars: Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Gene Lockhart

Votes: 54,924 | Gross: $2.65M

5. Rent-a-Cop (1987)

R | 96 min | Action, Comedy, Crime

Detective Tony is forced to retire and become a store rent-a-cop when his drug sting operation comes to a tragic end by a masked killer. He joins forces with a prostitute, the only one able to identify the killer, to bring him to justice.

Director: Jerry London | Stars: Burt Reynolds, Liza Minnelli, James Remar, Richard Masur

Votes: 2,053 | Gross: $0.30M

6. Blast of Silence (1961)

Approved | 77 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller

A hired killer from Cleveland has a job to do on a second-string mob boss in New York, but a special girl from his past and a gun dealer with pet rats get in his way.

Director: Allen Baron | Stars: Allen Baron, Molly McCarthy, Larry Tucker, Peter Clune

Votes: 5,669

7. A Christmas Horror Story (2015)

Not Rated | 99 min | Fantasy, Horror, Mystery

Interwoven stories that take place on Christmas Eve, as told by one festive radio host: A family brings home more than a Christmas tree, a student documentary becomes a living nightmare, a Christmas spirit terrorizes, Santa slays evil.

Directors: Grant Harvey, Steven Hoban, Brett Sullivan | Stars: William Shatner, George Buza, Rob Archer, Zoé De Grand Maison

Votes: 12,488

8. All I Want for Christmas (1991)

G | 92 min | Comedy, Family, Romance

A brother and sister attempt to bring their divorced parents back together for Christmas.

Director: Robert Lieberman | Stars: Harley Jane Kozak, Jamey Sheridan, Ethan Embry, Kevin Nealon

Votes: 5,595 | Gross: $14.81M

9. Holiday Affair (1949)

Approved | 87 min | Comedy, Drama, Family

A young widow is torn between a boring attorney and a romantic ne'er-do-well.

Director: Don Hartman | Stars: Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh, Wendell Corey, Gordon Gebert

Votes: 7,049

10. Christmas in the City (2013 TV Movie)

TV-PG | 87 min | Comedy, Drama, Family

With the threat of having to close her father's candy store, Wendy and her 5-year-old daughter travel to the big city in the hope of making enough money to save it.

Director: Marita Grabiak | Stars: Ashley Williams, Ashanti, Jon Prescott, Shanola Hampton

Votes: 1,666

11. Santa's Got Style (2022 TV Movie)

86 min | Comedy, Romance

Follows Madison, a department store executive who takes the idea to hire a young Santa with fashionable style instead of a classic one, but she can't find the right model, until her best friend Ethan decides to be the Santa of her dreams.

Director: Amy Force | Stars: Franco Lo Presti, Kathryn Davis, Scott Thompson, Brian Sills

Votes: 265

12. Christmas at Cartwright's (2014 TV Movie)

TV-G | 84 min | Comedy, Drama, Family

A single mom gets a holiday job as a department store Santa to help boost her finances, and then an angel enters her life and brings about some positive changes, including the spark of a new romance.

Director: Graeme Campbell | Stars: Alicia Witt, Gabriel Hogan, Wallace Shawn, T.J. McGibbon

Votes: 2,125

13. Santa's Boots (2018 TV Movie)

TV-PG | 85 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance

Forced to take a vacation from her job in Seattle, Holly returns to her hometown where she reluctantly agrees to become Santa's new elf at her dad's local department store.

Director: Shawn Tolleson | Stars: Megan Hilty, Noah Mills, Roark Critchlow, Patricia Isaac

Votes: 740

14. Miracle on 34th Street (1973 TV Movie)

100 min | Drama, Family, Fantasy

A department store Santa tries to convince a little girl who doesn't believe in Santa Claus that he is Santa Claus, and winds up going on trial to prove who he is.

Director: Fielder Cook | Stars: Sebastian Cabot, Jane Alexander, David Hartman, Suzanne Davidson

Votes: 691

15. Crooks Anonymous (1962)

88 min | Comedy, Crime

Forsdyke, a pathological petty thief subjects himself to a strict correction course run by a wealthy ex-con Widdowes and his Crooks Anonymous organization. Forsdyke's young and innocent ... See full summary »

Director: Ken Annakin | Stars: Leslie Phillips, Stanley Baxter, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Julie Christie

Votes: 697

16. Operation Christmas List (2016)

TV-Y | 88 min | Comedy, Family

Things don't go according to plan when a 12-year-old attempts to get his hands on a batch of the Christmas season's must-have toy.

