Klaus
By Sandie Angulo Chen,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Santa origin story is a sweet reminder of generosity.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Klaus
Community Reviews
Based on 41 parent reviews
40 minutes of sarcasm & horror then Okay. not for little kids
An ABSOLUTE Christmas Must-See
What's the Story?
KLAUS follows Jesper (voiced by Jason Schwartzman), a privileged young Postal Academy employee whose strict father, the Postmaster General, punishes him with the most remote assignment possible: Smeerensburg, an island above the Arctic Circle. Jesper can't return to his pampered life at home until he processes 6,000 pieces of mail in one year. But upon arriving in Smeerensburg, it becomes clear that the citizens aren't inclined to send correspondence: The town is built on resentment and recrimination, and the founding families are engaged in a War of the Roses-style feud. Even the town's one teacher, Alva (Rashida Jones), has turned into a fishmonger because the warring factions don't send their kids to school to sit next to the enemy. After Jesper accidentally delivers a child's letter to village hermit Klaus (J.K. Simmons), a carpenter and toymaker, Klaus asks Jesper to deliver a toy back to the child. This gives Jesper a brilliant idea: Every kid who writes Klaus a letter should get a toy in response; that way, all the eager kids' letters will eventually add up to his father's quota.
Is It Any Good?
This holiday movie with roots in friendship, bridge-building, and the dying art of letter writing is sure to entertain and amuse thanks to its impressive animation and expressive voice cast. Klaus's take on the Santa origin story is unique and a little loopy, but as Jesper and Klaus collaborate to bring toys to the children of Smeerensburg, the movie manages to explain all of the key points of the Santa legend (the reindeer, the sled, the chimney, the big bag of toys, even the bright red outfit). The snowy landscapes are gorgeously animated -- swirling shades of white, blue, brown, and red -- while the characters are crisp and expressive. On one side, there's the perpetually scowling matriarch of the Krum family (Joan Cusack), and on the other, there's the adorable Sámi girl who ends up enlisting her entire tribe to assist Jesper and Klaus in his workshop.
The initial premise -- that Jesper just wants the kids' postage-paid letters and the return toys delivered so that he can get out of Smeerensburg -- isn't nearly as important as the ensuing friendships between both Jesper and Klaus and Jesper and Alva, who's finally able to go back to teaching once the kids realize they need to learn to write to send Klaus letters. Jesper's character development is crucial in recognizing the story's holiday spirit. Giving to the kids isn't a means to an end at all. The giving is what brings meaning to Klaus, to him, and eventually to the entire town. Sweeter and more thoughtful than it needed to be, this is a fine holiday pick for the family.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Klaus. How much scary stuff can young kids handle?
What do you think of this origin story for Santa Claus? What's unique about it? How does it compare to other Santa-based movies?
How do the characters display teamwork and compassion? How does the mail facilitate good communication? Why are those important character strengths?
Movie Details
- In theaters: November 8, 2019
- On DVD or streaming: November 15, 2019
- Cast: Jason Schwartzman , J.K. Simmons , Rashida Jones
- Director: Sergio Pablos
- Inclusion Information: Female actors, Black actors
- Studio: Netflix
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy , Friendship , Holidays
- Character Strengths: Communication , Compassion , Teamwork
- Run time: 98 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: rude humor and mild action
- Awards: BAFTA , Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: February 18, 2023
Inclusion information powered by
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate