Why the Animated Film Klaus is a Christmas Movie That Stays With You

There are certain Christmas movies that just click, that burrow their way into your heart and become annual traditions. For me, 'Klaus' is one of those. This article is part Klaus movie review, but mostly reflects my deep appreciation for this animated gem.

I think A Christmas Story will always be my favorite Christmas movie, but Klaus is right up there as 1B. From the moment I watched this movie, I knew it was one I’d watch every year. Most years I’ve watched it multiple times.

A Christmas Movie with Deep Emotional Themes

It’s a simple story of someone learning who they are while they believe they’re trying to escape the position they’ve been put in. In this case, Jesper wants to live a life of privilege and accept no responsibility. His father gives him the tough-love approach and sends him to the furthest corner of the world and gives him a task.

Accomplish the task within the year and you can go back to your old life. Fail and you’re cut off from it all.

This film reminds me a lot of Groundhog day. Both movies feature selfish characters that are not looking for self-improvement, but find it in the attempt to remove themselves from a situation. They think they’re on the journey to extricate themselves from a situation and get back to their old life, but in the end they’ve discovered the journey has changed them and taught them lessons they didn’t know they needed, or wanted to learn.

I find that theme relatable. How many times have I been in a situation where I’m looking for the answer to move on from the problem only to discover the information I’ve learned helps me in ways I never realized?

Jesper's initial desire to escape his post is a relatable feeling, but it's watching him discover his capacity for kindness, and how that kindness changes an entire town, that really resonates. Just this aspect the Klaus movie would make it a must-watch for most people, but the heart of this story is the friendship.

The Heart of Klaus: Friendship and Transformation

The gradual shift from Jesper and Klaus's transactional arrangement to genuine camaraderie, is beautifully done. The scene that always gets me is when Jesper attempts to make the sled for Margu. It’s the realized transformation from a self-centered person to one who is looking to make others happy. He’s not accustomed to being selfless, like he’s not a woodworker, but he’s making the effort. Klaus sees that effort and comes to his aid.

The friendship is not overdone and it takes its time to build and the payoff is fantastic. No matter how many times I watch this, it never fails to choke me up.

“A true selfless act always sparks another.”

— Klaus

The way the film ties together all the threads of kindness and community, culminating in Jesper coming back in an attempt to save the kids’ toys, always gets me. It's a reminder of the power of simple acts of generosity.

Klaus Gets Its Accolades

Klaus was nominated for Best Animated Feature by The Oscars in 2020 and the British Academy Film Awards names it it’s Best Animated Film in the same year. This recognition highlights why this animated Christmas movie is one of the best available, and in my opinion, one of the best of all-time.

Fans love it too. It has a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. Margaret Darby for the Deseret News in 2022 selected Klaus as on of the 10 underrated Christmas movies to watch.

Wrapping Up

It's a film I want to share with everyone, to hold onto and revisit whenever I need a reminder of the power of kindness. I tell everyone I know every Christmas they need to watch this movie. I wish Netflix would release this on a physical disc, if only I could hold it as close in real life that I do in my heart.