Director: Justin G. Dyck | Stars: Colton Gobbo, Kyle Peacock, Jacob Soley, Julia Pulo

Votes: 101

17. Christmas Night (1933)

G | 7 min | Animation, Short, Family

On Christmas Eve, the Little King sneaks two tramps into the castle. The next morning, the three men are thrilled by the presents Santa left behind.

Directors: Oscar E. Soglow, James Tyer

Votes: 208

18. The 20th Century-Fox Hour (1955–1957)
Episode: The Miracle on 34th Street (1955)

PG | 46 min | Drama

One Kris Kringle, a department-store Santa Claus, causes quite a commotion by suggesting customers go to a rival store for their purchases. But this is nothing to the stir he causes by ... See full summary »

Director: Robert Stevenson | Stars: Macdonald Carey, Teresa Wright, Thomas Mitchell, Sandy Descher

Votes: 322

19. Young People's Specials (1984– )
Episode: Charlie's Christmas Secret (1984)

26 min | Drama, Family

A 10-year-old newspaper carrier meets various customers who struggle with everyday life. As Christmas approaches, he comes up with a plan to to try to make the holidays brighter for them.

Director: Gene McPherson | Stars: Seth Green, Callan Egan, Claire Slemmer, Rob Fuller

Votes: 49

20. The Wonderful World of Disney (1997–2023)
Episode: Santa Who? (2000)

Not Rated | 92 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama

Santa suffers a case of amnesia on the eve of his busiest season.

Director: William Dear | Stars: Leslie Nielsen, Steven Eckholdt, Robyn Lively, Max Morrow

Votes: 2,146

21. Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955–1962)
Episode: Santa Claus and the Tenth Avenue Kid (1955)

TV-14 | 30 min | Drama, Mystery

While working as a department store 'Santa Claus', a paroled convict tries to help a troubled boy.

Director: Don Weis | Stars: Alfred Hitchcock, Barry Fitzgerald, Virginia Gregg, Bobby Clark

Votes: 1,065

22. The Amos 'n Andy Show (1951–1953)
Episode: The Christmas Story (1952)

30 min | Comedy

Andy, broke as usual, is desperate to earn money so he can give his god-daughter a talking doll for Christmas. He convinces a manager to hire him as a department store Santa Claus on ... See full summary »

Director: Charles Barton | Stars: Alvin Childress, Spencer Williams, Tim Moore, Nick Stewart

Votes: 33

23. Becker (1998–2004)
Episode: Santa on Ice (1999)

TV-PG | Comedy

A department store Santa drops by Dr. Becker's waiting room and drops off more than John expected. Also, Reggie's thinking of a Christmas party but will it be a thought that counts?

Director: Andy Ackerman | Stars: Ted Danson, Terry Farrell, Hattie Winston, Shawnee Smith

Votes: 115

24. Boston Legal (2004–2008)
Episode: Loose Lips (2004)

TV-14 | 60 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama

Alan takes over a case Denny rejected for personal reasons. He has to defend a man who was fired from being Santa because he is a transvestite. Brad and Alan bet on the outcome of the case.... See full summary »

Director: Jeannot Szwarc | Stars: James Spader, Monica Potter, Rhona Mitra, Lake Bell

Votes: 457

25. The Brady Bunch (1969–1974)
Episode: The Voice of Christmas (1969)

Not Rated | 25 min | Comedy, Family

Carol has laryngitis and will not be able to sing at church on Christmas Day, but a department store Santa Claus promises Cindy that she will get her voice back in time.

Director: Oscar Rudolph | Stars: Robert Reed, Florence Henderson, Ann B. Davis, Maureen McCormick

Votes: 293

26. The Carol Burnett Show (1967–1978)
Episode: Alan Alda (1974)

TV-G | 22 min | Comedy, Family

Highlights include: Eunice's brother (guest Alan Alda) visits "The Family" for a typically tumultuous Christmas; Carol and Alan duet on "Nobody Does It Like Me" in the midst of a department... See full summary »

Director: Dave Powers | Stars: Carol Burnett, Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, Alan Alda

Votes: 83

27. The Flintstones (1960–1966)
Episode: Christmas Flintstone (1964)

Not Rated | 30 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Fred is such a natural as a department store's Santa that news of him reaches the North Pole, where Kris Kringle has him in mind for much more important work on Christmas Eve.

Directors: Joseph Barbera, William Hanna | Stars: Alan Reed, Jean Vander Pyl, Mel Blanc, Gerry Johnson

Votes: 343

28. Four Star Playhouse (1952–1956)
Episode: The Gift (1953)

30 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama

Businessman Carl Baxter is a good boss for 364 days a year, but his memories of his estrangement with his son causes his mood to change at Christmas.

