Released in 2019, Klaus is an animated reimagining of the Santa Claus myth. But instead of a jolly man in a red suit who lives at the North Pole because "magic," we get Jesper, a spoiled, lazy brat who is the worst student in the Royal Post Office Academy. To teach him a lesson, his father stations him in Smeerensburg, a frozen island above the Arctic Circle, with a mission: mail 6,000 letters in a year or be cut off.

The problem? Smeerensburg is home to two warring clans (the Ellingboes and the Krums) who haven't spoken to each other in generations—except to throw rocks. They don't write letters; they fight. Jesper eventually teams up with a reclusive woodsman named Klaus, and they start delivering toys to children who write letters.

It’s not just a "Christmas movie." It’s a masterclass in storytelling that explains the why behind the traditions: the chimney, the reindeer, the coal, and the red suit.

First off, it’s visually stunning. It uses a unique 2D animation style that looks like a living painting, which is a massive relief if your kids have been binging low-budget "brain rot" YouTube content.

Kids also love Jesper. He’s not a "goody-two-shoes" protagonist. He’s selfish and sarcastic, which makes his eventual transformation feel earned rather than forced. The slapstick is high-quality, and the "scary" elements—like the massive, brooding clan leaders—provide just enough tension to keep older kids (the 8-12 crowd) engaged without traumatizing the 6-year-olds.

In Smeerensburg, the two families hate each other because... well, they’ve always hated each other. It’s a "tradition."

If you spend any time looking at how kids interact online today—whether it's the weird tribalism in Roblox servers or the way they use "Ohio" as a catch-all for anything "weird" or "bad"—you see how quickly "us vs. them" mentalities form. Kids are experts at picking up on who they are supposed to dislike based on social cues.

Klaus shows that traditions aren't always good. Sometimes, a tradition is just a bad habit that’s been around for a long time. The movie centers on the quote: "A true selfless act always sparks another." It’s a simple, actionable philosophy that resonates because the movie shows the ripple effect of kindness in real-time.

Learn more about how to talk to your kids about online tribalism

While Klaus is rated PG, here’s the No-BS breakdown of what to expect:

After the credits roll, instead of just asking "Did you like it?", try a few of these conversation starters. These are designed to bridge the gap between a 19th-century postman and your kid’s 2025 digital life.

Ask: "The families in Smeerensburg fought just because their parents did. Do we have any 'traditions' or habits—even online or at school—that we do just because everyone else does them, even if they aren't kind?" Why it matters: This helps kids identify peer pressure and the "herd mentality" often found on platforms like TikTok.

Ask: "Jesper started helping Klaus just to get his letters, but it ended up changing the whole town. Have you ever seen one small kind thing turn into something bigger?" Why it matters: It reinforces that they don't have to be a superhero to make a difference.

Ask: "Why did Alva (the teacher) start teaching again? How did the kids learning to read and write change the town?" Why it matters: In the movie, literacy is what actually breaks the feud. When kids can communicate, they stop fighting. It's a great plug for why reading books and clear communication matter.

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If your family loved the vibe of Klaus, here are a few other titles that hit those same notes of kindness, tradition, and humor:

This is another "modern classic" that looks at the logistics of Santa. It’s high-energy and very funny, focusing on the tension between high-tech efficiency and old-fashioned heart.

A slightly more traditional "magical" origin story on Netflix, based on the book by Matt Haig. It deals with grief and hope in a way that feels very grounded.

While the original is a classic, the Illumination version does a great job of showing the Grinch's "why." It’s a softer take on the character that focuses heavily on his loneliness and the kindness of Cindy Lou Who.

Wait, hear me out. If you have younger kids, the episode "Christmas Swim" or "Verandah Santa" covers the exact same themes of kindness and tradition but in 7-minute bites. It's the gold standard for teaching emotional intelligence.

Klaus is a rare gem in the holiday movie landscape. It manages to be cynical and sweet at the same time, much like parenting itself. It doesn't pander to kids with loud noises and bright colors; it respects their intelligence and their ability to understand complex social dynamics.

If you’re looking to move your family's digital diet away from "junk food" content and toward something that actually builds character (without being a total bore), put this on the schedule.

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