The best Christmas movie in the world is one you probably haven't seen.

Forget the tired debate about Die Hard versus Love Actually. Step away from the annual re-watch of Home Alone. Because the best Christmas movie in the world is one you probably haven't seen, and it's time you added it to your essential holiday viewing list.

I'm talking about Klaus.

Yes, Klaus. The 2019 animated film that quietly landed on Netflix and proceeded to sweep the animation awards season (including an Oscar nomination and seven Annie Awards). But more importantly, it absolutely redefined what a Christmas movie could be.

As someone whose job involves watching and critiquing films, I've sat through more Santa origin stories than I care to admit. And let me tell you, Klaus is, in my professional opinion, the best Christmas movie ever made. No exaggeration.

Watch: The trailer for Klaus. Article continues after video.

I watch it every single Christmas with my family and it never fails to make me laugh, cry, and wish I was a child all over again. 

The film flips the classic Santa narrative. We follow Jesper, the spoiled and disastrously bad-at-his-job postman, who is sent to the wretched, perpetually feuding town of Smeerensburg. His only task? Post 6,000 letters. It's an impossible assignment, until he stumbles upon a reclusive, giant toymaker named Klaus. 

What follows is an ingenious, utterly compelling Santa Claus origin story that explains the entire mythology — from the chimney drops and the naughty/nice list to the reindeer and the presents — in the most organic, delightful, and genuinely funny way imaginable. It's witty, it's sharp, and it has jokes that land perfectly for both the cynical adult and the giggling child.

The cast of Klaus also features a stellar lineup, including Jason Schwartzman, Oscar-winner J.K. Simmons, Rashida Jones, Will Sasso and Joan Cusack.

Image: Netflix

In an era dominated by hyper-realistic CGI, Klaus gifts us with an animation style so beautiful and unique it will genuinely take your breath away. But while the visuals are stunning, the score by Alfonso G. Aguilar is the film's secret weapon.

There are two scenes in particular where the swell in music never fail to make me cry. Every single time. No spoilers, but two words: child-like wonder. 

But this is where Klaus ranks above the tired seasonal pack and what makes it a film that is truly a joy for the whole family. We're talking genuinely enjoyable for the adults, not just something they'll manage to sit through. 

In my opinion, what dramatically separates standard "kids' movies" from the animated classics that have cross-generational appeal is the weight of the film's message and the storytelling. 

A lesser film might offer a flimsier moral, but Klaus masterfully weaves its entire philosophy into the very DNA of the story. 

Klaus utterly rejects the simple path. Instead, it fearlessly tackles adult themes — inherited feuds, bone-deep apathy, and personal redemption — presenting them through the eyes of two beautifully complex, deeply flawed protagonists. 

Klaus is grounded in a belief in the inherent goodness of people. The central theme is simple yet profound: a simple act of true kindness always sparks another. 

Image: Netflix

Jesper doesn't set out to be good; he's trying to game the system to get home. But through his actions, the frozen, bitter hearts of the people of Smeerensburg begin to thaw. The film shows, rather than tells, how difficult grudges are overcome, how cynicism gives way to community, and how a whole town can be transformed by one small, selfless gesture.

It's for adults, it's for kids, it's for families, it's for everyone. It's the kind of movie that leaves you feeling lighter, warmer, and genuinely hopeful for humanity.

So, this year, skip the same old routine. Treat yourself to a film that is artistically stunning, genuinely hilarious, and boasts more heart and beautiful music than any other Christmas offering.

Seriously. Go watch Klaus. You'll thank me later. 

Feature Image: Netflix.