Director: Robert Aldrich | Stars: Charles Boyer, Maureen O'Sullivan, Dan Tobin, Joan Camden

Votes: 59

29. Gruen Guild Theater (1951–1953)
Episode: Joe Santa Claus (1951)

30 min | Drama

Disgusted that he's been moved from the hardware department to duties as a department store Santa Claus and angry that his wife wants to go to work and earn money, young father Joe Peters ... See full summary »

Directors: Alex Gruenberg, Axel Gruenberg | Stars: Maria Palmer, Ray Montgomery, Houseley Stevenson, Peter Brocco

Votes: 47

30. The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries (1977–1979)
Episode: Will the Real Santa Claus...? (1977)

60 min | Crime, Family, Mystery

A burglar dressed as Santa. A drifter in a stable next door, gets accused for burgling. Nancy don't believe that this gentle man is guilty, so she starts looking for clues. A mysterious car around. Who and what is going on?

Director: Michael Pataki | Stars: Pamela Sue Martin, William Schallert, Dan O'Herlihy, Rick Springfield

Votes: 65

31. Highway to Heaven (1984–1989)
Episode: With Love, the Claus (1987)

Not Rated | 45 min | Drama, Fantasy

Jonathan and Mark are on assignment to help two divorced lawyers whose son is caught in a custody battle; at the same time, they meet up with Santa who gets caught in a legal battle against a department store.

Director: Michael Landon | Stars: Michael Landon, Victor French, Ivor Barry, Earl Billings

Votes: 110

32. The Jack Benny Program (1950–1965)
Episode: Christmas Shopping Show (1957)

Not Rated | 25 min | Comedy

Jack is determined to finish his Christmas shopping in one visit and tortures a wallet salesman with constant changes to his order. Meanwhile, Dennis is having difficulty finding the right present for his mother.

Director: James V. Kern | Stars: Jack Benny, Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson, Dennis Day, Mel Blanc

Votes: 105

33. Married... with Children (1987–1997)
Episode: It's a Bundyful Life Part 1 (1989)

TV-PG | 60 min | Comedy

Al has finally saved up a lot of cash to buy his family a ton of presents they want this year. Unfortunately, a mob of late customers in the shoe store prevents him from getting to the bank and retrieving the money he needs.

Director: Gerry Cohen | Stars: Ed O'Neill, Katey Sagal, David Garrison, Amanda Bearse

Votes: 728

34. Night Court (1984–1992)
Episode: Santa on the Lam (1991)

TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy

Mr. Billachi, an elderly former department store Santa, is brought into court for attacking the robot that replaced him. Disheartened by the commercialism of Christmas, he announces his ... See full summary »

Director: Howard Ritter | Stars: Harry Anderson, Markie Post, John Larroquette, Charles Robinson

Votes: 103

35. Seinfeld (1989–1998)
Episode: The Race (1994)

TV-PG | 24 min | Comedy

A grade school acquaintance puts pressure on Jerry to finally settle an old score in the form of a race; Elaine is blacklisted from a Chinese restaurant.

Director: Andy Ackerman | Stars: Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards, Jason Alexander

Votes: 4,809

36. That '70s Show (1998–2006)
Episode: Christmas (2003)

TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance

Jackie invites the guys to her high school dance; Kelso ditches the dance to visit Brooke at the library; Kitty casts a reluctant Red as the local Santa.

Director: David Trainer | Stars: Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Danny Masterson

Votes: 762

37. The Twilight Zone (1959–1964)
Episode: The Night of the Meek (1960)

TV-PG | 25 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror

After a derelict Santa Claus is fired on Christmas Eve, he finds a mysterious bag that gives out presents. With this bag he sets out to fulfill his one wish - to see the less fortunate inherit the bounties of Christmas.

Director: Jack Smight | Stars: Art Carney, John Fiedler, Robert P. Lieb, Val Avery

Votes: 3,613

38. The Twilight Zone (1985–1989)
Episode: Night of the Meek/But Can She Type?/The Star (1985)

TV-PG | Drama, Fantasy, Horror

"Night of the Meek": Henry Corwin, a department store Santa Claus, is fired from his job, but finds his toy sack is a magical deliverer of Christmas cheer. "But Can She Type?": Miserable ... See full summary »

Directors: Martha Coolidge, Shelley Levinson, Gerd Oswald, Ryszard Bugajski | Stars: Richard Mulligan, William Atherton, Bill Henderson, Teddy Wilson

Votes: 385

39. That Girl (1966–1971)
Episode: Christmas and the Hard-Luck Kid (1966)

TV-G | 26 min | Comedy, Drama

While on a break from her job at a department store as one of Santa's helpers, Ann tells Donald about a Christmas she spent with one of her students while she was a teacher at a boarding ... See full summary »

Director: John Erman | Stars: Marlo Thomas, Ted Bessell, Lew Parker, June Vincent

Votes: 92

40. Date with the Angels (1957–1958)
Episode: Santa's Helper (1957)

Not Rated | 30 min | Comedy

Vickie tries to find a suitable outlet for Mr. Finley, Sr.'s energy, so she enlists the help of her friend Dolly to get him a job in the local department store as one of Santa's helpers. ... See full summary »

Director: James V. Kern | Stars: Betty White, Bill Williams, Burt Mustin, Richard Deacon

Votes: 44

41. Everybody Hates Chris (2005–2009)
Episode: Everybody Hates Kris (2006)

TV-PG | 21 min | Comedy, Drama, Music

Julius works at a department store dressed up as Santa Claus along with Chris dressed up as an elf, but Julius gets fired for freaking the kids out and Chris ends up in the hospital.

Director: Victor Nelli Jr. | Stars: Terry Crews, Tichina Arnold, Tequan Richmond, Imani Hakim

Votes: 227

42. Dear Phoebe (1954–1955)
Episode: The Christmas Show (1954)

Comedy

Bill's romance with sportswriter Mickey Riley is hampered by a child who is AWOL from military school and Mr. Fosdick's refusal to host an office Christmas party.

Director: Don Weis | Stars: Peter Lawford, Marcia Henderson, Charles Lane, Joe Corey

Votes: 13

43. The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (1959–1963)
Episode: Have Reindeer, Will Travel (1961)

TV-Y7 | 26 min | Comedy, Family

Maynard befriends a poor Mexican shoeshine boy and generously gives him $55.78--all the money his classmates had saved to fund their Christmas dance. To earn back the money, Maynard takes a job as a department store Santa Claus.

Director: Rod Amateau | Stars: Dwayne Hickman, Frank Faylen, Florida Friebus, Bob Denver

Votes: 35

44. Without a Trace (2002–2009)
Episode: Claus and Effect (2007)

TV-14 | 43 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

A missing department store Santa Claus turns out to be a brilliant mathematician who dropped out of college after having a crisis of conscience.

Director: Bobby Roth | Stars: Anthony LaPaglia, Poppy Montgomery, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Enrique Murciano

Votes: 124

45. The Doctor (1952–1953)
Episode: A Tale of Two Christmases (1952)

30 min | Drama

The life of a dysfunctional family between Christmas 1951 and Christmas 1952 is told.

Director: Robert Aldrich | Stars: Richard McMurray, Janie Alexander, Margaret Hayes, Harry Bannister

Votes: 19

46. The Danny Kaye Show (1963–1967)
Episode: Episode #2.12 (1964)

Comedy, Music

Add a Plot

Stars: Danny Kaye, Tony Bennett, The Clinger Sisters, Imogene Coca

47. The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs (2018– )
Episode: Joe Bob's Ghoultide Get-Together: A Christmas Horror Story (2022)

Not Rated | 174 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Horror

Not even Santa Claus is safe from the evil that descends on a small town that is suddenly plagued with malevolent spirits, zombie elves and Krampus.

Stars: John Bloom, Diana Prince, Yuki Nakamura, Jimmy Adamson

Votes: 40

48. Castle (2009–2016)
Episode: Secret Santa (2012)

TV-PG | 44 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama

A man dressed as Santa falls from the sky while Castle and Beckett prepare for their first Christmas as a couple.

Director: Paul Holahan | Stars: Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Susan Sullivan, Jon Huertas

Votes: 1,256

49. The Cleveland Show (2009–2013)
Episode: 'Tis the Cleveland to Be Sorry (2012)

TV-14 | 22 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Cleveland pretends to be homeless for the holidays to get free stuff from the local shelter, and Roberta helps Kendra achieve her wish to become a department store Santa.

Directors: Oreste Canestrelli, Albert Calleros, Anthony Lioi | Stars: Mike Henry, Sanaa Lathan, Kevin Michael Richardson, Reagan Gomez-Preston

Votes: 239

50. The Flash (2014–2023)
Episode: Running to Stand Still (2015)

TV-PG | 42 min | Action, Adventure, Drama

Believing Flash to be weakened, Weather Wizard returns to break Captain Cold and The Trickster out of Iron Heights Prison to form a triumvirate against him at Christmastime.

Director: Kevin Tancharoen | Stars: Grant Gustin, Candice Patton, Danielle Panabaker, Carlos Valdes

Votes: 4,708